We are Karen and Bob and will be entering the full time life sometime between Dec 2012 and Dec 2013 depending on how the pension and financial numbers work out. We are the proud parents of 3 boys, 2 are enlisted in the Coast Guard, and 1 is still with us finishing his bachelors degree (3 classes to go). We were transplanted to Southern Calif in June of 2002 for Bob's job from Oregon and have never been happy here but have stayed for that pension that will enable us to enjoy early retirement. We were very fortunate and sold our home in March we had a buyer come to us so talk about meant to be. We purchased a 40 ft motorhome and jeep rubicon for the toad, but we are currently renting an apartment until our son is done with school and established in his job. The web site has kept me sane through this transition. Giving up our beautiful home and moving to an apartment has not been easy, but the prize at the end is well worth it. There have been many times that I have thought "What have we done???" and then I log on the website, read Howards journal or the forum and remember oh yeah so it has avoided many panick attacks and I thank you so much for that! We are mentally retired now, and will be taking lots of trips until that full time date and look forward to making lots of new rv friends.
Terry and Jo said
12:34 PM Jun 8, 2010
Allow me to offer a welcome to the RV Dreams forums. If you have been lurking for very long, you probably have noticed that there are a number of knowledgeable folks here.
We will also look forward to any comments or questions that you have. Both give us reasons to consider something new at times.
While parts of California are absolutely beautiful, I suggest getting the heck out of there as soon as possible. Some of the nuts that aren't produced by trees are a bit hard to take.
Terry
GENECOP said
02:25 PM Jun 8, 2010
Welcome to RV dreams. Gene
Racerguy said
05:15 PM Jun 8, 2010
Welcome to the RV Dreams family.We have all been where you are now.
laurly said
05:48 PM Jun 8, 2010
Welcome!
You have to be excited to have a good chunk of your work done. House is sold, motorhome & toad in hand. Too cool.
We are planning our journey in 2012 as well. One property is on the market, the retirement income is on the other side of the tunnel. Researching which motorhome we want to purchase. Have the toad :)
Good luck to you!
Laurie
Jim01 said
06:45 PM Jun 8, 2010
Hi Karen and Bob, Welcome to the forum.
Keep taking those trips and before you know it, you'll be out here on the road full-timing.
Good luck,
Jim
karen948 said
06:59 PM Jun 8, 2010
Thank you, and you are right about getting out of California. We have always felt like we are living on a different planet since moving here. What we do for the all mighty dollar, is it worth it??? We have the short time attitude now and full time will be here before we know it.
karen948 said
07:02 PM Jun 8, 2010
Thanks and good luck to you also.
DorisandDave said
07:10 PM Jun 8, 2010
Hi Karen and Bob Welcome to the RV Dreams Forum! Glad you've found a place to keep your sanity.
Happytrails said
07:39 PM Jun 8, 2010
Welcome to the RV Dreams forum! Great place to learn and meet lots of great folks.
Hope to see ya down the road!!
NorCal Dan said
10:10 AM Jun 9, 2010
Welcome to the forum Karen and Bob. Just keep the dream in sight as you continue to work towards the freedom of full-timing. You will probably want to change your state of residence, California is broke and always looking for ways to generate income.
heyduke said
11:10 AM Jun 9, 2010
happy belated welcome to the forum...
janieD said
05:53 AM Jun 10, 2010
Welcome Karen and Bob. We just gave up our apartment and started our full time living and I sympathize with you. When you are in the midst of the downsize and getting rid of things you once held dear it can be difficult. Like you I would get online and read Howard's journal and other RV blogs to keep my eye on the prize. We get to take off in August when my husband and I are finally done working and all these people have kept us excited about life on the road. Good luck and keep reading! :)
2riker2go said
06:10 AM Jun 10, 2010
Welcome Karen and Bob!! Sounds like you are well on your way - other than the actual "departure" of course! :) There are still several years left before we hit the road, and like you, reading this forum, Howard's journal, and other people's blogs help me to keep my eye on the prize. :) Look forward to hearing more about your journeys!
Fanciesmom said
07:57 AM Jun 10, 2010
Karen & Bob, I understand completely about California. We left last fall after my husband lost his job, our landlord asked us to leave because he needed to re-fi. his house and couldn't unless he lived in it - otherwise he might have lost it. We just couldn't afford to live there.
We lucked out with North Dakota - the mobile is on a friend's farm and we got a deal. Problem is that the mobile has been ignored for 7 years and needs enough work to gobble the IRA in a heartbeat. It won't increase value, but we'll be happier. Decisions are in the air.
