Old Age After Full Timing

[AndyWill64]

I'll be 60 in April, and expect to give up our rented property to go full time in my mortorhome within the next year or two.

Hopefully I'll be able to physically and (just about) financially maintain that lifestyle for a good few years, but I'm wondering if there's a 'normal' path from mobile life back into bricks and mortar.

Other than hopefully being on state pension by then, my only asset at that point will likely be the motorhome, which will obviously have depreciated somewhat, probably to somewhere around £10-12k.

Are there any difficulties around applying for pensioner accommodation etc after full timing?

 

[trevskoda]

About a six year long que to get anything here in N Ireland, and you have to be pregnant LOL, just book into a old folks home when you give up and hand the keys of the van to them.

 

[Debroos]

What do you mean by pensioner accommodation?

 

[AndyWill64]

What do you mean by pensioner accommodation?

To be honest, if physically well enough I'd be happy being the guy in a old caravan in the woods like you see on Midsomer Murders, etc, but if that's not possibly I'd be happy with anything rather than being homeless - bungalow, flat, appartment, bedsit, etc. Wouldn't be looking for anything posh or expensive.
.

 

[Boris7]

Hi Andy,

You’d be better off trying to get social housing sorted now, the waiting list is long and there’s a points system part of those points are based on time, age and health etc come into it but pretty much the only factors you can influence are time and current accommodation, the sooner your on the list the more likely you’ll get housed, if you full time and the van dies you’ll get limited options, better to get a place and use the van for pleasure.

If you know your landlord he can help you get up the list by serving you notice, I did this in 2019 for a tenant who needed to get a more secure and cost effective home and I’m sure any good landlord would do the same.

 

[Moonraker 2]

Perhaps you could just settle your van in the corner of an old folks home when the time comes?
But you won't need to do that for a good 15 years, you being such a youngster.

 

[maingate]

I am not trying to be hard on you but have you really thought things through.

In another thread it seems like you will full time and be using sites most of the time, certainly in the Winter period. Once you commit to buying a motorhome, you will have burnt your bridges once you leave your accommodation. You will need a good Pension to cover your needs in the long term, if not, you will constantly struggle.

Have you thought about some kind of part time work to help out your finances? There are things like housesitting or seasonal work which other fulltimers do, even working on a C&CC or CAMC Site.

 

[AndyWill64]

Hi Andy,

You’d be better off trying to get social housing sorted now, the waiting list is long and there’s a points system part of those points are based on time, age and health etc come into it but pretty much the only factors you can influence are time and current accommodation, the sooner your on the list the more likely you’ll get housed, if you full time and the van dies you’ll get limited options, better to get a place and use the van for pleasure.

If you know your landlord he can help you get up the list by serving you notice, I did this in 2019 for a tenant who needed to get a more secure and cost effective home and I’m sure any good landlord would do the same.

Thanks for that, I didn't realise things were so long-winded.

I spent most of my working life (up until 55) with the plan of retiring as a full timer, but maybe it needs more consideration.

 

[trevskoda]

Thanks for that, I didn't realise things were so long-winded.

I spent most of my working life (up until 55) with the plan of retiring as a full timer, but maybe it needs more consideration.

Just think if you ever had to go into hospital and required a home help for a time, no mission them letting you sit in a van or on hospital grounds.

 

[AndyWill64]

I am not trying to be hard on you but have you really thought things through.

In another thread it seems like you will full time and be using sites most of the time, certainly in the Winter period. Once you commit to buying a motorhome, you will have burnt your bridges once you leave your accommodation. You will need a good Pension to cover your needs in the long term, if not, you will constantly struggle.

Have you thought about some kind of part time work to help out your finances? There are things like housesitting or seasonal work which other fulltimers do, even working on a C&CC or CAMC Site.

Thanks, and no problem.

Not fully thought through yet, but that's why I'm asking questions now.

