Permanent Living Vans, M / Homes

billeeeeeee · Guru

Permanent Living Vans, M / Homes

Ellice · Senior Member

Hi Everyone,

How are you all coping with winter.. I have been wondering for some time, How many people live in there caravans or motorhomes full time?, and if so do you keep your home or sell it.. Also one day will come that we may not be able to travel anymore what do we all do, pull into a park and wait for Angels, or just park up in the bush...We have a home and don't know which way to go any suggestions welcome as I need some kind of direction...Maybe we buy a little unit and still travel as we want to travel for at least another 10 -15 years...... Help and Thankyou in advance.... E.

Sinse its coming on weekend, I wish you all a great time and please stop long enough to smell the roses....Regards E.

Wild1 · Senior Member

Hi Ellice, Ive though about this too and I believe having a home base is the way to go - after all, if you sell up you would find it hard to get back into a property as prices rise. If and when the time comes that you are no longer able to travel, a caravan park is not such a great place to live permanently especially if you're sick or old and confined to bed.

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Hi Elice, you ask a really good question, I may not really be qualified to answer as we are not actually "on the road"as yet.

but we have faced the decisions you mention. For us I think the decision was made a little simpler as we did not have the option to do both, do we put our money ( not really that much) into a deposit on a house, unit ?.. Or into a motor home that we could live in full time.

For the next few years, hopefully many years while we are travelling the decision was an easy one, mobile home.

The harder decision was what comes next, what when we are both not capable of travelling?, what if one of us is not well or has further health issues, we eventually realised that we could not live, based on what ifs, we decided to look at it as "when this happens" and make plans accordingly.

when one of us can't travel we will.......

we think that if you can come to terms with that question then all is ok.

when it comes time for a nursing home it will not matter if you go there from your three story Houser, home unit or motor home.

live the way you want to today you can't predict tomorrow, just decide what will work for you and your partner.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

It is a vexatious question we all encounter and the answer is manifold. I doubt if anyone can really advise another on the best solution as we each have differing expectations and needs ... and to a big extent - our financial position.

I travel and live full-time in my van and have no other property. During my travels I keep an eye out for a town that just might be good to 'settle' in should my health or circumstances change. I would therefore head to one of those I have identified and would put the van up on blocks and live out the remainder. Sounds like a good plan at my age now - time may just make it look foolish.

However, I do stress that should one decide to sell their residential home and travel, you really do need to invest that money into 'something' and not use it. Don't use it to buy a 'depreciating asset' ie car/van/motorhome. My proceeds are still available to use should I need/want/prefer to ... but I guess it will form my estate and the kids will enjoy wasting it for me

Tuck it away and keep it for when you just may be infirm etc and may need to use it. It is my belief that if you can't do that you are leaving yourself a little exposed.

I had toyed with renting out the property but that is fraught with danger - many do it and it works well ... but the value of the asset may devalue quickly if the renter/s mistreat the place.

You could sell the home and buy a smaller unit etc and then rent it out, just in case you want, or have, to stop travelling. Again renters can be a problem.

Either way, the ongoing expenses of maintaining a property while travelling just may restrict your own financial flexibility.

As I said in the beginning - vexatious and there is no real answer. It is just down to your own personal circumstances.

My advice, for what it is worth ... seek out much advice, make a decision as best you can and then JUST DO IT. It is a great lifestyle

Cheers - John

Mark · Senior Member

We sold everything, except a few "personal" items that are in a secure long term store.

We then bought a small block of land in a remote town which we liked for the option of putting a "Pre-fabricated" property or just a big shed one day should the need arise.

Rockylizard is spot on regarding money. Very easy to look at what is in the bank and think "I'll spend that" because then you don;t have anything for the time that normal living may have to happen. Linda and I have agreed that as soon as one of us feels the need to get back into "normal" living, we will, this was a pact that we made before deciding to life on the road permanently.

