At the end of the road

freehazzas · Senior Member

At the end of the road

QueenKombi · Senior Member

Hi everyone. A recent post made me contemplate what happens when a nomad realises they've possibly hit the "end of the road" for good. Here's a hypothetical scenario. The names are fictional...................

Mick and Gert had been on the road since Mick retired 11 years ago. Using their saving and a small portion of Mick's superannuation, they bought a late model Hilux diesel and a new tandem axle caravan with everything they needed for years of hassle free travel. They were fortunate in being able to have a daughter who took over their two bedroom unit while they were away. It saved them having to rent it to strangers as they knew it would be looked after. Mick and Gert had enjoyed travelling to almost every part of our great brown land, but both felt it was quickly coming to an end.

Although the caravan did the job beautifully and had never caused a major problem thanks to Mick's continuous and timely maintenance, they'd had their fair share of dramas and troubles with the Hilux. Dirty fuel, a holed radiator, poor performance and a costly injector change as a result, two sets of front passenger side wheel bearings and three universal joints, not to mention the replacement pump which had cost them the last of their superannuation money. General diesel maintenance also continued to put a dent in their financial situation until eventually they were forced to rely solely on the pension. They continued on, doing what they loved for the next 4 years, but trouble lay ahead............

It was the Hilux again! Performance down drastically with oil and fuel bills soaring. They limped into a NSW diesel mechanic who specialised in Toyota's. The diagnosis wasn't good. The engine, which had now clocked up just over 400,000 was tired and required a complete rebuild. Whilst up on the hoist to check for leaks, the mechanic also discovered a crack in the chassis in a nasty place to get at. In short, the old tug was almost dead! Mick and Gert were in trouble. Their funds simply wouldn't stretch to cover a rebuilt diesel engine and Mick secretly wished he'd chosen the petrol option in the first place, despite the added fuel costs. Petrol engines were a dime a dozen and cheap too compared to a second-hand diesel. They sat in their caravan that night and Gert cried. The pension wasn't going to cover a new vehicle, the choices were few. They briefly discussed selling both the van and the Hilux and buying a small camper so they could continue doing what they loved, but even that was going to be difficult. The money they'd get for the Hilux would be chicken feed and the van, although in good condition, was considered an old van by now and not worth enough for the change-over to a decent camper, no matter how small. Neither Mick or Gert slept well that night. In the morning, they'd ring their daughter and tell them they needed their unit back. Mick and Gert had "come to the end of their road!"

Maybe I tend to plan too far ahead, but surely some of you have considered a scenario just like that one above?? Not everyone has enough squirreled away to buy a new or low mileage tug to continue your journey. What would you do? The most simple answer would be to worry about it when it happens, but it must be in the back of your mind that for some, "the end of the road" will come one day!

I'm not looking for answers as such, especially the one that says "worry about it when it happens" because that's not really a solution. I'd just like to get a conversation going to look at alternatives and other options eg: is there somewhere special where you'd like to live out your days in a caravan park minus a tug? Would you buy an earlier model tug, anything with a towbar and minimise your trips or distances? Would you sadly hang up your keys and go home for good? I'd be very interested in hearing what you have to say. I'm sure I'm not the only one to think about it!

Roving-Dutchy · Guru

Honestly why worry about what might happen, you might drop dead tomorrow, live for today and let tomorrow look after itself, go out and enjoy life, always try to look on life in a positive way and whatever may come your way, life will still be enjoyable.
Cheers
David

moamajohn · Guru

Well first up ,Mick& Gert have an 11 yr old van so that tells me that they could have that van for a very long time yet.Secondly you don,t have to have a great tow vehicle ,that is to say if a falcon etc will tow it. Thats fine . I still have a 20yr old ute that takes me any where !Now.. where does this couple want to be when the sun sets on vanning ? in a C/Park ?No probs then as many folks are doing it on the pension and holding there own. Can they sell the unit and down scale to a more eco property ?I live in a country town and units and small homes are @ 200 k ish so rural may be a choice.I believe your fictional freinds are doing the right thing and trying to get different advice and take a bit of time and try and do a budget that includes all your wants and then trim as reqd .All the very best in your endeavors .John

rockylizard · Guru

Roving-Dutchy wrote:
Honestly why worry about what might happen, you might drop dead tomorrow, live for today and let tomorrow look after itself, go out and enjoy life, always try to look on life in a positive way and whatever may come your way, life will still be enjoyable.
Cheers
David

Gday...

Ditto ... although I am not naive enough to think "it won't happen to me".

