When my husband and I first started researching the idea of retiring to a life of travel we kept hearing the term “Full-Timer”. It took us a while but we finally figured out they were referring to people who lived in their RVs (Recreational Vehicle) all the time. As it turns out, there’s more to the definition than that.
- Full-Timers don’t own a stationary dwelling they leave behind or come back to. They don’t arrange for someone to mow the lawn while they are gone. They also don’t worry about the pipes freezing or other calamities while traveling. There is no structure to worry about.
- Full-Timers are not homeless. Their home is wherever they park it. It’s a house with wheels attached. There is an old saying “Home Is Where The Heart Is” which fits this situation.
- Full-Timers don’t have permanent neighbors, unless they always travel with the same group. When we camped in tents we always met the neatest people from around the world. Well, it still holds true for camping in an RV. I’ve spent my career in a “people industry” and I consider myself a people expert. So take it from this expert that our RV neighbors have been some of the finest people on the planet. Friendly, interesting, caring, culturally diverse, helpful if you need it, and generally people with their eyes wide open, having the time of their lives.
- Full-Timers live simple but exciting lives. Although you may hear about the couple with the million dollar outfit who never use their kitchen, those people are very rare. Most Full-Timers care about the footprints they are leaving as they travel. They are happy to live a quiet and simple life while at the same time they can’t wait to see what’s over the next hill.
Ask any Full-Timer how they like the life and you will get the same answer from each one: “Wish we had started doing this sooner.” We’re very glad we had the chance to be one of these adventurous people. And here is where we live Full-Time – well not exactly on the street but wherever we happen to park this thing.
I think I’d need a base camp! I love to travel but I need solid home time too!
Nice post.
I’ve tagged you for a photo meme if you care to play.
Is that really where you live? How do you get internet connection?
I have to say Even though you two are full timers you have several homes that you care for. You worry about my pipes and roof during the ice storms You worry about my sisters kids and how the neighbors are, You worry about all the projects at my brothers, and you worry about what is going on in your mothers house. So even though you are full timers you have a lot of homes to think about.
And a lot of places you call home. But then again if home is where your heart is…Your heart is everywhere. Love you
It sounds like it could be so much fun.
[...] Irene Alexander wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptSo take it from this expert that our RV neighbors have been some of the finest people on the planet. Friendly, interesting, caring, culturally diverse, helpful if you need it, and generally people with their eyes wide open, having the time of their lives. … We’re very glad we had the chance to be one of these adventurous people. And here is where we live Full-Time – well not exactly on the street but wherever we happen to park this thing. … [...]
That sounds like a great retirement plan! It’s a long way off for me, but I love travelling. I hope my retirement is as exciting as yours!
We do have some home-bases, so to speak. We have three grown children (California, Oregon, Indiana) and we spend months at a time with them. So it actually feels as if we have several ‘homes’.
Internet is not a problem unless we are in an area without cell phone usage like some of the national parks. Many campgrounds now have wifi to please all the retirees like us. Plus we have a data card with Verizon that gives us access as well. No, it would be difficult without access to the internet. That is how we take care of banking, some bill-paying, and some of our shopping, not to mention reading the news and of course blogging.
This may not be our home forever but for the active years of our retirement it is just so rewarding and fun.
I think that this is the greatest way to be retired, especially if you have children all over the country!
What a nice way to go!