My big new adventure!

[BarbaraRose]

I have been thinking about this for quite awhile but finally decided it was time to go ahead with this.

I am planning to put my place up for sale at the end of October (that is why I have been so busy getting it cleaned out), then buy a small Class C and hit the road!!

I will need to spend a month or two to find the right RV and get it set up first and I can't do that until the house is sold so will have to find a place to stay until I am ready to leave.

My plan is to head to Quartzsite, hopefully by January and boondock out there for a month or two to get used to boondocking and get everything I need to be comfy and prepared for life on the road (including a solar setup). I figured I can find pretty much anything I need in Q for that. I still haven't decided on whether to have a toad or not. If I do, I can't tow my Jeep since it is just 2WD. I would have to get a 4WD or front wheel drive vehicle.

Then I signed up for the Escapade Rally (Escapees Club) in Tucson for March, including the RV Boot Camp to learn everything I need to know about the RV and how to do repairs and maintenance on it. I am really looking forward to that whole experience with the rally.

From there I will explore more of Arizona, then go to Santa Fe NM for a bit and from there head up to Colorado for awhile. From there, who knows... Maybe Minnesota or maybe west to Oregon.

I will be collecting Social Security starting in February. I will have to suppliment a little bit for gas probably with some of my savings, but plan to do quite a bit of boondocking to save money on camping.

Eventually, I want to find another place to settle down but am not sure yet where that might be.

My decision is based on several things. I am really burned out on haircutting!! I hate going to work now. Also, the heat, humidity and dust is getting to me more than ever this year. Also the horrendous cost of gas and everything else out here. I am ready to say good-bye to California and move on. I want to see all the places around the western third of the country first and am not sure how long that will take to do but I have all the time in the world once I pull out of here! At least I can control my expenses to some degree by boondocking and not traveling too far, too fast.

So that is my big new adventure!! Of course, I will be taking my camper kitty, Romeow!

[snowball]

sounds like a plan and although you are burned out with cutting hair you might find it a help for extra funds there is also work camping in areas Kerry actually happened upon a cool gig this summer at the tent last Jan so she has been working In AK all summer lots of stuff to see and do
sheila

[Bethers]

Wow Barbie. If you want to consider workamping, I'll need help next year April to November. It's beautiful country.

[JudyJB]

Gas will be a lot cheaper in Colorado and farther east. It is still very expensive in Oregon, but if you find a workcamping job, you could stay in one spot. You might find it very relaxing to do that instead of cutting hair.

If you want help with finding out about cheap places to stay, I have been just about everywhere and am more than willing to help. I strongly recommend New Mexico because you can buy a state camping pass for thst state. Regular electric campsites in NM state parks are only $14 per night, which is very cheap. A 12 month pass for NM camping is only $225, and it gives you, I believe, unlimited state park camping in non-electric sites. You have to pay $4 per night extra for electric, but that is still a steal.

There are also some very good federal campgrounds in that state where the fees are also only about $13 - $15 per night.

BIG warning. You may not want to buy a motorhome in CA because that state charges big fees for sales taxes and for license plates. You should research this before you buy as it might be a lot better to buy in Nevada or Arizona.

[Redetotry]

Wow Barbie that is big news!! I thought you were getting burned out where you are now with both the climate and the job. Good luck finding just the right RV! Maybe ask in all the RV FB and forum places for a Class C. Enjoy the journey.

[Bethers]

Barbie, your 1st important consideration is what your domicile will be. You need to set that up even before purchasing. And why can't you tow your jeep? Maybe it's not one that can be towed 4 wheels down, but I know people towing jeeps that aren't 4 wheel drive.

[Irmi]

Gracious, Barbie! That is such wonderful news and I know you have got to be excited! It sounds like you are on the right track, so keep on doing what you're doing!

[SoCalGalcas]

Oh Barbie, I am excited for you! You have received very good advice on this site, take good notes. I had a wonderful 16 years full timing. I have great memories and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Do it!!
Especially meeting the women on this site has been a real joy!
Lyn

[BarbaraRose]

Judy, I will definitely get your input on places to stay cheap!

Beth, I did check on my Jeep specifically and it cannot be towed 4 down. If I decided to tow, I will probably look for something that gets good gas mileage to offset the poor MPG of the RV.