My contingency plan when I sold it all up and began to travel is that should it happen that I am not able to travel - health, vehicle needs considerable repair/replacement, financial pressure etc - I will just drag the van to a van park where I can 'set up as semi-permanent' ... or 'permanent'. Then I'd live on the pension and probably save money - albeit probably not travelling. If I am lucky enough to pick a nice area to stop at, day trips may not be out of the question probably.

Returning to the scenario you paint above, I would drag the van to a van park, get what I could for the HiLux and start saving for a replacement. (e.g. Yeoeleven and the coaster)

Your scenario also has the existence of a "financial asset" that many who travel do not have - a piece of real estate ... perhaps they could arrange for a small loan against their equity in the property, or a "reverse-mortgage" (probably best option). That would get them a new/newer vehicle and they wouldn't have to repay the "reverse-mortgage" ... the debt dies with them .. and upon sale of the unit.

The daughter could continue to live in the unit and if not now paying rent ... time to share the responsibility youngun

If the circumstances got worse - later - they could always sell the unit, invest the capital and use the interest to supplement their pension.

The scenario does not phase me at all, honestly. Keep travelling now while ya can ... and cross the many bridges as they appear.

I quote E L Doctorow - Living is like driving a car at night. You never see further than your headlights but you can make the whole trip that way.

Cheers - John

GaryKelly · Guru

Didn't someone say that some people spend all their lives worrying about death and never experience living?

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

What if this? What if that? If we lived our lives worrying about the "What Ifs" we wouldn't do anything. That was their story. What if they hadn't done it and stayed home until the proverbial "Doiily" was placed over their knee and they then said, "What if we had of bought that van and enjoyed our life and faced that bridge when we came to?". Wonderful thing about this country is that we can do what we want, when we want it and their are thousands who live OK because if all is fails the Government will care for them. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die. What a morbid thread.

Nelly · Guru

John's idea of going to a semi-perm. caravan park would probably be an option for Mick and Gert but there must come a time when there will be that final decision for all of us - 'to hang up the keys'. There may not be a choice for them or anyone - it could come with them turning 80 and having their licences taken off them anyway (just like the lady that I met the other day whose story I posted on here) - that is her main worry at the moment. Not mechanical problems or health just that. So I would say for them to try and get a cheaper vehicle (as in the ute maybe) and keep going for as long as they are able. happy camping.

QueenKombi · Senior Member

Bunkerbob wrote:
What if this? What if that? If we lived our lives worrying about the "What Ifs" we wouldn't do anything. That was their story. What if they hadn't done it and stayed home until the proverbial "Doiily" was placed over their knee and they then said, "What if we had of bought that van and enjoyed our life and faced that bridge when we came to?". Wonderful thing about this country is that we can do what we want, when we want it and their are thousands who live OK because if all is fails the Government will care for them. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die. What a morbid thread.

I'm really sorry BunkerBob. The thread was never neat to be "morbid." All I was after is what others might do given a similar situation. Are there caravan parks out there that are cheap enough to live in long term? Are there actually caravan parks where you can stay long term? I believe the Victorian Government has either passed a bill or has a bill under consideration whereby nobody is allowed to permanently reside in a caravan park any more.

Living in a country town where prices are affordable sound like a positive idea, but a lot of little towns are stricken by "small town mentality." They welcome tourists with open arms because they spend money in the town, but once you move in for good, the suspicion begins and the rumours fly. Are there towns out there that would welcome new residents? I must confess to not haven travelled enough to find one yet. A great idea though.

Unfortunately, whether it be email or threads like this one, it's sometimes difficult to convey effectively the well intended meaning of the written word, but please believe me when I say that I was only after a few ideas of how more experienced people would handle a given situation. I think I'll stop digging now wink

Beth54 · Guru

QueenKombi wrote:

I'm not looking for answers as such, especially the one that says "worry about it when it happens" because that's not really a solution. I'd just like to get a conversation going to look at alternatives and other options eg: is there somewhere special where you'd like to live out your days in a caravan park minus a tug? Would you buy an earlier model tug, anything with a towbar and minimise your trips or distances? Would you sadly hang up your keys and go home for good? I'd be very interested in hearing what you have to say. I'm sure I'm not the only one to think about it!

In my opinion the idea of 'worry about it when it happens' is okay for those with money, or good health, but personally, I can't afford to leave it to chance. I will never be a fulltime nomad because of ill health, so I will always keep my little granny flat here...as long as my landlord is still here anyway. He's says he'll be going out in a box, so I think I should be right.

