Most of us put a fair amount of thought into what it would take for us to become full-timers. We thought about what to do with all of our stuff, what sort of RV we needed, what sort of towed/tow vehicle we wanted, where we would go, and what we would do. For a lucky few, all has gone according to plan. For most of us, plans change. We're not doing everything that we thought we would, and we're doing things that we never thought we'd do. We've visited places we hadn't planned to visit, and there are still places on the list to see.
How many of us have put as much thought into our exit plan? Some people still have a S&B, and plan to return to it. Others of us sold it. Where will we go? Will we become part-timers, spending part of the year in a set location? Will we get a smaller rig and go out only a few times a year?
What will trigger the exit plan? Will it be a sudden health scare, or just the realization that some tasks are just too much anymore? Will it be at a certain age, or because you've found the perfect spot to land?
Jo Ann and I started out with the idea that we were going to give full-timing a good run for at least five years, and then re-evaluate it. So far, we've not seen anything that would tell us we ought to get off the road. What we haven't done, yet, is discuss what might cause us to reduce our travels. Besides the things I've mentioned above, what other things ought we think about? One big one, at least at this point, is that Jo Ann won't drive our MH, so that if I would be unable to drive she would need to find someone to drive the coach somewhere. That's part of the reason why we're thinking of selling the Foretravel and getting an Airstream. She is more willing to drive the truck towing the Airstream because it is more familiar to her.
What else should we think about?
Barbaraok said
07:06 PM Dec 1, 2018
Tell JoAnn for me that driving a motorhome like a Foretravel (envy on my part ) will be easier than driving an Airstream - - much better ride, visibility, handling characteristics in a motorhome.
We decided to purchase a park model at a park with like in Mesa, AZ a few year ago. OK - so I decided we should do this. This was after Dave had a series of "back out" problems during the summer - as in he couldn't get out of bed for days at a time. So I had to drive to move us (5 times that summer) from place to place while we waited for his muscles to quit the spasms and everything to move back into place. I just decided that if something should happen to one of use, the other needed some place to go for at least 6 months to sort things out. We were very lucky to be able to arrive in October, when few people were around, so it was a 'buyers' market, so to speak, and we got a VERY good deal on an older park model. Interestingly enough, once here, he had a few mornings of having to take it slowly to get moving, but his back hasn't gone completely out since then!
What I didn't appreciate was how much we would both enjoy the winters with space to spread out, a consistency about each day, and then enjoy the summers when we were back traveling again and going on adventures. Since we were here for an extended time, we transferred our health care to a local physician and new sets of eyes were able to catch some things before they had a chance to get really bad!
The six months doing each has been wonderful for our overall health - - the winter gives us time to recharge, and the summer gives us plenty of visiting with family, winery visits, beach, mountains, etc. that we look forward to the peace when we return to the valley each fall. At some point we will give up traveling in the summer and just spent all year here, to be followed by the realization that it is time for us (or whomever is left) to move to be near our daughter and son-in-law. Right now I feel we have the best of both worlds.
Hdrider said
06:13 AM Dec 2, 2018
I think we are approaching the "exit plan" as openly as we are taking our travels. We keep our eye's open as we roam around for a spot that we really like for when that time comes so that when it does come we don't have to start our search then. We are also keeping a open mind on wether when the time comes we will do another sticks & bricks on property (probably not) or get property to park a RV on or buy or lease a lot in a resort style RV park and park a 5th wheel on it (at this point this is our favorite plan). All of these will probably be dictated by how our health is when the time comes.
At this point we are actually thinking about 2 locations, one up north and one down south but again, to soon to tell.
Sushidog said
07:34 AM Dec 2, 2018
When the time comes that I can't drive anymore I'll simply park my MH in a warm location of our choosing. That is assuming I have the opportunity and don't have a grabber before then. Like HD rider we plan on scouting our ideal fixed location beforehand. When life becomes a burden to myself and others I will choose the time and place to let it go and embrace the inevitable. If I do it right I can avoid the funeral expenses for my family too. I've never been on a cruise ship, so possibly a farewell cruise sounds good to me. I love to eat fish and as a sushi chef served up more than a few in my time, so feeding them would be a fitting end - giving back to the ocean, so to speak. Hopefully that's more than a few years in the future, but it's something we all must consider at some point.
