Van life with kids and wife at home. Possible?

[Wokem]

Just curious if anyone has gone off in their van for long periods of time with a wife and kids (11 and 14) at home. Or do you just need to wait until they move out?  Just wanted to get folks opinions - good or bad! Thanks!

 

[user 423]

"...I went out for a ride and I never came back".

--Springsteen song (not about dad of the year).

 

[Wokem]

Hah! Ok maybe get an rv so everyone can come along? How big do you need for 4 people??? How old of an rv is too old? It looks like my price range only gets me a 2000-2004. That seems pretty old! Where do you guys look for these vehicles?

 

[RVTravel]

Possible but don't expect to stay married.

 

[Wokem]

Possible but don't expect to stay married.

Yeah good point. Anyone have recommendations on where to buy a cheap stocks and bricks home that is warmer with less snow than upstate New York? Preferably with a good school district?

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Wokem! You could go off for long periods of time but you probably won't have a wife and kids at home when you come back. :-D Taking them with you sounds like a better idea but make sure everyone is agreeable to the idea first. For a little inspiration here's a good blog. https://www.bumfuzzle.com/adventure/ Read the section about the 1966 Dodge Travco.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[drysailor]

Yeah good point. Anyone have recommendations on where to buy a cheap stocks and bricks home that is warmer with less snow than upstate New York? Preferably with a good school district?

Sounds like a bad case of Cabin Fever has set in.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I started when my son was 12... not 18 months later his mom and I were separated and done. I became a totally different person - better if you ask me - so a 20+ year relationship ended. No regrets on that front. My son and I still talk regularly. In fact we only got closer because of it

 

[TMG51]

Maybe talk to your wife and see what she thinks of this idea? Otherwise--

Possible but don't expect to stay married.

Pretty much this.

Anyone have recommendations on where to buy a cheap stocks and bricks home that is warmer with less snow than upstate New York?

The deep south.

Preferably with a good school district?

Nevermind then...

I started when my son was 12... not 18 months  later his mom and I were separated and done. I became a totally different person - better if you ask me - so a 20+ year relationship ended. No regrets on that front. My son and I still talk regularly. In fact we only got closer because of it

Oh look. Actual firsthand advice. You should probably listen to this guy.

 

[Annie W]

Yeah good point. Anyone have recommendations on where to buy a cheap stocks and bricks home
that is warmer with less snow than upstate New York? Preferably with a good school district?

Yes.
How small a home are you willing to settle for to start? - You can add to it later.
And what kind of property repair are you prepared to make?

 

[GotSmart]

Yeah good point. Anyone have recommendations on where to buy a cheap stocks and bricks home that is warmer with less snow than upstate New York? Preferably with a good school district?

Missouri. Try the Columbia area. Lower prices and top education. A+ schools. Many new higher paying jobs.

 

[Wokem]

Missouri. Try the Columbia area. Lower prices and top education. A+ schools. Many new higher paying jobs.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions folks! Really appreciated!  I have a few comments. 

Obviously RV/van life is not going to work. I’ll be retiring in a few years and selling an overpriced and taxed home in New York. I’d like to find a place to move with the wife and kids that everyone would be happy that is a lot cheaper but still hasn’t social things to do. Preferably via golf cart or Segway or something. 

Does anyone know if Mexico or any other countries are a good idea? I still like having a dishwasher laundry etc.

My family plans on traveling around to explore looking for places to move. I like the rv life videos just to see how other people live. I definitely like the idea of cool community unlike my current stuffy uptight New York neighbors.

Thanks again to everyone who made comments!!! You guys are super helpful.

 

[GotSmart]

Having raised kids, a top education was my first priority. Health care, activities, live ability, clean air and water, and so on.  Columbia Missouri is extremely high on the lists. 

Today I am in lake Havasu with the temperature is currently 56 at 10 am on feb 11.     I can see boaters and ATV riders out having fun. Soon it will be in the 100+ temps. I will be elsewhere by then.  Someplace cooler. 

It all comes down to financial and priorities. 

Have a family meeting and decide yours. Nobody here can do it for you.

Don’t let a mid life chrises ruin your life.

 

[Wokem]

No mid life crisis just pre planning for retirement getting tips and ideas from people on where to move to more fully enjoy life. I’m in the last 15% of my career and I really hate working now. So I’m just trying to cope with my job by listening to you guys and watching van dwellers. If I can make it my allotted number of years my wife and I will be financially set for life. But it would be helpful to live somewhere cheaper than New York. At least we would be able to afford to travel more and do other fun stuff.

So just looking for ideas from you guys!

 

[travlinman and wife]

Worked with a guy who moved from. Number to tn and saved 10,000in property. Taxes. Also ten made the list for best places to retire.

 

[Wokem]

Worked with a guy who moved from. Number to tn and saved 10,000in property. Taxes. Also ten made the list for best places to retire.

TN is on our short list. Do you have any specific area(s) to focus in on?  We’d want to be close to stuff to do and an airport. Thanks.

 

[travlinman and wife]

Cookville was number 5 on the last list I saw. it is about 40 miles from nashville and at a higher elv.

 

[DLTooley]

I think it is a good thing for a shorter time period, a year or two max. Kinda like sailing around the world.

 

[BigRockSpeaker]

Wokem,

I am in a similar spot - also in upstate NY BTW!  I am 51, with a wife, 46, recent college grad daughter, 21, and current college student son, 19.  I am looking to retire - tomorrow would not be too soon.  But I also am very much tied to my family.  My wife is agreeable to selling the house and buying a Class A, but not for many more years, and I also want to make sure the kids have the start in life they deserve.

So what to do?  Make the interim time as pleasant as possible.  My wife finally agreed to buying a custom cargo trailer and building it out as a weekender/vacationer.  Enough room for the two of us and the dog, with the possibility of bringing the kids, albeit a tight squeeze.  We're driving down to GA next week to pick it up and do a bit of boondocking on the trip back up.  Then will come the build of the inside.

Hopefully a win-win for everyone.  I get a taste of my dream now rather than having to wait, and I get to keep my family.

Send me a PM, maybe we can share some boondocking time in NY this summer!

 

[Sabatical]

We are also from upstate NY (way upstate). Kids are making their own way now and we are able to venture to warmer places for some time during the winter. Still working the rest of the year.
About 4 years ago I was able to talk my wife into travelling with me to meet the vandweller tribe and see what this deal is all about. We have met the nicest most caring, sharing, and giving people while travelling. These short winter breaks make the rest of the year tolerable.
The key, for us, to maintianing happiness between us is not asking for too much "roughing it" right off. Get your feet wet and see how everybody likes it. Don't push. The biggest take away has been learning how comfortable you can be while boondocking. It is doable and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money.

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