When I can no longer climb the stairs or otherwise look after myself, I plan to go into an over 55's place. Unfortunately most of them don't have rentals, but I do know of a couple in SEQ. I'd love to go live in a small country town but I need to be near my Specialists in Brisbane.

My dilemma at the moment is what vehicle to change to...but that's a whole other story. biggrin

PS I stayed in a CP in Victoria where there were permanent residents, and I know of several in Qld. Not in the cities though.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 5th of October 2013 02:06:48 AM

snap1946 · Senior Member

ha ha this is old too and so are we but no end of the road yet

johnq · Guru

QueenKombi, "is there somewhere special where you'd like to live out your days in a caravan park "

It is a fair question to pose. Like choice of highway, only more serious. Inflation and ill-health, just to take two, are real risks.

Government reports on low income housing have not had kind words to say about long stay caravan parks. Some problems are unique to aging. Some too relate to others who are attracted to long stay caravan parks. So it isn't all within management's control.

There is cheap rental available in some country areas where reasonable medical facilities are also available.

For any with homes being held by family, it is prudent to have a lease in place. Just lapse it onto periodical. Either way, lease or no lease there are risks, but a lease should prevent loss of the asset.

freehazzas · Senior Member

Absolute rubish about not being able to live long term in vic parks. A new permanent resident has moved in here in the last month. Cost $120 per week in your own rig. Cheaper than a house. Most parks would go bust if they didnt have the year round income from full time resis. If it is classed as a holiday park there might be a limit, but thats it and just dont choose one of them.
Lots of new rv resorts being set up for over 55 permanent living, casino for one in nsw. We have come accross many others. Lots more are being developed.
Just get out and travel, thats the best way to learn this and that. Dont believe all you read or are told.
As for town residents, really who cares what they think, it doesnt matter who you are, many people move to new towns thru their lives, go to new jobs ect. Does anybody care? Nope. If you choose to live there, it has nothing to do with Jo Blo down the road.
Just do your thing, stop worrying and enjoy.

Baz421 · Guru

Well

If I knew Mick and Gert and they wanted to move a van somewhere, either permanantly or for say a couple of months somewhere else I would offer to tow their van for them.

Of course they would need insurance for this to occur but I would assist where possible, especially intra state.

We than can should be able to assist those that can't, and you don't need heaps of money to do that.

landy · Guru

Why would thay want to live full tme in a caravan park when they own a unit? Which would surely be more comfortable.
On the other hand they could use the rent the daughter is or should be paying on the unit to finance the repairs on thier truck or or to buy another tug.
Landy

countryroad · Senior Member

Interesting post Queenkombi,

It does seem that until you are out....in the playground......either permanently or part time but no longer working, it seems to take care of itself......because you're occupied and you're in aus, no foreign borders to cross, and we all speak the same language.

I've chatted to folk living in mobile home parks and all I spoke to seemed happy. Local doctors visit patients in their mobile home/caravan. At least you're less likely to be dead for several weeks/months before anyone notices.

Always someone to say hello to, some have men's sheds, quilting groups, play bowls, club picks you up. When comes time, someone will ring aged assessment team.

Generally folk will lend a hand especially away from big cities and large country towns.

Robyn

milo · Guru

wonder how many places now actually let people live permanletly
i asked recently about one place in sydney, that did but now only have cabins,
no caravan spots at all..

george57 · Senior Member

Thanks for the post Queen kombi, I think it is an important question and by the response so far I'd say that is in the back of peoples minds, certainly in mine anyway. I would have a contingency plan before I left, I would need that before I could relax and enjoy the journey.

Cheers,
George

QueenKombi · Senior Member

george57 wrote:
Thanks for the post Queen kombi, I think it is an important question and by the response so far I'd say that is in the back of peoples minds, certainly in mine anyway. I would have a contingency plan before I left, I would need that before I could relax and enjoy the journey.

Cheers,
George

I agree George, however the thread has given me a few ideas.

I did read recently somewhere Online and probably at the ABC news site that the Vic Government was considering placing a ban on permanent stays in caravan parks. There was a brief mention of safety. I've spent considerable time this morning trying to Google the article, but haven't had any success. I think I'll write to the relevant minister and ask him/her directly. We recently had a patient at work who lived permanently in caravan park and he knew about it from fellow residents. His answer was to move from place to place, but stay in the district. He claimed there were plenty of caravan parks to choose from, although he also mentioned that some of them were in the pipeline to be either sold off by the Government or closed.

