Hi all,
I'm nearly 54 years old and I am seriously considering retiring early by selling up and buying a decent size motorhome (currently contemplating the Avida Esperance) and just going where the road takes me, staying months at a time at different places, free camping when possible to reduce overheads as much as I can though don't mind powered sites if inexpensive. I should have about $600/week for the next seven years to live on and I can get access to what super I have in just over six years then state pension seven years after that.
Expenses I can think of would be food, water (can be obtained free at some places I've heard), fuel (only if actually traveling), gas, vehicle registration & driver's license, RV insurance & servicing & tyres etc, laundry.
I want to get out of the rat race as there's more to life than just sitting in an office, and I want to travel a little at the same time. I live in Australia and want to see a little bit more of the country before I get too old. It would be great to get a projector, screen, sound system in the RV at some point but not sure what kind of solar system/battery would suffice for that or if that is even feasible.
Any stories to share to convince me that it is worth doing, or off putting stories to make me think twice?
Rich
Wannabe nomad said
09:40 AM May 7, 2022
I suggest you trawl through the grey nomads forum and Website and you will find most of the answers to your questions. Think about the kind of things and travel you are interested in and what you can afford: as different rigs for different gigs.
Then take your time making a decision of what rig to buy & how you equip it. Then take small trips as you discover more about yourself and your vehicle and your capabilities. You will learn what you REALLY need and don't need, probably by travelling with too much stuff as most of us did in the first place. Then go for it you only gave one life. However, a plan B is always a good idea
If I had the opportunity to do it at your age I would have, but I didn't.
roker said
10:04 AM May 7, 2022
Excellent reply,Hit everthing on the head.cheers roker
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:18 AM May 7, 2022
The chance that the first rig you buy will be exactly what you need are quite small, so buy second hand and limit the budget so you can have a second (and maybe a third) go after you discover where you like to go and what suits you.
There is also plenty of work to be had as you travel about, if you are so inclined.
Cheers,
Peter
RichyK said
11:28 AM May 8, 2022
Thanks to all!
Mike Harding said
01:56 PM May 8, 2022
Money wise:
I have travelled and lived in my caravan for the past 3.5 years, I live well, I eat well, I drink well. Over that time I have carefully logged *all* my costs and I spend a total of about $14,000 per year. NB. I almost never use caravans parks but rough camp in the bush, which I prefer. Such a lifestyle is not for everyone; you need to be reasonably fit and reasonably handy (tool/repair wise).
Note: The $14k does not include the cost of a new vehicle two years past.
oldbloke said
06:13 PM May 8, 2022
Always my concern with this is,,,,what happens when you can no longer travel/live in a van?
Will you have the $ to buy a small home to live in when your,,,say 85?
glassies said
08:16 PM May 8, 2022
I would never sell my home ive had cancer twice now and bundaberg has an excellent cancer ward here ,I have lymphodema in my right leg and so I get 2 free compression stockings through there a year. Im planning on moving about very slowly so if I spend 3 days in a free camp at a time that will make time skip along till next pension . Plus I've seen a lot of Oz. But also missed so many places.enjoy your travels and take it slow you will enjoy it a lot more
roker said
11:47 AM May 9, 2022
good question.roker.
msg said
12:01 PM May 9, 2022
Think very carefully before you sell your home.
roker said
12:06 PM May 9, 2022
dead right,roker
Wannabe nomad said
08:16 AM May 11, 2022
Ya right rocker
I saw a large self contained rig last week, that was named 'no plan B' and it was parked outside our local hospital.
However, if Rich is going to do it, sooner is better than later, but you do need a plan B.
I've downsized and downgraded (but my location is fab), bought a basic cheap way to travel and only travel part time because I HAVE left it to late and my body is falling apart and sometimes I just need to 'hole up' at home close to My Dr, My Physio ect.
It all depends on your situation.
I was going to sell up buy a nice (expensive) rig and travel until........ but I'm married and he didn't want to do it. So I had to come up with another plan.
In retrospect I'm glad I have a home base (and hubby lol) to come back too. Yes I basically sleep in my car when I travel but I have a home base to go to when I'm past it.
But don't let this stop you Rich, just have some idea of what you will do if..........
Mike Harding said
08:25 AM May 11, 2022
I sold my house and took to a van.
What point in keeping the house if one has made a decision to travel full time? The house was too big, had rooms I didn't use, needed maintenance I didn't do and cost a lot in rates and utilities.
