Quite a while back I wrote an article on our website titled: Before you Become Homeless, (This website no longer exists. My late husband was the one responsible for its maintenance. I could no longer provide its upkeep, so was forced to shut it down.)
I recently received an e-mail asking a lot of questions that are pertinent to today’s woes. I think it is time to update the information. Actually, I know that it is time to update it!
Back then we have been researching places that we may wish to retire in. (I was able to research potential retirement places again a year ago when deciding where to spend the rest of my life after learning that I had developed macular degeneration and learned that there was a possibility I could go blind.)
While my husband was contracting we just moved to where ever the contract placed us. Since we were living in a motor home, we just had to pack a bit and move to an RV Park near the job. This caused problems for me since we only had one car with us and I got stuck at the RV park. It was a very difficult life for me. I was used to being root bound in a community with my children and grandchildren around me. After this experience I would suggest that you bring along plenty of reading material. Hobbies are a life saver. Whether it is writing, running, cooking, reading, creating photo albums, photography, or what ever, bring plenty of things to do on a rainy day, or any day for that matter. I got stuck in Iowa in the spring and it rained endlessly. I was stuck inside most of the day. So planned for all contingencies.
What does RVing have to do with our retirement home? Well, I have learned to plan thing out. I no longer can afford to just let fate dictate where we live and what we do. This time I want to KNOW that we will be living in a place that meets our lifestyle needs. Before you find your self not just behind the eight ball, but under it, have a plan. It doesn’t matter if you are planning for losing your job or just retiring. A plan is essential to happiness!
Just let me say that while “Tiny Houses” are cute and work well for those who choose that lifestyle, they have their drawbacks. You just can’t pull into an RV park or KOA for the night. They don’t allow them. “Tiny Houses are a much more complex solution. So before you go that route do your homework and find out all about them first. They are just one of many options.
The second problem with RVing was telephone and computer access. Not every RV park had those amenities. I can remember one time when we had to pay $500.00 to have the phone company bring in to our RV spot the only telephone service in the park. We had to pay to bring it from the pole to us. We also had to get permission from the park owners. Since being able to be on line and have a telephone for interviews, we had no choice but to pay for this. Today, there are many RV parks who have WiFi in their club houses. You can just take your laptop to the clubhouse and do what you need to do. And, with the addition of cell phone service, communication is much easier to maintain. So, before you accept a short term employment contract, research the availability of those important services where you would be going. . There are several RV magazines and directories that give you a list of parks in each town or county. It makes the research much easier than it used to be.
Communication is one of the amenities we have to have where ever we retire. Cable access, cell phone service, internet capabilities are things we cannot do without. In researching the Truth or Consequences area we discovered that there is cable service. Now we just had to find out whether we have to be in town for our computers or whether we can live in the county. Today there are internet companies that service rural areas.
Why am I discussing RVing in this article? Well, I suggested in a previous article that you not sell your RV in case you have to use it to live in. I think this suggestion is just as valuable as it was then. Maybe more so. Even if you don’t contract, having a place to live as a worse case scenario is just plain smart. Being able to walk away from a house you can’t pay for anymore and still have a roof over your head is just smart. (Today, 2020, “Tiny Houses is just one way to solve that problem. Camping is always fun! You can turn a disaster into a fun adventure. Kids are resilient.
Here’s the good thing about RVing that can save you financially. You don’t have to stay in parks every night. You can park the RV in many parking lots when there are no signs preventing it. They often like you there because it seems to deter crime while you are there. You can then only use the parks for showering, disposing of waste, and refreshing your water supply etc. However, remember that not every RV Park or campground allows even the big units like the 40 ft. with two slide outs that you pull with a 5th wheel. Check it before you pull.
