This summer we will have been homeless for twenty years.
Homeless, living in our vehicle.
Roaming the country for places to stay.
Sometimes not knowing where our next meal will be.
Full-time Rving.
Homeless, living in our vehicle.
Roaming the country for places to stay.
Sometimes not knowing where our next meal will be.
Full-time Rving.
Planned it for ten years... and in 2003, took the 30 years and out pension, sold the house, bought the rv of our dreams, and drive of into the proverbial sunset. The freedom to go new places, have new adventures, stay as long as we like, and travel as near or far as we wanted.
Dream
Funny how that before I retired and was still working, I'd talk to people about our plan and to everyone it seemed to be the intimate dream... The from to travel any place, any time, and do whatever we wanted... total freedom.
Reality
When the actual time arrived they had all kinds of questions as if the great unknown was something to beware of. How could you do this? They were so locked into the conventional life that for them this seemed to be an impossible choice.... unthinkable. For them, a far fetched dream that could never be real... for them.
The Adventure Begins
Going places that others go to on vacation. The difference, they go for a week or two... We go and stay to play as long as we liked and as often as we wanted. No constraints of going back to a job in a fixed location and a home that never moves. Total freedom.
Places & faces
Freedom to visit exciting places. Beaches to the mountains... Small towns to big towns. Tourist attractions from nature to amusement parks. Quiet places and exciting times. Local flavor only experienced by ... the locals... And the thrill of the crowds. Meeting lots of people along the way. Local foods like in New Orleans or Key West among many others.
Government Stuff
We established residency in Florida. No state income tax. No vehicle inspections or emissions. No personal property or vehicle taxes. And registration / tags for the truck and the rv 5th wheel trailer are low... $118 for both per year. Vehicle insurance is a bit higher in Florida, but you can't have everything.
Fun Times
So many to mention, but the best fun times were at Disney World. First as annual pass holders - Florida residents... Then as seasonal cast members from 2004-2012. Returning to work part time, typically 2 days a week, 4-6 hour shifts... for 3-4 months of the year. The pay wasn't great, but the benefits. As cast members we got into all the parks for free anytime we wanted, all year long. We also got passes to get in family & friends... 26 passes each per year. Plus employee discounts on dining and merchandise and resort hotels. We got to see and do everything at Disney much more than anyone ever could on vacation. It was almost like living there. Best times ever.
Rest of the time
Disney area was 4 to 5 months of the year, sometimes 6 months. Seaworld... Universal... And other tourist attractions. The rest of the time was traveling... Pennsylvania to Florida to Texas to Missouri and most things in between. Can't say if recommend Missouri. We basically followed the weather... Rving Snowbirds. Winter in the south, summer in the north. Snow? No snow! White sands of the Florida panhandle. Pensacola beach to Panama City beach. Beautiful water and snow white sand. Yep, it's a tough life.
Homeless... Technically.
A life on the road to freedom and adventure.
With all the comforts of a conventional home.
Full kitchen, double sink, convection microwave, gas stove & oven, 2 pantries, and appliances.
Full bathroom with shower, vanity, naturally a toilet, plus cloths washer & dryer.
Full bathroom with shower, vanity, naturally a toilet, plus cloths washer & dryer.
Bedroom with sleep number king bed, closet, and lots of drawers, bedroom slide out.
Livingroom, full sofa, 2 recliners, 2 room slides, full entertainment system, 55" tv, surround sound system, satellite system, internet wifi, full sized desk, PS2 & PS4, electric fireplace, and lots of storage.
Overall, 2 rooftop air conditioners, 2 propane furnaces, electric heat, basement storage, and 7,500 watt generator. Complete plumbing system with filtered water and propane/electric water heater. Automatic awning and roll out porch deck.
Yep.... all the comforts of home
Overall, 2 rooftop air conditioners, 2 propane furnaces, electric heat, basement storage, and 7,500 watt generator. Complete plumbing system with filtered water and propane/electric water heater. Automatic awning and roll out porch deck.
Yep.... all the comforts of home
Missing: no big deal, no garbage disposal or dish washer.
