FYI Looking Back On Our Full Time Adventure

[FL-JOE]

We traveled full time in a few different RVs from 2012 until 2023. There was an interruption from 2015-2017 because we stumbled across a good deal on a home in SW Florida. However, after a couple years off the road we missed it. When we discovered how much that Florida home had appreciated, we sold it and headed out again.

When we started our goal was 50% seeing as much of this great country as we could, and 50% padding our retirement savings. Just like many newbie full timing couples we blasted around the country and burned up a lot of miles the first couple of years. It was only during our later years did we slow down and take more time to really enjoy ourselves.

We found out that if we had a cheap home base for the summer (one or two months) and a cheap home base for the winter (4 or 5 months) we could save money automatically.

We didn't know when, or even if we would ever want to get off the road. We had read many posts over the years of experienced full timers talking about "having an exit plan in place". Well, I guess that just wasn't us because we were just enjoying each and every day and not worry about it.

Then in late 2022 we came across a new development in an area of Florida we were familiar with. We both like the area a lot and ordered our new home. The year it took for everything to be built provided us a chance to downsize our RV and prepare financially. In October 2023 we moved in and sold our last RV.

Do we miss RV traveling? Yes and No. We just came home from a 3 1/2 week trip by car staying in several motels. We had four grandsons graduating from different high schools up north. For that short trip we absolutely missed an RV. But overall we don't miss it on a weekly basis. The sticknbrick takes very little maintenance compared to our past RVs. We save on enough RV related expenses that home ownership really doesn't amount to much. We have great memories and made some wonderful friends on the road, it was well worth it.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

We traveled full time in a few different RVs from 2012 until 2023. There was an interruption from 2015-2017 because we stumbled across a good deal on a home in SW Florida. However, after a couple years off the road we missed it. When we discovered how much that Florida home had appreciated, we sold it and headed out again.

When we started our goal was 50% seeing as much of this great country as we could, and 50% padding our retirement savings. Just like many newbie full timing couples we blasted around the country and burned up a lot of miles the first couple of years. It was only during our later years did we slow down and take more time to really enjoy ourselves.

We found out that if we had a cheap home base for the summer (one or two months) and a cheap home base for the winter (4 or 5 months) we could save money automatically.

We didn't know when, or even if we would ever want to get off the road. We had read many posts over the years of experienced full timers talking about "having an exit plan in place". Well, I guess that just wasn't us because we were just enjoying each and every day and not worry about it.

Then in late 2022 we came across a new development in an area of Florida we were familiar with. We both like the area a lot and ordered our new home. The year it took for everything to be built provided us a chance to downsize our RV and prepare financially. In October 2023 we moved in and sold our last RV.

Do we miss RV traveling? Yes and No. We just came home from a 3 1/2 week trip by car staying in several motels. We had four grandsons graduating from different high schools up north. For that short trip we absolutely missed an RV. But overall we don't miss it on a weekly basis. The sticknbrick takes very little maintenance compared to our past RVs. We save on enough RV related expenses that home ownership really doesn't amount to much. We have great memories and made some wonderful friends on the road, it was well worth it.

Great story. We are into our seventh year (still with the RV we began with) and are still loving the freedom. Our only hiccup was COVID but we still stayed in our coach. We do have an exit plan.......when one of us say enough, then we find a location and a stick and brick. We still have a pretty long bucket list of places we want to see so, as long as we both are healthy and have the drive, we will stay on the road.

Darrell

 

[FL-JOE]

Darrell, sounds like you guys are doing exactly what you want to do. I guess that is what retirement is all about.

When your time comes to set that parking brake for the last time, pick your sticknbrick location carefully. We are in a gated 55 and over community. Even though we have only been here for 7 or 8 months we have made some great friends and have wonderful neighbors.

Safe travels.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Darrell, sounds like you guys are doing exactly what you want to do. I guess that is what retirement is all about.

When your time comes to set that parking brake for the last time, pick your sticknbrick location carefully. We are in a gated 55 and over community. Even though we have only been here for 7 or 8 months we have made some great friends and have wonderful neighbors.

Safe travels.

That is likely what we will end up doing. We lived in a gated townhouse complex in Vancouver Canada for 7 years and loved it. No building or yard maintenance to worry about which gave us a lot more leisure time. We will hopefully NOT be living in a city again though.

Glad you are enjoying your new digs!!


Darrell

 

[John&Andrea]

Maybe you should have something small for a few trips each year. Sounds like you had a great time and found a good neighborhood.
Enjoy.

 

[FL-JOE]

Maybe you should have something small for a few trips each year. Sounds like you had a great time and found a good neighborhood.
Enjoy.

We probably burned ourselves out on "something small". While waiting for our place to get done we sensed that the market for used 1-ton trucks was peaking and the RV market was still doing good (late 2022). We decided to sell our F350 dually and our triple axle toy hauler fiver. We came out really good and went into a 30' Salem travel trailer for almost 9 months. We traveled in it for 4 months and then went stationary for the rest of the time.

Except for family required quick trips north (graduations, weddings, etc.), we will travel on our Harley and stay in motels for now. At 71 years old I am hoping we can safely continue this traveling lifestyle for several more years.