Those who have sold your home - opinion please

[Wannabe Full-timer]

I know I have posted a couple posts asking a similar question recently but I guess I am looking for some reassurance and would still like more feedback/more opinions from those of you that have sold your homes and live only in your RV. It is such a BIG decision and to be perfectly honest it scares me. Did you feel that way too?

I know most of you that are "full-timers" are on the road and that is probably your reason I am assuming that you bought your RV. Are my husband and I crazy to want to sell our home and buy a Montana to just live in a CG year-round in mid Michigan???

I don't feel the greatest health-wise and I just find our home to much for me to care for and only about 1/4 of it actually gets used. We just feel like we would be better off financially to sell our home and live in the RV locally. (We love camping but I know this would be different.) We would stay in one CG for six months to a year. In a couple years we could travel some (once we got the appropriate TV for the RV) but husband only has four weeks a year vacation and he has to continue to work. He is only 41. My signature explains a little further.

Sandi & John & 3 Shih Tzu from Michigan (2 adult sons, 1 DIL)
Considering selling stick house, purchasing a Montana, living in it full-time locally so we can continue to live near my elderly father. Continuing to work full-time. Dreaming of the day we can head south for winter!

[prariepoodle]

Wannabe Full-timer, We sold our stick house in 1987 got a Teton TT and lived in it because hubby was still working. Only moved it once because the job moved from southern Nevada to nothern Nevada. Retired in 2003 bought our 3280RL Montana and are now back in Southern Nevada. It has been great not to have to keep up house and yard work. We have made a few trips with the Montana but perfer to stay put most of the time. When others ask me where is home I tell them "WHERE EVER I PLUG IN"LOL

Linda n Walt n Kookie
2003.5 3280RL
2004 GMC D/A Serria 4x4 Longbed


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[Wannabe Full-timer]

You do not know how reassuring it is to hear from someone who has BTDT and successfully! Thank you so much for your reply. It helps to know that others that have done it are very happy with their decision, and don't regret it. As much as we both love camping and as much as it stresses me to not keep up with the house, we just feel this may be the route for us to go. (However, that is not the opinion of some folks close to us. LOL) I know we have to do what is best for US but I value the opinions of others that have done this and have the experience and know what it is really like rather than someone who has never even been camping!

Over the last several years, we have loved camping, going from tent to pop-up to TT.Now, we would like to consider buying our new "home". We are going to look at Montana's this week-end actually on a holiday camping trip while in our TT. I have two floorplans picked out that I like. My only concern is will I be able to handle living in such small quarters on a daily/yearly basis and staying comfortably warm in the winter! (Prariepoodle, I assume you have encountered some cold weather and apparently endured it well.) We know we can't afford to buy the largest Montana nor the TV to pull the largest one. Our home isn't that large by most standards, less than 1700 sq. ft., but it is just too big for us as far as we are concerned. I even went and looked at a mobile home this past week that was a 16 x 80 and I said this is TOO big for me!

We are still tossing around this idea and may put our house up for sale in the spring so we are giving this a lot of serious thought.

Thanks!

Sandi & John & 3 Shih Tzu from Michigan (2 adult sons, 1 DIL)
Considering selling stick house, purchasing a Montana, living in it full-time locally so we can continue to live near my elderly father. Continuing to work full-time. Dreaming of the day we can head south for winter!

[Glenn and Lorraine]

We didn't hesitate a bit. We discussed it in March, put the house up in May, bought the Monty in September and went full time on Oct 18th. Were we scared? Just a bit but it was gone by the end of November. Would we do it again?? Absolutely only a whole lot sooner.

The only thought I have is the living full time during the mid Michigan winters. It will take a bit of work on your part to get the Monty ready for those cold winter nights with temps in the single digits or below.

Your situation is [s]a bit[/s] A LOT different and only Sandi and John can make that decision.


Glenn
Montana Owners Home Page
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Glenn and Lorraine
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[SKOOBDO]

I've been only full-timing since April, and I work a full-time job. I was never scared even though my family thinks I should be My plan is to transfer to Arizona working for the same place I do now and of course living in my RV. I had plan to go out several times this summer with my RV, however, I was in so much pain with rheumatoid arthirits it kept me tied down, but just over the last few weeks i've felt better and was able to make it to the Great Lakes Regional RV Rally!!! I was a real happy camper then! Like that old saying....if you live in the past you have no room for the future....one thing for sure anyone that doesn't like "change" should probably not full-time. The RV lifestyle is all about change...not big changes so much but just a change of life (lifestyle)....and if you're stuck on worldly possessions then full-timing is definetly not something you might want to do. As I mentioned on a previous post somewhere on this site....I sold my home with everything and I mean everthing.....and didn't miss a beat and don't miss none of it. In summary all I have to say is (my opinion)....You either want things or you want a peace of mind......it's hard to have both if you're an average working person. More Things = More Headaches Good Luck to you guys and I'm sure more folks who have been full-timing way longer than I can chime in. Take Care! Allison