For us the biggest issues are the isolation out here, being 1700 miles from our kids (& Grandkids, & Great Grandkids), and the hard costs of living here. Unless a neighboring farmer (we're on 40 acres) stops by there's little social interaction. A tank of propane lasts 5 to 6 weeks and it runs $500 to fill it. Electric is high because you have to keep the pump room and areas where water lines are above ground have to be heated, or the pipes kept heated. My health insurance is through the roof here due to COBRA requiring that the insurance company has to be the same as before he was fired. So we get an 'out of network PPO'.
We'll be heading back to CA - we can live in an RV out there for far less, and more comforatbly than here. There's also a chance that my husband could get his old job back which would really be great. That would cover our health insurance again, if he doesn't get the job back my insurance will go down significantly going back to an 'in network HMO'.
I think we'll keep the mobile - that way we can maintain ND residency, and we'll come back - but I can't wait to get on the road. There's so much to see in this hemisphere and I'm looking forward to seeing as much of it as we can. We've located a couple of parks to "long time" in - have to make a choice but I guess we need to get the motorhome first! :)
jagco said
09:47 AM Jun 16, 2010
I know I'm late to the party, but also wanted to welcome you Karen and Bob. I just don't get on here often enough. Sounds like you are well on your way. We have a lot more details to work out than you mostly because of my health problems, but this forum (and a couple others), and Howard and Linda's blog, definitely help me keep my eye on the prize.
Keep us all informed of your progress and ask any questions you might need help with. There are lots of knowledgeable people here.
We are Karen and Bob and will be entering the full time life sometime between Dec 2012 and Dec 2013 depending on how the pension and financial numbers work out. We are the proud parents of 3 boys, 2 are enlisted in the Coast Guard, and 1 is still with us finishing his bachelors degree (3 classes to go). We were transplanted to Southern Calif in June of 2002 for Bob's job from Oregon and have never been happy here but have stayed for that pension that will enable us to enjoy early retirement. We were very fortunate and sold our home in March we had a buyer come to us so talk about meant to be. We purchased a 40 ft motorhome and jeep rubicon for the toad, but we are currently renting an apartment until our son is done with school and established in his job.
!
The web site has kept me sane through this transition. Giving up our beautiful home and moving to an apartment has not been easy, but the prize at the end is well worth it. There have been many times that I have thought "What have we done???" and then I log on the website, read Howards journal or the forum and remember oh yeah so it has avoided many panick attacks and I thank you so much for that
We are mentally retired now, and will be taking lots of trips until that full time date and look forward to making lots of new rv friends.
We will also look forward to any comments or questions that you have. Both give us reasons to consider something new at times.
While parts of California are absolutely beautiful, I suggest getting the heck out of there as soon as possible. Some of the nuts that aren't produced by trees are a bit hard to take.
Terry
Keep taking those trips and before you know it, you'll be out here on the road full-timing.
Good luck,
Jim
Thanks and good luck to you also.
Welcome to the RV Dreams Forum! Glad you've found a place to keep your sanity.
We lucked out with North Dakota - the mobile is on a friend's farm and we got a deal. Problem is that the mobile has been ignored for 7 years and needs enough work to gobble the IRA in a heartbeat. It won't increase value, but we'll be happier. Decisions are in the air.
For us the biggest issues are the isolation out here, being 1700 miles from our kids (& Grandkids, & Great Grandkids), and the hard costs of living here. Unless a neighboring farmer (we're on 40 acres) stops by there's little social interaction. A tank of propane lasts 5 to 6 weeks and it runs $500 to fill it. Electric is high because you have to keep the pump room and areas where water lines are above ground have to be heated, or the pipes kept heated. My health insurance is through the roof here due to COBRA requiring that the insurance company has to be the same as before he was fired. So we get an 'out of network PPO'.
We'll be heading back to CA - we can live in an RV out there for far less, and more comforatbly than here. There's also a chance that my husband could get his old job back which would really be great. That would cover our health insurance again, if he doesn't get the job back my insurance will go down significantly going back to an 'in network HMO'.
I think we'll keep the mobile - that way we can maintain ND residency, and we'll come back - but I can't wait to get on the road. There's so much to see in this hemisphere and I'm looking forward to seeing as much of it as we can. We've located a couple of parks to "long time" in - have to make a choice but I guess we need to get the motorhome first! :)