In the first part of our RVing as a Retirement Plan article, we talked about how to get started with RVing, from picking out and trying out an RV to managing finances to what to expect when it comes to budgeting in this lifestyle. In this article, we will approach some other common questions people have when it comes to RVing.
Q: I’m not very handy. How much should I plan on fixing and maintaining my RV myself?
RV service providers and capable mechanics are getting more difficult to find, so it’s a little unreasonable to think that anything that goes wrong on the RV or needs service requires a professional. There is a lot you can manage on your own, even if you aren’t the handiest person. There are a plethora of DIY videos and articles available through the web, and your RVing buddies, even those you don’t know well, might be able to offer some pointers or help you out. It’s impossible to learn everything; you will learn as the issues arise. Make sure you have some basic tools and items packed away in your RV or tow vehicle, such as a basic tool kit, batteries, head lamp, duct tape, voltmeter, tire pressure gage, roadside kit, etc. The best thing you can do is preventative maintenance, by taking your RV in annually to be inspected, keeping up with routine maintenance, and setting a regular maintenance schedule.
Q: Do I need a permanent address?
Yes. Even if you sell your sticks and bricks home and get rid of most of your possessions, you still need a permanent address for bills, loans, medical treatment, and package deliveries. Some states don’t have income tax, so it might be worth establishing residency in one of those states; however, you may be able to speak to a child, too, about using their address to send your mail. Another option is using a professional mail forwarding service. A lot of bills can be handled electronically now, which is useful for the RVing lifestyle, but that doesn’t cover everything. If you plan to RV seasonally or part-time and keep your existing home, then your normal home address could be fine in many instances.
Q: Where are some places to camp?
The world is your oyster, but it also depends on how much you want to spend – and when. Think about taking vacations now: fly or drive, resort or motel, all-inclusive or a la carte, tourist town or a town nearby. Some RVers like to choose summer and winter destinations, setting up camp for the season, while others like to RV around different parts of the country regardless of the season.
You may want to incorporate boondocking, camping at locations without hookups and relying on your RV’s power, into your plan to help save money as well as take out the aspect of making a reservation. Staying overnight occasionally at certain restaurants (i.e., Cracker Barrel), stores (i.e., Walmart), truck stops, rest stops, casinos, museums, vineyards, etc., can be a way to save money as you travel between destinations. It’s always a good idea, if you do this, to call ahead and ask the store manager if it’s okay and where is the best place to park.
There are more and more RV retirement communities popping up, which often have monthly or seasonal rates.
At the end of the day, where you decide to camp is at your discretion. RV resorts and parks will tend to come with higher price tags, depending on location, season, etc., than most private campgrounds – and certainly more than state or national parks. In fact, the Senior National Park Pass for anyone over 62 is $80 for a lifetime and cuts camping fees literally in half.
Q: How do I manage medical care and expenses?
Medical is an important consideration as you enter your Golden Years. You may already have a preexisting condition that needs frequent checkups or monthly prescriptions. You can still RV to your heart’s content, with some planning. You should still have a primary care physician for annual checkups and to keep track of any pre-existing conditions. This doctor knows you personally, which is helpful in receiving the appropriate care.
Medical care is available everywhere, which is great news… except, the cost of healthcare varies widely by location and by your insurance coverage. Most policies are state-specific, so traveling out of a state can make any doctor visits “out of network.” Medicare at age 65, however, simplifies things and handles medical care between the states at doctors who accept it. Coverage, again, depends on the Medicare plan you choose, which also impacts your budget as the expense of insurance varies.
Q: Is there anything people don’t like about RVing?
As with most things in life, there can be some cons. Campgrounds, for instance, especially around national parks, are busier than ever. Some campers find campgrounds too noisy – lots of kids, cooking noises, singing, etc. Taking a break every now and then to dry camp in a more remote location, or visiting popular destinations during lower traffic times, can help with this.
It’s not as easy anymore to be spontaneous or to relax with your reservation and stay longer than planned. Spontaneity is one of the main draws of RVing in retirement, so it’s useful to learn how to camp in various ways so that you don’t have to rely on making a reservation every night.
You will probably find chores you don’t like very much. For many it’s emptying the black water tank or finding a disposal site. It could be cleaning all the dishes. But this is a normal part of life, and life in an RV.
Relationships, particularly if you have a travel partner, can be tricky to navigate. Your relationships should be in a good place to begin with, as you will encounter challenges in addition to tighter quarters; however, the adventures you’ll share will strengthen your bond over time. Though many of the stresses of “typical” life aren’t there anymore, there are new things to stress about. Everyone in an RV needs to be adaptable and humble in tough moments.
Once on the road, some folks find they seem to phase out of the lives of friends and family back home, because they are gone RVing so often. If those relationships are important to you, then it takes a little more work to stay connected, but it can be done. In addition, you’ll make new friends in the RVing world. Many friendships start at campgrounds and remain strong if both parties make the effort to stay in touch and meet up from time to time. Many RVers find they are visiting people they love more often, or having better quality visits since seeing one another happens fewer and farther between.