Hello, all! If you're reading this, thank you! I hope you'll be able to learn a bit about me, and that we can talk and become friends! And if you've been on this forum for a long time, or have been RVing (is that how you say it?) for a long time (or even a little time!), I hope you'll lend me some of your wisdom!
Just a forewarning: I'm not good at making long stories short, haha!
My name is Laura-Mae, and I'm 22 years old. I have always wanted a life filled with travel, I just didn't really pinpoint that until the past few months. For about two years now I've been living with my partner who has very grounded, career-oriented goals, and no plans of ever moving out of the city. And that's fine! But I've always been sitting on the sidelines, staring longingly at the countryside from behind my computer screen. Just yesterday my partner has ended our five-year relationship and left me with very few options as far as a place to live. I'm lucky enough to have the option to move back in with my dad, and my relationship with him is strong enough, but I know it wouldn't be the right move for me. I also have the option of moving in with my mom in Texas, but again I don't believe it would be the best environment for me.
But as I was talking to my dad today I had jokingly mentioned getting an RV and just driving around the country. But then it clicked: that's possible. It's very possible. (Anything's possible!) And I'm aware it would take work on my part, but I am willing to commit to putting that work in. Having made a few "self-discoveries" if you will, and now (essentially) beginning my life anew, I personally think that living on my own (and with my canine companion, Ringo) and travelling would be the healthiest decision I've made in a while.
Obviously, though, I'm a complete newbie to this, but I am here to learn! And if the RV life does not happen to be for me, so be it... But I am hoping that it would be!
For the next few weeks I'll be doing the necessary research. In the mean time, does anyone have tips for an absolute beginner?
BiggarView said
12:00 PM Feb 7, 2014
Welcome, you've come to the right place to learn. There is a lot of experience around here. I've heard many times the phrase "I should have done this sooner". At 22 you certainly fit desire in that statement from my perspective... As you say, it's very doable. If you are prepared. Knowledge is the key.
I admire your courage and wish you the best as you begin your research.
Bluejay said
12:16 PM Feb 7, 2014
Thank you so much! I'm really a strong believer that everyone should fit some travel into their lives whether sooner or later! :) Especially if it's something you really want to do it, haha! And I've spent a lot of my time just wishing, you know? But no more wishing! Time to do something! But I am going to be sure to pace myself as much as I can, and pick up all that knowledge you mentioned (or as much as I can, anyway)!
I see a beagle in your avatar, and she is a real cutie! Have you done any RVing with her yet? If so, what kind of challenges does that provide? Having a little furry friend of my own, learning to RV with her is something I'll be researching too! :)
Thank you again for the warm welcome!
TRAILERKING said
12:16 PM Feb 7, 2014
All doable.................The biggest thing is to have enough of an income to live the way you would like.
There can be a lot of expenses pile up with the traveling, maintenance, and any major repairs.
Oh and by the way, welcome aboard.
Bluejay said
12:31 PM Feb 7, 2014
Thank you for the welcome! :)
Yes, income is perhaps my biggest concern at the moment, and definitely something I'll need to consider before making any big decisions. Fortunately I have the option of doing art commissions, but even then that only provides so much! I'm definitely trying to keep myself grounded and my mind on the reality of it all. So, this is exactly what I need to hear! And now you've given me even more to consider. Thank you again!
BiggarView said
12:39 PM Feb 7, 2014
We are like you... in the research phase and don't anticipate starting our FT(full-time) adventure for a few more years. We have the luxury(?) of time to prepare though the decision for us to go this route came about a different way and we are positioning ourselves at this time to take on this adventure.
