There have been numerous threads here about exit plans so I figured I would pass along our decision on our exit plans. The past couple of travel seasons have been way harder on us than the previous 6…so when we got here to North Fort Myers on 11/1 Connie essentially said "I'm done.". So we're going to buy a house down here in the Fort Myers area and will likely move out of the rig, into the house, and put the rig and truck up for sale in April or so. I'm sort of done as well…but left this decision up to her in gratitude for her following me across the country numerous times over the last 43 years through my Navy career and then again for 8 years in the RV. I essentially told her that she got to make the decision…and unless I violently objected I was going to go along with what she wanted to do for a change. I did say I would object if there was snow involved but fortunately she wants to stay here in Fort Myers as we have friends, Elks, her choir and it feels like home to us now. I also won't be doing any yard work in our new place…whatever it turns out to be…if there is yard work to be done then we'll just throw money at the problem and then it becomes the service's problem and not mine…very similar to how she will throw money at the cleaning problem and hire a maid/cleaning service.
We'll be doing some international travel…shorter trips of a month or so in duration with 2-3 of them per year; and probably another month or so up in VA staying in an AirBnB or something similar to see the kids/grandkid and get out of FL during the worst of the hurricane season…although a big item on our house requirement list is that it not be in any of the flood plain areas that got flooded during the last couple of storms.
I'll be keeping the blog (guntherandkara.com) up to cover our transition, life down here, and further travels.
It's been real, it's been fun…and it's even been real fun…but it's time to open the door and head into the next phase. No health issues for either of us…so that's not the reason for this change.
LarryW21 said
01:44 PM Nov 14, 2019
Thank you for sharing your plans. Seem very well reasoned to me.
Barb and Frank said
04:44 PM Nov 14, 2019
Good luck as you transition to the next phase. After two years of full timing, we haven’t found a place where we want to eventually settle down. Wherever we settle, I can assure you there will be no snow.
Barb
RonC said
05:08 PM Nov 14, 2019
That sounds like a good plan. Different from our plan, but just like full timing, there is no right way. Our “want list” is similar ... no yard work, house keeping service, etc. sounds perfect. Not interested in 2-3 overseas trips per year ... maybe 1-2 max. My military career was 26 years in the Air Force, so we got plenty of travel “over there”. I hope you guys have a great time in the next phase of your journey. Good luck.
-- Edited by RonC on Thursday 14th of November 2019 05:09:35 PM
NWescapee said
05:34 PM Nov 14, 2019
Best of luck to you guys!! Thanks for all the insight and suggestions you've made to those of us who have asked all the newbie questions on this forum.
Bill and Linda said
02:11 PM Nov 15, 2019
Well, I guess Neil and Connie’s post is as relevant a place to say this as a new thread for anyone interested. I’ve been kind of waiting a few months for Neil to post.Linda and I sort of “knew” this would happen for N & C and us about the same time even though we are older.Predicted same earlier this year for all of us.
We have sold the New Horizons and our wonderful Ram 5500HD truck. (“Sniff” –‘specially for the truck. That was a great truck for the purpose.)We have very close RV friends who wanted the NH and other good friends who needed to replace their truck with the Ram which was much more capable, suited to their trailer and Alaska travel.All good for all concerned.
As some know, we’ve been on the forum officially since January of 2010.“Lurked” long before that.We’ve been RVing since the mid 1970’s.My parents were full-timers since the late 1970’s and we didn’t sell their Airstream – 5th one - until Mom was 93 as she was still using it.So, we do have some “perspective.”
We’ve never wanted to sell the sticks and brinks. Never seriously crossed our minds. Recall my parents sold their home, so we have that perspective. We’ve traveled over 160,000 logged towing miles in the past 13 years. Who knows how many touring miles without the rig in tow.Took the trailer to all 49 states and all Provinces and Territories of Canada including taking the RV to the Arctic Ocean area and on the big ocean-going ferry to Newfoundland like N & C.So having a house has never slowed down our travel and it really made “getting off the road” super easy.So, it was the right thing - for us.As H&L came to say, we were “Part-time - Full-timers.”We had to do all the things full-timers did so our views of the RV life and its needs were pretty much in-line with any full-timers who had a home base, house or not, for legal and doctor things. There are many ways to do this.
