My wife and I currently have our Tennessee home on the market. We lived in Florida for almost 20 years and have family still there. We were offered better jobs in Florida and considering going back. The house we have in TN is more than we need or can afford at this time. We are thinking about buying a used 5th wheel - we already have a truck but may upgrade that depending on the size of the 5th wheel. We are debt free and will stay debt free after getting the house sold. We should also be able to put a nice chunk of money in the bank when the house sells. We are thinking of full timing in Florida for a year or so until we decide what area we would like to buy a house. We will be in Central Florida but don't want to be rushed into a decision of where to buy. We really won't be traveling since we will both be working full time jobs, but just staying put in the Central Florida area with maybe an occasional trip to TN to see our daughter. Is this a fairly reasonable idea or should we rent a place until we decide where to buy a house? With the rent prices we are seeing in Florida we think this may be a less expensive way to go since we won't be traveling. Also if it is about the same cost overall as renting an apartment, we would prefer the camper instead. Any feedback appreciated.

RV can get really cramped in a hurry. Plus maintenance can be a killer if your not used to it. Consider a park model instead. Cheaper to buy, more living space, less upkeep. Of course you wont be able to move it either. We lived 8 months in our fiver while trying tonfind a house too. Lots of negatives if your parked in one place. Now, if you were full timing and moving every month or so, thats another story

donn0128 wrote:RV can get really cramped in a hurry. Plus maintenance can be a killer if your not used to it. Consider a park model instead. Cheaper to buy, more living space, less upkeep. Of course you wont be able to move it either. We lived 8 months in our fiver while trying tonfind a house too. Lots of negatives if your parked in one place. Now, if you were full timing and moving every month or so, thats another storyx2 on park model.bumpy

Be sure to read through the journal entries at this websitewww.rv-dreams.comThis couple left great corporate jobs to RV fulltime. They had never been in an RV before starting this new adventure. They've been on the road for 9 years.The journal entries show all the good and bad they have dealt with. Plus they post their expenses for each month with a summary for each year. They have spent time in Florida as well as other eastern states, with a couple of trips west.

You need to decide what you want to do. If you want to travel, then buy a motorized vehicle. If you travel to see your daughter on an occasional trip, is that one or twice per year? It might be cheaper just to drive. Personally, I would never buy a motorized vehicle if I am not moving from one town to another at least every 6 months. Buying a 5th because it's "cheap", you may find out it may not be the way to go: Like posted above, it may be too cramped, too noisy etc... My wife and I fulltime in a 43 foot class A and we move on average once every 2 weeks. Subtract the diesel costs, we are around $2,000 per month and that's minimum with no repairs. We don't dry camp! There are a lot of trade offs. Bottom line, if you're going to travel, then buy a 5th. And, remember the 3 rules of real estate: Location, location, location. If you buy a park model, you've just violated the 3 rules of real estate and you cannot turn on the key and move to another park.

donn0128 wrote:RV can get really cramped in a hurry. Plus maintenance can be a killer if your not used to it. Consider a park model instead. Cheaper to buy, more living space, less upkeep. Of course you wont be able to move it either. We lived 8 months in our fiver while trying tonfind a house too. Lots of negatives if your parked in one place. Now, if you were full timing and moving every month or so, thats another storyMy dad winters in Winter Haven, in a small double-wide senior community. Last year he paid $10,000 for a nice used double-wide on a lot that costs $240 per month. It's a simple, well kept park. Considering the space, the ability to heat and cool easily, having real toilet, shower, and sewer, and the money, I cannot see doing the same in a fiver. Due to death or disability, there are always a handful for sale there. I'm sure it is the same all over central Florida. He says the rent is below market because the owner is satisfied with his tenants and there is no pool, just a simple clubhouse. Even if the rent was $400 per month, this seems like a no-brainer.

Thinking of Full Timing for a Couple Years | Good Sam Community

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 08, 2016
Dutch4204 wrote:
It's been a while since I first posted this topic, but wanted to give a bit of an update. We sold our house in Sept. 2015. We did go ahead and buy the 5th wheel. We got a good deal on a used 28 foot with 3 slides. We moved to Florida and since September we have been in the same campground. We had some unplanned medical issues that we had to take care of so that is why we haven't traveled anywhere yet.

So far we feel we made the right decision. It has been great living in the 5th wheel even though we haven't been able to travel yet. Space has not been an issue and has worked out good for us. We hope to get back and forth to TN a little more often now. We both found good jobs but still talking about staying in the 5th wheel for 1-2 years to save money. Expenses so far have been minimal.

The hardest part was downsizing, but we knew it would be since we read these forum frequently. But getting rid of as much junk as posible is definitely the way to go.

Thanks for returning and giving us an update. Wish more folks would do so. Glad it worked out for you!
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
Glad it is working for you.
rkortes
Explorer
Apr 08, 2016
Dutch4204 wrote:
It's been a while since I first posted this topic, but wanted to give a bit of an update. We sold our house in Sept. 2015. We did go ahead and buy the 5th wheel. We got a good deal on a used 28 foot with 3 slides. We moved to Florida and since September we have been in the same campground. We had some unplanned medical issues that we had to take care of so that is why we haven't traveled anywhere yet.

