Hi all you GN's, I'm 52 this year and my wife is 53, I'm keen to sell up and become a GN myself, and my wife would love the excitement too but what if we sell and don't like it? what if we sell and become ill, we've camped extensively in the High country, travelled a little around Oz staying in motels etc' I guess what I would like is some reassurance, some words of encouragement that might help put us at ease, are there GN's that have travelled for years and years and do they still like it? whats's the longest someone has been on the road? and for couples do you get on each others nerves? my wife doesn't like the heat/humidity how do those who feel the same cope? I know there are many questions but any words would be appreciated.
Cheer';

Remember the old saying , try before you buy .
There is no simple answer that applies to all , as we are all different.
Selling up is one thing , but getting back into the market if you have to is not so easy with the rising price of real estate .

Best to do some trips first to see how you go .maybe a short one first & extend when comfortable .You can use a house sitter or if you have to rent the house for a little while till you get your feet .

Personaly, we still have the house as we like to have a base , for the reasons like you say , sickness , time out etc.

We have a very good house sitter that loves it here as she can walk to work. WE are about to leave again for the third year doing it this way .

Dont make a hasty discission ,test the waters first as there is too many different aspects to go into it all on here .Also think about what you want to do after the travelling bit ,as to how & where you want to live .

Cheers for now .

PS,,,,,these are only our thoughts ,,,,,.
  

-- Edited by justcruisin01 on Thursday 21st of January 2010 07:49:01 PM

Thank you, your post was very well written and understood.
Cheers;
Centurion

Hi guys and welcome to the forum. 

We won't sell up for all the reasons you stated. I need a home base and somewhere to come back too if the going gets tough.

Like Justcruisin said, thats just our way, but do try before you buy, do a year and see how it is after that if it will ease your mind. 

my dad (86) bought a motor home last year and have some done a few small trips here and there, but will always have some where to come back to, but we have the option to go as long as we want or as short as we want , nothing set in stone.
its all up to you
..thats what we've been learning any way

well Richard first up welcome to the nomads, you are quite right questioning your ability to enjoy "the road" it is not for all and it should not be recommended point blank as a cure all for everyone truth of the matter is that there are a lot of old buggers out there who simply hate each others gut after a little bit of "together time" we find we have a "settling in period" because I am rarely at home we fight like buggery for the first 3 or 4 days then we "rediscover" each other and we are fine we have travelled extensively and continuosly in our early years but have sort of "fermented" recently, we tend to take more expensive trips nowadays as in overseas or more luxurious and smaller trips in between of one or two week intervals I think the best aproach for you would be as jim has said "just suck it and see" buy or hire a van and vehicle and go for 6 months, if you like it then extend if you dont then hock them off and say "well we give that one a go, hawaii looks nice" dont expect to fall into it as if you were born to it because it is one hell of a learning curve, buy a decent van with all the mod cons or you will miss the motels too much and the other half will not like it

Thank you for the welcome and I really do appreciate all the very sound advice given. Perhaps it's a great example of the wisdom gained with age and I'm pleased I joined and asked these questions because it will help us make the wisest decision.
Thanks again
Richard and Ginny

Just  a question, I see you have a troopie and a Regent caravan, we have a 80 series Cruiser and are looking at updating our 90 Coromal lowline to a Regent with a bit more luxury. How do you find the van and have you any suggestions re these vans. Are you happy with the build quality (they look great) and the durability. I hope you can help.

Rob & Jacqui