We have a wonderful Beagle named Josie(now 2 years old) which we rescued from a military family just over a year ago, whose husband was deployed and wife was about to give birth to a third child. She was in no position to care for 3 young children and a beagle which requires lots of exercise and attention.(and that's just the dog) She has fit into our lives very well and gets along with everybody and everything. Except that pesky squirrel that taunts her from the fence every evening...LOL We have not had her long enough to see how she is camping or in an RV but I don't foresee any issues. She travels well in a car, I expect an RV to be the same. Others on here can better address any pet issues, having waaaaaaaayyyy more experience than we do. From what I can tell most dogs adapt fairly well to a new home as long as there is love and affection around.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 7th of February 2014 12:45:52 PM
el Rojo and Pam said
12:41 PM Feb 7, 2014
Welcome to the forum Laura-Mae! This is another young lady that travels the U.S. and works a little along the way. Becky Schade, interstellarorchard.com.
She has a blog and it might be worth reading along with this forum. Ask your questions and many on here will be glad to help.
Red
Terry and Jo said
06:55 PM Feb 7, 2014
Welcome, Laura-Mae,
You will find the RV Dreams forums a valuable resource because of all the knowledge in the minds of the participants here. Also, be sure and check out the other aspects of Howard and Linda's website, especially the financial section. They give one a fair idea of the costs involved with RV'ing. Even if things look really debatable as to actually being able to do RV'ing, you can always have a "home base" and buy an RV for occasional trips. In fact, it might even be a good idea to rent something like a Class C for a week or two so you can get a feel for what you would need to be able to do before really going "whole-hog" on an RV.
Ask away with questions and don't worry about a question being "dumb" or unimportant. There are no dumb or unimportant questions.
Terry
MarkS said
07:28 PM Feb 7, 2014
Welcome a bored Laura-Mae. Being one person in the singular form, I can't imagine why you couldn't pull this off. You can get work almost anywhere to augment your income. Minimum wage to be sure, but work nonetheless. Your only hurdle is getting hold to a RV that is suitable for your inhabitance or at least one you can live in. Shop around, you can go from super inexpensive that needs some work to whatever you want to pay. Good luck on your quest.
LandL Partners said
08:31 PM Feb 7, 2014
Welcome! I believe things happen for in a reason in their own season - take this opportunity to follow your dreams and don't look back! I'm a planner so research, research, research. There are great resources on the forum so take advantage of the lessons of the others that have already ventured out on the road in an RV and good luck!
Mark V said
12:07 PM Feb 8, 2014
Welcome aboard Laura-Mae!
I think you'll find a wealth of information among the various threads on this web-site. They pretty much have everything covered, except they're a tad lacking in the "How To" dept. when it comes to prepping for the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse.
BVC said
06:16 PM Feb 8, 2014
el Rojo wrote:
Welcome to the forum Laura-Mae! This is another young lady that travels the U.S. and works a little along the way. Becky Schade, interstellarorchard.com.
She has a blog and it might be worth reading along with this forum. Ask your questions and many on here will be glad to help.
Red
I agree with Red. Becky is living the life you are considering and she is very easy to communicate with. Best of luck with your decision and you will find a lot of good information here on this forum.
Hello, all! If you're reading this, thank you! I hope you'll be able to learn a bit about me, and that we can talk and become friends! And if you've been on this forum for a long time, or have been RVing (is that how you say it?) for a long time (or even a little time!), I hope you'll lend me some of your wisdom!
Just a forewarning: I'm not good at making long stories short, haha!
My name is Laura-Mae, and I'm 22 years old. I have always wanted a life filled with travel, I just didn't really pinpoint that until the past few months. For about two years now I've been living with my partner who has very grounded, career-oriented goals, and no plans of ever moving out of the city. And that's fine! But I've always been sitting on the sidelines, staring longingly at the countryside from behind my computer screen. Just yesterday my partner has ended our five-year relationship and left me with very few options as far as a place to live. I'm lucky enough to have the option to move back in with my dad, and my relationship with him is strong enough, but I know it wouldn't be the right move for me. I also have the option of moving in with my mom in Texas, but again I don't believe it would be the best environment for me.
