RV Fulltiming
April 2007
In 2004, we went to an RV and Boat Show in Rosemont Illinois to kill some time on a cold February Sunday afternoon. We were soon going to be empty-nesters and, as I look back, were both primed for a big change in our lives. Both of us worked for large multi-national corporations and were finding the experience increasingly mind-numbing and energy-sapping. It was getting old. On top of all that, we’d been in the Chicago area for 10 years, had no family here, and were ready for a change in venue. The positives of living in or near a big city were not offsetting the negatives — crowds, expense, and transportation problems to name three. It was becoming time to decide where we’d like to live for the rest of our lives, and Chicago wasn’t on the list.
So, back to the RV show story… After walking through a few motorhomes and talking with a few people in the RV industry, we somehow hit on the idea that we could buy one of these things and live in it while we’re traveling around the country looking for our next home. We still debate which one of us actually came up with the idea first, but we both agree that it was on that day. The idea was exciting and felt like the perfect adventure for where we were in our lives.
During the following few months the idea incubated: we subscribed to Motorhome Magazine, read books about change and adventure, looked closer at our finances, and found a few websites written and maintained by fulltimers. We also had numerous discussions — the two of us — about the pro’s and con’s of the lifestyle. Living in 2500 sq. ft. is more than we need, but is it possible for us to live in 300 sq. ft? Would we begin to feel cramped? Get on each other’s nerves? Could this drive us apart?
And what’s the point of our doing this? Are we escaping something or trying to find something? What’s our purpose? Our theme?
more to come…
