The only way you will know if this will work for you is to try it. Why a MH? Why not start with a TT with a tow vehicle? It is much less expensive and if the lifestyle is not to your liking, you can sell the TT and keep the TV.
I have many artist friends who also opted out of the drudgery of the 9-5 life, prefering to experience the world on their own terms. The rest of us were the idiots because we fought rush hour traffic, had strict schedules and lived for our weekends while paying taxes and creeping slowly towards retirement.
Now that we are in our late 40's, 50's and 60's, the idiots have the MH's, the summer houses, the pension checks in the mail, our homes are paid off, we buy cars for cash and when fuel prices go up we do not have to sell anything. The artists are still artists, some with limited success - most with no $$ success, and without medical insurance or pensions, not eligible to SS or the checks are so small as to not be of much assistance, some are in need of dental work and or pacemakers not to mention medicine, food and a place to live. They are living hand to mouth and complain to us "the idiots" about how unfair the world is to them and are angry that the government does not do more to help the "poor by choice" like themselves.
So, try it. But keep in mind that we were all young once and never thought we would get old and need the things we rejected in youth. It goes fast. One day you are 22, then the next 52. Corny as it sounds, prepare for your future because you may just be lucky enough to live it.
I've heard of a case where a lady wanted to full-time but had no money for a rv. She worked out a deal with a campground that rented rv's and she stayed in it till she could afford one. Can't remember much of it..
BTW I'm 28 and the wife 31 and we would love to hit the road. I'm going crazy to see if we can or not. Still alot up in air. Our son is still in NICU and any lasting affects of being premature we won't know for a years. My plan is to wait a year and if he's doing fine start working towards it. Probably help us be able to home school him also since he might have problems. My experience with him and where I work is really opening my eyes. Live your life while your here! No sense of working in a endless job if your going to die after you retire, like I see alot of people do. Unless you love the job.. so far I haven't found one.
Here is what I have told my sons, when they were your age-ish.
24 years old. You COULD have 4 or 5 kids by now. You have CHOSEN NOT to do that, and so you have EARNED the right to freedom of choices. If/when the day comes that you have those sorts of responsibilties, it will be time to live a different way than you may choose now. Stay clean, stay sober, stay creative and kind and do what you think you should. Life is really good, and actually pretty short. And my guess is you will do this for this part of your life, and then do something different. Maybe. Maybe not. Keep thinking peoplethoughts, it will all work out.
Oldgrouch talked about reliability. I think that is a key attribute.
A friend of mine - young, about 32 - got into drugs when younger, wound up w/ a couple criminal charges, finally wound up in jail. However, he had a woman who believed in him, encouraged him, and got him into a program for recovering addicts, and it really helped him. He got out, got a low level job at Starbucks, was reliable, got up early, showed up on time, did a good job on his shift, did NOT get back w/ his old druggy friends, and now about a yr. later, is the shift manager at that Starbucks, and has been told if he keeps it up he can be a store manager soon.
Moral of the story - dependability is really important, and you can move up whatever your starting point.
2006 Duramax Chev dually.
2008 Mobile Suites TKSB Working toward "long timing".
Hi Jon,
Your age doesn't matter as much as your own sensibilities. If you want to try it, DO IT ! But here's a few things that someone who has lived before you has seen.
Don't go buy a big 3-5 yr new motorhome. You probaly can't afford it, It's a depreciable asset. Get a Trailer. Like the earlier poster mentioned, you can use the tow vehicle to get to work. This'll also let you sell the tow vehicle if you do change your mind down the road easier. And the trailer won't be as expensive either.
2 years ago, I bought a 93 Challenger 31 ft with gas engine 60000 miles. I drove that thing all over US working on big wind turbines and never had any trouble with it. Cost me ? 9000 bucks
I look down the road from me and see a 5th wheel about 25 ft long late 80s I'd say in great shape, Cost 4995.
Minimum wage is only going to get you "by" not ahead. I see you went to college, you're paying for it, Use it. Time is the one commodity that can't be changed so learn to get as much money for your "time" as possible in order to live the rest of your time the way you want creating. Few people can actually make their creations pay all the bills. "starving artists" Friend, You just won't be able to have it "all" for nothing or minimum. Few get that. If you do manage it, there'll be extraordinary luck involved. Most get there by hard work either physically or intellectually.
Me, I got one of the good jobs, I travel all over and live full time in a new RV now. But man, I got that payment book laying there to remind me that it still has to be paid for. I had just as much fun and introspection in that old RV and the houseboat before it and they were already paid for!
So, Short version, Jump in! Albeit gently. If you like it it'll be easy to continuously upgrade. If not, (nothing like water pipes to bust in Northern New York in December to discourage you) then it's not a mistake that will ruin you or leave you paying for forever. All that time you'll have can be used to fix up what you have.
Oh yeah, Don't be sure about the children and especially the girl to spend that "time" with. They have the darndest way of "just showing up!"
Just a thought......semi-retiring and traveling foot loose and fancy free in your 20's. Working for min-wage or not working at all.....What are you going to do for health insurance? What if you get sick? Whos going to pay for it?
* This post was
edited 07/20/08 11:41am by an administrator/moderator *
hershey - albuquerque, nm Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
Meanwhile, as you consider this particular goal, you should take a look at RV's and what is affordable and suitable for your needs. Starting out in a MH would be nice, but then you have to have something to drive to your min wage job, a car (towable) would be required, as well as associated hardware to make it all work (base plate, tow bar, brake system = easily cost upwards of $1,500 and that's the cheap prices).
Or you could buy a 50cc scooter and stick it in your RV when you move around and use that to get to your min wage job....gas is cheap and most states dont even require a tag for a 50cc scooter...buy a rainsuit. It all depends on what YOU need to get by.
When we were young and foolish, we thought the only path to wealth was Real Estate. Then we were hit with real life. We had children, built, remodeled, sold homes. But found that only Home Depot or the Real Estate agents make any money.
Now, we found for us, we make more money on the road fulltime than both of our combined incomes in our old life...
2006 DRV Elite Suite 36TK3....our home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
My 2 cents: Once you've paid off your college loans, consider buying either a 5th wheel trailer or a travel trailer, so that you will not require more than a tow vehicle to get around. If you can find an affordable campground near your employment that offers extended stay (might have metered electric), you might do very well at meeting your expenses as well as putting away for retirement and other goals. Keep in mind that your social life, health may also change in years to come, but you conceivably could live an rv lifestyle and still be employed. You might also want to consider employment that offers medical benefits and/or payroll savings.
I don't see why it can't work out as long as you have access to free or very cheap camping. Even a $250 a month RV park would mean you would be working at least a full week if not longer just to pay for the site. Add in food and gas and it won't leave much for saving for your non-working time.
Also, most RVs have very little insulation. If you aren't in a warm climate you will be spending a lot on propane to keep warm.
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