We are / were considering “down-sizing” to a smaller 5th wheel that could safely be handled by a 2500 Ram. 12K-ish – looked hard at a Grand Design – toured the factory - would purchase one.Nice trailer, pretty well built trailer for the purpose - basically a mobile motel room. Hate motels. But no. We’re going to do other kinds of travel and enjoy many things here at home.It’s time.We’re considering getting a park model in the mountains (less then two hours from the house) so I don’t have to fix stuff as often and they are better suited to remain in one place then an RV with slides, etc.More to this but I won’t digress more.
We’ll probably hang around the forum and make some comments which might be helpful. I guess in the 45 odd years we’ve been involved in the RV world we might have picked up a few things that could be helpful to others.
The real point of this post is to say:Do what works for you.Don’t be led into doing anything that doesn’t seem right – for you.The way N & C did this RV thing is correct for them.The way we did this RV thing is correct for us.Do the RV thing the way that is right for you.Not because someone else did it some way, but because it works for you.
Selling the house is good.Keeping the house is good.Neither is right.Both have advantages and disadvantages. “It depends.”
Safe travels,
Bill and Linda
RonC said
06:06 PM Nov 15, 2019
Wow ... that is a lot of experience and knowledge leaving the forum. I know this is inevitable, but you two guys have been pretty constant and available for the last 3-4 years when we first went full time until now. I will miss your sage advice and others will as well. Thanks for all that you have done for “us”.
bjoyce said
09:29 AM Nov 16, 2019
Now I know why you didn't look at buying a lot at Cypress Trails or someplace else in the area.
I wonder if they have "town home" communities in Fort Myers area, since we have friends living in one in Port St. Lucie. A town home is half of a duplex that you own, where the homeowners association handles the landscaping. A cousin lived in one in Sequim WA and friends are looking to move into one in Richland WA.
Anyway good luck.
Barb and Frank said
11:46 AM Nov 16, 2019
Bill and Linda wrote:
Well, I guess Neil and Connie’s post is as relevant a place to say this as a new thread for anyone interested. I’ve been kind of waiting a few months for Neil to post.Linda and I sort of “knew” this would happen for N & C and us about the same time even though we are older.Predicted same earlier this year for all of us.
We’ll probably hang around the forum and make some comments which might be helpful. I guess in the 45 odd years we’ve been involved in the RV world we might have picked up a few things that could be helpful to others.
The real point of this post is to say:Do what works for you.Don’t be led into doing anything that doesn’t seem right – for you.The way N & C did this RV thing is correct for them.The way we did this RV thing is correct for us.Do the RV thing the way that is right for you.Not because someone else did it some way, but because it works for you.
Selling the house is good.Keeping the house is good.Neither is right.Both have advantages and disadvantages. “It depends.”
Safe travels,
Bill and Linda
Bill and Linda,
Good luck to you as you move on to your next chapter. I’d also like to thank you for the knowledge you have shared, as well as taking time to answer all of our questions - we have learned so much from you - and really respect your opinion.
Best wishes,
Barb
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Saturday 16th of November 2019 11:46:41 AM
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Saturday 16th of November 2019 11:47:21 AM
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Saturday 16th of November 2019 11:47:40 AM
Neil and Connie said
06:48 AM Nov 17, 2019
My time was in the Navy…and they don't let nuclear powered submarines into a lot of places…and they don't spend much time in port anyway so I didn't see much beyond the port city. Plenty of places we want to visit…my guess on how much travel we'll be doing is just a SWAG…no idea how much we'll really do at this point.
Neil and Connie said
06:54 AM Nov 17, 2019
bjoyce wrote:
Now I know why you didn't look at buying a lot at Cypress Trails or someplace else in the area.
I wonder if they have "town home" communities in Fort Myers area, since we have friends living in one in Port St. Lucie. A town home is half of a duplex that you own, where the homeowners association handles the landscaping. A cousin lived in one in Sequim WA and friends are looking to move into one in Richland WA.
