I'm not retired yet, but I'm picturing my first phase of retirement.
In this first phase of retirement (say the first 10 years) I want to be active and travel and discover different places.
Perhaps spend time in the US Southwest (Arizona, Utah, Texas, for hiking and cycling) and some time in Florida (for some slower activities, like golfing and beach time).
I'm thinking, one of the best (and cheapest) ways to accomplish this is with a truck and RV trailer.
Let's do a calculation.
The cost of a new truck, $40k. The cost of a new RV trailer, $40k.
Let's say, that I utilize both of these items for 10 years. In other words, after 10 years, I'm older and I've become tired of this lifestyle and want to slow down. We'll also assume the cost of these two items depreciate to zero after 10 years. Therefore, my cost is $8k per year.
Let's say, I want to spend 3 months per year in the USA. RV park costs depend on the individual park and the length of stay. It could cost anywhere from 500-1500 per month. Let's use $1000 per month as an average. Therefore, the 3 months accommodation charges would be $3k.
In total, my 3 month costs would be (8k+3k) $11,000 per year.
This truck/RV combo means I don't have to fly to my destination. I don't have to rent a car for 3 months. I don't have to pay for further accommodations. I can prepare cheaper, healthier meals, in my trailer. The truck gives me the freedom to set my trailer down in an RV park and continue on day tours. The trailer could stay in the park for a day, week or month. I'm free to go wherever and whenever I want.
Also, I could continue to use the truck as my main vehicle for the rest of the year in Canada.
All in all, I think this is a reasonable cost, for this kind of freedom and lifestyle.
Any current retirees do this? and can comment on this lifestyle?
thanks.
In this first phase of retirement (say the first 10 years) I want to be active and travel and discover different places.
Perhaps spend time in the US Southwest (Arizona, Utah, Texas, for hiking and cycling) and some time in Florida (for some slower activities, like golfing and beach time).
I'm thinking, one of the best (and cheapest) ways to accomplish this is with a truck and RV trailer.
Let's do a calculation.
The cost of a new truck, $40k. The cost of a new RV trailer, $40k.
Let's say, that I utilize both of these items for 10 years. In other words, after 10 years, I'm older and I've become tired of this lifestyle and want to slow down. We'll also assume the cost of these two items depreciate to zero after 10 years. Therefore, my cost is $8k per year.
Let's say, I want to spend 3 months per year in the USA. RV park costs depend on the individual park and the length of stay. It could cost anywhere from 500-1500 per month. Let's use $1000 per month as an average. Therefore, the 3 months accommodation charges would be $3k.
In total, my 3 month costs would be (8k+3k) $11,000 per year.
This truck/RV combo means I don't have to fly to my destination. I don't have to rent a car for 3 months. I don't have to pay for further accommodations. I can prepare cheaper, healthier meals, in my trailer. The truck gives me the freedom to set my trailer down in an RV park and continue on day tours. The trailer could stay in the park for a day, week or month. I'm free to go wherever and whenever I want.
Also, I could continue to use the truck as my main vehicle for the rest of the year in Canada.
All in all, I think this is a reasonable cost, for this kind of freedom and lifestyle.
Any current retirees do this? and can comment on this lifestyle?
thanks.