2006 Montana 3500RL, New Cap Design, MorRyde Suspension, W/D, 2nd A/C, Fantastic Fans, MaxxAir, Fireplace, RotoChocks, Slide Awnings. 2005 Ford F350 Lariat LE, PSD 4x4 Dually, Long Bed, C-Betr Mirrors, Vortex Spray-In Liner, Access Tonneau Cover, Remote Starter, LED Running Board Lights

[TheCoachPotatoes]

I think the real question here is not if you should full-time as much as it is should we do this in sub-zero temperatures in Michigan. I would not do it!!!! That's my opinion. Full timing is not really camping (like when you're on vacation), rather it is your home . If you are questioning if it is a good idea, then it probably isn't. Some full-timers have successfully lived in their trailers in winter, but there are problems. Most of them do have the option of leaving if the weather is really bad. I also think if you're tied down with a job and other responsibilites, you might want to think twice. It's not like you live in North or South Carolina where the winter are not as harsh. It would be nice if you could just go south when it gets too cold. Also, if your health isn't good, this may compound any problems you have. Of course, it's only my opinion, and I think that is what you are asking. Whatever you decide to do, there is a great support system here on this site.

AL and Nita
2003 Chevy Dually
2005 3670RL

[adelmoll]

We sold our home in Minnesota and went full time over a year ago. I wish we had done it a lot sooner but I could not and would not even attempt to stay in Minnesota for the winter months. No way.

Helen



To follow our journey please click: Bill and Helen's Journey
2005 Montana 3475 pulled by our 2005 Ford 350 Power Stroke Diesel

[SKOOBDO]

coachpotatoes, I guess I will be reporting back to this site in March when spring arrives to give the forum a report of how my winter went in Ohio, which I plan to stay put until I transfer...and mostly will be here over the winter (even though it is not as cold as michigan). Reports I received here from the full-timers that made it through the winter at the park i'm staying was one thing....."make sure you put heat tape on your water hose" and make sure it works no one here had a freeze up of their interior water lines...jbut some had outside water hoses freeze up....why?.....failure to make sure the tape was working before they thought they needed it. But, I will see ...and report back...unless I freeze to death you won't hear from me!

2006 Montana 3500RL, New Cap Design, MorRyde Suspension, W/D, 2nd A/C, Fantastic Fans, MaxxAir, Fireplace, RotoChocks, Slide Awnings. 2005 Ford F350 Lariat LE, PSD 4x4 Dually, Long Bed, C-Betr Mirrors, Vortex Spray-In Liner, Access Tonneau Cover, Remote Starter, LED Running Board Lights

[Wannabe Full-timer]

Thank you so much everyone. I really did want to hear what everyone had to say, your personal opinions, and I really truly appreciate them all.

As far as possessions - I would have no problem letting it all go, except for a few small sentimental/keepsake items that I would want to keep. I truly think husband would have more of a problem "letting go" of tools and such than I would household items. LOL We would have a storage shed on my Dad's property that we could store some things in but I could care less. LOL

I think too the Michigan winters is the real concern for me and should be, so Al & Nita you are so right about that!

As far as the health issues, that is something I am looking into with a specialist appt. next week and probably have more testing as I DO want to know where I stand that way. I am hoping that this is something that will continue to improve and not have to be concerned about it getting worse or moving to an RV will not be an option for me.

You all are great and brought up very serious things to consider and I thank you for that.

Sandi & John & 3 Shih Tzu from Michigan (2 adult sons, 1 DIL)
Considering selling stick house, purchasing a Montana, living in it full-time locally so we can continue to live near my elderly father. Continuing to work full-time. Dreaming of the day we can head south for winter!

[TheCoachPotatoes]

Actually, since you were asking full-timers for their opinions, I should state that we are not full-timers, so our opinion may not weigh in the same.

SKOOBDO, I think you are one brave lady, and I admire you for what you are doing. I have no doubt you will be just fine this winter and I can't wait to hear about how you are doing.

AL and Nita
2003 Chevy Dually
2005 3670RL

[gkbutler]

We decided last February that we would go FT. We let all the kids know that Mom and Dad were going to have a life style change. We put the house on the market in July after making some improvements to increase the sales price. Sold the house in early September. Bought the truck in March and the Monty was delivered on the 1st of July. Gave all the possessions to the family except the Baskets of Hope and some little "pigs". Moved into the Monty in the Middle of October of last year and haven't looked back. We still have to work; I work for Home Depot and transfer between IL and FL. Karen took a six month furlough and will begin working when we go back to Florida in a few weeks. Love the life style, but we can't provide an answer as to if it is going to be what you want to do. That is only something you can decide.