Anyway good luck.
Bill…plenty of places like that down here. Not so many that are duplex type places, usually they're either quad-plex style or detached houses…which can be either manufactured (similar to Park Model but not brought in on wheels, generally similar to but better than mobile home construction) or regularly built S&Bs. HOA fees in a lot of them cover all the yard stuff as well as amenities…many have basic cable and wifi in the outside areas include in the HOA fee. So far the ones we've looked at have HOA fees up to about 4 grand a year although 200 a month is more typical.
We didn't look at Cyprus Trails (or any other buy-in CG) because we wanted the freedom to not winter in FL if we ever chose to do so…didn't happen but wanted to keep our options open for whatever.
Neil and Connie said
06:58 AM Nov 17, 2019
We're not really leaving the forum…at least I don't think I will as we have friends here and knowledge to share. Like Bill…I'll continue to contribute when I have something to offer and answer whatever questions I can.
I'm sure I speak for Bill as well in appreciation for your gratitude for whatever we could provide…both of us I think wanted to pass along lessons we've learned just like those before us passed theirs along to us. While Bill and Linda have RVed basically forever we were newbies in 2011 when we started and appreciated the advice we got from H&L, B&L, and too many others to list.
We joined in 2011…so Bill predates me a bit. He's right though…do things you way. We considered briefly keeping our house up in Fairfax VA when we went on the road for winter stays…but since getting away from snow, ice, and traffic was one of our goals in RVing that was pretty much a non-starter. If our house had been someplace warm we may have made the same decision that B&L made and kept the house…but I wanted to never, never, ever have to deal with snow or yard work again…ever.
-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Sunday 17th of November 2019 06:59:18 AM
-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Sunday 17th of November 2019 07:01:35 AM
bjoyce said
09:39 AM Nov 17, 2019
There was no way we were keeping the house and have not regretted it. It was close to work, in the east side of Seattle metro, and we had no plans to live in that area again since we have no family close by. It was too big and had too large a yard. That house is now worth just over twice the price we sold it in 2003. The previous smaller house is worth almost as much now as the last one, since it is close to Microsoft. The cost of living is high and the traffic is a mess in that area, as we learn when we visit doctors and friends. Winter weather is wet and cloudy.
We now have a park model with an Arizona room (addition) in Mesa Arizona for the winters. About 800 sqft on one level, so it is a small house with one bedroom, two baths and no yard. The annual lot rent is less than our last property taxes on our last house in Washington state. Since neither of us does well in extreme heat, it is not a place we plan to live during the summer. Our exit plan is to get something small somewhere in Washington or Oregon for the summer months, but who knows when that will happen. We still have the motorhome and are using it 6 to 7 months of the year. There are still plenty of places in those states where housing is reasonably priced and stores, restaurants and medical are close by.
I keep seeing older people buying their dream home for retirement, large, multi-story, in the country, miles away from medical, with lots of maintenance and upkeep. I am glad you are not one of those.
jrzygrl64 said
09:58 AM Nov 17, 2019
Wow - best of luck to N&C and also B&L in this new phase of your lives! Bill and I both very much appreciate all your advice and perspectives!
Now that we have a grandchild, time spent in PA will increase. (We spent a total of 8 months of 2019 there!)
We’ve always been on the look-out for Plan B/ Exit strategy and no luck so far, and we aren’t in a hurry at all. Lots of our “Class of 2014” friends have made major changes to their lives in the past year or so and we are paying attention in order to get ideas and weigh options. We have no plans to settle down any time soon, even if we do find our “it” place.
We agree, each time their own on how you live your RV life - or any part of it for that matter!