Everybody will have their own set of circumstances but your asking the right questions. We personally would not own and rent out, it works for some but we have heard more horror stories than success stories, (that is what we have heard, others will beg to differ) A piece of land only attracts half rates and providing there are no build time limits, well, it's a cheap insurance of somewhere that you would like to live one day.\

Winter!! No worries, sunny Broome 29/17 most days & nights.

We have looked after a couple of caravan parks in remote areas where people pull in, put the van up on blocks and wait for the Angles as you nicely put it. So sad to see and made us decide about the small block.

Hope this helps, this is only my opinion of course.

herbie · Guru

Hi, to answer your question....in short no one can answer that only yourself.

As everyone has a different set of circumstances.

We live in our van full time,but that is due to circumstances re our work.

Would I make the same decision again ,, yes as it was the right decision at the time and still is.

I do not think for us I could just not own the van and not own some thing more permanent in case our situation changed at any given time due to ill health or what ever. As my wife and I both know if we were to become ill we could not live our days parked up in a caravan park.. due to the fact when working that is where we have to be..So we have a block down the coast with a shed on it. I call it our claytons house. The house you have with out the real house.

The shed is set up inside like a house, my wife spends more time down there than me, when she isn't working.

W e are based in Gladstone at present,but when this project is over I think we will sell the block and shed and head back home to WA

and buy a block around Dongara and put one of those kit homes on it...but keep the van and still work a little and hopefully do a lot more travelling. So what ever you do ..do it for your own requirements and needs,people say just go out there and do it but there is a lot more to think about than just doing it. Maybe a unit in a smaller town some where that is not too far from family or friends maybe the way to go and travel part time then you have the best of both worlds. Travelling can become expensive if you let it. Every thing is user pay in Oz, So really the only thing one gets free while travelling is if your lucky enough to be in an area where there is some free camp spots.

And the caravan park operators are trying every which way to even close as many of them down as possible...If they succeed in doing that a hell of people including myself would give this way of life up. Good luck and do what is right for you.

Ellice · Senior Member

Hi, Well I have red all the answers very carefully plus I have looked at it in all way ..We like the idea of Land and maybe a prefab home or lg Garage. Mark we have looked for that special spot, and continue to look.

rockylizard We have just done our first lap in the last 2 and a 1/2 years and yes we are looking for somewhere special, even if it takes a few more years. We relise when we sell our home the money cant be touched and that is Easley said than done , so must go into a roll/over or a certain term.

Billeeeeee, We head north also for the warmth and fishing. will be back tomorrow to finish the answers.... All have a great Friday...

The dog lady · Guru

I was just discussing this today with a friend who has recently purchased his first MH. He has no-one he wants to leave his property to, but isn't sure that he wants to sell it either as he is concerned he may not always be able to travel full time. I suggested to him that maybe a reverse mortgage might be the answer. He would have some money now, with no repayments, and the debt can be paid from his estate. Quote from the ad "This seniors loan does not have to be repaid until you choose to sell your home or the last surviving borrower passes away". I don't know what the interest rates would be like, but if you get to use the property for your lifetime, while spending the equity to enjoy your life, then maybe it doesn't matter what it costs. Food for thought perhaps

the rocket · Guru

wow. best of both worlds. you must have been good parents. all the best.

this post is in reply to Sufil. thanks.

-- Edited by the rocket on Friday 26th of July 2013 11:01:11 AM

Helena · Guru

We faced this decision a good few years ago now as most have said it is a hard decision to make but it has to be yours alone, Because we are at the age where we could need to finish travelling (Hopefully not for a few years yet) we decided to sell our home and move into a retirement village O.K. we may have to pay maintenance while we are away but it gives us peace of mind while we are on the road that the unit is looked after and we do have it to come back to if either one of us is taken really ill, also another aspect that we looked at was if "the wife" is left on her own could she cope with being alone on the road. just our thoughts what we have done has worked well for us but each to his own good luck with whatever you decide to do and enjoy your travelling it is a wonderful life we were late starters with this travelling life wish we had done it earlier but unfortunately circumstances didn't allow have been travelling now for about 15 years.