If illness befalls then what difference between a van or house? If necessary I'll find a good van park near a hospital, hook up to power and water and either get better or die. In such circumstances maintaining a van is a lot easier than maintaining a house.
I have never lived my life being too scared to do X in case Y happens and do not intend to start now.
Get out there, move out of your comfort zone and LIVE LIFE! with all its uncertainties 'cause you certainly will not get a second opportunity.
DMaxer said
10:58 AM May 11, 2022
Welcome to the forum RichyK. I guess what suits you and what makes you feel comfortable with the decision is something only you can decide.
When I first got into the caravanning lifestyle I kept my house and used a number of friends and acquaintances as house sitters whilst I travelled and worked remotely. I found that I was spending less and less time at my house and upon returning each time felt pretty flat about remaining there. Although the area I call home is in a beautiful spot on the far north coast of NSW, I found that although the beach and river were still great, the town itself was becoming suburbia and somewhat mean spirited. People that I had known for years who had carved out a good life with plenty of assets were more concerned in telling me about how smart their grandkids are, how their superannuation is going right down to hostile jealousy that the people at a table near the one they frequent every Friday night at the local club, were winning more prizes in the meat raffle. I thought long and hard about it and have since listed my house for sale. I do not have any intention of buying further real estate as I don't want to remain in the one place and do want to travel.
Like Mike, I have never made decisions on "what if this happens" because I always think, "what if it doesn't happen". I have then lost a great opportunity about worrying about an event that may never take place.
In my view life is too short to worry about everything that might happen. Crook things will probably occur and good things as well. Just because I was ensconced in a house does not mean I will be immune from that. If things go bad health wise or otherwise I will pull up stumps and look for a place to either park up or buy a little bit of remote land and stop there. I guess I could also find out where Mike was parked and spend the rest of my days disagreeing with him. Who knows.
The one thing that I have noticed in my travels is the number of happy retired people who live full time on the road and seem to enjoy each others company. The other thing I notice is the number of unhappy people who live in their house with zero joint interests except mutual misery.
You will know what the right decision for you is.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Wednesday 11th of May 2022 11:00:42 AM
dabbler said
12:09 PM May 11, 2022
We're selling in a high value location, owe a token amount and relocating to a much lower value market with time up our sleeves to be picky. So we are fortunate to have cash to burn (well, one hopes). However, at the moment, prices on vans, motorhomes and campervans are plain stupid or the waitlist is very long. We're changing to a fully self contained campervan and probably end with a Sprinter. The occasional bargain pr possibility does appear but you need to be pretty quick and have reliable contacts who can inspect for you if it's some distance away. Now or soon, is a good time to sell but not without other drawbacks.
Mike Harding said
12:44 PM May 11, 2022
>I guess I could also find out where Mike was parked and spend the rest of my days disagreeing with him.
I should enjoy that Dmaxer :)
----
>Now or soon, is a good time to sell
Agreed dabbler. People think the price of domestic property cannot fall much but it can and does! When we migrated from the UK in the early 1990s our house near London was valued at UKP163k and it would have sold for that too.By the time the I finally got the visa sorted our the market had plummeted and we sold for UKP93k - and that over a timespan of about 12 months. A friend who had recently bought a UKP200k house had to sell and was left with no house and a debt of UKP100k!
It can, should and probably will happen here too.
glassies said
06:23 PM May 11, 2022
It truly is a realy hard one for sure, for some no but for others its a yes. Being unwell with cancer and having treatments like i did living on the sunshine coast and having to stay in brisbane for treatment from monday to friday kind of realy made me think about US (which there no longer is) so just me .i thought wow imagine if i was in a motorhome driving in city driving or trying to find a park or a caravan park close by. Because i can say by day 3 of radiation i was experienceing all side effects and more that normaly happen after 2 weeks.
I get both sides and ive travelled for over thirty years on and off . And i totaly get it ,its only the cancer scare that made me think differently ,im just glad that a home was purchased away from the sunshine coast which was where we lived before we seperated, plus he stayed there so we dont run into one another ,which is probably best
Which ever you choose i wish you all the best . Ive bought myself a toyota hiace decked it out and will do
Small steps like 8weeks or 3mth ones . Its a whole new world out there being single and free to do as you please if you dont wanna cook then dont , crackers and cheese sounds good.