Barbaraok said
10:44 AM Nov 17, 2019
We're in the same RV Park in Mesa that Bill and Diana are. Our PM is smaller - no Arizona room, but essential the same basic layout with a bigger carport (patio) area. We bought it 5 years ago because we were having some health problems - which being able to stay for one place for a few months have since moderated. As we have aged, we have found it just takes more time to have our yearly pokes/prods and recharge our batteries. We spend winter here and then fire up the motorhome and go travel for 6 months. We know that we only have a few more years in the motorhome. Knees just aren't very forgiving getting down to hookup water/sewer, place pads under the jacks, etc. Bodies wear out, despite our minds thinking we can go on forever. We aren't sure where summers will be when we hang up the keys yet. We lived year round in Arizona before in the 70s, but of course we were young then and could tolerate wild temperatures better, we looking for a summer or year-round place is something we keep discussing.
BiggarView said
12:21 PM Nov 18, 2019
Well, I suppose it comes down to "all good things...." To N&C and to B&L you have inspired us and educated us and we hope to follow in your intrepid tracks (with different paths but the same spirit.) I suspect that you can take the couple out of the RV but you can't take the RV out of the couple. I think you will have plenty to continue to share to those of us that will or still have questions and hopefully your "student Kuren-sei" can carry the torch as time goes by. I hope by chance we get to make a real connection in person as we travel the land. Safe travels.
We are also putting together thoughts on an exit strategy but we feel that is a long way off... too much to see and do before then, health and finances permitting, so far we are well equipped on those fronts along with the knowledge you have imparted on us. But before that, our "entry plan" starts with H&L's 2020 spring rally forearmed with all of yours (and others) sage advice.
Many thanks.
Bill and Linda said
02:57 PM Nov 18, 2019
BiggarView wrote:
Well, I suppose it comes down to "all good things...." To N&C and to B&L you have inspired us and educated us and we hope to follow in your intrepid tracks (with different paths but the same spirit.) I suspect that you can take the couple out of the RV but you can't take the RV out of the couple. I think you will have plenty to continue to share to those of us that will or still have questions and hopefully your "student Kuren-sei" can carry the torch as time goes by. I hope by chance we get to make a real connection in person as we travel the land. Safe travels.
We are also putting together thoughts on an exit strategy but we feel that is a long way off... too much to see and do before then, health and finances permitting, so far we are well equipped on those fronts along with the knowledge you have imparted on us. But before that, our "entry plan" starts with H&L's 2020 spring rally forearmed with all of yours (and others) sage advice.
Many thanks.
Brian:
You are more than welcome and as you have our email feel free to email if we can be of further assistance. Like Neil, we'll hang around but might not be reading quite as often. You will enjoy the Rally. Mostly meeting fellow RVers that can develop into long term friends. That's really what it is all about.
Say Hey to Sergio @ MORryde. He's a top mechanic there. We'll see our other friends in Tampa at the winter show there in January. Always a fun time.
Safe Travels,
Bill
Neil and Connie said
03:39 PM Dec 9, 2019
We're with Bill…feel to email anytime, it's my first name @ my last name dot net.
Update on the house front…we've offered and agreed on a 3BR/2 Bath house in a gated community (sounds fancy but there are literally dozens of these in the Fort Myers area) named Magnolia Gardens and are currently doing the inspection/mortgage thing. Expect closing middle of January and then we'll build a spa on the lanai (fancy word for screened in patio down here in FL) and slowly move out. I'll be putting the rig and truck up for sale sometime after the new year…when Connie tells me it's time. Our current plan is to finish moving into the house in probably April and then finish selling the rig…although once it goes on the market if we get an offer we'll have to negotiate to meet the needs of both us and the buyer. In the meantime…if anybody knows people interested in a well maintained 2012 New Horizons 40 foot Majestic 5ver…please either pass them my email or PM me with theirs so we can start whatever discussions might be relevant. I'll put up a web page with details when it's actually on the market but wanted friends to know about when ours will be available in case they know anybody looking for a nice full timing rig that has given us excellent service. I'll be including all my spares and RV related stuff…water, sewer, extension cords, and the like so it will pretty much be a turn key operation for somebody looking to full time.
I will continue to monitor the forum because we've got friends here…but posting might slack off a bit unless I've got something to say that I feel contributes to the conversation or is an answer to a question I can provide.