Big Gorilla · Guru

I'll briefly give you my experience if it helps. I moved overseas to work in the mid 80s. Before I left, I owned a fair amount of real estate inc my home and a Home Unit on the waterfront on top of the hill at Alexandra Headlands, Sunshine Coast. I decided that I would never return to Australia, so I sold everything. I ended up living in the Philippines for several years and still have a house there where I spend a few months of the year. In 2003 I decided that being just over 60, living a heavy lifestyle and in a third world country where Doctor's capabilities leave a lot to be desired, expensive medicine, I decided to return to Australia. I came back to nothing. I mentioned the property on Sunshine Coast coz I now wish that I had kept that one property, I could be living in it now instead of paying rent.

That situation is no different to a GN selling up their home, buying a rig and getting on the road. What are you going to do when time comes that you can't travel anymore. Your rig will have depreciated, real estate will have increased in value. Think and plan ahead before you jump in the deep end. If I had done that, I'd now be sitting on my sunny patio, looking at the sea, with a nice cold beer and watching all the pretty girls go by !!!

sufil · Guru

We sold every thing, and moved into our van and have been wandering around for a couple of years. We discussed this with our kids, and they said go and when the time comes we will cross that bridge then. We have just bought a share in daughters 5 acre property and in the process of turning a double garage into a granny flat for that day in the future. In the meantime she will have a spare room for guests. Son has built a granny flat in the upstairs of his man cave which we and his in-laws can have the use of too.

freehazzas · Senior Member

We sold everything three years ago and headed for the open road. We had farming properties so renting or leasing was not an option we wanted to go with as we planned on traveling permanently and its too much worry when you want to keep things simple.
We invested the money and should we choose a house again, we will buy another in the spot we fall in love with. By the time you have seen all over Aus, you know where that is. As we have just brought a fifth wheeler, we will prob just live in that in some nice rv resort. Have seen some wonderful places around for over 55s.
I dont feel the need to have a home base as your home is where you are, so be like a turtle and take your house with you.
There is no greater freedom and you always have somewhere to live.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Good question, and some very thoughtful/thought provoking answers.

It seems that most caravan parks we stay at have a section of permanents... many of them quite elderly. Its not the way I want to end my days.

Neither do we like the way some retirement villages take your money, some are better/worse than others. A friend has her mother living with her at present, the old lady moved out of a retirement village, and will get her money back 6 months after moving out, and with no capital gain on her unit either after 15 years. Doesn't seem legal. If thinking of retirement village living, get a solicitor to check everything over before you sign up.

So for us, we keep a house to come home to, but then we don't travel full time, and don't plan to.

Its personal choice though, you gotta do some research and thinking, talk it over and make your own decision.

Big Gorilla · Guru

freehazzas wrote:
We sold everything three years ago and headed for the open road. We had farming properties so renting or leasing was not an option we wanted to go with as we planned on traveling permanently and its too much worry when you want to keep things simple.
We invested the money and should we choose a house again, we will buy another in the spot we fall in love with. By the time you have seen all over Aus, you know where that is. As we have just brought a fifth wheeler, we will prob just live in that in some nice rv resort. Have seen some wonderful places around for over 55s.
I dont feel the need to have a home base as your home is where you are, so be like a turtle and take your house with you.
There is no greater freedom and you always have somewhere to live.

I like this good, sound way of thinking...Good Luck to you both.... Ken.

GaryKelly · Guru

I don't own a house so I don't have the problem. I rent at the mo and I'll rent when I'm too old to travel anymore. In the meantime, I ain't gonna worry about nuthin. I gotta lotta livin that needs doin.

