After a few years their discretionary income dwindled, and they ‘visited’ friends and relatives, but their real motive was to live rent free in their driveways. They would do small chores for the ones they ‘visited’ in return for the generosity shown them. Finally they gave up the camper trailer and bought a small home. They and everyone they 'visited' were glad they did it.
My sister in Canada did the same thing, selling her house and travelling in a fifth wheel.
Gave it up after a about 3 years and bought a house again.
Sounds good, bu, not.
I've run some numbers, comparing expenditures of full-timing vs. having a set location and just making 1-2 trips a year; I'll actually have more discretionary income with the full-timing. This is based on current costs; no telling what the economy will be like in 4 years!
Of course, I've incorporated cost-saving measures in that (traveling only 100-200 miles a week, staying at a campground 1 week to 3 months to get discounts, eating out only couple meals a week, etc.). Too many people who full-time look at it like a vacation and eat out 3 meals a day, move every day and drive 300+ miles a day, etc. That's the most expensive way to do it. And I can do the workcamping if the income is really needed.
I used to drive a semi, so a life on the road will probably be easier for me to adapt to than someone whose experience is going weekend camping an hour from home. Plus, I think that often it's one partner's idea to full-time and the other gets talked into it. Once the novelty wears off...
One thing I've learned is to have a PLAN of when/how you'll stop traveling. I'm thinking at most I'll travel 10 years, but maybe I'll be done seeing what I want to see in only 5. Then I'll stop and rent an apartment in a small town somewhere (red state!).
It’s ‘work’ to live that lifestyle and a consistent need to plan every detail when changing locations. Not surprising the duration ends usually after a few years.
Aunt wanted to get an RV, once they both retired.
Uncle said.....not just NO, but h#ll no.....after driving, for a living, for so many years....that is the LAST thing I want to do, in retirement.
A friend once warned me NOT to take an RV vacation, with the kids. She said....all you do is cook, pick up and sweep. How is THAT any kind of a vacation??
😂