Neil and Connie said
03:46 PM Dec 9, 2019
Yeah…large, in the country and away from it all ain't us. After 8 years in the Fort Myers area…we've developed friendships and have doctors, Connie has her choir, and we have the Elks, American Legion, and Am Vets posts nearby. She really wanted the first place we looked at…it was way too big at 4 BR/3.5 baths and 2500 feet but she was enamored by the in ground spa with rock surround and waterfall. Told her that for 20K or so we can build ourselves one of those. The house we will close on…unless something comes up…is about 1800 feet it's much more what we always envisioned size wise…and the lanai is plenty big enough to instal said spa to use. We switched from SD residency to FL a couple years back so that's all in place and now that we're Medicare age we've established doctors, dentists, and all the like.
It's good though…she had her 65th a week ago and neither of us is on any routine medication. She's currently on Pantoprazole for her GERD but will be getting the "lasso your stomach around your esophagus" surgery early in the new year so that will go away. The no drug situation won't last indefinitely…but it's good to have while you have it.
phyllen said
09:51 AM Jan 3, 2020
Our exit from fulltiming was 3 years ago last week. After 7 years on the road we both wanted to settle. As my daughters and families are in PA and MD and the rest of the family (sister, etc) in NJ and hubbys daughters in Louisiana and Houston area and his son in north Alabama, it was Alabama for us.
Unlike most, we wanted acreage, out in the country. While in PA I found the perfect setting online. Bought it sight unseen. No regrets at all. Four acres surrounded by fields and forest. No neighbors in sight. Two acres were cleared. We cleared another. Also had a pond re-dug. I enjoy the mowing. It's my peaceful time.
We were fortunate to have done most of the projects we wanted to accomplish in the first two and a half years that we've lived here. Hubby is now disabled. Pulmonary aterial hypertension. He is on oxygen 24/7 and will be rest of his life. He is unable to walk more than about 75 feet before stopping to catch his breath. We live 45 miles north of University of Alabama/Birmingham hospital. They are been fabulous. He is on a specialized med that with time is expected to improved his quality of life.
We made the decision last month to sell the RV. We know even short trips in it are now out of the question. We are thankful for the traveling we did, the things we saw, the friends we made. We are now in another season of our lives. I am thankful for my health and being able to take up the slack and keep this place functioning.
Speaking of which, time to get off the computer and head to the basement. All that STUFF we unloaded from the RV is waiting for me down there to sort through and decide what to do with.
Phyllis
Neil and Connie said
07:06 PM Jan 3, 2020
Phyllis, sorry to hear your hubby is now disabled…but on the bright side you got 7 years of full timing in before settling down. One never knows how health will play out…which is one of the reasons that Connie and I decided to exit full time life, get a S&B again, and start doing some international travel.
There have been numerous threads here about exit plans so I figured I would pass along our decision on our exit plans. The past couple of travel seasons have been way harder on us than the previous 6…so when we got here to North Fort Myers on 11/1 Connie essentially said "I'm done.". So we're going to buy a house down here in the Fort Myers area and will likely move out of the rig, into the house, and put the rig and truck up for sale in April or so. I'm sort of done as well…but left this decision up to her in gratitude for her following me across the country numerous times over the last 43 years through my Navy career and then again for 8 years in the RV. I essentially told her that she got to make the decision…and unless I violently objected I was going to go along with what she wanted to do for a change. I did say I would object if there was snow involved but fortunately she wants to stay here in Fort Myers as we have friends, Elks, her choir and it feels like home to us now. I also won't be doing any yard work in our new place…whatever it turns out to be…if there is yard work to be done then we'll just throw money at the problem and then it becomes the service's problem and not mine…very similar to how she will throw money at the cleaning problem and hire a maid/cleaning service.
We'll be doing some international travel…shorter trips of a month or so in duration with 2-3 of them per year; and probably another month or so up in VA staying in an AirBnB or something similar to see the kids/grandkid and get out of FL during the worst of the hurricane season…although a big item on our house requirement list is that it not be in any of the flood plain areas that got flooded during the last couple of storms.