Chip
arcaguy said
10:00 AM Dec 2, 2018
Obviously I haven't even started to look seriously at parking the rig since I don't even have one yet. However the DW and I have discussed it a little. I said that we should get a 20 something driver and that she should be cute, my wife said yes he should. But seriously, have any of you considered maybe finding a younger relative/friend that could join you on your travels as a driver/helper. Obviously if you're bedridden that's probably not a good option, but there are a lot of things you can do if you're just unable or uncomfortable driving. I have heard that there are places where you can park your rig and they have staff to help you, sort of like senior living or assisted living. My point being that I think with a little imagination you can probably stay in your rig for a few more years if you want to. If you don't want to well that's a different issue. In any case you should do what you feel is best for you and your particular situation.
bjoyce said
10:42 AM Dec 2, 2018
"Exit plan" sounds so easy, but it is not. Having had families that moved around we were used to change and "planned" accordingly. We made sure to not shoot our nest egg as fulltimers, so we could afford to buy another home if needed. We knew we could handle change, having done so many times in our lives. I know that is not the case for many others, whose lives were more stable.
A couple years ago we realized that we wanted to stay put longer in winter and to do so at the RV park we are at in Mesa, Arizona, Val Vista Village. This is the same place Barb has a park model. The main reason for this place is because Diane is a quilter and is very involved with the quilters here. The park has a large building dedicated to fiber arts and its own long arm, which Diane uses and will be a monitor at this season. I am comfortable here and like the central location with easy access to stores, restaurants and places to walk. We also decided that for longer than 3 months, we wanted more room, etc., so we bought a park model with an Arizona room (addition) in April and moved in this October. Our current plan is to stay here 5 to 6 months a year and travel the rest of the year. We have the motorhome in storage. To buy we did not have to touch our nest egg, since my mother died before she ran out of money and we used my inheritance to buy and furnish the place.
Our long range plan is to buy a small place in the Pacific Northwest, our home area, and move there in summer. Neither of us handles hot weather well, so summers in Arizona are not appealing.
If you would have asked me before we went fulltime where I would settle when the time came, I would have said California or Washington state. The Washington state part might come true, but Arizona wins over California.
Terry and Jo said
01:46 PM Dec 3, 2018
Jo and I have considered the need to "exit" the full-time RV'ing lifestyle and move into an apartment. Thus, we have listed our 2010 Mobile Suites and 2008 Ford F450 for sale in the classifieds. At present, should we be able to sell this fairly soon, we plan on moving into an apartment and perhaps buying a smaller travel trailer (capable of being pulled by a Ford Expedition) so that we can still do some traveling.
It isn't something that we REALLY want to do, but I'm now 72 years old (73 in May) and while I think I'm still in very good health, we need to keep in mind that some aspects of the lifestyle of full-time RV'ing could get more difficult for us to do. We like to get out about every day and do some walking, up to as much as almost 4 miles per day. In bad or cold weather, we walk in one of the local shopping malls, but we prefer walking outside, if at all possible. As I alluded to, I'm not really ready to quit the RV'ing, but if worse comes to worse, we'd even still consider camping out in a tent (as long as we have air mattresses.)
At our age, and with so much in the way of uncertainty, we have even volunteered to be "full body donors" rather than just organ donors.
At any rate, it is not a bad idea to consider options for exiting the lifestyle. One never knows when some catastrophic illness or injury will occur to anyone and they have to consider leaving the "fun times."
Terry
Bill and Linda said
12:38 PM Dec 4, 2018
There are a few related comments concerning this subject in another current thread:
I agree with BillJ very much. This is a bigger deal then some might think, especially at the beginning of the RV life, and much of it has to do with the word "money." How much one has in reserve to come off-the-road and do whatever, wherever; especially in a short period of time unexpectedly.
I truly believe it is important, especially if one is in their 60's, to have some real clue as to where they might want to live if they want to, or more importantly, must exit the rig full-time. Even Howard and Linda, now, have a home in Florida. While they may not plan to use it right away as a residence it does exist and can be accessed within a reasonable period of time if required. That's a big deal IMO.
Not everyone can, or wants, to maintain a S & B residence (or rental) in addition to an RV like we do. But, like Neil and Connie, one can establish a domicile in specific location even if it is in a campground in a location where you would want to live. That City / State location is the key, IMO. To have things "arranged" in an area - including medical care - doctor's, etc., prior to needing them. Should something happen "on-the-road" figuring all this out on the fly specifically can be problematic. By "specifically" I mean one could actually, with little warning, move to that location without undo stress knowing what to do and moreover who to call.
"Wintering" in such a location is good way to set all this up and know what is required, etc.
I know some of the above takes a little of the "no reservations" and "no concreate plans" 'philosophy out of the picture. But it is also prudent, especially if one is somewhat later in life. Each can define "later in life" however they choose. Doing this does not keep one "off-the-road." It does, however, mean one is not caught totally off-guard should something happen to require a change.
Most know when "its time." When that time comes this makes the transition much easier; and maybe means more actual time RVing albeit, perhaps, not full-time on-the-road. Just part-time on-the-road and part-time at home base however one defines "home-base."
Having been through this decision / situation twice in our family this path has proven to be a good choice. As always, "It depends" but being prudent is always a good choice.
