Getting that strange look from other peoples..... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

H308 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Getting that strange look from other peoples.....

janni · RV-Dreams Family Member

YES! Feedback from family was probably the worst.....you are doing what???? Told the lady across the street from us (at the rv park) day before yesterday and haven't seen her since! lol

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we decided to go RVing we sit down and told the family what are plans were and told them there would be no inheritance???? All our kids said go and don't look back. And we did and as it turn out they were right. We have had so many people ask what do you do???? I ask them what they do ????? Its so hard to explain to some what its like to stand and look at Nigarga Falls, Byrce Canyon Utah, Key West, as many miles we have run in the West we still haven't seen much at all. But we haven't quit trying.

janieD · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we were planning all this we were explaining it to my DHs aunt and her comment was "that will never work." Guess what Aunt Helen -it works! :)

The Crumps · RV-Dreams Family Member

So far, everyone we've told what we're going to do are very jealous! Most people wish they could be us. Our kids are very supportive, including storing some of our furniture that we just couldn't let go of, volunteering to forward our mail, etc. Plus, our children that live across country know that they will get to see us more often. We are very blessed!

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Of all the strangers we tell of our lifestyle, almost universally the reaction is envy and good wishes. Occasionally, someone will respond with how can you leave your, garden, church group, grand children, etc. But they are few and far between.

In the end, who cares what others think, it's your life, you only get one chance and there's no do overs.

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Even though we are in the planning stages I've told all my co-workers and all are intrested. All comments we've had so far have been very positive. Either everyone is envious or they are doing a good job of hiding their real opinion. By the number of questions we get I would bet they are happy for us.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have yet to have anyone tell us they thought we were crazy.Like Fred some have had various reasons they couldn't.We have had a few that just don't understand the lifestyle like the Lady we met on the Blueridge Parkway. She was flabergasted we could live in a "camper" She had questions like..well, where do you take a shower and do you sleep in sleeping bags?When we explained our trailer was 40 feet long with 3 slide outs and we had a full size shower and a Queen sized bed, fireplace,2 TV'S etc. she just couldn't get a grasp.Most seem some what envious and again to quote Fred Who cares what they think anyway.

H308 · RV-Dreams Community Member

Luvglass and racerguy,

Totally on target, We got one shot at life, and we better live it instead of just exist. My family understand while others envy me and wish they were in my shoes. Some peoples gave me that look and they did not understand how someone could live in a RV for some reason in their little skull it did not registered. I nicely tried to explained to them that my toyhauler got three TV's, queen size bed, kitchen, washer/dryer, and a garage for my motorcycle, and they still look at me like....hummm....and I wonder if they are related to Homer Simpson or something.... Hey! as long we are happy why should we care of what others think anyway....my saying always has been "live your life instead of just exist".

Stay safe on the road.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

We get a lot of looks but after we tell people how we do things and how we live the best of both worlds their looks of confusion turn to looks of envy. You got it right Fred...Who Cares...do what turns you on and enjoy it while you can.

Dave Buck · RV-Dreams Family Member

We haven't had anyone tell us that we are crazy. They may think that but haven't said anything. We aren’t full-time yet, but we’ve talked about it for so long that I think most of our friends and family have come to realize that’s what we are going to do.

Old Snipe · RV-Dreams Family Member

We were camping at a military campground and a brand new, 40 Monaco pulled in beside us. We met the couple and chatted with them. The husband was a retired Navy pilot who currently flew for an airline.

When we told them we were going to fulltime in our motorhome, the couple was shocked and the pilot said we were "pretty gutsy" to consider doing that.

I could understand a non RVer making that comment, but someone with a bigger RV than we had...strange was all we could think.

Best Regards!

Ivey · RV-Dreams Family Member

Although we are not full timing yet we hope to be within 6 months. (gotta sell the house) With very few exception everyone we have told has be happy / jealous for us. My kids are behind it and my parents wish they could do it.

The biggest problem is DH's children. They have all but threatened to disown him if he sells the house and moves into an RV. That is too bad and has put a bit of a downer on our excitement but we are determined to live our life on our terms and not the one someone else decides we should live.