I am excited but nervous too. Big changes like this were a lot easier when I was younger, when I would just pick up and move without a care, but now it scares me a little more with all the what-ifs. But the gypsy in me pushes me onward once again. I think this is the longest I have ever been in one place (just over 3 years!) in the past 45 years!

I welcome any helpful advice from you experienced gals! I know the RV Boot Camp will help a lot too.

[JudyJB]

Beth is absolutely right about domicile. It can cost you a LOT to declare the wrong domicile, and California is one of the worst places cost-wise. My license plates in Ohio are $64 per year, and that is up from $59 last year. California and Oregon can cost you several hundred dollars per year for license plates. (I know someone who pays $800 per year.) Some states charge you by how much your RV is worth or how heavy it is compared to a car.

Ditto for vehicle insurance and even health insurance. And make sure when you sign up for Medicare that your DO NOT sign up for an advantage plan. They are very hard to get out of and usually limit you to a very narrow place and hospital/list of doctors. This is fine if you live in one place and don't plan to move, but if you travel around like I do, it can be very expensive to pay out of pocket. Better to get the old traditional Medicare with a separate supplement plan. Mine is from AARP and United Health. It costs me about $250 per month, but I have never paid a penny other than that for anything in 15 years. I go to any doctor I want and use any hospital without having to get approval of any kind.

Beth can also help you choose a domicile.

Anyway, it all looks very exciting!!!

[OregonLuvr]

Judy that is so not true about registering your vehicle in Oregon. I pay $136 for TWO years. I sure dont think that is high. My Motorhome was $323 for TWO years. That is how long our registration is valid for. California is high that is for sure. AND it is only good for ONE year.

I agree on not getting the Medicare Advantage plan. All people hear is no premiums. Well yes but there is a lot of co pays and out of pocket expenses, need a referral for everything. I have the same plan as you. AARP for my supplement and I pay $290 a month. Well worth every penny. I have also never paid a penny for anything. Other than meds.

[JudyJB]

Thanks, Karen. I was basing that on what someone told me in a campground a couple of weeks ago. The lesson for anyone new is that they really need to do their research before they buy a vehicle or decide on domicile. For example, a lot of people look for places that don't have income tax, but if you don't have a ton of income, then income tax doesn't mean anything for you. I pay an income tax in Ohio, but it is a lot lower than it was in Michigan and when I moved, my vehicle insurance dropped considerably.

Those ads for Advantage Plans are so misleading, and as you point out, they may be free or cheap, but they require so many permissions and end up costing a lot.

[OregonLuvr]

I have to say we do not have a sales tax here either. BUT we make up for that with our income tax and our property tax. Fortunately (or not depends how you look at it) I live in a pretty poor, non progressive county. Not much industry here. My property tax is very low. That I like. Every state has good and bad. Washington has no state tax but car registrations are more expensive and they have a sales tax. Yes choosing your domicile wisely is pretty darn important.

[Pooker]

Barbie -

I wondered how long you would stay in the desert - it's a harsh environment and the cost of living in and around Palm Springs is off the chart. Please take your time making decisions. Don't be too rigid on your deadlines. Test the waters carefully. The girls are all right about choosing where to have your official residence (and you'll need a good mail forwarding service). That is your main priority and it should be done while you are still in a stable place, not from the road. All states have pros and cons. Taxes are just one consideration. Some will have income tax, but no sales tax, or the tax rate is very high. Some will make you go back in person to renew licenses, registrations, etc. and as a full timer you might be across the country at the time. As Karen said, some renewals are annual, some two years or more. The gals here are a wealth of information. Listen carefully. And, whatever you decide - enjoy the journey.

Evie

p.s. Have you considered a trailer or fifth wheel instead of a C? Would your Jeep tow a trailer? You have experience with that and cost would definitely be less. A fiver would give you a lot more room, but means a large truck which is a lot more expensive. Don't get me wrong - I loved my Flitter, but I wasn't full timing.

[Acadianmom]

One thing to think about since you plan to full-time with your cat and plan to boondock is the temperatures. You won't have air conditioning if you are boon docking unless you run a generator. What I have found over the years is that generators are not reliable. It seems the more you need it to run the less is will. Since I have been having so many electrical problems with my motorhome I'm afraid to leave Sugar in the motorhome and go anywhere if the temperatures are high. I am always afraid the air conditioner will stop.

Martha