There’s a lot to like about traveling the country fulltime in an RV. So, it’s easy for folks considering the lifestyle - and those who are living it - to think that fulltime RVing is good for everybody. And, anything short of selling the house and most of your stuff, loading up a big RV and hitting the road fulltime somehow doesn’t “count”.
It reminds me a bit of when we were single. As our friends got married, they started a chorus of telling us how great married life was and that we should do it. Heck, they thought everybody should do it! After we were married, it seemed like everyone we knew was having a baby or two. And, like married life, we heard an endless chorus of the joys of parenthood. It was as if once they crossed that point of no return they took a vow to promote marriage and parenthood as the only way to live.
Read the blogs of fulltimers and it won’t take long to hear the chorus. The lifestyle is great. Everyone loves every minute of it. They recommend it to others. Together we’re singing the praises of a lifestyle and, perhaps quite unintentionally, encouraging everyone to jump in because the water is fine.
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of “getting ready” to fulltime. Heck, we even started this blog to document it all. But, the truth is, once the house and most of your belongings are gone, basically you’re living in an RV. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) The only real difference between you and an “anytime RVer” is the anytimers have a house to go back to if and when they want.
This is another reason why it’s important to revisit the “Why” behind your decision to fulltime. If your innermost desire is to be free of the obligations of maintaining a house and yard and the experience of living in a neighborhood community, then selling your home and most of your belongings might make sense. If, on the other hand, your fulltiming objective is to travel for awhile, you might want to think twice before selling the place. There aren’t any fulltime RVing “rules” that say you can’t travel the country fulltime and keep your house. As we’ve said before, there isn’t just one way to approach this lifestyle. The possibilities are endless.
When we were a few weeks away from hitting the road, the house was sold and we were packing a few possessions into our 7-by-7-foot storage container. We received some criticism that we weren’t “doing it right.” We couldn’t really call ourselves fulltimers because we had some of our belongings in storage. Of course, who cares what other people think? It doesn’t really matter.
The point here is there’s nothing “wrong” with keeping a house or a storage container. And there’s no rule that says you have to spend 365 days a year in your RV if you don’t want to. Snowbirding is a way to get a taste of fulltiming. Why not head to pleasant weather when conditions at home aren’t to your liking? And, when the weather is at its best, for many there’s no place like home.
For those homeowners considering fulltime RVing, here’s a key question to ask yourselves: If you decide after a year or two that this fulltiming gig isn’t your cup of tea - or you're just done doing it - then, whatcha’ gonna do? The answer can help you design your very own version of the RV life.
Hitting the road and enjoying extended travel across the continent is a desire shared by many. Fulltime RVing is one, just one, of many ways to scratch that itch. A word to the wise for good folks considering this lifestyle: Take a look at a bunch of solutions to your desire to hit the road. Chances are you’ll design a unique approach that is a perfect fit for you.
And, if anyone tells you you’re not doing it right, who cares?
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8 comments:
Good discussion. I think the issue of being "full time" and still having the house comes down to two things. Will you want to return to the same house when you are done and can you afford the house while you are gone? If the answer to either of those is no, then something has to give.
In our case, we were done living where we were, so did not want to keep the house. When we have had enough of traveling around in an RV, we will find a new house that meets are needs and most likely get rid of the big motorhome in favor of a smaller one or maybe start a whole new hobby.
Everyone needs to think about these big questions, because getting it wrong can be very expensive.
My answer would be exactly like Chuck Anneke's is, except we are still here in the house. When Craig is done working (hopefully this December) we will have no ties here. He doesn't care for San Diego where our daughter lives, so one of the goals for our full time years will be to look for a new place to live when we want to settle down again.
Full timing is just another step. We expect to set a good amount aside for life after the RV.
Great post! I agree wholeheartedly! There are so many ways to do this that who are 'they' to say which is the right way. The right way is any way that works for you.
Very well said. I like you style and how you write.
We, too, dumped the house when we moved into the MH. Though we really liked the house and neighborhood, we knew it wouldn't be a house we would return to after fulltiming, however long our FT life lasted, so didn't want the responsibility of maintenance, insurance, etc.
We really enjoy knowing that there is nowhere we have to/need to return - no belongings other than those we currently carry with us. However, it would never occur to me to criticize someone who made a different decision!
Now our only problem for post-fulltime life (whenever/whatever that is) is: where the heck would we want to live? You sure get spoiled following the weather and your interests.
Safe travels!
We fully plan to keep our home and travel part time....four or five months a year. I am looking forward to it but it is still two - four years away.
Sometimes, life's circumstances dictate a decision one way or the other. Personally, maintaining a residence and traveling was not an option for me. It was one or the other. I'm happy with my choice for me, but it surely is not the best choice for everyone.
As time marches on, one must re-evaluate the options. :)
this lifestyle choice is all about choices..whether you do it right or not..it is a choice!..good post Nat!!..the road to fulltiming is a long one filled with many twists and turns!
Very well said Mary!! Kick it up a notch, will you?! Can't wait to read the rest of the story!!
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