Hi Everyone! I'm perusing forums and doing daily research. Full-time RVing has always been my retirement plan. For years I have attended RV shows. But, a few years back, my neighbors that homeschooled their kids bought an RV and took off for a year traveling the US. Those kids had the most amazing time of their life, and what an awesome experience it was for them in whole as a family. So, I find myself now single and not owning a home (we moved to FL from CA four years ago), and after some life changes (selling our 3200’ home now renting an 1800’ home), I’ve decided to take the plunge and create some memories now, while my kids are young enough to 1) enjoy it; and 2) our lifestyle can facilitate it. I signed another year lease where I am, which is up in 03/16.
My son is autistic and I have amazing services in his grade school, so I will never homeschool. Lucky for us, we have an awesome RV park on the same street as our grade school! I’ve discussed it with the kids and they are fully on board - - PUN intended! Our full monthly expenses while docked (park/Rv payment/etc) will be about $800 less than our current expenses, and less than two months’ savings will pay for our storage place for the two years. While school is in session, we will be living in the park. But, every 3-day weekend, spring break, and SUMMER! we will be taking off and seeing as much of the US as we can in those two years.
I have a lot to purge. Keeping only our good furniture in storage and will get new things (needed anyway) when we end our trip and buy a home. I’ve chosen the Jayco Greyhawk 31FS (Class C), which has the overhead bunk for my daughter’s “bedroom” (she’s thrilled), and my son will have both bunkbeds for his room. I think the RV is very spacious, and smaller kids take up less space.
The biggest challenge will be the kitchen space, but I’ve already figured out what I can keep in bins underneath and pull out as needed, as well as coming up with some creative storage ideas for inside the RV. My next challenge will be my work space. Fortunately, aside from being a Realtor, I have two other businesses that I run from home, so I can take those on the road with me. I’m thinking of converting part of the closet/wardrobe to a pull-out desk top so I don’t have to use the kitchen dinette daily. I plan on purchasing the RV and setting it up a month before we make the move so I can load it and see what else has to be purged.
Many things to plan between now and next March, but it’s a daily routine now researching and plotting our big adventure. Hope to see good ideas here, as well as maybe connect with some other parents of smaller children to see how they are managing full-time living in their RV. Thanks for reading!
TRAILERKING said
08:27 AM Apr 28, 2015
Welcome aboard and Good Luck.
The Bear II said
03:05 PM Apr 29, 2015
One thing to consider is bad weather. How bad will cabin fever get when the three of you are stuck inside for a few days to a week if the weather is too bad to go outside.
Good luck hope it all works out for you. It's good that you are doing a lot of research.
PIEERE said
10:01 AM Apr 30, 2015
Don't forget to plan for unexpected breakdowns.Them hurt the pocketbook and the time it takes to get rescued.
Hi Everyone! I'm perusing forums and doing daily research. Full-time RVing has always been my retirement plan. For years I have attended RV shows. But, a few years back, my neighbors that homeschooled their kids bought an RV and took off for a year traveling the US. Those kids had the most amazing time of their life, and what an awesome experience it was for them in whole as a family. So, I find myself now single and not owning a home (we moved to FL from CA four years ago), and after some life changes (selling our 3200’ home now renting an 1800’ home), I’ve decided to take the plunge and create some memories now, while my kids are young enough to 1) enjoy it; and 2) our lifestyle can facilitate it. I signed another year lease where I am, which is up in 03/16.
My son is autistic and I have amazing services in his grade school, so I will never homeschool. Lucky for us, we have an awesome RV park on the same street as our grade school! I’ve discussed it with the kids and they are fully on board - - PUN intended! Our full monthly expenses while docked (park/Rv payment/etc) will be about $800 less than our current expenses, and less than two months’ savings will pay for our storage place for the two years. While school is in session, we will be living in the park. But, every 3-day weekend, spring break, and SUMMER! we will be taking off and seeing as much of the US as we can in those two years.
I have a lot to purge. Keeping only our good furniture in storage and will get new things (needed anyway) when we end our trip and buy a home. I’ve chosen the Jayco Greyhawk 31FS (Class C), which has the overhead bunk for my daughter’s “bedroom” (she’s thrilled), and my son will have both bunkbeds for his room. I think the RV is very spacious, and smaller kids take up less space.
The biggest challenge will be the kitchen space, but I’ve already figured out what I can keep in bins underneath and pull out as needed, as well as coming up with some creative storage ideas for inside the RV. My next challenge will be my work space. Fortunately, aside from being a Realtor, I have two other businesses that I run from home, so I can take those on the road with me. I’m thinking of converting part of the closet/wardrobe to a pull-out desk top so I don’t have to use the kitchen dinette daily. I plan on purchasing the RV and setting it up a month before we make the move so I can load it and see what else has to be purged.
Many things to plan between now and next March, but it’s a daily routine now researching and plotting our big adventure. Hope to see good ideas here, as well as maybe connect with some other parents of smaller children to see how they are managing full-time living in their RV. Thanks for reading!
Good luck hope it all works out for you. It's good that you are doing a lot of research.