Gary and Karen
SFC USAR Ret.
MOC (4049)
2006 2950RK
2005 Chev 2500HD Duramax/Allison SB
16K Pull rite Super Glide
Prodigy brake controller

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did, so throw off the bow lines, sail away from safe harbor and catch the trade winds in your sails." Mark Twain

[CountryGuy]

I have to agree with Al and Nita on the Michigan weather, we live in southern Michigan, but have winter camped in Gaylord for a few years, (weekends only, but xcountry skiing out the door of the TT was really wonderful!!!)

But, I digress, I have been reading your posts, and I have to say, that I have not said so before this, but, I urge you to think hard and long before you try to stay, even in Mid Michigan all winter long. If you have a unit now, you could try a week or two say, January 10 to 21st 2007, see how it goes. If you have not experienced winter camping/Rving/living, it is different, it is not a walk in the park in July.

now, as my disclaimer, the Montana is a MUCH improved unit over what we were using. We had a unit with no under belly, no artic package (which in my opinion should be named the summer package). The TT was NOT even close to the kind of unit your Montana will be. If you buy a 2006 plus unit, you will get all the neat improvements they have made, water drains and all that up higher, plumbing in between the floors, all that stuff that they changed to improve and max out the low temps before you freeze. But, I have spent a few nights in our Tana in some pretty cold weather, 17 degrees one night, gotta tell you, it got warm eventually. Ok, you will be sitting there (whereas on our 17 degree night we were running down the hard road all day), but I have sat for days in cool to cold weather in one spot, and I guess I am just gettin way toooo soft in my ole age. But, extended cold weather camping/rving/living, like you will have in Mid Michigan, is just not in ole Carol's books anymore!

I know a number of MOC people winter camp in their units, we even have a few that spend the holidays, and some of the winter months with their kids in KC MO (eh Steve and Vicki). We fully understand why they do it, but, well, Steve & Vicki, we are glad it is you and not us! HA HA HA. Running out of here in January, with 4 below temps, is enough of that cold weather stuff for us. We stand in awe, we don't know how you do it.

Sandi and John, you are very smart asking a LOT of questions! Might, I make a suggestion, just off the top of my head, how bout a small apartment till you can get a Montana and pull er out of Michigan in the winter?? That would cut down on the amount of living space you have to clean, and honestly I feel you would be more comfortable in an apartment in January in Mid Michigan than in a Montana.

We wish you all the best, and applaud your intelligent approach to this, asking a LOT of questions first!! I would be the last person to dissuade anyone from going full time, or long time in a Montana, goodness only knows, we are happier IN our Tana than in the stick built. But, no long term winter stuff for this ole softy!

Good luck,

Carol


(Thanks Glenn)

Al & Carol Stevens Tipton, Mi.
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[rickety]

We have o0nly been living in our Monty since Jan of this year. We Love It!! We were both a little concerned, as our other house was 1400 sq ft, and we had a ton of stuff in it and the shop and garage...
Sold all the junk, gave what we couldn't sell to goodwill, and the better stuff to the kids, donated 5000 worth of cd's to our local library, and moved in. You will find that you'll adapt very quickly. My dear one still works, (wants he retirment from the school district, has 1 yr and 3 mos left), I am retired and manage to stay busy. I'll be thtat when you were in your stick house you spent most of your ime in the kitchen and living room? This is the same thing on a smaller more intimate scale. We love each other and are each other's best friend, so it's not a problem.
Enjoy you new life together and you'll find that you become closer and more caring of each other. God bless!!!

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Rick and Phyllis Trent,
2004 Chevrolet 2500HD/Duramax/Allison,exhaust brake.
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Gizmo the dog who thinks he's a Great Dane

[patodonn]

Full time for 3 years +.

The real issue I see is: What are you attempting to do by selling the house and living in the RV? The main advantage of the RV is mobility. With that, we can (and do) follow the sun, more or less. My wife is from Kalamazoo, and we/she wouldn't even consider living in Michigan in the winter in the RV...again, not even CONSIDER it!! A couple of members (Steve??) can relate the Montana RV experience in the relatively balmy winter weather of Kansas City. It isn't a pretty tale! How about a 6 foot long black tank ice-sicle (and no way to dump the tanks)! All the "winterization" we can do is really trying to make a "silk purse out of a sow's ear"...RV's were never meant for living in such an inhospitable climate as Michigan in the winter.

