Our decision to live in an RV was not an easy one. The economy was really a deciding factor. The cost of maintaining a mortgage, car payment, electricity, etc. was proving to be a tad too much for us. Sherry had become disable and with one income, we were going into debt more and more. Hospital and doctor bills were draining our account. That's when we figured out a cheaper way of life for us.
We began to clear things out that we, nor our children wanted, and sold what we could, trashed what we didn't and gave away what was wanted. This took about 6 months. I built a small shed to keep the small amount of items that would not go into the RV or that would be changed out between summer and winter seasons. I also joined RV.net, Escapees.com, and a few other RV forums learning as much as I could about towing, fulltiming, weights, etc. You would be surprised at how much there is to learn and what fun you can have learning it.
In February 2009, we purchased a 2001 Coachmen 30 foot travel trailer, with no slides for our first RV and gave our home to our daughter and her children after they had lost their home. This made the perfect arrangement. We made an agreement that she would pay all the expenses for the home and land, and we would retain the right to live on the property in an RV. We set up a spot on the land and had the sewer and electrical set up. This was to become our first fulltime RV and homebase.
We had gone from a 2000 square foot home to a 225 square foot RV. What a change. It did take some getting used to, but after a few months all was well. Even our small dog, trinket, began to adjust to the smallness finding her sleeping spot next to me on the chair. She even received a sleeping bed next to our bed for nighttime. What a spoiled animal, but then, most RV'ers spoil their animals. Our grandkids love spending the weekend nights at our place. I think they miss having the grandparents around all the time.
Fulltiming is an adventure and read on as I create this blog on how things go and on our adventures of our travels around the southeast for now, all of America after my retirement. We wish you well if you decide to go this route and enjoy each day. Never know when you may leave this world and not get to do what you want. I am taking an early retirement so I can have the most days to enjoy a new and exciting lifestyle.