Bill
Russ Ranger said
01:02 PM Dec 4, 2018
This is a very interesting subject for us at this moment in time. Our new plan is not an exit plan, but is a major change in direction for us.
We have owned a home/condo in Mazatlan, Mexico for the last 10 years. It is where we have spent the last 6 Winters since our retirement. We knew that at some point we would have a homebase back in the states. Well that time has come for us. We have picked Buckeye, Arizona as our future homebase and we are having a home built there that will be complete in April 2019.
That led us to the decision to sell our condo in Mazatlan. We sold within a few days of listing and the transaction will close in January.
This will put us back in the motorhome for the remainder of the Winter. I am happy with our change in direction because it will open up our Winters for RV'ing in the Southwest and even back into Mexico with the new RV.
Our RV'ing/traveling adventure has always been one of openness to change.
I have 7 weeks to put together a new plan for our remaining Winter season. I would like to stay in Arizona to monitor the house and pool build. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Life is good....even with big changes.
(Yes, we are still going to Alaska for 3 months this Summer.)
Neil and Connie said
01:14 PM Dec 4, 2018
Echoing what Bill said...we’ve made the decision to get off the road whenever in the North Fort Myers area. Doctors, church/choir, Elks and American Legion lodges...and we’ve been here enough years so that we know the traffic patterns and where we might want to live. Haven’t really decided on what that will be yet...could be a condo or a small house in one of the many managed developments down here so there’s no yard work and a lot of amenities similar to what RV parks have. We set aside the remainder of our house sales proceeds from the S&B sale in the VA DC ’burbs after paying for the rig so that we can pay cash for it if we want to. We would probably rent over buying if we needed a mortgage because at that point in life the equity wouldn’t really build very much for typical lifetime remaining and monthly cash flow is more important at that stage of life...but are expecting to just buy what we want outright then.
I could see us changing our minds and perhaps moving back to the Richmond VA area for the grandkid... it there’s snow and lousy winter there not to mention terrible traffic...neither of which is really an issue in North Fort Myers...although there is plenty down towards Naples way. Us we rarely go down that way. With friends, doctors and the like...it would be a change in plans to do that though.
Weve given thoughts to a smaller rig for shorter term travels...and also thoughts to doing some other country and continent travels as well...having a small rig to visit Alex for a month at a time is attractive... it like Bill and Linda we arent interested in really small...we e about eliminated the idea that he and I had about a medium C...at this point a 24ish foot TT is more likely if we were to get another rig.
Bill and Linda said
01:46 PM Dec 5, 2018
Russ Ranger wrote:
I have 7 weeks to put together a new plan for our remaining Winter season. I would like to stay in Arizona to monitor the house and pool build. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Life is good....even with big changes.
(Yes, we are still going to Alaska for 3 months this Summer.)
At the house: Kind of obvious, but a full hookup for the rig including sewer. If the budget can afford it put in a shelter (from the sun) or better yet, a full garage. We had both inside a garage and outside full hookups for the rig(s) at the other house. This one only an outside full connection. Making full provisions now is financially and approval wise much easier during construction. And having the rig here means when 10 family members come, including 6 grandkids, we sleep in the rig by choice. {Grin} Why not, its like being "home" anyway.
Having the rig at the house makes it so much easier then storage. We could be ready to leave in 36 hours, or less, if we wanted to. Most of that time it's getting the fridge to temp and stocking it with food. But here, at the house, makes repairs, fiddling and finding things so much better. We're constantly saying to one another when at home base: "It's out in the trailer."
Bill
phyllen said
09:49 AM Dec 6, 2018
Gosh... I haven't come to this forum for a long time. Probably more than a year. I recognize so many names who have now partially settled.
We fulltimed for 7 years. It got to the point that I just got tired of setting up and taking down. What put me over the edge were some minor health issues, RV breakdowns and near-misses. Hubby felt the same.
Where to settle? My sister is in NJ where I grew up. My one daughter lives near Hershey, PA and the other 35 miles north of Baltimore. Hubby has a son in north Alabama. A daughter in the Houston area and another one near Lake Charles, LA. His siblings are in SW Louisiana and Orange, TX.
I started looking online. Found our ideal place in Cullman, AL just 20 miles from where my step son and family live. Sort of mid way between the rest.
It's perfect. 4 acres out in the country. Perfect size house and a pond. We even put in 2 RV sites, one FHU and the other with 50 amp and water. We have frequent visitors. We downsized from a 43 foot fifth wheel to a 37 ft TT. We do projects with NOMADS (A mission of the United Methodist Church) so wanted to keep a rig. Also for when our granddaughters from MD visit each summer.
We have been here almost 2 years and love it. Instead of a RV it's a zero-turn mower and tractor. It's the life we want.
To all... enjoy your time on the road. Recognize when it's time to park at least some of time. Follow your heart.
