A lot of people have asked me lately… Full-time Rving, must be like being on vacation all the time.
Well… Full-time Rving is a lot of different things running the gamete from one extreme to the other… 52 weeks a year of vacation ( not working at all, having lots of money to spend, and on the move almost everyday ) … to an almost normal working life of working most of the year and taking off a few months of the year to more or less travel on vacation.
I ran into those that have newly decided to fulltime rv and try to spend their 52 weeks as if they were on vacation all the time. Always traveling, always on the move, always doing something just like being on vacation. Now as most of you are aware, or at least for me and most friends that I know… vacations are tiring to the max usually. Most say they need a week to relax and recover from their real vacation. As you can imagine, Rving like this would wear anyone out… or more precisely… “burn them out”. And that is exactly what happens… they get burned out after several months… decide this is too hectic a lifestyle… sell the Rv… go back into a house or condo… and try to recover from their experience. Much the worse for wear and tear, lots of money wasted, and basically right back where they started… but to their small benefit, perhaps in a different place from where they originally started… usually in the sun belt.
Than there are those that travel to another place for several months, usually to the south in the winter, and return back “home” in the north where they have family & friends. They are generally known as '”Snowbirds”, following the warm weather. Some still have houses somewhere, some do it all in their Rv. Usually going between two to three places a year for seasonal stays, with a vacation or two thrown in during their travels in between. Some work a little in one of the locations, some a little in both, some none at all. Some work several months of the year to make their budget, and relax the rest of the year, working very little or not at all. In most cases, those that do work, generally have jobs that are no where physically or mentally stressful as the life long job/career they once had. Generally, everything is temporary, short-term, and by that nature a lot less stressful or not stressful at all. Yes you give up that sense of long term stability that most find in a house and regular job, but Rving gives you the freedom to go where ever you want, when ever you want, and if you work… have a “No Stress” job, and not have all the expenses, work, and taxes of having a house ( which generally took up 70% of your income ).
Than there are those that have been Rving for years, than simply stop traveling, stay in their Rv, or trade it for a park model, and enjoy the fellowship and continued lifestyle with other Rvers in campground or Rv resorts.
We work basically a full-time job usually 4-5 months a year to make budget for the whole year. Than work 1-2 days a week for another 3 months a year… and not work at all for 4-5 months every year. Usually during this time we have our normal couple of weeks vacation. Now to define work and jobs. We work in campgrounds/Rv resorts doing Activities/Art & Crafts for the 4-5 month of fulltime work. Have fun planning activities and playing with the big kids (adults) and the little ones too. It’s kinda like being paid to play… but on a schedule. Still work as far as a schedule goes… but fun work. Our other job, where we work 1-2 days a week is at Walt Disney World in Florida. We are seasonal cast members at Disney and just help out the “Mickey” in a Disney Hotel gift shop. Again, almost not like real work at all… no stress, no tension, and 5 days a week to relax or play. The “perks”… while off those 5 days a week… we get to play at Disney for free! So we basically get a non rushed relaxing vacation type playtime at the vacation spot of the world… admission free… for the 3-4 months that were are in that area. This winter we will probably be there for most of seven months. Than it gets even sweeter. How much does a normal person pay to stay and play in Orlando a week? … generally at least $2000… hotel or campground, attraction costs to do things ( Disney, Seaworld, Universal, Etc). We have 2 campground memberships, ten miles apart right near Disney. The two memberships cost us a total of $1,500 which paid for them selves the first year. The dues are around $900 / year for the two memberships. We will be going back and forth between those two membership campgrounds for the winter. If we are there for the seven months this winter, our net cost will be about $30 / week to Stay in Orlando. So, $30 a week to stay near Disney, free Disney admission plus perks and discounts (being cast members), annual passes ( admission + parking) to Seaworld for about $150 for the both of us. And five days a week to relax and take our time and play. It may not be vacation… but it sure seems like something close. I sold what I called my “Ball & Chain House” in 2003 at age 49… we bought the Rv of our Dreams… and started to enjoy retirement early. I had the options… work another 15 years to have more money at retirement and relax in my house for another 5.3 years after I retired ( that’s the average time people live to enjoy their retirement after the have been physically consumed by the job) … or sell out… go Full time Rving and enjoy what would certainly be the best years for the rest of my life ( 50-65 ) rather than working it away. But that’s my take on my life, and my choices, I’m not condemning your life or your choices… it’s to each their own and what makes you happy.
So… full-time Rving can run the gamete from Traveling most of the time, everywhere and anywhere… to simply 2-3 main places every year with side trip vacations thrown in along the way. Really high budget to unbelievably small budgets. Or anything in between. The most important thing is the ability to pick up and move around whenever you want, and go wherever you want, doing what you want… in a carefree, stress free, lifestyle. Bet if there was a study on retirees for quality of life and longevity, the benefits to Rvers would no doubt way surpass those that normally retire and stay a home.
Rving vs a regular house. Wow… just think about all the time, money, and hours of your life that are consumed as it relates to having a house, mortgage, utilities, maintenance, insurances (home & auto) & taxes and all the time and related expenses involved with working, transportation etc. 80% of your life is spent getting to retirement… Rving lets you enjoy all the time you have left. I don’t mean to sound depressing… but the way I saw it… so many people work as long as they can trying to get to 65… some die trying… and most of the rest are physically used up by the time they get to 65… so they can retire in a stationary house… sit back and enjoy the golden years… and pardon me for saying it… wait to die. Just wasn’t for me.
We found a better way, a great lifestyle, go to places we want to be, have made great new friends along the way, get to spend more time with the grand girls, live virtually stress free, all plusses… would have it any other way!
Jobless - as far as a regular ongoing job is concerned
Homeless - as far as having a permanent location to live at.
No Car - really, no car… okay… it’s a big truck … GMC C-5500 Rv Hauler.
No Stress - No Worries - No tension
We I do have is a wonderful woman, my real soul mate, the love of my life, to share all this with… what a blessing!
Shelly makes it all so fulfilling. Good thing, since we are together 24-7-365 for the rest of our lives. Life is Sweet!
BTW… or Rv of choice was a 40 foot Fifth Wheel Coach – King of the Road Crown Marquis.
