We dream about living in USA for 2 -3 years with periodic visits home. This is a pretty wild dream because  we are already in our 70s and we have some family responsibilities keeping us here in NZ.

In the meantime we will travel with you as we read your Blogs ....... that's if you don't mind us looking over your shoulder. Finding this connection to RV life has been a happy coincidence. We are learning and absorbing so much as we read, I'm sure we will be experts by the time we are free to follow our dream.

We have an old bus which is set up for full-time but currently we live in a house. We love travelling in New Zealand and are very proud of our beautiful country.

Our first visit to USA was 5 years ago and we've made 2 other trips since. We've travelled in 18 States spread over about 12 weeks in total. On our road trips we  preferred to avoid interstate roads and  just enjoy your wonderful country.

The next time we come we will still be on a visitors visa but would probably buy a smallish RV. We will also have a very modest budget and be on a fixed income.

This looks like a good place for us to learn but if you know of a more suitable one I'd be glad to know.

best of luck to you... i spent 17 days on the south island and just loved your beautiful country... hope to make it back there some day...

We wish you well on your plans. It is nice to know here are those in the world that want to come and really see our country.

Our dream might even come true. We are working towards some time in the 2nd half of 2011.

Now I am in shock. If this is for real there are so many things to do and learn.

Please, some questions.

Is there an RV site/blogs/information for non USA residents?

We expect to be on tourist visas but will purchase our own RV and need to store it when we return to NZ at regular intervals.

Is there a best time to buy used RVs?

Is there a particular State/place where the best deals can be found?

What is the cheapest place/way to store RVs for up to 3 months?

We are still trying to make up our minds between a 5ver and a Class C + small toad. We don't want to end up with a huge long rig. We can live comfortably in something 21 feet long and don't want to go over 28 feet + tow.

If anyone has advice or an opinion it will be helpful.

We'd like some help with all these question so if anyone can point us in the right direction It would appreciated.

Meantime we continue our research and begin to find our ducks so we can line them up and follow our dream.

I imagine some of these experiences full-timers will have some suggestions to answer your questions (I personally don't have a clue). I only know a little something about the Illinois/Missouri area. I imagine you can find a place that has monthly RV storage in almost any state, but that would take a lot of research. I would guess you would want it to be relatively close to wherever you fly in and out of. Although, the closer to a major metropolitan area, the higher the price would be. I hope things work out for you and you get to have a great time.

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement.

To TXRVr. Rick, if you or anyone else reading this, are serious about swapping for about 24 weeks, we are willing.

I hesitate though because our home is very modest, being a small beach holidy house, and our old bus is currently, maybe permanently off the road.

http://bestbach.kiwiweb.net.nz/2hDefault.aspx

To Jagco. Jeff & Georgia, I think we will begin in California although I understand it is one of the more expensive States. We like to fly into San Francisco and I have a connection with Bethel Church in Redding, Ca. Unless something better comes up Redding looks like the best place for us to establish some kind of base.

How long would it take to drive to Awhitu Peninsular, Manukau Harbour from your rental? The map on your site did not list distances... Not that I will ever be able to afford such a trip, but if I hit the lottery...

Hi Dan. Thanks for asking. I looked it up on Google maps because I had no idea where Awhitu is.

Now I know. It would take about 3 and half hours from our home to Awhitu. It's only 129 miles but much of the drive is on narrow twisting roads over the Coromandel hills and our coastline. Recently we drove down to Rotorua, about 4 hours, and I lost count of the 25kmph/15mph bends. Think the mountain road between Garberville and Fort Bragg.

One of the 'problems' we have is people who don't understand distances and road quality in NZ. They get off the plane, after 12 hours flying, expecting an easy drive to the Coromandel. Not a good idea. We've done it a couple of times and it's a nightmare drive when tired from flying. And we know the road!

It would take about 1 and half hours to drive from Auckland Airport to Awhitu which is not on the direct route between Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula.  We allow 3 and half hours to the airport from home although it is usually less time.

The cost of flying is a real stumbling block. That's why next time we come we will stay as long as our visa allows. I know it's a bit naughty but we sneak money from our 'capital base' for our flights. We do have a fairly comprhensive pension system here. It is barely enough to live on if you have a mortgage, as we do, but somehow we get by.

To anyone contemplating visiting NZ my advice is to keep watch on Air NZ. We take full advantage of their special deals. You have the advantage of a favourable exchange rate. http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/

This is all about dreaming big dreams. May the best of them come true.


-- Edited by MargieAnne on Sunday 6th of June 2010 02:35:46 PM

-- Edited by MargieAnne on Sunday 6th of June 2010 02:42:09 PM

I know when I spent 17 days on the south island i always took public transport and stayed mostly in hostels and BnB's ... lovely country there and one I want to make it aback too...

Congratulations on the house sale.

Thank-you for all the research on your Blog . I have bookmarked the relevant pages so we can do our own research on the RVs you have picked out. We know what works for us so it doesn't take too long to decide what is possible or not.

We already have a 21 feet converted bus .... no slide outs and have lived happily in it for up to 6 months at a time. Not luxurious but adequate so we will be looking for one of the smaller RVs. The thought of driving something over 30 feet plus a towed car is very scary.

I do hope you are able to return to NZ.

17 days isn't long enough. We finally woke up to how vast North America is when we discovered NZ is roughly the same land area as Colorado.

We'll continue to follow your Blog with interest.

Thanks MargieAnne... you are right 17 days was not enough and I too hope to get back there some day... good luck with finding your future home!