My co-workers are all happy and wish they could retire now and go. One lady said she understands how we feel but that she could not ever leave her gardens. Well each to their own. I don't condem her for staying and she doesn't me for leaving.

Now if we could just leave!!!

Vicky

jb · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes. We get "Are you crazy"? or "you are crazy!" and even one "you all are bat&*%$ crazy!"

That is what inspired the name of our blog. We figured we should just get the fact that we are a little crazy out of the way at the beginning. biggrin

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I really enjoy watching people's reactions when we tell them that we live in our Motorhome and don't own a house. You can almost see the gears turning inside of their head, trying to comprehend.

Then, I would say about 75 or 80% of the time, the first question our of their mouth is "How do you get your mail?"

After that's explained, the questions start. Sometimes the people think we're crazy, but most of the time you can tell that they would really like to full-time too, but almost always come up with a reason why they wouldn't be able to do it.

We tell them that full-timing isn't for everyone and they agree, but as they're walking away, you can tell that they're still thinking about it and wondering if they could live the lifestyle.

Sometimes, the dream begins. smile

Jim

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've posted another topic addressing the rationale of "full-timimg" vs. "part-timing." Maybe some of you can chime in on that topic ....

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey. I get strange looks anyway, just with my actions and words.

Seriously though, it takes some "soul searching" to make sure that one can live the full time life. Some that I've known of started full-timing and after a few years, quit doing it. Then some after a few years on non-fulltiming, went back to it.

So, if you are already living the life, carry on and ignore the "barking dogs."

(The "barking dogs" reference is to a previous post I made where I paraphrased a favorite author about barking dogs NOT stopping the wagon trains from traveling west. The author is Louis L'Amour, should you like to read westerns.)

Live the life, love the life, enjoy what God has created.

Terry

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm with you guys! It's my life and God made this beautiful country for us to enjoy. That's what we're going to do come March. Most people look at us with blank stares for a minute and then the questions come. I think most are envious once they get the answers and wish they had the nerve to just walk away into the sunset.

Two of our children are very supportive and the third told us we were crazy. Maybe there's something about being retired military that makes them think you need roots in the later years. However, he is supportive now and tell us its our life but he still thinks we're crazy. And he then adds that we know where he is if we need him. So we feel we do have all their blessings.

Been fulltiming since June but then wheels haven't turned. Love living in the RV and can't wait to turn the wheels on it.

Judy (and Bob)

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

When we started four years ago. the entire family thought we were nuts!

Now. some of our retired family members have recently expressed envy for our lifestyle. They are getting bored with staying in one place.

I think that they "see", through our travel log, all the great places in this country, and wish they could visit them as well.

Our grown son still thinks we are crazy!

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I get that look from my DW every day when I once again suggest we sell everything and go out on the road.

She's willing to "do it" as long as we keep the house.

So I guess we will end up as semi-fulltimers when the time comes for me to retire.

LuvSun · RV-Dreams Family Member

When I came home in Oct and told everyone that I was selling my home here in southern CA and moving into an RV they were shocked!! This all came about after spending the month of Sept with my 1st grandbaby - born 1500 miles from my home in CA - and my desire to see her more often BUT not to be living out of a suitcase & sleeping on a spare bed for the whole month visit. I wanted my "stuff" around me and thought, how can a move around the country, visiting the people/family I love and still feel like I have a home? An RV!!! Went out, did some research and 3 months later I will be a "full timer" as of 12/20/10!!! Now my girlfriends are planning trips they can go on with me and my son wants to bring the wife & baby along with me!! I am nervous, but really excited...to see the sights, meet new people, and live a new type of life - without the high mortgage payment, less "stuff" and the freedom to go where I want...trailing my home behind me...who cares what people think - as long as I am happy I will remain a full timer...hope to meet some of you on the road!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

It just doesn't get any better than that does it biggrin

.Welcome to the open road.

Wildrose Acres · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are still four years out and are just now starting to tell people. No one has told us we're crazy. Now that we have our new camper to take some short trips everyone's excited for us. I've talked to several people who have said they would love to become full-timers.