We think that the first few weeks would be ok but after that do you start to realise the fact no grandkids or family,how would we cope with the in laws not being close to if needed as they're older?
Pros you don't have an house to maintain
Cons you don't have an house to go back to when you or your van is unwell.
If you don't have a registered address how do you go about insurance, driving licence etc. That would me my main problem as I'd find it hard to ask a friend if I could use theirs and no relatives this side of the channel.
Have often seriously thought of doing this but all the things that need a recognised permanent address are a problem?
I agree, I fulltimed 4 and a half years, the wet cold days drying washing I found the hardest...but you are right about a van being unwell ...Mot time particularly stressful. Limits your movements if it fails, Where do you live whilst fixed, often on the road I assure you, You don't have the toolkit to fix things effectively.
The positives no bad noisy arsehole neighbours move on as you please. Meet new people meet likeminded people.
One of the big disadvantages is if you want to go back to bricks and mortar, true full timing you fall off the radar
Channa
I have known of quite a few genuine full timers that have ''fallen off the radar''and eventually gone back to a house.A lot of them were on motorhome forums and always talking about ''living the dream''but eventually became disillusioned with the life and went back to a house.By genuine full timers I mean people that have sold their property and are living full time in a motorhome,not long termers who retain a property in the UK and go on extended breaks.Full timing is fine until something goes wrong,eg one of you becomes seriously ill or worse.A genuine full timer would then be faced with a problem,but if you keep your property you can go back to your bolthole and sort things out.
We are both in a fortunate position and have the freedom and means to be able go on long trips around Europe if we wish but choose to go on short/medium term breaks because of the family,we do look after grandchildren regularly and would miss that.If and when our family circumstances change then the preferred option would be to go long terming to S.Europe for the winter months as some do on this forum.I think it safe to say that we would never sell the house and become genuine full timers,but I am full of admiration of people that do.
I had no bricks and mortar house sold as part of a divorce. I would suggest that if people can, then to rent out their homes etc makes a lot of sense.I have known of quite a few genuine full timers that have ''fallen off the radar''and eventually gone back to a house.A lot of them were on motorhome forums and always talking about ''living the dream''but eventually became disillusioned with the life and went back to a house.By genuine full timers I mean people that have sold their property and are living full time in a motorhome,not long termers who retain a property in the UK and go on extended breaks.Full timing is fine until something goes wrong,eg one of you becomes seriously ill or worse.A genuine full timer would then be faced with a problem,but if you keep your property you can go back to your bolthole and sort things out.
We are both in a fortunate position and have the freedom and means to be able go on long trips around Europe if we wish but choose to go on short/medium term breaks because of the family,we do look after grandchildren regularly and would miss that.If and when our family circumstances change then the preferred option would be to go long terming to S.Europe for the winter months as some do on this forum.I think it safe to say that we would never sell the house and become genuine full timers,but I am full of admiration of people that do.
Hi Gang,
Well, I think there seems to be differing views on what 'Full Timing' actually is, & of course all of them could be right !.
I have 'The Nest' this is my ONLY Home & Transport. I DONT have alternative Vehicles, House or Accommodations. I move to a different location or Park up on average every other day, sometimes its only say a kilometre or so, Sometimes its a few miles, On occasions Much more it really does depend on the Geographical area that I find myself exploring at the time, & the Park ups that are available to me.
I am not going to even think about listing the Pro s, as I could HONESTLY fill pages, Most days bring brings new Knowledge, People, Places & Life experience's that I simply wouldn't of had if it wasn't for my lifestyle choice. So the PROs almost have expediential Growth, Incomparable in my limited experience to a few 'Important Priority's & General Inconvenience's' rather than Con s so will outline a few I have come across.
'The Nests' Maintenance & wellbeing.
I treat this as a Symbiotic relationship. I Do what I can for the Nest, The Nest takes Care of me. This can cost TIME & MONEY. & last year I Chose to book into a B&B for a week or so in order for The Nest to have Cam Belt & Aux Belts changed, a FULL Engine Service with Full Running Gear Check, All Fluid & Grease levels topped up, 7 New tyers, & MOT done. Yep cost me approx £2000 including the B&B. Worth every penny. & thankfully NO problems or issues since.
Park ups.
I often make do in park ups that Lorries use, sometimes Good, Sometimes not so good. But as I Move regularly Easy to put up with if needs be.
Rubbish N Toilet empting.
Never had a Problem with the Disposal of either, But Very conscious of BOTH, & the semi frequent 15-20 day Pit stops at a site Often dictate my route. More and more recently though I just POP in to use the facility's for a few quid (Cash) rather than actually stay for the night.
Water.
Have Never Run Dry, But Obviously its Always on my mind, I carry approx. 100lts that I top up at the Pit Stops, & my Portable Containers have a Permanent Home in my Ruck Sack that goes with me when out n about.
Washing.
I've got a washing machine that I use little & Often as my Water supply allows, it makes the Drying SO much easier & Often just takes overnight for the everyday things.
As for my bedding & Towels I try & do this at one of the Pit Stop overnight stays because of the massive amount of water required, I Have 3 sets of Bedding, & change them at approx 10 days ish intervals. so I find every other Pit stop is a BIG wash day. My Washing machine only takes 1 Duvet cover & 1 Pillow case at a time But only takes approx 30 mins to do per cycle. so no issue, its just a discipline.
Power.
Both 230v & 12v have never been an issue for me, as,,,,Well I Move !. & maybe Once In-between my OVERNIGHT Pit Stops I find a suitable place to run my genny for an hr while I do my washing. So Easy.
So I think the key to making the 'Cons' more easily handled is, Awareness, Routine & Discipline.
Enjoy
I admire and envy you and your lifestyle, I wish I had the courage and financial security to be able to do the same, but I haven't. However, I think your post is extremely encouraging to anyone who has the gumption to give it a go (and, hopefully, succeed at it.)
If there was a "Best Answer" button I'd be pressing it.
Thank you for that,
My philosophy is
'If you're going to do something, Then give it 100%'
You then Fail or Succeed in relation to your efforts.
It's if you DON'T fully commit that the problems arise.
As far as Financing my Lifestyle choice is concerned, I had 10k of Savings when I Turned the Engine Key for the first time, My spend is coming out at an Average of £600 PCM over the last 18months or sbviously it varies month to month when MOT, Ins, Tax & suchlike is due, But Understand this is ABSOLUTELY TOTAL AVERAGE EXPENDITURE !.
I am lucky enough to have topped up the coffers at
Farms, Marinas & Properties Even some Painting & Decorating which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE while on my Travels on occasions during this time that has helped
tremendously. As have My Self Reliant Background & Skills.
My current status is -
The Nest is Taxed, MOTd, Insured, In good order & Maintained, With a Full Tank of Diesel + 5ltr Reserve, Full Tank of Water + 10ltr Reserve, Half Tank of Gas + Full Reserve Bottle. Genny has Full
Tank + 5ltr Reserve, My Food n Donut Cupboards are Full to Bursting (Just done a BIG Supermarket shop), My Washing is up to date & I've got the Map book on my lap to plan today's route, A Mug of Fresh Coffee on the side, Still got Money in the Bank & a Smile on my Face.
To be Absolutely honest there's only Two things that are missing in my life that would Complete me as a Man again. A Partner & a Dog, Thats honestly the only Emptyness or Negative in my life at the moment.
Great post,
I would go for a dog,they're much easier to train and do as they are told.:lol-053:
hard hat on awaiting incoming from half of our members :scared: