How Long?

[Dog_Folks]

I see more and more of the bloggers/full timers leaving the lifestyle for what ever reason. Some because of health problems, some because they found the "perfect" spot they want to live.

Got me to thinking.(I know that is dangerous :))

Is there a cycle of entering this lifestyle, staying a while and then leaving? How long is the average full time experience?


So how long have YOU been full timing?

I'll start: Nine years now.

[dewey02]

Thread Title - How Long?
Answer: That's a rather personal question.
(Credit to Monty Python)

[missourijan]

9 years, no plans to settle down until we have to

[Clay_L]

We full timed for 11 years and snowbirded for 1 year. We were about ready to stop anyway but health pushed us to make the decision.
Great life style and enjoyed those years immensely.

[BarbaraOK]

We've been fulltiming for 9 years, but this past year we changed a little in that we have a winter RV that is stationary in a park where we spend 6 months and use the motorhome for the other six months to travel. Since we like AZ in the winter, made sense to us. But as we age, we find that we are slowing down and I am sure that within a very few years, it will just be the AZ place for us.

Barb

[Nolan]

I know of a LOT of people who have quit the full-time RV lifestyle. Not to many because of medical issues, more of found a place they want to call home. Or a summer home and a winter home. Just going to drive or fly between the two. Several because the cost of ownership of an RV and campground fees are to high.

For us it will be eleven years on Oct. 9th. Same truck and trailer. Wife wants to full-time another ten years, I'm ready to quit. Like the idea of a summer and winter home.

[edbehnke]

also remember full timing is different for many people. some keep traveling around the country...looking at new places. while other just stay in one or two places.

i know people in their 70s who have been full timers for a number of years. the bottom line is whatever you want to do, have the money and as long as you are healthy.

[rdmike]

Two years. 6 months traveling about the US. 6 months in a condo in Thailand. When it becomes no fun, we will sell it all. On our 6 th month, excited to return to Thailand and live in the brick and sticks. After 2 months there, we start getting excited on where we will go and visit when back in the US. Even the dog comes along.


Condo is perfect for us as we just lock the door. Cable and internet is suspended, electricity is less than 10 dollars a month and water 5 dollars all set up on auto pay along with hoa. It is a highrise so full of security and card key to get in. No repairs, no lawn, pool, etc. No worries what so ever. In the US we have a cheap burner phone, and a mifi. We use DISH month to month. Store the rig and car in a enclosed storage. Seems to work for us.

[Old-Biscuit]

Hit the road with one intention.........travel the USA and we did for 7 wonderful yrs.


Life thru a curve......but we had an 'exit plan'
We weren't 'ready' as we loved the travel/adventure.

We still get itchy feet

[noplace2]

14.5 years so far. We both intend to make this our final way of life.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

6 years and counting. We will full time as long as we are able. When we both agree it's time, we will decide what to do then.

[stickdog]

We're on our sixth year and have no plans to stop anytime soon. As far as that perfect place we'll need to win the lotto and have perfect places all over the USA to suit our mood and the weather.

[2gypsies1]

I chuckle when folks say "We're going to TRY it for a year to see if we like it." A year is not going to do it so don't put a time limit on it.

Our intentions when we began was just to see this beautiful country. We weren't looking for a new place to settle. We traveled constantly for 16+ years and all of the sudden we fell in love with an area we never dreamed we'd end up.

[rv2go]

This fall we will be starting our 13th year with no plans to stop.

[SCR]

Going on 17 years, still out here roaming around but I get lost more often now and my truck keys have gotten better at hiding, I think.