Wishing you all the best ,downsizing is a great idea too . My home will be house sat while im away
cjt55 said
07:55 AM May 12, 2022
I have travelled extensively with a big van and rented my house whilst I travelled fulltime for 2 years. I understand both sides of the equation but personally am glad to have my house for later in life when I cannot travel anymore. I have since sold my caravan and tow vehicle and purchased a brand new Toyota Hiace which has been professionally converted into a campervan with pop up roof. I have included many extras during the build including handheld hot and cold shower, diesel heater, 200 amp lithium battery connected to a 2000watt inverter as a few examples. I now travel during the winter months of July, August and September and then easy short trips during the rest of the year.
I now find this a well balanced scenario for me. It fits in the garage when not in use and is so easy to get around in and I also have a 2nd runabout vehicle when not travelling.
I did meet many people who had sold everything and were happy however I also met people who had become ill or injured who could not travel anymore so had the problem of having to sell and purchase something pernament.
So whatever you decide think carefully.
DMaxer said
08:28 AM May 12, 2022
The one thing that a lot of people presume is that real estate is going to keep on escalating in price meaning that if one was to sell now and later want to purchase they would be priced out of the market. When the sale of my real estate is settled I intend to just invest the proceeds and continue to live within the same budget that I now use. I have no economic background but I don't think the present rate of appreciation is sustainable. I know from past ventures I have both made money from real estate and also lost. I know just from the recent floods in nearby areas to my place that it has impacted at least 20% on the real estate around me. I think back to the eighties and early nineties when inflation and interest rates soared and the effect that had on the property markets.
In reality, the price or value of your house means nothing unless you are selling it and wanting to buy another. i can't see myself buying another house to live in. When I am too old and useless to hitch up my van I will just park up on land and maybe have a little A frame built. I don't feel the need nor do I have the inclination to spend what is left of my life visiting the doctor and chemist on a weekly basis only to return home and watch television. If I cannot survive without embracing that lifestyle then it is time for me to head on to that big caravan park in the sky.
Anyway, just my thoughts.
roker said
10:25 AM May 12, 2022
Excellent reply.Got to thing long term,roker
Mike Harding said
10:44 AM May 12, 2022
DMaxer wrote:
When I am too old and useless to hitch up my van I will just park up on land and maybe have a little A frame built. I don't feel the need nor do I have the inclination to spend what is left of my life visiting the doctor and chemist on a weekly basis only to return home and watch television. If I cannot survive without embracing that lifestyle then it is time for me to head on to that big caravan park in the sky.
I agree completely Dmaxer.
I have no desire to extend my life beyond a time when it brings pleasure to me regularly and shall terminate it when that day comes.
To that end I have recently been researching "nice" methods of suicide; PM/emails welcome.
DMaxer said
11:35 AM May 12, 2022
If you check out the demise of Zheng Gang, Chinese medical student and then Felix Faure, the former president of France you may pick up a few ideas to help you up the stairway to that big caravan park in the sky Mike.
To say they went out with a bang is the understatement of the century!
glassies said
08:54 PM May 12, 2022
I couldnt imagine anything worse than sitting inside watching tv ,i dont do that i have a very big garden
And im constantly working on it with help from neighbours. Im told we are in for one very big depression
And our homes will be worth nothing. Wether that be true or not who knows hey.
Im just glad i own my home so im debt free all bar payiing off the solar system.
Im realy looking forward to my first trip in the hiace out to lawn hill leaving 6th june.
Mike Harding said
07:40 AM May 13, 2022
glassies wrote:
Im realy looking forward to my first trip in the hiace out to lawn hill leaving 6th june.
I hope your trip goes well and is enjoyable.
Do keep in mind that it takes a while (quite a while) to really get use to "life on the road"/camping; ie. learning the most efficient ways to deal with simple daily tasks such as dish washing or laundry., even making the bed is a challenge in a van. eg. After perhaps 20 years of showering in the bush in a particular fashion I have recently discovered/developed a far better way of doing it so don't be surprised if everything seems a time consuming chore at first because experience will make things easier. Don't be afraid to ask questions on this forum too, even if you think they are simple or trivial, always easier to learn from the experience of another.
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:28 AM May 13, 2022
glassies wrote:
Im realy looking forward to my first trip in the hiace out to lawn hill leaving 6th june.
We went to Lawn Hill last year as part of our trip.
The road in was quite corrugated then, so you may need to take it quietly. May be better now.
This little vid is crossing the O'Shannassy River near Riversleigh, south of Lawn Hill. Make sure you spend a few hours at Riversleigh, exploring the fossils.
https://youtu.be/JWkTkj0ifuM
Cheers,
Peter
DMaxer said
09:09 AM May 14, 2022
You two have certainly been to some fabulous places Peter.
Serious question; Is there anywhere in Oz that you and that Oka have not been and if so, why not?
Phlipper said
05:04 PM Jun 1, 2022
At the end of my travelling days, I would still like to have my own comfy home, to enjoy my garden, and nearby family/friends. House resale is always going to be much higher than any Caravan/RV trade gain. That in essence means if and when I need full time care I would hopefully be able to afford a nicer retirement home...rather than spend my end of days in some cheap Government ****hole.....and ****hole is an understatement from what I've seen of some. Ideally I'll die in my sleep ...but ?????
Then take your time making a decision of what rig to buy & how you equip it. Then take small trips as you discover more about yourself and your vehicle and your capabilities. You will learn what you REALLY need and don't need, probably by travelling with too much stuff as most of us did in the first place. Then go for it you only gave one life. However, a plan B is always a good idea
If I had the opportunity to do it at your age I would have, but I didn't.
Excellent reply,Hit everthing on the head.cheers roker
There is also plenty of work to be had as you travel about, if you are so inclined.
Cheers,
Peter
Money wise:
I have travelled and lived in my caravan for the past 3.5 years, I live well, I eat well, I drink well. Over that time I have carefully logged *all* my costs and I spend a total of about $14,000 per year. NB. I almost never use caravans parks but rough camp in the bush, which I prefer. Such a lifestyle is not for everyone; you need to be reasonably fit and reasonably handy (tool/repair wise).
Note: The $14k does not include the cost of a new vehicle two years past.
Will you have the $ to buy a small home to live in when your,,,say 85?
good question.roker.
dead right,roker
I saw a large self contained rig last week, that was named 'no plan B' and it was parked outside our local hospital.
However, if Rich is going to do it, sooner is better than later, but you do need a plan B.
I've downsized and downgraded (but my location is fab), bought a basic cheap way to travel and only travel part time because I HAVE left it to late and my body is falling apart and sometimes I just need to 'hole up' at home close to My Dr, My Physio ect.
It all depends on your situation.
I was going to sell up buy a nice (expensive) rig and travel until........ but I'm married and he didn't want to do it. So I had to come up with another plan.
In retrospect I'm glad I have a home base (and hubby lol) to come back too. Yes I basically sleep in my car when I travel but I have a home base to go to when I'm past it.
But don't let this stop you Rich, just have some idea of what you will do if..........
I sold my house and took to a van.
What point in keeping the house if one has made a decision to travel full time? The house was too big, had rooms I didn't use, needed maintenance I didn't do and cost a lot in rates and utilities.
If illness befalls then what difference between a van or house? If necessary I'll find a good van park near a hospital, hook up to power and water and either get better or die. In such circumstances maintaining a van is a lot easier than maintaining a house.
I have never lived my life being too scared to do X in case Y happens and do not intend to start now.
Get out there, move out of your comfort zone and LIVE LIFE! with all its uncertainties 'cause you certainly will not get a second opportunity.
Welcome to the forum RichyK. I guess what suits you and what makes you feel comfortable with the decision is something only you can decide.
When I first got into the caravanning lifestyle I kept my house and used a number of friends and acquaintances as house sitters whilst I travelled and worked remotely. I found that I was spending less and less time at my house and upon returning each time felt pretty flat about remaining there. Although the area I call home is in a beautiful spot on the far north coast of NSW, I found that although the beach and river were still great, the town itself was becoming suburbia and somewhat mean spirited. People that I had known for years who had carved out a good life with plenty of assets were more concerned in telling me about how smart their grandkids are, how their superannuation is going right down to hostile jealousy that the people at a table near the one they frequent every Friday night at the local club, were winning more prizes in the meat raffle. I thought long and hard about it and have since listed my house for sale. I do not have any intention of buying further real estate as I don't want to remain in the one place and do want to travel.
Like Mike, I have never made decisions on "what if this happens" because I always think, "what if it doesn't happen". I have then lost a great opportunity about worrying about an event that may never take place.
In my view life is too short to worry about everything that might happen. Crook things will probably occur and good things as well. Just because I was ensconced in a house does not mean I will be immune from that. If things go bad health wise or otherwise I will pull up stumps and look for a place to either park up or buy a little bit of remote land and stop there. I guess I could also find out where Mike was parked and spend the rest of my days disagreeing with him. Who knows.
The one thing that I have noticed in my travels is the number of happy retired people who live full time on the road and seem to enjoy each others company. The other thing I notice is the number of unhappy people who live in their house with zero joint interests except mutual misery.
