"Of course we miss the dishwasher, the icemaker, the big screen TV, the hot tub, the walk-in closets full of clothes, the spacious shower, and a full-size bathroom. But we really, really miss …… big, thick, fluffy toilet paper. :)"
 
My husband wants me to REALLY, REALLY think about the above, especially the part about the fluffy toilet paper (no kidding).  He thinks this part of fulltiming could be the difference for me.  Particularly the water and toilet situation.  First, exactly how different is it?  Second, is it difficult to adjust to....particularly ladies? 

I think you give up some things in order to get others.......

Angelsoft.... it's fluffy, it can be as thick as you like, depending on how much you want to use at any one time, and it dissolves quickly.

Also, let's see.... New RVs come with big screen TVs (well, relatively big anyway... bigger than what we have in our house); and I saw a post elsewhere on this forum about an inflatable hot tub ... So I guess the only things you'll have to get used to are a smaller bath room and no walk-in closet... but then you don't need that many clothes in this lifestyle anyway... Since you move around, who cares if you wear the same outfits?

Oh, I also forgot - You can have a dishwasher in your RV if you really want one... but you might have to give up your oven for it, so you'll really need a convection/microwave...


-- Edited by fansler at 16:40, 2007-07-09

For me the biggest adjustment was not being able to take long, hot showers when my arthritis/fibromyalgia kicked in....and not being able to shave in the shower. That one I solved by using baby lotion, a basin of warm water and taking my time. Added bonus - softer legs. <g>

The TP was never an issue, once we got DirecTV then reception was solved, with only two we never used the dishwasher anyway, paper plates burn nicely in the campfire, and I did have a stash of clothes stored elsewhere for swapping out.

We don't have a MH yet...we're working on it though...but we were in boating for 18 years (37' SeaRay) on the Great Lakes and had the same kind of toilets in our boats that are in RVs.  You MUST use special "dissolvable" toilet paper (you don't even want to know what happens when you don't or when something undesolvable gets in the tank or the lines!!!) but you can get it in 2-ply and it's really not bad...in fact, I never even thought about it being different until I read your post!!!  I am a lady so I can personally attest to the fact that it's NOT an issue.  NOWWWWW the lack of a long leisurely hot bath might be for me!!!  Guess we'll just have to stay in parks with hottubs!!??

-- Edited by Janenne at 22:32, 2007-07-09

HI!

There might well be things you will miss, but then all of life is a compromise.  Nothing comes free and for some things the price tag may be more than you wish to pay.  That you have to decide for yourself.

For us the price was small and the benefits far outweighed the price.  We do miss the friends we had at home, we miss seeing our grandchildren almost every day.
However, we don't miss mowing the lawn, going to work everyday, paying the real estate taxes, paying the utility bills, etc.  In comparison, the thickness of my toilet paper and not having a walk-in closet are non-issues when compared to all our new lifestyle has to offer. 

Thanks for all your replies, especially from the ladies.  I agree that it's a compromise as is everything in life.  But in this case, what you give up is nothing compared to what you get.  Love the forum.  It's a tremendous help as we move forward with our fulltiming plans.  Thanks. 

We have a walk-in corner shower with a seat, queen size bed (and some RVs come with king size beds).  The toilet paper is different but work on your fold methods LOL.  We actually have two bathrooms.  I think Howard really put everything in perspective when he began to discuss what he would miss about the full-time lifestyle.  I personally believe that puts it all in perspective.  There are things that will be different.
We have not actually started full-timing yet but we are hosting in our new motorhome.  Yesterday I went home (sticks and bricks) to get a few things and I just couldn't wait to get back to the motorhome.  It is funny, we haven't had this motorhome a whole month and already it is home to us.
Oh, yes I forgot - a lot of new RVs come with the larger flat screen TVs that are HD ready.  If your RV doesn't you can upgrade your TV just as you might upgrade a TV at your house.

When I think of what I will miss most not having a "house" is taking sit down baths. When it is cold in the winter, I don't warm up until I get in that hot bath. A shower is great in the summer but there is nothing like soaking in a tub in the winter to warm these old bones. However, missing that tub pales by comparision to the gain. Phyllis

But, Phyllis, just think, you can be somewhere in the winter those "old bones" won't get cold enough to matter. KK

I hear ya Phyllis.  As I said in an earlier post...I do like my soaking baths...especially when I'm cold.  BUT, like I also said, we'll just have to make sure we stay at a park, once in awhile, that has a hot tub!!!

I miss standing on a ladder and washing 2nd story windows, tying a rope around my waist and around the chimney while I repair the roof, trimming trees, picking up sticks and branches after a strong wind, pulling weeds from the flower beds, and countless hours of mowing grass. I miss shoveling snow, freezing temperatures, and driving on icy roads.

Now if you believe that, I've got a great bridge I would like to sell to you!!!

I'm with Jim01! I don't miss anything about taking care of a house! No more lawn mowing sounds great to me.

I noticed that no one has mentioned attending a church you are a member of. I think that would be something I would miss as much as anything since I have been a member of the same Catholic church all my life. We could attend a church anywhere and it would have advantages of meeting others of faith throughout the country so the trade off I think would be OK. Just a Thought. God Bless all of you.

Larry and Vivian,

We have friends that are Full-timers and they go to church every Sunday. When the pastor finds out about their life-style, they are often asked to come back for another service and tell the congregation about their travels. They also do a lot of volunteer work, so they include that in their talks.

They have made many friends by doing this and they really enjoy it.