I'm one of the ones who did it for a couple years in my 30's. I was 36, hubby 37 when we left. We traveled for 12 mos, lived in the moho for 22 mos. It's not something I regret, but I don't have any desire to do it again, nor do I miss it.

In my opinion, $5000 is NOT nearly enough. We left with a LOT more money than H & L had when they went on the road. We learned pretty quickly that not having an income is hard, medical insurance is expensive. there's very few people our own age in RV parks, RV park life is boring. It just seems like lots of parks are old people, waiting to die. Not me. I wanted to go on living. We did do lots of free stuff; mountain biking, hiking, exploring. But we realized that we wanted more and to be in a community again.

One RV breakdown or medical emergency, can and will wipe you out. Then what?

FYI....we had an issue with major leakage on our 4 yr. old, out of warranty, motorhome. It would have cost us $24,000 to fix! Thank god Monaco came through and fixed it for free and got us a discounted extended stay room for the 3 weeks it took to fix it. But even that still cost $2000!

I can't imagine not being able to find workamping jobs...there always seems to be plenty. You should be able to limit travel expenses by staying in a tight geographic area when looking for jobs. And not all workamper jobs are volunteer/barter type.

We rely heavily on our coach warranty for big ticket repairs. There are also clubs that offer road side assistance plans. There are ways to protect yourself from catastrophic repair bills.

I think all of us who full-time went through the "what if" stage. Giving up everything to live in an RV and travel around the country...yes it's scary. But the rewards from the freedom are worth the risk.

We left one year later than we originally wanted. I am now glad we did. I was old enough for SS, hubby not. Since February we have lived on my SS, his small pension, savings and he worked most of this past summer. AND because we have done some volunteer projects which provide free sites, we have saved some funds that way.

Had we left February 2009 and not this past February we would have had to use a LOT of our our savings than I thought. Now we only have 3 more months before he starts on SS.

As far as older people in RV parks, that is mostly true. But I have found none of them yet sitting around waiting to die. Most of them, if able, are very active. Don't let that stop you.

rolo9999 wrote:

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...very few people our own age in RV parks, RV park life is boring. It just seems like lots of parks are old people, waiting to die. Not me. I wanted to go on living. We did do lots of free stuff; mountain biking, hiking, exploring. But we realized that we wanted more and to be in a community again.

One RV breakdown or medical emergency, can and will wipe you out. Then what?

RV Park Life?  Interesting you must stay in different campgrounds.  The neighbors just saddled up to go wind surfing which they do every day.  It depends on where you stay and what's to do.  Like a lot of things it depends on you.  Do we socialize with people our own age?  Not so much most of the people we talk to are older but full timers do tend to be retired.  But hardly waiting to die.

If what you want is to live in a community then good for you.  But say that instead of putting down the people you lived near as "old people, waiting to die." 

Just one man's opinion and worth what you paid for it.

Mallo

 

Now I am going to add my 2 cents worth (and that may be all it is). My husband and I were kind of forced to make this lifestyle change, but had been dreaming of it for years. The economy was bad and constrution jobs locally for guys over 50 were slim (or taken by our neighbors from the south of Texas - and that is not malicious, simply the truth). I have been on disability since a cancer diagnosis qualified me for Medicare and need to remain on for insurance, even though I am in remission. I am 60. I also have Lupus and am in remission for that.

Then I had a serious auto accident that caused me serious (but now healed) injury. That was it! We made the decision that life is TOO short to sit around waiting for our dream.

We used settlement money to purchase our travel trailer (used but in excellent condition) and a good towing vehicle, paid of bills and have some money left  to spend, but to be honest, money goes quickly on the road. Gas (diesel for us), food, rv stopovers and things you find you need and cannot do without (true necessities).

Then we had truck problems. We had an extended warranty we purchased on our used truck, BUT still, $500 deductible, $250 for a park for a week while waiting for truck to be repaired, no job, money out for food, personal needs, etc.

Then back on road. Days spent in RV parks on way to FL. Average stay $30. Then we found a great site near daughter and paid for that. $525 for one month, PLUS food, gas for going places, and other expenses.

Now we have jobs lined up for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer, with full hook up site as a perk, plus pay for all hours. No site only for work and no volunteerism. We can't do it. But we can live comfortably in our travel trailer, not pay for gas to get to work (plus get exercise walking to and from office, etc.) eat sensibly and without great expense and not pay for phone, cable tv, wi-fi or electric, plus we get cost on propane. A really good deal.

Both jobs are like this. We should be able to save and not touch any more of the settlement money and have some in the bank for emergency, but believe me, if all we'd had was $5000, we'd have been in trouble. You can do it if going directly to a paying job, barring any emergencies, but this life initially costs you to get started and can be expensive when an emergency hits.

On the other hand, if your heart and soul ache to do it, do it as inexpensively as you can and give it a try. The worse case scenario is that you can't make it and you can start over on solid ground, with steady jobs, in a mobile home or stix and brix. That costs too. Furnace goes out. Lots of moolah. Taxes. Gas/Electric/Propane, out of control with todays costs. Driving to work costs money. Furnishing a new home costs money. It ALL costs money.

So, as advised, go to the rally if possible, get some insight from Howard, Linda and all and get a true perspective of what the best case and worst case scenarios are. Then decide. You are young enough to put this aside a few years and keep it as a dream. You are also old enough to know that life hurries past quickly and if you want to live a dream, sometimes the best time is NOW.

Oh yeah, one more thing: DO NOT ever say that older people in RV parks are simply sitting around waiting to die. They live productive, fun, inspiring lives and unless you are in a retirement village with lots of ill elderly people in it, it is a statement lacking substance. I admire the older people and want to be just like many I have met. They might seem
"Old" to you (and believe me, the closer you get to what we once considered at "old", the younger the people seem) and to a 30 something, that is not unusual, but they could teach you a lot about living life and enjoying it and not wasting a day of living it. That said, you're forgiven for that statement....I have 3 thirty something kids and know they think I am old at 60.

GO for it if you truly want to, but also as Dave Ramsey would tell you, make sure you and hubby are on the same page or there WILL be trouble. It can get kind of crowded in an RV and unhappy spouses do not make good RV mates.

Christina:

If I may chime in as well with Jim01 and others – Go to the Rally!  Listen to Howard and Linda’s information and also talk to others who have done this. One-on-one conversations are my sincere recommendation. (Well couple-on-couple if you like.  “More better.”)  Most will be more than happy to share their experiences in a friendly manner as Jim expressed. Experiences from many sources are very important – both those who full-time and those, like us, who only “part-time” full-time for various reasons.  (BTW, I am writing this from the rig.  We’re “on the road” again and have been for most of the year.)

When I was mentoring a number of younger people I always reminded them that if the money figuring wasn’t “right” then almost nothing else would go right.  In addition there are naturally the critical emotional aspects of full timing.

My family (Mother and Father) full timed for over 35 years.  My Mom still has a rig but doesn’t move it anymore due to her age.  But it, other than my house, is the only “home” she has known, by choice, for 35 years.  In fact, she replaced it at 89 years old.  So we do have a long term perspective. {Grin}  Gain as many opinions and information as you care.  Just remember, it’s up to you to decide what is best for you.

We hope to see you at The Rally!

Bill