If you don’t have a fixed address you’re definitely outside of the mainstream. People tend to look at you sideways when you struggle to answer the question “Where are you from?”
If you’re not full-timing but curious about the lifestyle, these quirky things about full-time RVers give you a glimpse into the nomadic life – and maybe inspire you to give it a try.
Is the full-timing life a non-stop party? Image: iRV2 member andy29847
Full-timers don’t wear a “nomad” label on their sleeves. But in day-to-day conversations with strangers, when we struggle to find an answer to“Where are you from?” we seem a little odd.
It takes a few minutes to explain why you’re struggling with that and immediately puts you in the spotlight. Whether you’re at a campground or in the supermarket, if your nomadic lifestyle is brought to the attention of a curious stranger, he or she will probably want to know a few things. For example:
People often assume that full-timers are wealthy and travel to exotic places all the time. Photo courtesy iRV2.com
Are you rich or something? Did you win the lotto?
People assume that full-time RVers travel constantly, are always on vacation, and do nothing all day but lounge and sip white Russians at the RV park’s pool.
The truth is that we live our lives just as most people do. If we’re too young to retire, we work. Sometimes it’s on the Internet and other times it’s in a campground, a warehouse or seasonal job.
Retired full-timers have more free time, but they’re usually no more extravagant in their choices than “normal” people. Some full-timers have money in the bank, some do not. Our financial situations are just as diverse as any other segment of society.
That’s why answering the inevitable question how much money do you need to go full time? is impossible. It’s different for everyone.
The author with her husband working full-time on the road.
How do you live together in such a small space?
Modern couples typically have different careers that keep them apart all day. When retirement happens, it’s understandable that living in a small space could be frustrating for each person.
That’s the way most couples experience retirement, but not full-timers. Whether working or not, the tiny confines of a house on wheels forces couples to communicate more effectively than ever before.
Getting along in the RV takes practice but you either get along for the sake of traveling together, or you don’t.
When times get tough, if both people aren’t willing to negotiate the troubled waters in a fair and calm way, the full-time travel fantasy is over before it ever begins.
Where do you get your mail?
Even in our electronic age, many people still can’t imagine foregoing a daily visit from their postal courier. But after nine years of living without consistent mail delivery on the road, I’ll vouch that it can be done, effectively as I have found that there are two ways to get mail on the road.
Some full-time RVers who want to keep their original home state ask family members to forward their mail. Others like me choose a new home state and pay for a mail forwarding service. The final decision about where to call home usually rests with how much or how little a full-timers’ own taxes and insurance will be impacted.
Nobody said that full-time RVers always have it easy but current technologies provide more workarounds than ever before.
In future columns I’ll discuss more specific things about full-time RVers, like how we handle vehicle registration, jury duty, prescription drug deliveries and other routine chores that sticks-and-bricks dwellers don’t think twice about. If there are specific questions about full-time RVing that you’d like me to address, just ask!
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
We have been considering going full time as we are both retired now and one question I have is I’m curious as to how do you handle filing at tax time?
I don’t mean to pry but I’m curious.
Thank you.
Hi Don, thanks for reading and asking a great question (you’re not prying, really). For taxes we file our Federal just like everyone else, but because we’re Texans we don’t file or pay a state income tax there (it’s one of the preferred states for full timer domiciles). And if we work in other states, we file for each state in which we received a paycheck. It’s not as complicated as it sounds but we do have an accountant handle it. Hope that helps. Best wishes to you in your investigation about full-timing, I hope you’ll give it a try!
We’ve filled online through TurboTax for years. Nothing different now that we’re retired and fulltime.
I have been wanting an rv for years and recently my significant other and I have parted ways. I – as soon as I can afford it – want to purchase something suitable with limited funds. What would your suggestion be as far as what style would be suitable. I’m a healthy 62 year old -now single-female ….and do you think Craigslist is a good source? I live in Tucson, Az. I also wonder how old should I go? Any inof will be appreciated!