My pension has covered me renting and living for the last 4 years, and although it's not growing so strongly at the moment, I'm hoping it'll pick up and that van life won't be so expensive anyway.

I'm a semi-retired Software Developer, so could do contract work if necessary, and I have enquired about working for CAMC.

I would be willing to do part time or seasonal work if necessary, but that for while I'm in the van, my concern is afterwards when I'm not able to work.

 

[AndyWill64]

Just think if you ever had to go into hospital and required a home help for a time, no mission them letting you sit in a van or on hospital grounds.

Yes, of course that's a consideration, but I can't keep putting off what I want to do because of what ifs.

 

[barryd]

I think I would always want to know I had a house to fall back on if something necessitated it.

You are in the ideal job though for working from the van to top up the coffers. Its kind of what I do. I went semi retired ages ago and could retire properly if I wanted to but I also work in IT and retained a handful of clients that I still support as I quite enjoy it and its good and easy money. Generally we tour for about five or six months a year (UK only recently) and the bits of work I do support the trips. You certainly wont find anything better paid you can do from the van from anywhere. I wanted to go full timing a decade or so ago but we never did. I wouldnt want to do it now though. Im only 57 but Arthritis has buggered me up really. Like the comforts of a home in Winter at least. Try and keep somewhere to fall back on would be my advice. You never know what is around the corner. That said, dont lose your spirit of adventure either and go for it if you can make it work.

 

[AndyWill64]

Sorry about your arthritis, but glad you've got a plan that works for you.

I think if I still had my own house it would be easier, but can't see the finances working if I have to rent a place too.

 

[maingate]

Do you have anyone (family etc.) who you could use as your postal address? It seems a minor thing but it is important for your mail etc. Are you any good at DIY, because motorhomes are complex and temperamental buggers.

There is a forum dedicated to fulltiming perhaps someone could link to it as I forget the name of it. You should pick up a lot of tips on there.

 

[AndyWill64]

My family seem to be on the move more than me, so was reluctantly thinking about using a mail handling service. I think boat mail was mentioned positively a few days ago.

 

[liz]

I'll be 60 in April, and expect to give up our rented property to go full time in my mortorhome within the next year or two.

Hopefully I'll be able to physically and (just about) financially maintain that lifestyle for a good few years, but I'm wondering if there's a 'normal' path from mobile life back into bricks and mortar.

Other than hopefully being on state pension by then, my only asset at that point will likely be the motorhome, which will obviously have depreciated somewhat, probably to somewhere around £10-12k.

Are there any difficulties around applying for pensioner accommodation etc after full timing?

I'm also 60 this year ,no chance of handing my notice in tho ,I'm still partying ,really fit and healthy and suffering from. A mega hangover after being at a party on Fri ,Enjoy today and do whats in your heart ,but 60 is the new 40 in my head ..good luck

 

[Robmac]

To be honest, if physically well enough I'd be happy being the guy in a old caravan in the woods like you see on Midsomer Murders, etc, but if that's not possibly I'd be happy with anything rather than being homeless - bungalow, flat, appartment, bedsit, etc. Wouldn't be looking for anything posh or expensive.
.

Don't move to Midsomer - it's a very dangerous place to live!

It's a great thread though and will be useful to many others in the same position, good luck.

 

[barryd]

Sorry about your arthritis, but glad you've got a plan that works for you.

I think if I still had my own house it would be easier, but can't see the finances working if I have to rent a place too.

Dont know your financial circumstances but is a buy to let out of the question? I know a lot of full timers own property and rent it out.

 

[Boris7]

Don't move to Midsomer - it's a very dangerous place to live!

???

 

[2cv]

Without wanting to appear over pessimistic I do think it’s important to consider your options in the event of health problems. Just 5 years ago we were enjoying 2 months a year in the US and three months a year out and about in the van. Ill health has struck us both in our 60s and now an outing usually involves being taken to the hospital. In these circumstances it’s certainly best to have a base in bricks and mortar.