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retiredtraveler

AARP Member

Offline

Background

Gender: Male

Status: Married

Location:
Midwest, Illinois
United States

School:
Multiple degrees and credit hours in various disciplines to support career changes. About 250 college hours in humanities, business, health care, mental health care, and IT

Work:
Past careers: Caseworker, Computer Programmer, Developmental Disability Aide, Certified Nurse Assistant, Retail store shelf stocker. Retired at age 56. Presently 'work' part-time every day managing personal investments

Hometown(s):
Chicago 'burbs and wish to live in DC (will never happen)

Quote:
If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

My Comments (17)

Comments (56)

renoamadeus says:

To rent for a week sounds like good advice. Thanx

Posted: August 3, 2009 1:37PM EDT

renoamadeus says:

I love the retire and travel idea. I may get a Class B Van to drive and live in while traveling within a few years when I am able to buy one. That would be similar to an RV but smaller and uses less gas and is easier to maneuver. I want to go through Oregon, Washington, then over to Montana to live in my 60's (only 59 right now).
Cheers
jmiii

Posted: August 2, 2009 4:00PM EDT

retiredtraveler says:

Sounds good. We took a hard look at Class B's --- only big reason we did not do that is because we do almost nothing but hiking, and a number of roads to areas we want to hike are very poor. Otherwise, great option as far as I'm concerned. We still could have done it --- most roads to trailheads are ok. We do like the roominess of the PUP, when set up, but it's more time and work plus the towing. So, it's a real trade-off.
If possible, the general advice for any kind of RV-ing is to try camping in whatever you're interested in. If you have a chance, try renting a Class B for a week and see how you like it.

Posted: August 3, 2009 9:51AM EDT

jud1013 says:

Thank you so much for your reply. It's interesting that resales in retirement communities do not bring in the $ amount hoped for by the seller. I did not know that. My dream is to move into a retirement community in Florida, somewhere near the ocean. I have considered a very nice trailer-community. I haven't zeroed in on a particular one. But I've heard there are several really nice ones on both the east and west coasts. That way, you have a built-in community for golfing, book groups, etc., etc. Have you heard anything about these communities? They aren't called trailer parks anymore; they have a newer, euphemistic name, which I can't remember at the moment. Thanks. Judy

Posted: July 13, 2009 4:32PM EDT

retiredtraveler says:

I don't want to generalize. The Del Webb facility by me has a problem with resale of houses --- but I have no idea if this is the exception or the rule. That's where some research would be needed on your part.
I know trailer parks are called 'mobile home' parks --- or is there another name I don't know?
I am not specifically familiar with these parks. I know they're around, but I've never checked into them so can't help you on that. All caveats would apply --- do your homework. If you purchase a mobile home (or manufactured housing is the proper term), can you sell it?

Posted: July 13, 2009 6:37PM EDT

RockyMountainGirl says:

Did you know that you are one of the "Featured Profiles" on the Online Community front page? Good for you!

Posted: July 7, 2009 9:50AM EDT

retiredtraveler says:

I wasn't aware that there were 'featured profiles' until the other day when someone mentioned it. I always go to the forums --- don't really peruse the rest of this site.
Thanks -- but I assume they randomly pick profiles, probably through a computer algorithm, and mine simply came through.

Posted: July 7, 2009 1:12PM EDT

RockyMountainGirl says:

I agree that it's a random choice but the good part is that there will be a few more people who might drop by to meet you!

Are you squeezing in any weekend camping?

Posted: July 7, 2009 2:45PM EDT

retiredtraveler says:

"...Are you squeezing in any weekend camping?..".
Yes. And a week-long trip that will primarily be biking in northern Wisconsin. No high-country hikes this year. I'm really looking at Glacier-Waterton next year, however, for several weeks.

Posted: July 8, 2009 11:23AM EDT