But as I was talking to my dad today I had jokingly mentioned getting an RV and just driving around the country. But then it clicked: that's possible. It's very possible. (Anything's possible!) And I'm aware it would take work on my part, but I am willing to commit to putting that work in. Having made a few "self-discoveries" if you will, and now (essentially) beginning my life anew, I personally think that living on my own (and with my canine companion, Ringo) and travelling would be the healthiest decision I've made in a while.
Obviously, though, I'm a complete newbie to this, but I am here to learn! And if the RV life does not happen to be for me, so be it... But I am hoping that it would be!
For the next few weeks I'll be doing the necessary research. In the mean time, does anyone have tips for an absolute beginner?
Welcome, you've come to the right place to learn. There is a lot of experience around here. I've heard many times the phrase "I should have done this sooner". At 22 you certainly fit desire in that statement from my perspective... As you say, it's very doable. If you are prepared. Knowledge is the key.
I admire your courage and wish you the best as you begin your research.
Thank you so much! I'm really a strong believer that everyone should fit some travel into their lives whether sooner or later! :) Especially if it's something you really want to do it, haha! And I've spent a lot of my time just wishing, you know? But no more wishing! Time to do something! But I am going to be sure to pace myself as much as I can, and pick up all that knowledge you mentioned (or as much as I can, anyway)!
I see a beagle in your avatar, and she is a real cutie! Have you done any RVing with her yet? If so, what kind of challenges does that provide? Having a little furry friend of my own, learning to RV with her is something I'll be researching too! :)
Thank you again for the warm welcome!
There can be a lot of expenses pile up with the traveling, maintenance, and any major repairs.
Oh and by the way, welcome aboard.
Thank you for the welcome! :)
Yes, income is perhaps my biggest concern at the moment, and definitely something I'll need to consider before making any big decisions. Fortunately I have the option of doing art commissions, but even then that only provides so much! I'm definitely trying to keep myself grounded and my mind on the reality of it all. So, this is exactly what I need to hear! And now you've given me even more to consider. Thank you again!
We are like you... in the research phase and don't anticipate starting our FT(full-time) adventure for a few more years. We have the luxury(?) of time to prepare though the decision for us to go this route came about a different way and we are positioning ourselves at this time to take on this adventure.
We have a wonderful Beagle named Josie(now 2 years old) which we rescued from a military family just over a year ago, whose husband was deployed and wife was about to give birth to a third child. She was in no position to care for 3 young children and a beagle which requires lots of exercise and attention.(and that's just the dog
) She has fit into our lives very well and gets along with everybody and everything. Except that pesky squirrel that taunts her from the fence every evening...LOL We have not had her long enough to see how she is camping or in an RV but I don't foresee any issues. She travels well in a car, I expect an RV to be the same. Others on here can better address any pet issues, having waaaaaaaayyyy more experience than we do. From what I can tell most dogs adapt fairly well to a new home as long as there is love and affection around.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Friday 7th of February 2014 12:45:52 PM
She has a blog and it might be worth reading along with this forum. Ask your questions and many on here will be glad to help.
Red
Welcome, Laura-Mae,
You will find the RV Dreams forums a valuable resource because of all the knowledge in the minds of the participants here. Also, be sure and check out the other aspects of Howard and Linda's website, especially the financial section. They give one a fair idea of the costs involved with RV'ing. Even if things look really debatable as to actually being able to do RV'ing, you can always have a "home base" and buy an RV for occasional trips. In fact, it might even be a good idea to rent something like a Class C for a week or two so you can get a feel for what you would need to be able to do before really going "whole-hog" on an RV.
Ask away with questions and don't worry about a question being "dumb" or unimportant. There are no dumb or unimportant questions.
Terry
Welcome aboard Laura-Mae!
I think you'll find a wealth of information among the various threads on this web-site. They pretty much have everything covered, except they're a tad lacking in the "How To" dept. when it comes to prepping for the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse.
I agree with Red. Becky is living the life you are considering and she is very easy to communicate with. Best of luck with your decision and you will find a lot of good information here on this forum.
Bruce