I'll be keeping the blog (guntherandkara.com) up to cover our transition, life down here, and further travels.
It's been real, it's been fun…and it's even been real fun…but it's time to open the door and head into the next phase. No health issues for either of us…so that's not the reason for this change.
Good luck as you transition to the next phase. After two years of full timing, we haven’t found a place where we want to eventually settle down. Wherever we settle, I can assure you there will be no snow.
Barb
That sounds like a good plan. Different from our plan, but just like full timing, there is no right way. Our “want list” is similar ... no yard work, house keeping service, etc. sounds perfect. Not interested in 2-3 overseas trips per year ... maybe 1-2 max. My military career was 26 years in the Air Force, so we got plenty of travel “over there”. I hope you guys have a great time in the next phase of your journey. Good luck.
-- Edited by RonC on Thursday 14th of November 2019 05:09:35 PM
Well, I guess Neil and Connie’s post is as relevant a place to say this as a new thread for anyone interested. I’ve been kind of waiting a few months for Neil to post. Linda and I sort of “knew” this would happen for N & C and us about the same time even though we are older. Predicted same earlier this year for all of us.
We have sold the New Horizons and our wonderful Ram 5500HD truck. (“Sniff” –‘specially for the truck. That was a great truck for the purpose.) We have very close RV friends who wanted the NH and other good friends who needed to replace their truck with the Ram which was much more capable, suited to their trailer and Alaska travel. All good for all concerned.
As some know, we’ve been on the forum officially since January of 2010. “Lurked” long before that. We’ve been RVing since the mid 1970’s. My parents were full-timers since the late 1970’s and we didn’t sell their Airstream – 5th one - until Mom was 93 as she was still using it. So, we do have some “perspective.”
We’ve never wanted to sell the sticks and brinks. Never seriously crossed our minds. Recall my parents sold their home, so we have that perspective. We’ve traveled over 160,000 logged towing miles in the past 13 years. Who knows how many touring miles without the rig in tow. Took the trailer to all 49 states and all Provinces and Territories of Canada including taking the RV to the Arctic Ocean area and on the big ocean-going ferry to Newfoundland like N & C. So having a house has never slowed down our travel and it really made “getting off the road” super easy. So, it was the right thing - for us. As H&L came to say, we were “Part-time - Full-timers.” We had to do all the things full-timers did so our views of the RV life and its needs were pretty much in-line with any full-timers who had a home base, house or not, for legal and doctor things. There are many ways to do this.
We are / were considering “down-sizing” to a smaller 5th wheel that could safely be handled by a 2500 Ram. 12K-ish – looked hard at a Grand Design – toured the factory - would purchase one. Nice trailer, pretty well built trailer for the purpose - basically a mobile motel room. Hate motels. But no. We’re going to do other kinds of travel and enjoy many things here at home. It’s time. We’re considering getting a park model in the mountains (less then two hours from the house) so I don’t have to fix stuff as often and they are better suited to remain in one place then an RV with slides, etc. More to this but I won’t digress more.
We’ll probably hang around the forum and make some comments which might be helpful. I guess in the 45 odd years we’ve been involved in the RV world we might have picked up a few things that could be helpful to others.
The real point of this post is to say: Do what works for you. Don’t be led into doing anything that doesn’t seem right – for you. The way N & C did this RV thing is correct for them. The way we did this RV thing is correct for us. Do the RV thing the way that is right for you. Not because someone else did it some way, but because it works for you.
Selling the house is good. Keeping the house is good. Neither is right. Both have advantages and disadvantages. “It depends.”
Safe travels,
Bill and Linda
I wonder if they have "town home" communities in Fort Myers area, since we have friends living in one in Port St. Lucie. A town home is half of a duplex that you own, where the homeowners association handles the landscaping. A cousin lived in one in Sequim WA and friends are looking to move into one in Richland WA.
Anyway good luck.
Bill and Linda,
Good luck to you as you move on to your next chapter. I’d also like to thank you for the knowledge you have shared, as well as taking time to answer all of our questions - we have learned so much from you - and really respect your opinion.
