Why Are Full timers Wrong?

[Dog_Folks]

Every so often we see threads about newly minted full time travelers and the "resistance" they encounter from friends, and family, when they reveal their plans. Somme even keep their plans a secret to avoid the questions/condemnations.

I am curious why you think this is?

Do friends just fear the unknown? Do they fear anything that breaks away from the typical two cars, house and two kids model?

Many of us have experienced this, but why?

When I meet someone with a different lifestyle, I want to know more about it, not condemn or criticize it.

[DutchmenSport]

I've had a "couple" occasions in my life when my family told me I was plain crazy for making some decisions in my life and fought hard against me. Actually, the 3 biggies was my first choice at a career ... which I have since changed after doing it for over 20 years. Second was my decision to go into the military. Third was the way I choose my spouse. (It really is a bizarre story .. too long for this forum, which by the way, I've been married for 28 years now and the Honeymoon has "just" started!). But, in all 3 cases it REALLY came down to only 1 reason why I had so many family members against me, and I think the same can be said for anyone wanting to go RV full timing ... "control!"

For some reason, far too many people in our lives have the dying need to control us, and every one else around them. When we launch out from under their "control" (or what they "think" is their control), they get all irate, mean spirited, start causing problem for us, attempt to get us discouraged, and constantly compare our wants and wishes against THEIR lifestyle. But in the end, it all boils down to the fact, once we've made the "break" (those people) cannot no longer control us.

Think about it, and I believe you'll all agree, this really is the root cause of so many people we know who have objections to the RV lifestyle, be it a full timer, or even a week-end warrior!

[GENECOP]

Anything different is judged.....thoughts, ideas, actions, etc.....always has been, always will be.....

[Oasisbob]

When I rode my bicycle across the United States folks thought I was crazey. Too bad for them I thought. I went and had a irreplacable adventure I will never forget while my skeptics sat at home and did nothing. Who was the winner here? Life is for the living. Go, enjoy

[MTPockets1]

If someone disagrees with our choice I see it as their problem. I've never known anyone to criticize our choice to full time, but do hear a lot of "I could never do that" or "I would but she/he won't" or "we could never stay in an RV that long".... To each their own - just enjoy whatever your choice.

[WoodGlue]

jorbill2or wrote:
Stick Homes and property provide security and surety. When you own your own home That security ( cant be taken away easily) can be very powerful. After all a Full Timer is just one wreck away from being Homeless. This is the way others may think The Nomadic lifestyle is not for everyone. There has to be a sense of adventure and yes risk taking to really enjoy it. To many that fear of the unknown is too much and friends cant see the "risk" and if one of the people in a "couple" have that fear fugetaboutit.

X2 on this explanation

WoodGlue

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

gbopp wrote:
Maybe they're just jealous?

I think that has a lot to do with it.

Full-timing is a complete break from the traditional definition of a comfortable retirement.

When we told our Good Sam chapter last month we were selling the house and going full-time in the new trailer in January - the mouth's fell open.

These are people who spend no less than four months, as many as nine months on the road each year, and all were saying "We couldn't do that"

Now in many cases - they have family obligations which make cutting the cord difficult.

Our best RV friends down in Central Texas want to go long-term to full-time so bad it hurts. But the need to care for an aging parent makes that impossible.

In our case, we simply told the kids - we have to do this now, or we will never be able to do it.

I'm a bit tired of my sister's "Oh I wish I could just go" but I have to keep an eye on Dad, I have to keep an eye on our disabled brother (Downs Syndrome) and sister (similar mental issues).

She does what she danged well pleases when it suits her. They dropped everything and have gone to three College World Series (son-in-law is pitching coach for Univ of Virginia) with a week's notice.

But she has never been really comfortable away from where we grew up. We have one brother who lives near home who feels the same way.

Another brother loves it at home, but loves the Houston area more.

My 89 year old father understands. He wouldn't do it, but he understands why I am.

I left home in 1970 after high school, and left the US in 1972 in the Navy determined to see as much of those world as possible.

