Van Life-Aging On The Road
by Robbie J
When you live in a house or apartment, as you age there are many options to consider. Downsizing to a smaller home, moving to a retirement community, moving near family or in with family.
Lately, I have been thinking about down the road when I age out. This year, I have seen more and more full time RVers make the decision to get off the road.
As people in this lifestyle age, many opt for stationary living in their RV. They either buy a lot in an RV community or rent month to month and either stay in place year round or for extended periods before moving to another location.
I recently talked to several RVers in their late 70’s about their plans. One, a single lady is being proactive and wrapping up her RV lifestyle to move across the country to be closer to family. She said she didn’t think it was fair to expect her family to deal with her RV and possessions in Arizona from St. Louis when the inevitable happens.
Another has a sadder story. She and her husband stay full time in their RV at an RV co-op where they have a lot. She said they have to stay year round in spite of the heat and monsoons of the Arizona summers because they can’t afford to move and their RV is older with mechanical issues.
More concerning are those without resources that have adopted a lifestyle of living for free on government land which is plentiful in the western United States. Most are happily living an independent lifestyle, but I don’t know if they have a backup plan for when they are unable to provide for themselves.
I realize this is starting to sound depressing and it is. Everyone, whether they are full time travelers or living in place, has to face and plan for old age. Not everyone does and not everyone is lucky enough to live to old age.
Those who do, should know what resources are available to them, especially full time RVers.
While I am a number of years away from implementing plan B, after talking to a number of older RVers about their plans, I am putting into place my own plan B. I am completely aware this is subject to change based on health, interest and other opportunities and challenges that may arise.
Am I going to share my plan B? I don’t think so. I’m lucky enough to have a couple plan B options and I am not sure yet which I will implement. Whether it’s a sticks and bricks homebase or an RV homebase is still TBD. That said, I am preparing so whichever it will be, I hope I will be ready when the time comes.
Safe travels and cheers to plan B!
