Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
We're under contract on our house! Went and put a down payment on the fifth wheel. Now the wait begins....and we start thinking. Are we nuts?! We've just sold our house!!! AND everything we've worked so hard for! I'm about to quit a good paying job. I never thought I'd feel this way. I've always been the one who couldn't wait to get out on the road. But now, I'm SCARED!!
No, you're not nuts at all!! I am still in the planning stages, but I never thought I would be thinking this way, either. My family has always been together and my roots run so, so deep! But, all my husband had to do was plant a seed... and it grew, and GREW! I am working hard, just waiting for our turn. I have 60 weeks, 4 days, 7 hours, and 45 minutes until I can retire. Should have everything done by then.
I believe most of us fear change! Personally; I had a back injury in 1985 that cost me everything including the seperation of the family by 1988. At least you have the chance to sell and if your health is good and you have skills and experience you will locate work whereever you decide to go. If your picture is up to date you both look young enough to accomplish any goals you seek. I believe you will find as most did that the freedom will replace any mixed feelings and emotions you are going through now. Welcome to the forums and you can ask any ?'s here and someone will respond with answers to get you through all of it. Pieere
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Life is too short. Live it Now!
Currently at Shady Acres RV Park Lebanon; Tennessee
If you are,welcome to the asylum! As I write this, I'm sitting in our 5th wheel in a gorgeous spot under a huge tree,in the Texas hill country. Been here for five days.Sold the house last year, hit the road.Everything we own is in the rig.We've never been happier.We are en-route to visit children in Fla., & D.C. Since we operate a seasonal business and have a contract to operate it one more school year,we'll return to Vegas in mid August,'till June, when we retire for good.We found a very nice place to live,extended stay, in Vegas,while we are working,and to which we will return a few months each year,but other than that,we're free. Several times leading up to selling the house we had doubts, and when starting out last June, but never since.The experiences we've had and the people we've met have been priceless, and we're just beginning. No question it takes some courage,as does everything worthwhile. The idea is a sound one, you'll be glad, believe me. Richard
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Richard & Ginny, travel with Buster,our Schnauzer boy. 2010 Ford Lariat PSD;2011 Open Range 345 RLS, 5th wheel."Not all who wander are lost".
We're not on the road yet, either. We're just waiting for Kev to be able to retire. Every once in a while that panicky feeling rolls over me. -- "What have we done?!?! How do we think we can do this!?!? We've sold our house and bought a truck and fifth wheel???? Are we crazy???"-- When that happens I remind myself of just how much I'll regret it later if we DON'T do it!! I know full well that if we don't go through with it I will hate myself for giving up on it! That calms me down and gets my thoughts going in the right direction! And then I go see what else I can find to get rid of!! lol.
well maybe you are but only time will tell. and if it turnes out you are just get off the road and start again. at least you will have more stories to tell.
I just asked my wife the same thing not ten min. ago as I sit here in our dream home and shop with all the walls now bare and a moving crew due to be here at 9am to take a few things to storage. this will be our last night in this house.
I'm also stepping down at work for the remainder of the summer and taking a 59% pay cut. Crazy??? maybe but it's time. I'm done saying maybe next year. sounds like you are as well. good luck to you.
Looks like you're in our age range (based on your birthdate) - we're also in our late 30s. Been on the road for 6 years now, full-time.. and no looking back.
Nope, you're not nuts.. if this is what you want to be doing!
Scared is a natural emotion. I always got past it by asking myself this all important question: 'What's the worst that could happen??'.
Get comfortable with the most likely worst case scenarios.. and you'll probably find yourself saying, 'I can deal with that.'.
You're joining a growing community of full time location independent nomads, who are finding ways of making this lifestyle work. Be sure to check out http://www.NuRVers.com, which is another great community of young-at-heart non-retired full timers.
I just bought an RV today and plan on "full timing" as soon as my home sells (just placed on the market). I am 40 and have a wonderful job I am giving up to do this, so I am feeling that same fear as you! I keep thinking though, I am just as scared not to do it...by this I mean, I am tired of commuting in traffic every day and living a "normal" mundane life and waking up at 60 and regretting not at least trying it. I am very blessed so that is not meant as a complaint but I think there is so much more to life and I am in search of it, hoping to find it on the open road:). I want to live outside the box and do what many want to but fear stops them. No turning back now as i signed the papers today. So we shall see what happens. I wish you the best and I am certain it will be exciting and adventurous to say the least.
So, we've sold everything in the house and have been living in our 5th wheel for the past couple of weeks. Now, we can't wait to get on the road!!! There's a possibility that our contract on our house is falling through. The couple who are buying it are having issues with the buyer of their house. But, it will sell eventually!! Beth, I'm also a nurse, but I'm completely leaving my job and not working. We're possibly going to do some workamping along the way.