Phyllis
RonC said
05:41 PM Dec 6, 2018
All plans are in jello, but at this point our plan is to put the fiver on the river for our kids to use and live in an apartment or assisted living facility (depends on our health). I have no interest in owning another house. In jello😜
MAYBE2021 said
11:27 AM Dec 7, 2018
RonC wrote:
All plans are in jello, but at this point our plan is to put the fiver on the river for our kids to use and live in an apartment or assisted living facility (depends on our health). I have no interest in owning another house. In jello😜
I'm with Ron. When we go full time I hope to never mow the grass, weed flower beds, trim trees or paint the deck again. When we come off the road, I'm sure I will still not want to engage in those activities. Renting is our most likely option.
Steve
Acheron2010 said
11:50 AM Dec 7, 2018
There might come a day when the daily SPOT signal does not go out to my loved ones. They let a day or two go by, and then call the RV park or direct people to my last reported GPS location. They relay instructions on where to find the keys to the trailer and enter, to find me stiff and cold, hands poised on the laptop, or the Kindle fallen on my face in the bed. Perhaps the dog has chewed on my finger.
Or they come get me and place me in some home, mind gone to the oblivion.
My exit plan is to keep going until I don't.
RonC said
12:10 AM Dec 19, 2018
LAcheron2010 wrote:
There might come a day when the daily SPOT signal does not go out to my loved ones. They let a day or two go by, and then call the RV park or direct people to my last reported GPS location. They relay instructions on where to find the keys to the trailer and enter, to find me stiff and cold, hands poised on the laptop, or the Kindle fallen on my face in the bed. Perhaps the dog has chewed on my finger.
Or they come get me and place me in some home, mind gone to the oblivion.
My exit plan is to keep going until I don't.
Love it. Hope it works just like that!
Gpndavid said
09:10 PM Jan 6, 2019
Maybe we peaked early. Maybe we cheated the system. We began fulltiming at age 51 living off my military pension. It was a tight budget, but we did it and traveled constantly for 3.5 years. Now at 55 having camped in all the lower 48 states, we pondered our next adventure. A job offer came, the motorhome is sold, we leased a townhouse, bought a bed, bought a car, and are moving stuff from storage in tomorrow. Back to work at 55 with an appreciation for living with just the necessities and the knowledge of what retirement can be like. Time to save for the next great adventure. A strange exit plan I did not foresee.
mike54 said
08:50 PM Feb 3, 2019
I have been thinking about what my exit plan would be lately because now that I’m solo again I don’t know if want to travel alone but I’m decided to give it a couple years workcamping in Arizona next wnter and I would like to spend a summer workcamping in Yellowstone. Then I’ll have another discussion with myself about what’s next.
RonC said
03:51 PM Sep 23, 2019
So we have an update to our exit plan. We never wanted to get back on the home ownership treadmill so that is still true. I recently had an Aunt pass and we visited her in her assisted living facility, which was very nice ... that got our gears (what’s left of them) turning. We have chosen to enter a full life cycle facility. We’ll begin in a cottage with a garage (1,100 sq ft). Full maintenance, meal plan if you want it (there are 5 restaurants on the campus), house keeping once a week, etc. from there we can move as required thru all the phases of life that we might need (assisted living right thru hospice ... there is a memory care unit also. Doctors, Dentists, and a Pharmacy are all on campus. It is a beautifully maintained property that is near family ... so that’s the plan. The entry price is high and the monthly rate is equally high, but the facility and experience would be worth it (to us). The endowment will also provide sustainable income for life, so in effect we cannot run out of money. This seems to be the best choice for us.
We will execute this plan when we decide our traveling days are over. Probably 5 to 10 years from now.
-- Edited by RonC on Monday 23rd of September 2019 04:39:48 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Monday 23rd of September 2019 06:47:05 PM
-- Edited by RonC on Wednesday 25th of September 2019 09:12:56 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Saturday 28th of September 2019 03:38:43 PM
PrairieRV said
08:38 AM Sep 24, 2019
RonC wrote:
So we have an update to our exit plan. We never wanted to get back on the home ownership treadmill so that is still true. I recently had an Aunt pass and we visited her in her assisted living facility, which was very nice ... that got our gears (what’s left of them) turning. We have chosen to enter a full life cycle facility. We’ll begin in a cottage with a garage (1,100 sq ft). Full maintenance, meal plan if you want it (there are 5 restaurants on the campus), house keeping once a week, etc. from there we can move as required thru all the phases of life that we might need (assisted living right thru hospice ... the is a memory care unit also. Doctors, Dentists, and a Pharmacy are all on campus. It is a beautifully maintained property that is near family ... so that’s the plan. The entry price is high and the monthly rate is equally high, but the facility and experience would be worth it (to us). The endowment will also provide sustainable income for life, so in effect we cannot run out of money. This seems to be the best choice for us.
We will execute this plan when we decide our traveling days are over. Probably 5 to 10 years from now.
So, Ron, where is this facility? That might be the type of place I look into eventually.
RonC said
10:42 AM Sep 24, 2019
San Antonio, Texas. Called Blue Skies of Texas ... formerly called Air Force Village. Initially, only US Air Force Officers ... then they added Officers from other services (Army, Marines, Coast Guard and Navy). They have now dropped that military stipulation (in 2014) and are accepting anyone who can pass their qualifiers. You must be 62 (if a couple then only one must be 62), acceptable (I don't know what their "number" is) Credit Score, Resources, up front cash entry price ($150K) and monthly cash flow (rent is $3,000 per month for the unit we are interested in) and Health evaluation. They want to ensure you are healthy and can support yourself for obvious reasons. They have two campuses in San Antonio ... West and East. I was pretty impressed with the West campus ... we are visiting the East campus today. They "interview" everyone pretty throughly. I liked the vetting process ... but some may find it too invasive due to the need to fully disclose your assets. It's certainly not for everyone, but we really liked it.
-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 24th of September 2019 10:43:28 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 24th of September 2019 10:47:01 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 24th of September 2019 10:54:50 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Tuesday 24th of September 2019 10:59:23 AM
-- Edited by RonC on Thursday 26th of September 2019 11:14:07 AM
PIEERE said
07:46 AM Sep 25, 2019
I had no Exit Plans! Was going to Work Camp until I dropped! But an acute heart attack left me with Congestive heart failure just before my 61st birthday in 2012. I also have COPD and degenerative disc disease! So from a Class C MH to a 5er in a RV Park in August of 2012 and being unemployable; I have had to find other things to replace my workaholic life!
bjoyce said
07:56 AM Sep 25, 2019
Blue Skies of Texas sounds a lot like Panorama City in Lacey WA.
RonC said
09:10 AM Sep 25, 2019
Let me clarify a couple of things that I had wrong. The meal plan ($300 per month per person) is not optional. It is handled by giving you an account with your $300 in it and when you eat at one of the restaurants (on either campus) that money is charged to your account until the $300 is gone. That process repeats each month. The other thing was the health qualifier ... it’s an evaluation not to disqualify but rather to ensure you enter at the appropriate care level. For example, if I think I want to be in independent living, but medical evaluation suggests that I need assisted living, I’ll go into assisted living. So health isn’t a disqualifier more like an evaluation.
RonC said
10:31 AM Sep 26, 2019
bjoyce wrote:
Blue Skies of Texas sounds a lot like Panorama City in Lacey WA.
I googled Panorama and I would agree that Panorama and Blue Skies are similar in offerings and quality of experience. The obvious difference is one is in WA and the other in TX ... but where to finally retire is but another of the many parts of the decision. No right way, but the choices will make your head spin.
kb0zke said
05:34 PM Sep 30, 2019
I'm the one who started this thread, so perhaps it is time for me to provide an update. A couple of years ago we visited two Escapee co-op parks, The Ranch near Carlsbad, NM and Lone Star Corral near Hondo, TX. After talking about it for several months we put our names on the waiting list for Lone Star. Earlier this year we visited The Ranch again and discovered that a lot, very much like what we thought would be ideal, was available, so we took it.
Naturally, that happened late enough in the spring that we had to get going, so we quickly sorted out some things that we thought we wouldn't need until we returned in the fall. As you can already guess, we left a few things there that we wished later we had with us. We're also not going to get back quite as soon as we had planned. Oh well.
Our lot is in the rental pool, as we don't anticipate being in residence all that long, and certainly not in the summer. That may change, eventually, but for now that lot will be a winter home base. We'll still travel in the winter, but we'll keep returning to The Ranch.
We're also going to make a change in RV. We've had this Foretravel for six years, and have enjoyed it, but we're spending more time as campground hosts and working on Habitat For Humanity RV Care-A-Vanner builds that it seems like it would make more sense for us to have a towable and truck. Accordingly, we'll put the Foretravel up for sale once we get back to The Ranch in November.
Most of us put a fair amount of thought into what it would take for us to become full-timers. We thought about what to do with all of our stuff, what sort of RV we needed, what sort of towed/tow vehicle we wanted, where we would go, and what we would do. For a lucky few, all has gone according to plan. For most of us, plans change. We're not doing everything that we thought we would, and we're doing things that we never thought we'd do. We've visited places we hadn't planned to visit, and there are still places on the list to see.
How many of us have put as much thought into our exit plan? Some people still have a S&B, and plan to return to it. Others of us sold it. Where will we go? Will we become part-timers, spending part of the year in a set location? Will we get a smaller rig and go out only a few times a year?
