Wondering??

[caysea7254]

Hi just wondering how many of you fulltimers have a home or rv lot that you call homebase. My husband and I are trying to figure out what we want in retirement. I would be just fine with just the RV but my DH feels he needs just a small piece of property so if after 5 months of traveling he feels like coming back to what he calls his space and take a break even if just for a month. Just would like to hear from you fulltimers on the subject. Thanks Tara

[ITguy]

I wouldn't mind having a home base, but it wouldn't be a house.

I'm a fairly "handy" guy, grandpa taught me how to fix cars before I was old enough to drive, always done my own home repairs, etc... Since we went full-time 2 years ago I find I'm spending WAY too much money having other people do repairs and maintenance that I'd be perfectly fine doing myself. Plus, I prefer doing it myself because then I know it's been done right. Since going full-time, there are certain things that I simply don't have a suitable spot to do.

My perfect home base would be 2 or 3 acres of wooded land, about 10 miles out from a decent sized city (so parts and supplies are handy), with a shed large enough to pull the motorhome or a couple of cars into. Add on a concrete pad with full RV hookups, and I'd call it perfect.

[bigmichael]

We have been FTing for 7+ years. Back then, when we sold the house, we expected we would get a "base" somewhere with in a couple of years. We didn't know what it would be-a lot-a small house-a condo ????

Bottom line, now 7 years later, we still haven't gotten a base anywhere. We have ruled out a lot of places, and probably narrowed down a couple of possibilities. But we also have not found a burning desire. We travel a lot, staying most places for a week or so for about 8 months a year. Then we sit still for 4 months or so in the winter. The sitting still in the winter is always enough for us that we are anxious to hit the road again when we head out. And the winter sits have included areas in AZ, TX, and Fl, which probably would not be the case if we had a base.

[caysea7254]

2Gypsies, We would stay out west because we love it and so much to see! Children live in Indiana and Tennesse, so at longest we would only be somewhere 3-4 months then come back to this area for awhile and take off again. That is really all the longer I could probably be away from kids and grandbabies. Now I'm doing research on areas close to each sons home that we could camp for extended time. That way maybe DH could look at it as each of our sons home could be his home base. Long shot but have 4 years to work this out. This week going to pick up our new 2014 Silverado 3500 HD diesel 4x4 crew cab. He says rather be safe than sorry for size of 5th wheel we will purchase in a few years. That tells me he is leaning my way!!!! 🙂

[caysea7254]

oh and his main concern of all. He said we have to jump forward to future to know what plan is there if one gets ill or one passes. I cant worry about tomorrow only this day! 🙂

[caysea7254]

I think my DH would be fine once we started. The huge reason for fulltiming is to see this beautiful country without being in a hurry. That is what I have been doing writing a list of Pros and Cons for him to see and so far my pros far out weigh the cons.
His concerns are where will our children and grandchildren come visit us at. We will go to them I told him!! I want to break free from the traditional life and live my life. He thinks im nuts!!!! lol I say aren't we all alittle. 🙂

[emaav]

We are scheduled to full time in 36 days. We have a backup plan if it does not work out for us. A lot that we can park on that has full hook ups that we only pay $100 a month for. Thank you in-laws....

[2gypsies1]

Caysea: If your husband only wants to travel 3-4 months and then sit at his home base for a month I don't think you should consider full-timing. He wouldn't be happy.

Would he be willing just to stay at a RV park for a month or two instead of buying a home base? That way you won't be committed to always returning to the same place. You mentioned Florida as a home base. Does that mean you wouldn't travel west? Florida is a long way from the west to travel back and forth every 3 months. I guess it depends on what your 'full-timing' idea is...will you be traveling or staying near Florida in order to keep returning to Florida?

[wannavolunteerF]

My plan is to sell House and use a piece of property that has been in our family since the original land grand grant in the early 1800's. My mom is getting ready to transfer property to my brother and myself and we will set up as LLC, family farm to share ownership, costs and protect it and us from each other doing something stupid, so that it can stay in the family for another 200 years. We have an old TT set up there now, and my brother and SIL are hoping to replace it with a newer and more rodent proof cabin. I will just be sure I have RV connections. Being in Middle GA, the weather in winter won't be as great as south FL or TX, but would be manageable if I needed to stay a while. My really long term exit plan includes having Long Term Care Insurance. If I can't situate my RV somewhere more permanently when I am no longer traveling, then I have options. I also have no desire to own another house.. I am tired of being responsible for all the maintenance. I already know I will have to do another $15-20K work on my current house to sell it. Nothing that I have neglected, just age issues like roof, waterheater, and painting AGAIN.

[TenOC]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
We sold everything and then hit the road.....with an exit plan just in case..

Have an exit plan

[caysea7254]

well we have 4 years before retirement God willing and so from reading this forum and others I guess we will begin looking for a small piece of land or a deeded rv lot for our base. Location will most likely be in Fla. somewhere! That will make my DH happy but me I would rather not have the expense of property. Thanks everyone for your info,appreciate it!! 🙂 Tara

[rollingslow]

we kept the house but are there only about 4/5 weeks twice a year..i would sell it today but after the dw had her stroke she needs a homebase

[Ropdoc]

This is a question heavy on my mind. We are hoping to go fulltime in December. I can't wait. My only issue is that I am out in the shop almost every day. I get off work at 12:30 just so I can get out to the shop. I love working with my hands making things for people or repairing things. I have looked for RV parks that have shops but there aren't enough out there. I am hoping to bring my tools with me so I can make things to sell along the way. Woodworking is my drug of choice and I am to addicted to quit.

[soos]

missourijan wrote:
No house or rv lot. We keep a large chunk of $$ in a CD in case we change our minds.

x2
we don't know where we would even WANT a home base, but I am sure someday we will so the money is there.
Sue

[Don_Shar]

we went to South Dakota in 2005, enjoyed it so much we got home sold our house, gave belongings to the family and went full time. We have been to Alaska, all over the lower 48 and spent a winter in Mexico. No better life could be had, for some. we have fulltimed since 2005 and now have bought a place in Yuma, Az. We will move in September 2015 but will not give up traveling. But as far as fulltime RV. We loved it.