Ellice · Senior Member

To all my wonderful Mates out there, biggrin I so appreciate you all answering something that has been on my mind for soooo long hmm ..Yes I agree its a personal choice but many answers of all different opinions is great. I do like the thought of a block of land somewhere and maybe then our caravan or maybe a donger in our latter years. We arnt old, but I think its something that each and every one of us must face and that's our own mortality and it can be quite scary or it can be straight forward if you are VERY CLOSE to your children. rocky lizard forgive if I have the wrong person but your kids must be exceptional because even my friends who have children they are all cutting string to there parents , just that different Generation.Everyone's advice and suggestions were great and plus a few more thoughts have placed the seed in my brain. I agree it does also pertain to each and everyone's financial situation and I know a lot of great folk who live week to week on there pension, but are in love with what there doing. Thankyou you all for your input , we will be putting much thought into this and one day you will find our answer dangling on a sign here....

Hope you all have a great weekend and safe travels....E.x

billeeeeeee · Guru

Amen Gary,,,, The best things in life , are not things,!!! enjoy , the !!Now,,,,,, stay excited Nomads,,Nutters , and all you unexcited , Nomads.... and may I say a big !!Hi, to all you free thinking, people,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Billeeeeeeee

villatranquilla · Guru

we faced this dilemma 3 years ago. We downsized to a unit in a great spot where we will happily settle when the time comes. We have great tenants and as we have not lived in it we don't have an emotional attachment to it. After a few health scares Barry retired (I had done it 6 mths earlier) and we commenced the next stage of our life. What a great time we are having. Picking up occasional work as we are not pension age yet - we are eligible for a low income health card. Jobs have included site and meals so we are not always dipping into savings.
I said I'd review it after 12 months and now after 2 years we have no plans to stop travelling - still too much to see and do - just love the lifestyle and freedom.

Ellice · Senior Member

Well we have been on the road for nearly 3 years as our daughter and family have been caretaking our home, but know they are leaving at xmas we don't have a choice but to go home. What we will do is tidy up and sell we think but buy a block of land or a small unit as we have not finished our mission on the road, just soooo much to see....

PS, does anyone else have a mum or Dad that must be looked after to in a few years, E.

The dog lady · Guru

My late husband spent his last years worrying about the future..............................................

When I had responsibilities I took them seriously. Now I don't have any, nor do I have stress related high blood pressure or migraines..........

I've let my son and his family all but take over the property, and if I live long enough to need my home base, then I'll tell them to tidy up around my cottage cos I'm coming home biggrin

Grams · Guru

We too have faced this...I guess me more than Les. He seems to want to sell everything and just stay forever in the van, I did too at the beginning, but it has scared the hell out of me with a recent health scare of being on the road, alone and no back up...

I have finally got Les to understand how important it is that we have somewhere for us to move back too...I am 17 years younger than Les, but worse off health wise, so I need to know I will be happy with our decision. We are still selling up is house, but downsizing from a 4 bedrooms plus 2 more outside to a nice little 3 bedroom cottage near our daughter, and near the hospital. This also means when we have finished we will only have about a $50,000 mortgage, which will be easy to afford on one pension should anything happen to the other of us.

I am now more at peace with this decision than I was before. Now our first task is to just get the van out the driveway, it's been there since March and never moved. The way I feel now though, I would sell it in a heartbeat, get the house organised and sold, get the other future house picked and moved in, then buy a cheap van and not a brand new one and go later :(

The dog lady · Guru

Grams wrote:
Snip
Now our first task is to just get the van out the driveway, it's been there since March and never moved. The way I feel now though, I would sell it in a heartbeat, get the house organised and sold, get the other future house picked and moved in, then buy a cheap van and not a brand new one and go later :(

I hear what you're saying about wanting to just get on with it. I found the time just before leaving work very difficult.....should I or shouldn't I. Will I have enough to get by. Will I get bored or lonely. I couldn't seem to stop worrying and start enjoying until it was a fait accompli.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Know the feeling ....

..... but five years on .... HEY ! it AIN'T that bad ... in fact it gets easier the longer ya keep doin' it

Retiring and travelling have been the best decisions I have made

Cheers - John