Hi Diane,
There are few considerations to consider. Some options would be determining the size and class that you require and buying used versus new. You may also want to check out some of the RV shows in your area as a good starting point as well, then proceed with the shopping/buying process once you narrow your choices. I have included these links below for extra advice. Hope this helps.
http://rvlife.com/the-full-timing-nomad-what-s-scarier-buying-a-new-or-used-rv/
http://rvlife.com/choosing-smaller-rvs/
http://rvlife.com/shopping-the-rv-shows/
As a word of caution, be wary of something on Craigs List.
IMO, it would be better to look at your local RV dealer and
explain to them what you are looking for.
A plus side for getting the rig thru a dealer, you would have some kind of warranty.
Good luck.
Thanks for commenting Donnie. As far as I understand it, in most states, the majority of RV dealers sell non-motorized RVs without a warranty on an As-Is basis. Only in states where lemon laws exist for automobiles do buyers get any kind of warranty on motorized RVs. See our article, RV Inspections, Lemon Laws and Your Next Rig.
Some dealers will “encourage” getting an extended warranty for a used RV. Not necessarily a bad idea but you need to research to make sure what’s covered and what is excluded. Some warranty companies are better than others.
It is also a good idea to have a good mechanic do an inspection before buying – similar to buying a house. You might not find all the problems but it will give you a good idea whether it’s worth the price.
We found our 2006 Tiffin Allegro bus on craigslist, but it was on a dealers lot. Had no problems.
However, I would recommend going to a RV show or a RV Rally and look over their stock and decide what you want/can afford BEFORE just buying one. Ours was used/in good condition/yet had dealer put new tires(very important —check age) . Before you buy ENSURE you have an RV experienced person with you to inspect the rig. and ask the right questions
I am over 65 widow and have a 24-year-old Bounder Class A, I made the decision both because of economics and because almost any shop can work on a Chevy truck engine. I looked for mileage under 75,000 and checked the NADA guide for the price I feel I got a good deal and I feel confident going down the road.
Pam and I full-timed for four years in a diesel pusher, used. We loved it. Sometimes we Workamped, and sometimes we paid.
Mail forwarded, taxes -TurboTax,
Buy your chosen RV 3 months before taking off. Go to local RV parks, state parks several times or more to learn your rig and lifestyle.
Tons of info online. Apps for planning trips.
Great people out there! Most of us have pets. Don’t like hotels anymore. It is truly a phase in life adventurers like y’all should do!
As a Canadian, part-timer, I purchased three of my last four 5th wheel trailers on ebay. I also purchased my 2011 Ford F350 diesel dually longbox crewcab on ebay out of Texas. Those purchases were made when our dollar was at par not in today’s market where our dollar is worth 70 cents against the U.S. dollar. Ebay had (maybe still has) $50,000.00 in buyer’s protection if the item is not as described. I’ve had no issues with any of the four items and have been really happy with people I dealt with. In each case I made a deposit on the agreement that as long as I showed up, if I wasn’t happy with the unit upon inspection, I would have my deposit returned. There just was not the selection anywhere except on ebay. Be careful and never deal off of ebay if the seller wants to do that. If that happens report the seller immediately to ebay and terminate any exchange as it’s likely a scam. As well never wire money to a seller. PayPal is tried and proven and protects you as well.
As for filing taxes, be SURE you do it in a timely manner! We put off filing an extension for 2015-16 and I ended up having triple bypass open heart surgery and 21 days in ICU in AZ while between jobs. I wasn’t aware of owing $500.00 in OR and IRS taxes; today 2019 I am now fighting with IRS and OR DOR over close to $7000 in back taxes of penalties and interest!! We are both retired and on very limited SSD/SSI income so we workamp fulltime. A simple overlooked balanced owed has led to three years of hassles!!! It isn’t worth it. From this point on we are using a CPA due to multi state taxes (OR/WA) and hassles with domicile. We are six years now full-timers.