Burrumbeet (near Ballarat) is one that is under a cloud. The lake went dry during the long drought, the facilities destroyed by vandals at the South side caravan parking area. The kiosk demolished, thieves taking everything they could carry including the roofing materials. The caravan park on the East side remains operational and has a large group of permanent van dwellers, however the maintenance of the Burrumbeet foreshore and caravan park is currently the responsibility of the Ballarat City Council and they desperately want to unload it back to the Crown. Unfortunately, the DSE doesn't want it either, so it's becoming increasingly evident that the park will eventually be forced to close and the residents moved on.

Anyway, thanks to all who contributed. Some interesting responses smile

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Theres heaps of people who seem to live permanently in caravan parks in my home town. On enquiry I found that while the caravans are permanent, theres a limited number of days in which they can be occupied... so they are only really holiday places. But we've found other caravan parks where people live permanently in their caravans, with bricks or something stabilising the caravan while the tyres rot away. Some are squalid, others beautiful. Cant say I'd choose that lifestyle unless I had no option.
In your scenario QK, Mick and Gert have a unit to return to, even if they have to kick the daughter out to regain possession, (that has been a problem for some people too!) but at least they aren't homeless.
A lot of people who hang up their keys are forced into it by health issues, so their choices are limited.
I think we all need a contingency plan of some sort.

countryroad · Senior Member

There are some van parks where you cannot live more than a certain length of time....that's when you lock up and go on holiday and come back 28 days later. Visit family maybe if money is tight.

Nice park in Emu Plains NSW Penrith area. Has permanents and tourists and cabins, lovely van park, just near station, walk across to Penrith shopping centre. I've stayed in a cabin but wandered around chatting to whoever I found.
Camden NSW has permanents, tourists and a few cabins. Leppington NSW I think is all permanents just near shops, Bargo NSW also has permanents not sure if also tourists but probably.

Illawarra NSW area..." Jetties on the Lake"....nearly all new village, gorgeous spot, gated park. Tourists not encouraged but could. Have men's shed, quilting room 7 sewing machines, pay $4 sit and knit, quilt, darn socks, you get the picture.

Nowra NSW area Shoalhaven NSW area I know of a 3 bedroom, lge Queenslander room etc etc for sale man moving to be cared for by family far south coast. Plenty around, just have to look. Country towns / villages have some retirement places...self care to encourage folk to their town. Very reasonable 1 bedroom $145000, 2 bedroom $165000 currently.

Cheers...Robyn

QueenKombi · Senior Member

Great input Gerty and Robyn. Now, that's inspiration for you which tends to make me think there's really no "end of the road" wink

See, it's turned into a cheerful post after all biggrin

bothofus · Member

Nobody has yet mentioned house-sitting. We're Kiwis caravanning around Australia, and when we go back to NZ we go house-sitting rather than get rid of the tenants in our house. We're thinking of doing similar house-sits here in Aust to help our expenses, especially as we're poor Kiwi cousins yawn Any offers?

You've also got to take the good with the bad - we've had our runs of bad luck, but that goes with the territory. If you wake up each morning, don't forget you've got the rest of that day to make it your masterpiece.

Beth54 · Guru

My sister and her hubby moved to a small country town on retirement. It's a great community with all the necessities for the largely senior population. Someone recently had a heart attack there and the helicopter was there in a flash to take him/her to the nearest hospital 50kms away.

They have no intention of becoming fulltime nomads, so plan to stay put as long as they're able, and go tripping the countryside whenever possible.

Oh, they built a new home and have a large block of land, as they both love their gardening and they also wanted room for family to come and camp. They say they hope they never have to go into a retirement home. Some friends of theirs did and it was not a happy tale.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Monday 7th of October 2013 07:48:06 PM

countryroad · Senior Member

Maybe house sitting isn't appropriate...at the end of the road.

Ok before ....the end of the road

Robyn

Grams · Guru

We live in a small country town, and our CP and those in near by CP always have permanent residents. Like everyone, they get welcomed with open arms. No one here cares if you live in a house, caravan, tent or up a tree lol.

As for us, we planned on moving permanently into a van and just travelling, but I was more worried about what would happen if we couldn't do it anymore. So after a lot of talking, we have decided to downsize our house, and travel when we want...but our future home will be our base. I feel more at ease knowing I can give up the traveling whenever I want to and stay home, but that won't be for quite a while yet.

Grams

jetj · Guru

A park I visited on the Central Coast NSW, permanent vans can only be inhabited 180 days a year. There are a few people that have lived there for years are permanent residents but no more allowed.