When I was 8 and 9, I would take road maps of California, Arizona, New Mexico and dream of places to go and see. I've been to many, but there are more, and every time I make a trip, I find more new places to go next time.

I guess this rant boils down to some people are comfortable taking risks and dealing with the 'unknown'. Most people are not.

It scares them when we take leaps they would be unwilling to consider.

[John___Angela]

I have run into those who think full timing means you must have no property anywhere and only an RV and what it contains to be called a full timer. I am sure there are full timers like this, but the vast majority of full timers we meet seem to have property somewhere, wether that be in the form of a house or two they are renting out or an RV lot or two in various locations or a bank roll that is sufficient to buy a modest home when the time comes. The majority we know seem to have an exit strategy. Others are full timers for economic reasons and are enjoying their lives as much as they can given the hand of cards they are dealt. We have also met more than a few medical refugees living close to the Mexican border who are doing what it takes to survive. Full timers come from all walks of life.

[path1]

Over the years I have thought a lot about OP's question. I haven't been able to answer the question yet. But I've thought how wonderful it is that not everybody likes full timing. Gets hard enough in the summer and have to make reservations, just think if everybody liked it. just my 2 cents

[loulou57]

I don't agree with being one wreck away from being homeless. Sadly, your home can burn down etc. Both homes are insured and can be replaced.

I do agree that like with any major decision you need to do your homework also on full-time RVing.

No matter what, the grass always looks greener on the other side. That grass still needs cutting, feeding and repairing.

I am sure that people who full time RV do not sit back and not have challenges like those who stay in their home.

I would say that I think the majority of people who full time have planned and worked hard for their new lives. They should enjoy, they deserve it as much as the ones who have worked for their home but choose to stay in it.

I don't like to think people are jealous of one another. We all can have whatever we choose, we just have to plan and do it.

[Old-Biscuit]

Change of any kind 'scares' most people.
Comfort zone interrupted
'Fear' of the unknown

Dad worked the oilfield so we moved alot following the work.
I went to three different elementary schools, 2 different junior high schools and 2 different high schools. Mom always made it an adventure not a 'loss'.

GFs family was 'air force' and relocating wasn't something foreign

When we announced our plans to FT our families didn't give it a second thought.
Friends were envious and wished us good luck......enjoy the adventure.

We have encountered "Don't think we could do that" and that came from folks we meet out camping :B

[LynnandCarol]

Although we don't FT, we part time for 6 months out of the year. It is something we truly enjoy and decided to do it in the early part of our retirement while we are younger. Most of our friends and some family are actually jealous:)

[brirene]

Yeah, I get that. Surprisingly, I don't think our plans sound as appealing to friends who are outside of "our" community. I have yet to mention it to anyone without getting essentially a blank stare. I've yet to figure out exactly why, but I think the vast majority just can't understand the concept. But that's ok; to each his own, and less competition for the best spots! 😉

[bigdogger]

A lot of the posts where people are contemplating full-timing appear to be written by people who have not really planned the venture out. It is doing those people a service to question that endeavor. Retiring in general has many hidden expenses and costs, full time RVing adds to the costs, the risks and to many, the rewards. But for almost all full-timers, they need to have both an entry strategy and an exit strategy. It is that exit strategy that lots of people question. The RV will have depreciated, funds will have been spent entertaining and the people will be at the mercy of the housing market when they finally have to quit. A healthy examination of all the pluses and minuses can be very useful.

[Crazy_Ray]

Live for today, because you may not be around tomorrow. I watched my dad lay in the hospital for 109 days, he told me Ray live it today. So here we are doing it today.

[Bill_Satellite]

I have been traveling full time on business since 2000 and my mother still thinks I am just a hermit who enjoys a solitary life style. Anyone who has spent any time in an RV knows that this is far from the truth but the only life she knows and understands is a house and a garden and a fixed address where your mail goes!
She has even stayed with us a couple of times and seen how much we enjoy living the way we do but she just can't get the "hermit" image out of her head.