If you don't take advantage of the RVs mobility to get out of the Michigan winter, you might be better served by other options, such as buying a condo or townhome, rather than an RV. That being said, selling the house and "de-cluttering" and "downsizing" to the max is a great thing to do, in itself. That part is a great experience.

We sold our home because we wanted to get away from the area we lived in, and explore this great Country. RVing is perfect for that. It is not perfect for sitting in one spot in an adverse climate.

Hope that helps...only you two can make the final call.

Best,

PJ, Nan and Scooter
3655FL
'99 Dodge Diesel 2500, BD auto trans, pwr chip, Pac brake, Bielsen shocks, Banks Exhaust.

[dsprik]

Find a "year round" campground where you think you would like to stay. Then talk to the manager and the residents who stay there in the winter months. They will give you the input you need for your info bank. Particularly info on their specific CG in the winter, which may be very important

Sandi, are you still planning on visiting Cheryl and I while we are in Mt Pleasant?

Dave and Cheryl Sprik
Bellaire, MI
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[RADHAZJOE]

Unless you are handy at fixing little things, I would not go full timing. We have been at it for 15 mo now and I am an experoienced engineer and it is a pain to keep it all together. Unless you are parked next to your selling dealer.

I also concur. Don't stay in Michigan in the winter. Lots of room in FL. AZ, TX, etc.


also. look into your medical ins. We even had problems with medixcare.

Gin & I(Geminis)
Where ever we go, there we are.
2004 Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
Montana 3400RL

[ols1932]

Wannabe Full Timer:
It is a big decision but when you weigh it against all the other things of being tied down with a house and the upkeep, property taxes, snow shoveling, lawn mowing, etc., the decision gets a little easier. We sold our house one year after we started full timing only because we started full timing in November of 2000 and the house was pretty much inaccessible due to snow in the winter. Once Spring came, the house sold and we were very happy not to have to fret about it any more. I was 68 when we started full timing and we travel east to west, north to south every year. Don't know how long we'll be able to do it but we have a lifetime leased lot in New Mexico where we will settle when the time comes.

Our actual living expenses are less now than they were when we lived in a stick house, even with the fuel price increases. Before fuel prices started sky rocketing, fuel cost us 4.7% of our pension income. Since the increases, we are spending 5.2% of our pension income so far this year for fuel. We travel 18-20,000 miles a year. Just so you know, I'm retired USAF (E7) and have a small pension from Rockwell Intenational along with my SS and my wife's SS.

Orv

[Wannabe Full-timer]

Thank you all so very much. We really appreciate everyone's response and it did help us to put things in perspective. You gave great advice.

We did go and see the Montana's this week-end and the floorplans I thought would work best for us and my husband and I both leaned more toward the 3295 (rather than the 3400 - and I loved those windows - but it still would be hard to choose!); however, to live in it year-round, in the winter in Michigan, I don't think is a wise move on our part. If we were able to stay several months in warm climates as many stated, then yes, we would certainly want to do it, but we can't at this time so I guess we will just have to be patient and wait until we can. We just wanted to add that we just fell in love with the Montana's and their quality!

We are leaning more now to selling our home, purchasing a mobile home, and putting it in a mobile home park. I just want to down size, get rid of a lot of stuff, become debt free, and hopefully save more toward retirement and traveling in an RV!

Dave & Cheryl, perhaps it would be nice to meet at a time when we are more close to doing what you are already doing and then I can only imagine the experiences you will have to share with us by then! We thank you both so very much for inviting us to meet with you and being willing to allow us to "tour" your Montana. Maybe one day our RV paths will cross.

Sandi & John & 3 Shih Tzu from Michigan (2 adult sons, 1 DIL)
Considering selling stick house, purchasing a Montana, living in it full-time locally so we can continue to live near my elderly father. Continuing to work full-time. Dreaming of the day we can head south for winter!

[Lstierw]

Would totally agree with many of the earlier posts. We have been fulltiming about 16 months. We have 3 happily married daughters and 9 wonderful grandchildren and after we sold the house along with most of our possesions we finally feel like a huge burden has been lifted off our chests. We can now enjoy this lifestyle and we can always go back some day and buy a House. Until then, we can both enjoy the lifestyle and the grandkids.......

Our Travels:Lstierw


2005 Big Sky 3670RL
1999 Ford F350, 7.3 Power stroke Diesel

[dsprik]

Ditto...

Dave and Cheryl Sprik
Bellaire, MI
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2002 GMC 2500HD
4x4, Ext Cab, LB, SLE
2007 3400RL
Venetian Gold Interior
WE'RE HOME!



*** Don't EVER give up on your Dream. ***