I guess I seem to be jumping back and forth here. There is a method to my madness. Also, you can park at friends and relative’s houses. Having you in your RV rather than in their house is a plus and they often times won’t mind lending you a bit of electricity and water just to not have to have you living with them. ( time for a dance break, “The Way You Make Me Feel, by Michael Jackson.) Back soon…
…With that in mind, RVing, that is…the only real service you may need to supply is a restroom and shower. This works well and prevents all those problems when you are residing with someone.
Back to retirement… or, for the younger crowd, We have researched the crime rates in the areas we are looking at. We have found the statistics that tell us not just the geography of an area, but the demographics. We have used Google Earth to look at the areas we are interested in. We have found weather reports as well as how much rain or snow an area gets. We know the range of temperatures, the number of police officers, (though this has changed drastically with all the rioting going on today,) what the shopping is like, restaurants, entertainment in the area… you name it, we can find it on line. I was even able to find the political make up of a particular neighborhood. We found out that there is a branch of our church there. (Referring to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico which was on our list of possibilities at the time,) We found out that the entire downtown area is filled with hot springs spas. We discovered a large, popular lake where my husband can go fishing. We know what jobs most of the residents have in the area. We know what the average income is. We know what the price range for purchasing homes as well as rentals is. We know about the politics and the good and bad of the community. While these kinds of things are not as important to a contractor, knowing these things can make the time you are there more satisfying, and if you are inclined to make it a permanent home, whether it fits your lifestyle.. You will know what you need to know to enjoy the area during your contract. The only thing left to do is actually visit the location. We did and crossed the town off our list. It aesthetically didn’t fit our needs.)
I remember doing Bigfoot research in and around the Corning, New York area when we were contracting there. It provided us with a lot of enjoyment on the weekends. We visited museums and discovered unique eating establishments that fed our gourmet tastes. We even received a recipe from a chef from one of the restaurants we frequented. It was for making our own mustard. We actually started an on-line critic of restaurants we visited during our contracting years. So, information can make a contract job into an interesting time if you do the research.
Another comment about living in an RV… You can purchase a piece of land and live on it, in many communities while you are building your home. This can be cheaper than buying a home. Someone we know set up an outhouse system where they could dump their waste just like in an RV park. The outhouse provided the place to dump the waste. They then could use their RV restroom and not have to use the outhouse. Just make sure that you place it as near the RV as possible but in a spot that will not interfere with a possible well. Perhaps scope out a septic tank and drain field area and place it there. You can plumb pipes from RV to septic just like in an RV park. Make it downhill from the well area. It needs to be as far away as possible from the well. Set the RV near that area so you can build the house close to the well area. Then, when you build your home, you don’t have to move the RV.
There are many inexpensive RVs out there depending on your needs and finances, from camp trailers to 40 footers with slide outs, as well as motor homes. You can buy used or new.
The purpose of this article is to stress planning, of course, but also to provide you with options besides renting a home or buying. I am in the process of selling my home and am now renting. If I was 20 years younger an RV might have been on my list of options.
With the riots, many people can opt for a tiny house or RV that will allow them to escape the chaos and violence easily. I looked at a travel trailer, good for a couple or single, for just $28,000.00. You will need a truck to pull it, but putting that expense in your plan makes it very doable.
You don’t have to be stuck in an unlivable situation. Even single mothers will be able to consider this mobile lifestyle. Schools are mostly on line right now so schooling isn’t as critical as it used to be. There are many alternative online schools, some free.
Plans are important. Research is critical. Why did I choose where I am presently living? I did the research and I heard a news report on t.v. that cemented my decision. It seems that a small, three year old was lost in the woods near where I now live. When they finally found him he told them a bear had come along and snuggled him at night, protecting him from the cold and predators. I knew then that I had found my home. It is near one of my daughters so it fit my needs exactly.
Think outside the box when making your life plans. Look into all possibilities and figure out what your needs are. Do your research and then ask your Higher Power for guidance. Just remember, ask yourself what truly makes you happy and start working towards making that happen.
Chris
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Women In Motion 