So far we feel we made the right decision. It has been great living in the 5th wheel even though we haven't been able to travel yet. Space has not been an issue and has worked out good for us. We hope to get back and forth to TN a little more often now. We both found good jobs but still talking about staying in the 5th wheel for 1-2 years to save money. Expenses so far have been minimal.

The hardest part was downsizing, but we knew it would be since we read these forum frequently. But getting rid of as much junk as posible is definitely the way to go.

It's always great to hear how things worked out for folks. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Apr 07, 2016
Bumpyroad wrote:
donn0128 wrote:
RV can get really cramped in a hurry. Plus maintenance can be a killer if your not used to it. Consider a park model instead. Cheaper to buy, more living space, less upkeep. Of course you wont be able to move it either. We lived 8 months in our fiver while trying tonfind a house too. Lots of negatives if your parked in one place. Now, if you were full timing and moving every month or so, thats another story

x2 on park model.
bumpy

X3

The park models in Central Florida right now are still going for really cheap. I've been searching for one for a friend and there are many REAL nice ones for sale.

They are the last type of homes that can still be bought real low that are left over from the real estate crash. AND in many cases the price of a park model is lower than what you would pay for an RV that will do nothing but loose value. AND they are already hooked up, manicured lawns, w/car ports etc. ready to move in.

Real Estate is now on the rise. So if you picked up a nice park model for a couple of years you will most definitely be able to sell it for more than you paid for it. So from a financial standpoint that is what I would do.
Dutch4204
Explorer
Apr 06, 2016
It's been a while since I first posted this topic, but wanted to give a bit of an update. We sold our house in Sept. 2015. We did go ahead and buy the 5th wheel. We got a good deal on a used 28 foot with 3 slides. We moved to Florida and since September we have been in the same campground. We had some unplanned medical issues that we had to take care of so that is why we haven't traveled anywhere yet.

So far we feel we made the right decision. It has been great living in the 5th wheel even though we haven't been able to travel yet. Space has not been an issue and has worked out good for us. We hope to get back and forth to TN a little more often now. We both found good jobs but still talking about staying in the 5th wheel for 1-2 years to save money. Expenses so far have been minimal.

The hardest part was downsizing, but we knew it would be since we read these forum frequently. But getting rid of as much junk as posible is definitely the way to go.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014
since the OP is not planning on using the RV for traveling, but wants the ability to move it, I would think a standard Trailer would be preferable. no steps to climb to bed room, can be towed by most any decently sized TV with a hitch, not 5th wheel, and I "assume" a TT would be cheaper than a 5er when comparing equivalent units.
bumpy
RoadLife
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
Fiver for sure. With slides. I really like 5ers - the layouts and roominess inside can't be beat. Plus you will continue to use it after you buy a house. AND you never know - you may decide to continue to live in your 5er and throw money into your retirement funds for an earlier retirement....
Dutch4204
Explorer
Aug 30, 2014
wannavolunteerFT wrote:
I agree with John&Joey. If you go with the 5'ver, you can move from park to park in the area easily. You may find you like one better than the other for many different reasons. Extra amenities may be appealing at first, to discover you never use them. Or since you will have regular FT jobs, you may find the commute from one park is absolutely atrocious, but an easy trip from another. If I should ever decide to move to another area before I can retire, I will start in my TT, then decide on permanent (or more permanent) later.

I know of a couple of people who moved to this area and lived in their 5'ver for months while deciding where to settle more permannetly. They lived in completely different type parks (less than 10 miles apart) but convenient to their FT jobs.

Not that we needed much more convincing, but I believe we are going to go the 5th wheel route. Now does anyone want to buy a house in East Tennessee? :)
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Aug 30, 2014
I agree with John&Joey. If you go with the 5'ver, you can move from park to park in the area easily. You may find you like one better than the other for many different reasons. Extra amenities may be appealing at first, to discover you never use them. Or since you will have regular FT jobs, you may find the commute from one park is absolutely atrocious, but an easy trip from another. If I should ever decide to move to another area before I can retire, I will start in my TT, then decide on permanent (or more permanent) later.

I know of a couple of people who moved to this area and lived in their 5'ver for months while deciding where to settle more permannetly. They lived in completely different type parks (less than 10 miles apart) but convenient to their FT jobs.
John_Joey
Explorer
Aug 27, 2014
Your plan is sound, some of the advice is not.

With your plan you have the ability to move from park to park. Not all Florida parks are created the same. Some will have clicks that you may not care for. Some will have a strong religious base that will expect you to participate in (may or may not be OK with you.)

Stay mobile in the beginning. Down there it is nothing to trade in a 5'ver for a used park model and have it delivered and setup on a site that you were currently renting and liked in a park that you enjoy.