RV and Retirement

[Roy]

My uncle and his wife are recently retired and they are setting out in their RV. They plan to supplement their income by working a little in RV parks and just living the life. I'm not sure that I'd want to live in RV parks, but I really respect that they're just doing what they want. It must be incredibly liberating.

[ppine]

It is interesting to watch friends contemplate their next move to full time Rvers. It is a nomadic livestyle that many people really like for a few months a year, or maybe for a whole year once. Only certain people are mentally prepared for living in an RV full time. It is similar to live aboard boat people.

My brother is trying a variation on the theme. He lives is a spectacular house in So OR on five acres adjacent to the Rogue River NF. His mortgage is eating him alive and it is tough to sell in this real estate market. He plans to live in an RV on his own property and rent out the house. We will see how this works out.

[Grandpa]

A lot of retirees do duty as campground hosts around the National forest campgrounds. They live in their RV's, draw a small stipend, meet a lot of real characters, some good, some not so good. When we backpacked inthe Grand Canyon, our shuttle driver was a retiree, living in his RV, while his wife worked in the canyon visitor center. A great life if you like people, work not demanding, lots of free time, staying in fantastic places.

Then there are the "Snowbirds". Every fall, the RV's stream past heading for Arizona for a couple of the worst winter months. Back again in the spring to their homes.

[Lamebeaver]

Campgrounds are not my idea of fun. RVs pretty much limit you to campgrounds, or Walmart.

I know some people enjoy this, but I don't think I'm one of them.

[georgia_outdoors]

I think I would enjoy all the traveling that the "retired-and-living-in-an-RV" lifestyle would afford you, but I certainly couldn't see myself doing it permanently. After a while, I really think I would grow tired of being in such cramped quarters with the same person every day. I think I would rather "live" at home, and travel in the RV several times a year.

[Grandpa]

Originally Posted by georgia_outdoors

After a while, I really think I would grow tired of being in such cramped quarters with the same person every day.

Thats why I go backpacking and grandma don't. She says "how can I miss you if you don't go away".

[ejdixon]

Originally Posted by ppine

It is a nomadic livestyle that many people really like for a few months a year, or maybe for a whole year once. Only certain people are mentally prepared for living in an RV full time. It is similar to live aboard boat people.

Agree with you on that, ppine. There's this kind of security that you get knowing that moving around a number of times in a year is just temporary, whether they are conscious about it or not. But once the nomadic lifestyle becomes permanent, it can eventually turn something fun into something stressful.