You will know what the right decision for you is.
-- Edited by DMaxer on Wednesday 11th of May 2022 11:00:42 AM
>I guess I could also find out where Mike was parked and spend the rest of my days disagreeing with him.
I should enjoy that Dmaxer :)
----
>Now or soon, is a good time to sell
Agreed dabbler. People think the price of domestic property cannot fall much but it can and does! When we migrated from the UK in the early 1990s our house near London was valued at UKP163k and it would have sold for that too.By the time the I finally got the visa sorted our the market had plummeted and we sold for UKP93k - and that over a timespan of about 12 months. A friend who had recently bought a UKP200k house had to sell and was left with no house and a debt of UKP100k!
It can, should and probably will happen here too.
I get both sides and ive travelled for over thirty years on and off . And i totaly get it ,its only the cancer scare that made me think differently ,im just glad that a home was purchased away from the sunshine coast which was where we lived before we seperated, plus he stayed there so we dont run into one another ,which is probably best
Which ever you choose i wish you all the best . Ive bought myself a toyota hiace decked it out and will do
Small steps like 8weeks or 3mth ones . Its a whole new world out there being single and free to do as you please if you dont wanna cook then dont , crackers and cheese sounds good.
Wishing you all the best ,downsizing is a great idea too . My home will be house sat while im away
I now find this a well balanced scenario for me. It fits in the garage when not in use and is so easy to get around in and I also have a 2nd runabout vehicle when not travelling.
I did meet many people who had sold everything and were happy however I also met people who had become ill or injured who could not travel anymore so had the problem of having to sell and purchase something pernament.
So whatever you decide think carefully.
The one thing that a lot of people presume is that real estate is going to keep on escalating in price meaning that if one was to sell now and later want to purchase they would be priced out of the market. When the sale of my real estate is settled I intend to just invest the proceeds and continue to live within the same budget that I now use. I have no economic background but I don't think the present rate of appreciation is sustainable. I know from past ventures I have both made money from real estate and also lost. I know just from the recent floods in nearby areas to my place that it has impacted at least 20% on the real estate around me. I think back to the eighties and early nineties when inflation and interest rates soared and the effect that had on the property markets.
In reality, the price or value of your house means nothing unless you are selling it and wanting to buy another. i can't see myself buying another house to live in. When I am too old and useless to hitch up my van I will just park up on land and maybe have a little A frame built. I don't feel the need nor do I have the inclination to spend what is left of my life visiting the doctor and chemist on a weekly basis only to return home and watch television. If I cannot survive without embracing that lifestyle then it is time for me to head on to that big caravan park in the sky.
Anyway, just my thoughts.
Excellent reply.Got to thing long term,roker
I agree completely Dmaxer.
I have no desire to extend my life beyond a time when it brings pleasure to me regularly and shall terminate it when that day comes.
To that end I have recently been researching "nice" methods of suicide; PM/emails welcome.
If you check out the demise of Zheng Gang, Chinese medical student and then Felix Faure, the former president of France you may pick up a few ideas to help you up the stairway to that big caravan park in the sky Mike.
To say they went out with a bang is the understatement of the century!
And im constantly working on it with help from neighbours. Im told we are in for one very big depression
And our homes will be worth nothing. Wether that be true or not who knows hey.
Im just glad i own my home so im debt free all bar payiing off the solar system.
Im realy looking forward to my first trip in the hiace out to lawn hill leaving 6th june.
I hope your trip goes well and is enjoyable.
Do keep in mind that it takes a while (quite a while) to really get use to "life on the road"/camping; ie. learning the most efficient ways to deal with simple daily tasks such as dish washing or laundry., even making the bed is a challenge in a van. eg. After perhaps 20 years of showering in the bush in a particular fashion I have recently discovered/developed a far better way of doing it so don't be surprised if everything seems a time consuming chore at first because experience will make things easier. Don't be afraid to ask questions on this forum too, even if you think they are simple or trivial, always easier to learn from the experience of another.
We went to Lawn Hill last year as part of our trip.
The road in was quite corrugated then, so you may need to take it quietly. May be better now.
This little vid is crossing the O'Shannassy River near Riversleigh, south of Lawn Hill. Make sure you spend a few hours at Riversleigh, exploring the fossils.
https://youtu.be/JWkTkj0ifuM
Cheers,
Peter
You two have certainly been to some fabulous places Peter.
Serious question; Is there anywhere in Oz that you and that Oka have not been and if so, why not?