Fingers crossed for you!! As long as you follow your dreams, all will work out OK. At least that's what we keep telling ourselves. We have a family coming this week to look at our house, if they don't bit, it goes on the market. Good Luck, Ann
Thank you, thank you and thank you. I really needed to read these posts today. I had one of those moments last night, lying in bed and thinking what are we doing!!!????My wonderful hubby looked at me and said "Do you remember everytime we are out, we hate the thought of coming back, do you really want to stay in this house with all the construction chaos around us and lasting probably another two years and in the end if we don't find it is not the life for us, we stop and buy something!!. We have options but this is something we have dreamed of for three years and now is our chance. The house sale came from out of nowhere, the timing was perfect allowing us to dejunk and to boot the new purchasers want to buy some of our furniture". Everything is lining up, so I hate when this indecision steps in. Thanks to all for keep me on track with our dream! September 17th here we come!!!
Lucky you! I only plan on working part time cause I dont want to burn through my savings. I am certainly hoping to keep it to 2-3 days per week though.
Or else it will defeat the purpose of us making this overwhelming change in our lives. Ahhhh, it will be so worth it. Can't wait! Good luck to you and your husband.
It will all come together if it's meant to be. Good luck to the both of you.
Ours finally closed and we have been living in the RV for almost a month now. Cut back to 4 days at work,, took over a 60% cut in pay,,, plan to work until Nov. then hit the road. This time gives us a chance to take care of the little things we didn't have to while still in the sticks N Bricks like cell phones and hot spots and organizing and other little things I'd rather do now than worry about on the road.
Have fun with it and I'm sure untill each of us actually hit the road will will have moments of second thoughts.
On the eve of your closing date,we hope everything goes well for you.
Just after you sign the papers, the question will go from: "Are we nuts" to "We are FREE" and shorty the question will change again to "Why didn't we do this years ago?".
The number one regret among those that full time? "We should have started this lifestyle sooner."
Welcome to freedom. It time to enjoy life and really stop to "smell the roses."
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RIG: 2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins 2006 Outback 27 RSDS Two rescue dogs: A Catahoula Mix & a Chihuahua mix. Full Time since June 2006
Didn't go so well.....sale fell through. The buyers were selling their house and their buyer couldn't get financed. House is back on the market. This time with a realtor. If it doesn't sell by January, we'll keep it. Regardless, we're looking at heading out on the road the end of October or the beginning of November.
Too bad about the house! We have two houses in Florida. Not a good time to sell a house there. We decided to lease out both houses. The rent takes care of them. Maybe we'll be able to sell them one day but in the meantime we are enjoying our rving lifestyle. Our first workamping job here in Oregon has been great. We have our job for next summer. It will be in Colorado. New people to meet and new places to visit! See you down the road.
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Joan & Steve '14 Entegra Anthem '08 HD Streetglide, 2014 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited 4x4
Sorry to hear your sale fell through. DW and I are looking to sell our house in spring. As we are cleaning thing out and getting things in order the same feeling hits me now and then. What are we doing? Selling everything, leaving family and friends, quitting good jobs in this time when many people would love to have a job. Then I think, I've been doing this for years and where has it gotten me. The worst thing that can happen is it doesn't work out and we get off the road. Or maybe stay in the 5ver in a different location. Whatever happens I would rather have the experience of doing it than keep saying WHAT IF. It's the whole thing of getting out of our comfort zone. They say what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger, and I don't see any way this decision is life threatening, only life enhancing. Good luck.
well I might have to disagree with all those who said you are not nuts... you are nuts!!! and so were we, but what the heck it works for us and many others like us...
Hi everyone! New here! This site has been so very helpful!! My husband I have just decided after failure to sell our 5th wheel and not feeling real sure about that issue...that we are going to keep it, rent our house out and live fulltime in the RV for awhile. It is something like many others, that we have talked about many times. We live a few hours from our friends and family and are sick of the commute and being kind of on the side lines with all of them. It just made good sense to rent out our house in today's market and get closer to all of our kids and live in the RV. Plus the fact that we can take off and travel in it throughout the year.
My husband was able to take an early retirement due to a spine injury about eleven years ago. We've been basically just living in our house to store our things and not enjoying life. After two back surgery's he's feeling a bit better. It's time!!! I too get panicky wondering if we are doing the right thing. But after really thinking it through, why not?! We're too young to be hanging out all day watching tv!! We could be enjoying our kids and their kids, on a regular basis. We'll be discussing the lease with our neighbor's this week. From there we should be getting down to business selling, packing, and putting some things in storage. I've had a few restless nights thinking whether we're doing the right thing, but after reading many stories on this forum, I'm getting excited!! I know it's going to be a process to get through. The end result will be freeing!!
if you have all the pieces your better than halfway there............just being able to sit out in the morning in different places makes the coffee so much better, and new friends with new ideas.....life is good!!!!!
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1998 ...Harney Renegade DP class A
rers1@mail.com
My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)
We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!
That is just like making lemonade out of lemons. If nothing else, you have the opportunity to see whether you would really like the lifestyle, but still have the house to fall back on. Unless things really got tight money-wise, you can still live in the house and travel as much as possible.
By the way, welcome to the RV Dreams forum. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have. We welcome them as we all tend to learn from each other.
Glad to have you as part of the "family."
Terry
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Terry and Jo
2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3 2008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout