55+ Solo Women

[mothercoder]

Would love to hear from women who ventured out on their own living full-time in their 50's -60's.  Your struggles and successes.

 

[Almost There]

That would be me for one!

But then I also did it for 14 years starting when my youngest graduated, I was in my late 40s...he said he was leaving home and I took him at his word...sold the house and ran away....    Before that I only got to travel on weekends and vacations.

I came back and settled down to do some elder care for mom 9 years ago. It sucked for the most part!

Now that I'm retired I can do this at my leisure. I love travelling and never tire of finding new places to explore. I have an okay income - nothing extravagant but enough to live this lifestyle without worrying about every penny.

Successes, well I keep being complimented on the interior of my van and how pretty she is!. Link to my build thread is in my signature line. My other success is in being able to mentor other women who want to do this and just need a little help along the way.

The only thing I struggle with is that I have to put in my 6 months each year in Canada to keep my government happy and sending me my 'paychecks'.  I'm kinda cranky right now because it's cold and rainy/snowy and I've still got 9 days to go before I can cross the border. 'Tis my own fault though for lollygagging on my way home last spring...I was having way too much fun to come home.... Made it just in time for Mothers' Day and that was it.

Come one Nov. 8th....

 

[PathofAsha]

I'm currently looking for my next vehicle to solo in. As soon as my park model sells I'll be back out there. 

I think it will be much easier on my own than it was with 2 boys. 

What I struggle with is companionship though. I like talking things through with another human from time to time. Or sharing a meal. Otherwise I can't wait to explore, decorate, experience everything at my own pace.

I'm very good with money, invested wisely over the years so no worries now.

 

[mothercoder]

That would be me for one!

But then I also did it for 14 years starting when my youngest graduated, I was in my late 40s...he said he was leaving home and I took him at his word...sold the house and ran away....    Before that I only got to travel on weekends and vacations.

I came back and settled down to do some elder care for mom 9 years ago. It sucked for the most part!

Now that I'm retired I can do this at my leisure. I love travelling and never tire of finding new places to explore. I have an okay income - nothing extravagant but enough to live this lifestyle without worrying about every penny.

Successes, well I keep being complimented on the interior of my van and how pretty she is!. Link to my build thread is in my signature line. My other success is in being able to mentor other women who want to do this and just need a little help along the way.

The only thing I struggle with is that I have to put in my 6 months each year in Canada to keep my government happy and sending me my 'paychecks'.  I'm kinda cranky right now because it's cold and rainy/snowy and I've still got 9 days to go before I can cross the border. 'Tis my own fault though for lollygagging on my way home last spring...I was having way too much fun to come home.... Made it just in time for Mothers' Day and that was it.

Come one Nov. 8th....

A mentor!  That's what I need!  

So my plan is to retire and leave when my lease is up this June.  I could go month-to-month after that if need be but I'd rather not.  You've seen my thread on being confused on what to live in.  As far as finances go, I think I will be okay.  I don't have a pension but I do have social security and I'm debt free.  And I hope to work on the road doing some WordPress development.  It won't be an extravagant life but I have never needed much.

 

[mothercoder]

I'm currently looking for my next vehicle to solo in. As soon as my park model sells I'll be back out there. 

I think it will be much easier on my own than it was with 2 boys. 

What I struggle with is companionship though. I like talking things through with another human from time to time. Or sharing a meal. Otherwise I can't wait to explore, decorate, experience everything at my own pace.

I'm very good with money, invested wisely over the years so no worries now.

That gives you more experience than me!  My father had a truck camper and we camped occasionally when I was a kid.  I did a decent amount of tent camping as a young adult.  So all of this will be an adventure to me -- which I love.  

I know the question to solo full-timers is always "are you lonely?"  Honestly, having been single for 23 years, I have plenty of lonely moments right now.  I have good friends but all my family lives out west.  Although I work at a large corporation, only my direct boss and I office locally - everyone else is remote.  So I don't get a lot of human interaction at work.  Therefore, I can't imagine companionship would be more of a  problem than it is now.  I have family in CA, NV and CO and while my intent isn't to just shuffle between them, I have an easier opportunity to spend time with them than I do now.  I HATE flying!  lol

 

[johnny b]

After "NOV 8th" you might just wanna stay in Canada!

 

[DrJean]

I'm not out and about yet, but I did move about the country 28 x in 26 years... and I have 40 years of scouting/outdoor living training and skills under my belt. I look forward to a more interaction than I've had the last 15 years... looking for campfire chats and morning coffee awakenings with others now and then... but I'm happy with me and my dog...and God and His beautiful world.

 

[Van Lady]

That would be me for one!

But then I also did it for 14 years starting when my youngest graduated, I was in my late 40s...he said he was leaving home and I took him at his word...sold the house and ran away....    Before that I only got to travel on weekends and vacations.

I came back and settled down to do some elder care for mom 9 years ago. It sucked for the most part!

Now that I'm retired I can do this at my leisure. I love travelling and never tire of finding new places to explore. I have an okay income - nothing extravagant but enough to live this lifestyle without worrying about every penny.

Successes, well I keep being complimented on the interior of my van and how pretty she is!. Link to my build thread is in my signature line. My other success is in being able to mentor other women who want to do this and just need a little help along the way.

The only thing I struggle with is that I have to put in my 6 months each year in Canada to keep my government happy and sending me my 'paychecks'.  I'm kinda cranky right now because it's cold and rainy/snowy and I've still got 9 days to go before I can cross the border. 'Tis my own fault though for lollygagging on my way home last spring...I was having way too much fun to come home.... Made it just in time for Mothers' Day and that was it.

Come one Nov. 8th....

The link to your build does not show up in TapaTalk. Could you please post the link?
Thanks!

 

[Almost There]

The link to your build does not show up in TapaTalk. Could you please post the link?
Thanks!

Sure, here you go!

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Building-Arabella