We just bought a 2016 Redwood 38RL to live in full-time. It is a HUGE step after living in our home 38 years. While the house was a modest size older home in a small town, going from about 1,800 sq ft plus full concrete basement and small garage and a beautifully landscaped yard to a 38' fifth wheel has been an adjustment. Our daughter and son-in-law invited us to live on their 4.5 acre property where they are currently building a new home. They poured a concrete pad for each of our trailers, and they are living in theirs with our two small grandsons while they build the house (our son-in-law is a custom builder). He also built a small outbuilding that houses a full kitchen (stove, sink, dishwasher, refrigerator) as well as a small bath (tub/shower insert and toilet), and a washer and dryer. Lots of shelves for dishes, small appliances and pantry sundries, and at one end shelves and hanging rods for clothing.

When their house is finished and they are moved in, we will have the other end of the property where the trailers are for our own use. What a blessing. Their hope for us is that we will be free to travel whenever we wish and stay when we feel compelled to park.

While all of this is wonderful and a perfect plan as we are age 65 and 71, I have been struggling with bouts of anxiety and depression that I never anticipated when we decided to do this. Can anyone out there relate and, if so, how do I get past this?

We bought our Redwood almost 4 years ago and sold our 3,000 sq foot house just over 2 years ago. Our home base is a 900 sq foot basement with our daughter & SIL and we travel in the Redwood for up to 5 or 6 months at a time. In British Columbia we must be in the Province at least 5 months per year to maintain our medical.

This is very similar to the arrangement you described and has many benefits. When at home we get unlimited time with our grandson. Our basement is completely self-contained so we can be alone, or share with the kids above.

We are also free to travel as we wish. It really is a brilliant lifestyle, knowing we have no worries about our home base, as we travel. Start by taking some short trips getting used to setting up and hooking up the rig. You will also fine tune exactly what you need to take with you. As you get comfortable with the lifestyle it is time to venture further afield. Even hit some of the parks down south where most people are in a similar age group with similar interests. At the winter parks you can relax around a pool or attend activities all day.

Last year we did a round the world trip for 6 months, then had to stay home to meet our residency requirements, but now we are off again for 5 months, which included the recent rally. I have almost finished planning our 2017 itinerary and have started planning for 2018 & 2019.

Was it a huge decision, most definitely yes, as we lived in our previous house for 25+ years and that's where our kids grew up. However, it took lots of work to clean and maintain, which severely cramped our travel desires. In 3,000 sq feet it took 4 hours to hoover and wash floors, in the RV it is 1/2 hour. Grass cutting, weeding, etc don't do it any more. Were we apprehensive and anxious, again most definitely yes. However, now we don't have time for that, too busy enjoying life.

It sounds like you have an ideal set up, the idea of an RV with an outbuilding to take the pressure off the the services in the RV is great, we've seen similar setups in the Foothills area of Yuma Arizona.

You will get used to the smaller footprint very quickly, we "half time" and we enjoy every minute of it. We haven't ditched our house as it's smaller and requires less upkeep and we enjoy our neighbourhood and the small village we are in. We also realize that down the road there will be a time when we will have to "hang up the keys", our house is there for that purpose, your permanent lot will solve that purpose as well. Our house is also an appreciating asset, especially in the area where we live, so that's something that can provide additional capital if needed or a "gift" to our kids upon our passing.

Are you anxious/depressed about not having your "own" place or just feeling claustrophobic living in the rv?
We've been fulltime for just over 8 years & sold our home & got rid of all our crap & couldn't be happier. We winter somewhere warm that has lots of activities & travel to see grandkids in the summers.
The set up you have now sounds absolutely perfect with a nice spot to park & freedom to travel as you want. I wish one of our children would set us up exactly the same way!! That's what the DW is talking now about finding a spot to stay every winter, still live in the rv & just travel in the summers, but we can't decide where we want to do that, most likely Arizona.
I don't know what/how to help with your anxiety, but just know there are lots of us out here doing the same thing & are here to help, even if you just need someone to listen.
We think this is an awesome lifestyle, have met some great people, seen some beeeeautiful country & hope to continue as long as possible.

The fact that you are talking about it, tells me in the end you will adjust and be ok. We love connecting with other RVers. It makes us feel like us feel connected. It also helps us remember how exciting this life adventure can be.

We we sold our house of 26 years it was a little sad, I had bought things I enjoyed, furniture that was comfortable for us--and it was all very familiar. I continue to do things to make our Redwood feel as comfortable and homey as our house. I realize now it was all just stuff and frankly I wish I had not spent the money on most of it.

The ease of taking care of our Redwood home is a big positive. I have health issues that make me appreciate being able to deep clean my home in less that an hour. I know now we have downsized enough that the rest of life is just about living

Our kids and grandkids are very sad (and some are frankly angry) when we pull away each year. But now we are able to visit for a month or so then move on to new adventures and new beautiful sites that people just dream of getting to see.

You are not just dreaming--you are living your dreams! Good for you. Welcome to the Redwood family... keep sharing your fears, frustrations and victories.

Well said. We have kicked around full timing in our 2013 Redwood however we do love our custom built home (now approaching 10 years old). Going from 3,400 square feet (includes walkout basement) and about 3/4 acre beautifully maintained yard (it's that way as I leave the yard to professionals) to a couple of hundred square feet keeps the conversion going. Like you, we have spent untold money on decorating and maintaining our home and yard. Going full time and using that money for travel and RV'ing is almost a daily brief conversion as we sit on our front porch and sip something cool as the sun sets while our wonderful Redwood sits in covered storage 80-90% of the year begging us to hit the road. My hat is off to you and those that enjoy full timing. Perhaps we will join the happy full timing ranks when DW retires.

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