What will trigger the exit plan? Will it be a sudden health scare, or just the realization that some tasks are just too much anymore? Will it be at a certain age, or because you've found the perfect spot to land?
Jo Ann and I started out with the idea that we were going to give full-timing a good run for at least five years, and then re-evaluate it. So far, we've not seen anything that would tell us we ought to get off the road. What we haven't done, yet, is discuss what might cause us to reduce our travels. Besides the things I've mentioned above, what other things ought we think about? One big one, at least at this point, is that Jo Ann won't drive our MH, so that if I would be unable to drive she would need to find someone to drive the coach somewhere. That's part of the reason why we're thinking of selling the Foretravel and getting an Airstream. She is more willing to drive the truck towing the Airstream because it is more familiar to her.
What else should we think about?
Tell JoAnn for me that driving a motorhome like a Foretravel (envy on my part
) will be easier than driving an Airstream - - much better ride, visibility, handling characteristics in a motorhome.
We decided to purchase a park model at a park with like in Mesa, AZ a few year ago. OK - so I decided we should do this. This was after Dave had a series of "back out" problems during the summer - as in he couldn't get out of bed for days at a time. So I had to drive to move us (5 times that summer) from place to place while we waited for his muscles to quit the spasms and everything to move back into place. I just decided that if something should happen to one of use, the other needed some place to go for at least 6 months to sort things out. We were very lucky to be able to arrive in October, when few people were around, so it was a 'buyers' market, so to speak, and we got a VERY good deal on an older park model. Interestingly enough, once here, he had a few mornings of having to take it slowly to get moving, but his back hasn't gone completely out since then!
What I didn't appreciate was how much we would both enjoy the winters with space to spread out, a consistency about each day, and then enjoy the summers when we were back traveling again and going on adventures. Since we were here for an extended time, we transferred our health care to a local physician and new sets of eyes were able to catch some things before they had a chance to get really bad!
The six months doing each has been wonderful for our overall health - - the winter gives us time to recharge, and the summer gives us plenty of visiting with family, winery visits, beach, mountains, etc. that we look forward to the peace when we return to the valley each fall. At some point we will give up traveling in the summer and just spent all year here, to be followed by the realization that it is time for us (or whomever is left) to move to be near our daughter and son-in-law. Right now I feel we have the best of both worlds.
At this point we are actually thinking about 2 locations, one up north and one down south but again, to soon to tell.
Chip
A couple years ago we realized that we wanted to stay put longer in winter and to do so at the RV park we are at in Mesa, Arizona, Val Vista Village. This is the same place Barb has a park model. The main reason for this place is because Diane is a quilter and is very involved with the quilters here. The park has a large building dedicated to fiber arts and its own long arm, which Diane uses and will be a monitor at this season. I am comfortable here and like the central location with easy access to stores, restaurants and places to walk. We also decided that for longer than 3 months, we wanted more room, etc., so we bought a park model with an Arizona room (addition) in April and moved in this October. Our current plan is to stay here 5 to 6 months a year and travel the rest of the year. We have the motorhome in storage. To buy we did not have to touch our nest egg, since my mother died before she ran out of money and we used my inheritance to buy and furnish the place.
Our long range plan is to buy a small place in the Pacific Northwest, our home area, and move there in summer. Neither of us handles hot weather well, so summers in Arizona are not appealing.
If you would have asked me before we went fulltime where I would settle when the time came, I would have said California or Washington state. The Washington state part might come true, but Arizona wins over California.
Jo and I have considered the need to "exit" the full-time RV'ing lifestyle and move into an apartment. Thus, we have listed our 2010 Mobile Suites and 2008 Ford F450 for sale in the classifieds. At present, should we be able to sell this fairly soon, we plan on moving into an apartment and perhaps buying a smaller travel trailer (capable of being pulled by a Ford Expedition) so that we can still do some traveling.
It isn't something that we REALLY want to do, but I'm now 72 years old (73 in May) and while I think I'm still in very good health, we need to keep in mind that some aspects of the lifestyle of full-time RV'ing could get more difficult for us to do. We like to get out about every day and do some walking, up to as much as almost 4 miles per day. In bad or cold weather, we walk in one of the local shopping malls, but we prefer walking outside, if at all possible. As I alluded to, I'm not really ready to quit the RV'ing, but if worse comes to worse, we'd even still consider camping out in a tent (as long as we have air mattresses.)
At our age, and with so much in the way of uncertainty, we have even volunteered to be "full body donors" rather than just organ donors.
At any rate, it is not a bad idea to consider options for exiting the lifestyle. One never knows when some catastrophic illness or injury will occur to anyone and they have to consider leaving the "fun times."
