Hi all, we are Steve and Regina from WA and currently on the look out for our very first 21' second hand caravan. Neither of us have ever done this kind of thing before (I'm a 5 star hotel kinda girl) and we believe it's best we just jump in head first. We are planning on taking off in 3-4 months when it's a little cooler and we've sorted out the minor detail of what to do with our home. And then let's see where the road takes us and our gorgeous Goldie. We are excited but it's also a bit scary.
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Cant wait to read about all of the other GN adventures.
G'day Steve and Regina. Welcome to the Forum - lots of helpful folks here. Maz and I are in the same boat as you - Very new to Caravanning and have just brought a Holden Colorado and Trailcraft 540 van (still to pick up the van though!). We are in Bayswater WA so must be fairly close to you We originally were looking for a 18-19' van without loo/shower but when we saw the Trailcraft it had everything we think we need - and more. Hoping to pick up on the 20th this month.
Hi Cadpete and Maz. You're well ahead of us and actually have your van....did you end up getting one with a toilet/shower? It's a must for me lol. We are from down Mandurah way so not too far from you. When are you heading off??
Thanks for the advice Blues Man, we are really torn as to what to do with our near new home. Having money in the bank generating interest instead of worrying about rent and the many potential things that can go wrong does sound good at the moment, but the thought of letting it go doesn't sit right with me either.
The Trialcraft has a combined toilet/shower. We are not yet ready to start the big trip - too busy working to pay for the new toys , initially we will be using it when we go rogaining as a major improvement on camping, then hopefully get a bit more use out of it in the years ahead. It certainly is a major ' investment' to try out a different lifestyle though
welcome from us as well - we're in Yanchep - in sunny north Perth lol.
We have rented out our house in the past when our jobs have taken us away from Perth and used various Rental Managers. Each time it cost us more than the bond to fix up all the damage - tenants have all the rights, landlords bugger all!!!
We decided to sell our house this time so no worries with tenants, maintenance, rates bills, insurance etc. Some of the money we used on our new van and tow ute, some we banked and the balance we gave to our kids (again lol) so own a share of our sons house in Perth which we base ourselves at when we return to Perth for a few months each year.
When we get beyond vanning (hopefully we still have 5-6 years yet, we will buy a place in the country (so many county towns have 3x1's going for $25-40K with absolutely nothing wrong with them (just theres fewer and fewer jobs out there and people just pack up and leave for the city). Many of these country towns have a good hospital or will cart you off to Perth if needed and theres usually a good supermarket (often a Coles or Woolies within a day return trip). We did our homework on this as we toured WA late last year and the Wheatbelt area is the best.
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Thanks Doug and everyone for your welcoming words, it's nice that this forum exists. So much fun to come comparing notes etc.
Baz we are really looking forward to the 7 star experience, its gonna be special for sure lol
Cadpete, we are still paying off the home etc but have decided to run away anyhow. Always lived very carefully, time to take the 'dangerous' option for a while.
hi Sundance I will PM you back.
Hi B&B, you've got us worried, we read these negative stories all the time. At the moment we are hoping that my daughter will move in at a very cheap rate and that way we won't have to worry - we will just disown her if she stuffs this up. Have all fingers and toes crossed she will agree.
