Full Timing, how did it all work out?

[buttons]

What happened to all those brave full timers. A few years ago on this and other forums it was so popular. Retire sell the family home, purchase a gin palace using the equity and sail off into the sunset.
So how did it all work out, are you still traveling as free as a bird or back in the UK.
A good idea, maybe if you don’t burn your bridges but if you did, so how are you managing ten years on.

 

[billym]

We might be one of those you are on about .
We did ten years full timing with two kids in 2000 in an old RV ,selling up after three years and buying an "Aldi" gin palace , travelling and working on campsites as and when.

We bought a cheap house in 2010, kids went to Uni, left home, we worked on more campsites and now and then and are now happily travelling as much as we can .

We learnt very quickly to cut our coat according to our cloth

Very happy days.

 

[Brains]

My sister was one of those.

After numerous summers travelling in various vans she had the 'gin palace' built
(Actually a 5.5t PVC)
The novelty wore off after about 15 months.

The main problem was keeping it warm.
She simply could not get it much above 10c over the ambient temperature, no matter how much heat was put in.
Which means mid winter, even in Cornwall, top temperature was 12c inside. Which is not nice.

(My winterised Hymer, when camping beside her would easily get 25c above ambient in under an hour)

 

[Gromett]

Will be hitting year 15 in May. although not travelling as much as I did when I first started I am still fulltiming. Getting back on the road a bit this year hopefully.

 

[JJ]

So how did it all work out, are you still traveling as free as a bird

It has continued working more than just well for me...

I doubt I will ever go back to Blighty... too cold and grey and my passport has run out.

I often sit in the shade under my beautiful old oak tree by the side of my van parked on my tiny piece of Portugal and think of all the advantages I have enjoyed by being a full timer...

The life I have enjoyed here (and around) since 1999 could not have been done in Blighty.

I've just had four months pottering around the Algarve waiting for it to warm up here.

JJ

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[glastry]

Learning to be content, is what most of us struggle with,
You have done well JJ,
I take off my hat to you.

 

[Threeracers]

Accidental full timer here but loving it. I needed somewhere to live between selling a house and building another and the truck seemed a good option as I could move it out of the way of the builders when needed.

We had to do at least one big trip so headed up to the Outer Hebrides for a six week jolly and on the return journey back to Kent we realised I wasn't going to be a temporary thing after all. A second big trip down to Montenegro sealed the deal.

Safe travels all

Mark

 

[Fulham Dave]

We have been full-timing for the past 3.5 years and are still loving it.

We sold the house in Surrey, bought the van, gave up our jobs and retired early at 54! A massive leap of faith, but it has worked out for us - no regrets

We have visited 16 countries so far, covering 40,000 miles in the van, another 6,000 on the motorbike and 2,300 on the e-bikes. Just back from 7 months in Spain and Portugal, having spent last summer in France.

We feel far more relaxed, content and full of life. We have met lots of lovely people (a few idiots), seen many, many sights and scenes and had lots of fun.

We have had a few minor issues with the van, the motorbike and the e-bikes, but have overcome them all.

 

[CazPaul]

My sister was one of those.

After numerous summers travelling in various vans she had the 'gin palace' built
(Actually a 5.5t PVC)
The novelty wore off after about 15 months.

The main problem was keeping it warm.
She simply could not get it much above 10c over the ambient temperature, no matter how much heat was put in.
Which means mid winter, even in Cornwall, top temperature was 12c inside. Which is not nice.

(My winterised Hymer, when camping beside her would easily get 25c above ambient in under an hour)

She needs her money back from those who built her” Gin Palace” you’re meant to put some insulation in.

Our van is so much warmer than the house

 

[adonisito]

We did nearly 3 years after we sold the house, 13 months abroad then back here working. I think eventually the glamour wore off when you're doing 9-5 and living on a CL, the muddy, wet winters did for use in the end. Obviously we still use the van but now rent a house, it works better if you are a working couple like us. I have to say we loved the European bit and would do it again at the drop of a hat, it's not so much fun if you're employed though.

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[frwjd]

We managed just 8 months then returned to UK through illness and surgery required.
The following 22 months one or both of us suffered ill health.
We bought a static caravan and put it on a small but well located site and are back on our travels.
Our ages and health make finding insurance very difficult, just one UK company will insure us and it isn't cheap.
We are in our 70's.
It seems our best way forward is to stay in EU/Schengen countries and travel for 90 days at a time.
then use our little bolt hole.
No regrets, we love the freedom of travelling and our holidays in the UK.

(We have thoroughly researched our travel insurance options so please no well intentioned suggestions thanks)