Best wishes,
Barb
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Saturday 16th of November 2019 11:46:41 AM
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Saturday 16th of November 2019 11:47:21 AM
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Saturday 16th of November 2019 11:47:40 AM
My time was in the Navy…and they don't let nuclear powered submarines into a lot of places…and they don't spend much time in port anyway so I didn't see much beyond the port city. Plenty of places we want to visit…my guess on how much travel we'll be doing is just a SWAG…no idea how much we'll really do at this point.
Bill…plenty of places like that down here. Not so many that are duplex type places, usually they're either quad-plex style or detached houses…which can be either manufactured (similar to Park Model but not brought in on wheels, generally similar to but better than mobile home construction) or regularly built S&Bs. HOA fees in a lot of them cover all the yard stuff as well as amenities…many have basic cable and wifi in the outside areas include in the HOA fee. So far the ones we've looked at have HOA fees up to about 4 grand a year although 200 a month is more typical.
We didn't look at Cyprus Trails (or any other buy-in CG) because we wanted the freedom to not winter in FL if we ever chose to do so…didn't happen but wanted to keep our options open for whatever.
We're not really leaving the forum…at least I don't think I will as we have friends here and knowledge to share. Like Bill…I'll continue to contribute when I have something to offer and answer whatever questions I can.
I'm sure I speak for Bill as well in appreciation for your gratitude for whatever we could provide…both of us I think wanted to pass along lessons we've learned just like those before us passed theirs along to us. While Bill and Linda have RVed basically forever we were newbies in 2011 when we started and appreciated the advice we got from H&L, B&L, and too many others to list.
We joined in 2011…so Bill predates me a bit. He's right though…do things you way. We considered briefly keeping our house up in Fairfax VA when we went on the road for winter stays…but since getting away from snow, ice, and traffic was one of our goals in RVing that was pretty much a non-starter. If our house had been someplace warm we may have made the same decision that B&L made and kept the house…but I wanted to never, never, ever have to deal with snow or yard work again…ever.
-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Sunday 17th of November 2019 06:59:18 AM
-- Edited by Neil and Connie on Sunday 17th of November 2019 07:01:35 AM
We now have a park model with an Arizona room (addition) in Mesa Arizona for the winters. About 800 sqft on one level, so it is a small house with one bedroom, two baths and no yard. The annual lot rent is less than our last property taxes on our last house in Washington state. Since neither of us does well in extreme heat, it is not a place we plan to live during the summer. Our exit plan is to get something small somewhere in Washington or Oregon for the summer months, but who knows when that will happen. We still have the motorhome and are using it 6 to 7 months of the year. There are still plenty of places in those states where housing is reasonably priced and stores, restaurants and medical are close by.
I keep seeing older people buying their dream home for retirement, large, multi-story, in the country, miles away from medical, with lots of maintenance and upkeep. I am glad you are not one of those.
Now that we have a grandchild, time spent in PA will increase. (We spent a total of 8 months of 2019 there!)
We’ve always been on the look-out for Plan B/ Exit strategy and no luck so far, and we aren’t in a hurry at all. Lots of our “Class of 2014” friends have made major changes to their lives in the past year or so and we are paying attention in order to get ideas and weigh options. We have no plans to settle down any time soon, even if we do find our “it” place.
We agree, each time their own on how you live your RV life - or any part of it for that matter!
Well, I suppose it comes down to "all good things...." To N&C and to B&L you have inspired us and educated us and we hope to follow in your intrepid tracks (with different paths but the same spirit.) I suspect that you can take the couple out of the RV but you can't take the RV out of the couple. I think you will have plenty to continue to share to those of us that will or still have questions and hopefully your "student Kuren-sei" can carry the torch as time goes by. I hope by chance we get to make a real connection in person as we travel the land. Safe travels.
We are also putting together thoughts on an exit strategy but we feel that is a long way off... too much to see and do before then, health and finances permitting, so far we are well equipped on those fronts along with the knowledge you have imparted on us. But before that, our "entry plan" starts with H&L's 2020 spring rally forearmed with all of yours (and others) sage advice.