Terry
There are a few related comments concerning this subject in another current thread:
https://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t65112212/exiting-the-full-time-life/
But to comment here:
I agree with BillJ very much. This is a bigger deal then some might think, especially at the beginning of the RV life, and much of it has to do with the word "money." How much one has in reserve to come off-the-road and do whatever, wherever; especially in a short period of time unexpectedly.
I truly believe it is important, especially if one is in their 60's, to have some real clue as to where they might want to live if they want to, or more importantly, must exit the rig full-time. Even Howard and Linda, now, have a home in Florida. While they may not plan to use it right away as a residence it does exist and can be accessed within a reasonable period of time if required. That's a big deal IMO.
Not everyone can, or wants, to maintain a S & B residence (or rental) in addition to an RV like we do. But, like Neil and Connie, one can establish a domicile in specific location even if it is in a campground in a location where you would want to live. That City / State location is the key, IMO. To have things "arranged" in an area - including medical care - doctor's, etc., prior to needing them. Should something happen "on-the-road" figuring all this out on the fly specifically can be problematic. By "specifically" I mean one could actually, with little warning, move to that location without undo stress knowing what to do and moreover who to call.
"Wintering" in such a location is good way to set all this up and know what is required, etc.
I know some of the above takes a little of the "no reservations" and "no concreate plans" 'philosophy out of the picture. But it is also prudent, especially if one is somewhat later in life. Each can define "later in life" however they choose. Doing this does not keep one "off-the-road." It does, however, mean one is not caught totally off-guard should something happen to require a change.
Most know when "its time." When that time comes this makes the transition much easier; and maybe means more actual time RVing albeit, perhaps, not full-time on-the-road. Just part-time on-the-road and part-time at home base however one defines "home-base."
Having been through this decision / situation twice in our family this path has proven to be a good choice. As always, "It depends" but being prudent is always a good choice.
Bill
This is a very interesting subject for us at this moment in time. Our new plan is not an exit plan, but is a major change in direction for us.
We have owned a home/condo in Mazatlan, Mexico for the last 10 years. It is where we have spent the last 6 Winters since our retirement. We knew that at some point we would have a homebase back in the states. Well that time has come for us. We have picked Buckeye, Arizona as our future homebase and we are having a home built there that will be complete in April 2019.
That led us to the decision to sell our condo in Mazatlan. We sold within a few days of listing and the transaction will close in January.
This will put us back in the motorhome for the remainder of the Winter. I am happy with our change in direction because it will open up our Winters for RV'ing in the Southwest and even back into Mexico with the new RV.
Our RV'ing/traveling adventure has always been one of openness to change.
I have 7 weeks to put together a new plan for our remaining Winter season. I would like to stay in Arizona to monitor the house and pool build. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Life is good....even with big changes.
(Yes, we are still going to Alaska for 3 months this Summer.)
Echoing what Bill said...we’ve made the decision to get off the road whenever in the North Fort Myers area. Doctors, church/choir, Elks and American Legion lodges...and we’ve been here enough years so that we know the traffic patterns and where we might want to live. Haven’t really decided on what that will be yet...could be a condo or a small house in one of the many managed developments down here so there’s no yard work and a lot of amenities similar to what RV parks have. We set aside the remainder of our house sales proceeds from the S&B sale in the VA DC ’burbs after paying for the rig so that we can pay cash for it if we want to. We would probably rent over buying if we needed a mortgage because at that point in life the equity wouldn’t really build very much for typical lifetime remaining and monthly cash flow is more important at that stage of life...but are expecting to just buy what we want outright then.
I could see us changing our minds and perhaps moving back to the Richmond VA area for the grandkid... it there’s snow and lousy winter there not to mention terrible traffic...neither of which is really an issue in North Fort Myers...although there is plenty down towards Naples way. Us we rarely go down that way. With friends, doctors and the like...it would be a change in plans to do that though.
Weve given thoughts to a smaller rig for shorter term travels...and also thoughts to doing some other country and continent travels as well...having a small rig to visit Alex for a month at a time is attractive... it like Bill and Linda we arent interested in really small...we e about eliminated the idea that he and I had about a medium C...at this point a 24ish foot TT is more likely if we were to get another rig.
At the house: Kind of obvious, but a full hookup for the rig including sewer. If the budget can afford it put in a shelter (from the sun) or better yet, a full garage. We had both inside a garage and outside full hookups for the rig(s) at the other house. This one only an outside full connection. Making full provisions now is financially and approval wise much easier during construction. And having the rig here means when 10 family members come, including 6 grandkids, we sleep in the rig by choice. {Grin} Why not, its like being "home" anyway.
Having the rig at the house makes it so much easier then storage. We could be ready to leave in 36 hours, or less, if we wanted to. Most of that time it's getting the fridge to temp and stocking it with food. But here, at the house, makes repairs, fiddling and finding things so much better. We're constantly saying to one another when at home base: "It's out in the trailer."
Bill
We fulltimed for 7 years. It got to the point that I just got tired of setting up and taking down. What put me over the edge were some minor health issues, RV breakdowns and near-misses. Hubby felt the same.
Where to settle? My sister is in NJ where I grew up. My one daughter lives near Hershey, PA and the other 35 miles north of Baltimore. Hubby has a son in north Alabama. A daughter in the Houston area and another one near Lake Charles, LA. His siblings are in SW Louisiana and Orange, TX.
I started looking online. Found our ideal place in Cullman, AL just 20 miles from where my step son and family live. Sort of mid way between the rest.
It's perfect. 4 acres out in the country. Perfect size house and a pond. We even put in 2 RV sites, one FHU and the other with 50 amp and water. We have frequent visitors. We downsized from a 43 foot fifth wheel to a 37 ft TT. We do projects with NOMADS (A mission of the United Methodist Church) so wanted to keep a rig. Also for when our granddaughters from MD visit each summer.
We have been here almost 2 years and love it. Instead of a RV it's a zero-turn mower and tractor. It's the life we want.
To all... enjoy your time on the road. Recognize when it's time to park at least some of time. Follow your heart.
Phyllis
I'm with Ron. When we go full time I hope to never mow the grass, weed flower beds, trim trees or paint the deck again. When we come off the road, I'm sure I will still not want to engage in those activities. Renting is our most likely option.
Steve
There might come a day when the daily SPOT signal does not go out to my loved ones. They let a day or two go by, and then call the RV park or direct people to my last reported GPS location. They relay instructions on where to find the keys to the trailer and enter, to find me stiff and cold, hands poised on the laptop, or the Kindle fallen on my face in the bed. Perhaps the dog has chewed on my finger.
Or they come get me and place me in some home, mind gone to the oblivion.
My exit plan is to keep going until I don't.
Love it. Hope it works just like that!
So we have an update to our exit plan. We never wanted to get back on the home ownership treadmill so that is still true. I recently had an Aunt pass and we visited her in her assisted living facility, which was very nice ... that got our gears (what’s left of them) turning. We have chosen to enter a full life cycle facility. We’ll begin in a cottage with a garage (1,100 sq ft). Full maintenance, meal plan if you want it (there are 5 restaurants on the campus), house keeping once a week, etc. from there we can move as required thru all the phases of life that we might need (assisted living right thru hospice ... there is a memory care unit also. Doctors, Dentists, and a Pharmacy are all on campus. It is a beautifully maintained property that is near family ... so that’s the plan. The entry price is high and the monthly rate is equally high, but the facility and experience would be worth it (to us). The endowment will also provide sustainable income for life, so in effect we cannot run out of money. This seems to be the best choice for us.
We will execute this plan when we decide our traveling days are over. Probably 5 to 10 years from now.
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So, Ron, where is this facility? That might be the type of place I look into eventually.
San Antonio, Texas. Called Blue Skies of Texas ... formerly called Air Force Village. Initially, only US Air Force Officers ... then they added Officers from other services (Army, Marines, Coast Guard and Navy). They have now dropped that military stipulation (in 2014) and are accepting anyone who can pass their qualifiers. You must be 62 (if a couple then only one must be 62), acceptable (I don't know what their "number" is) Credit Score, Resources, up front cash entry price ($150K) and monthly cash flow (rent is $3,000 per month for the unit we are interested in) and Health evaluation. They want to ensure you are healthy and can support yourself for obvious reasons. They have two campuses in San Antonio ... West and East. I was pretty impressed with the West campus ... we are visiting the East campus today. They "interview" everyone pretty throughly. I liked the vetting process ... but some may find it too invasive due to the need to fully disclose your assets. It's certainly not for everyone, but we really liked it.
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I googled Panorama and I would agree that Panorama and Blue Skies are similar in offerings and quality of experience. The obvious difference is one is in WA and the other in TX ... but where to finally retire is but another of the many parts of the decision. No right way, but the choices will make your head spin.
Naturally, that happened late enough in the spring that we had to get going, so we quickly sorted out some things that we thought we wouldn't need until we returned in the fall. As you can already guess, we left a few things there that we wished later we had with us. We're also not going to get back quite as soon as we had planned. Oh well.
Our lot is in the rental pool, as we don't anticipate being in residence all that long, and certainly not in the summer. That may change, eventually, but for now that lot will be a winter home base. We'll still travel in the winter, but we'll keep returning to The Ranch.
We're also going to make a change in RV. We've had this Foretravel for six years, and have enjoyed it, but we're spending more time as campground hosts and working on Habitat For Humanity RV Care-A-Vanner builds that it seems like it would make more sense for us to have a towable and truck. Accordingly, we'll put the Foretravel up for sale once we get back to The Ranch in November.