Many thanks.
Brian:
You are more than welcome and as you have our email feel free to email if we can be of further assistance. Like Neil, we'll hang around but might not be reading quite as often. You will enjoy the Rally. Mostly meeting fellow RVers that can develop into long term friends. That's really what it is all about.
Say Hey to Sergio @ MORryde. He's a top mechanic there. We'll see our other friends in Tampa at the winter show there in January. Always a fun time.
Safe Travels,
Bill
We're with Bill…feel to email anytime, it's my first name @ my last name dot net.
Update on the house front…we've offered and agreed on a 3BR/2 Bath house in a gated community (sounds fancy but there are literally dozens of these in the Fort Myers area) named Magnolia Gardens and are currently doing the inspection/mortgage thing. Expect closing middle of January and then we'll build a spa on the lanai (fancy word for screened in patio down here in FL) and slowly move out. I'll be putting the rig and truck up for sale sometime after the new year…when Connie tells me it's time. Our current plan is to finish moving into the house in probably April and then finish selling the rig…although once it goes on the market if we get an offer we'll have to negotiate to meet the needs of both us and the buyer. In the meantime…if anybody knows people interested in a well maintained 2012 New Horizons 40 foot Majestic 5ver…please either pass them my email or PM me with theirs so we can start whatever discussions might be relevant. I'll put up a web page with details when it's actually on the market but wanted friends to know about when ours will be available in case they know anybody looking for a nice full timing rig that has given us excellent service. I'll be including all my spares and RV related stuff…water, sewer, extension cords, and the like so it will pretty much be a turn key operation for somebody looking to full time.
I will continue to monitor the forum because we've got friends here…but posting might slack off a bit unless I've got something to say that I feel contributes to the conversation or is an answer to a question I can provide.
Yeah…large, in the country and away from it all ain't us. After 8 years in the Fort Myers area…we've developed friendships and have doctors, Connie has her choir, and we have the Elks, American Legion, and Am Vets posts nearby. She really wanted the first place we looked at…it was way too big at 4 BR/3.5 baths and 2500 feet but she was enamored by the in ground spa with rock surround and waterfall. Told her that for 20K or so we can build ourselves one of those. The house we will close on…unless something comes up…is about 1800 feet it's much more what we always envisioned size wise…and the lanai is plenty big enough to instal said spa to use. We switched from SD residency to FL a couple years back so that's all in place and now that we're Medicare age we've established doctors, dentists, and all the like.
It's good though…she had her 65th a week ago and neither of us is on any routine medication. She's currently on Pantoprazole for her GERD but will be getting the "lasso your stomach around your esophagus" surgery early in the new year so that will go away. The no drug situation won't last indefinitely…but it's good to have while you have it.
Unlike most, we wanted acreage, out in the country. While in PA I found the perfect setting online. Bought it sight unseen. No regrets at all. Four acres surrounded by fields and forest. No neighbors in sight. Two acres were cleared. We cleared another. Also had a pond re-dug. I enjoy the mowing. It's my peaceful time.
We were fortunate to have done most of the projects we wanted to accomplish in the first two and a half years that we've lived here. Hubby is now disabled. Pulmonary aterial hypertension. He is on oxygen 24/7 and will be rest of his life. He is unable to walk more than about 75 feet before stopping to catch his breath. We live 45 miles north of University of Alabama/Birmingham hospital. They are been fabulous. He is on a specialized med that with time is expected to improved his quality of life.
We made the decision last month to sell the RV. We know even short trips in it are now out of the question. We are thankful for the traveling we did, the things we saw, the friends we made. We are now in another season of our lives. I am thankful for my health and being able to take up the slack and keep this place functioning.
Speaking of which, time to get off the computer and head to the basement. All that STUFF we unloaded from the RV is waiting for me down there to sort through and decide what to do with.
Phyllis
Phyllis, sorry to hear your hubby is now disabled…but on the bright side you got 7 years of full timing in before settling down. One never knows how health will play out…which is one of the reasons that Connie and I decided to exit full time life, get a S&B again, and start doing some international travel.