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The roadmap to the road

December 16th, 2016 at 02:02 am

Wow, ok didn't expect to get much feedback to be honest. I mean, talk about some late night ramblings on a strange topic eh? There's a lot more I want to say about this, so I am going to answer them here instead of in the comments.

But first of all, I'm still serious about this. I've already made up my mind. Things are already in motion, and a roadmap is being developed as we speak.

Anyway, to answer CCF, renting my house is definitely an option, though it would be less than ideal compared to selling it outright. Of course, if renting is the best offer I can get for now, then by all means, I will go with that.

Snafu brings up some great points, and please by all means, don't be shy about bringing up constructive criticism. I'm not going to get to where I want to be in life by dismissing reality. (Don't comment about Trump... don't comment about Trump.) I don't know if you already know this but the house is already fully paid for. So yes, although I will probably still take a loss, the final calculation will never be upside down somehow.

And yes... I am already prepared to take a loss. However, I would still like to avoid that if at all possible. That is why, again, I don't think I will be turning this around overnight. Instead, I am willing to give it two years to see if I can't get a reasonable price for it.

Two years is also roughly what I am thinking it will take to be completely ready, tested, and experienced enough to set out on my own... which leads me to the next topic.

Yes, RVs are ridiculously expensive. Ridiculous. Even greatly used RVs can cost as much as $50k or so. Forget that sass. I've already decided that I will build my own RV. Yes, the end result will be nothing as glamorous as a real commercial RV, but I think I can actually get it done with a $20k budget (vehicle included).

Still, think of the hilarious pictures and the misadventures I will be able to share with you guys on here. (Think ugly art class ash try from junior high on four wheels.)

As for parking and such, no worries. Remember, I am still a member of the law enforcement community. These things are generally governed by municiple codes, and all it would take is one phone call for me to get most of what I would need to know to stay legal... and I've already researched this on my own as well. I even know a Deputy that builds his own personal teardrop campers and does this.

Without a doubt though, there will be challenges. I know this isn't going to be easy, I know it won't be glamorous or glorious either. What I am choosing here is a path of austerity and perhaps even hardship. I know I am not going to impress anyone. All I know is I want to be honest with myself and the way I want to live life while I am still alive and able....

I know I am not the only one who has ever felt the gravity of mortality, the loosening of the mortal coil, and the lingering pang of regret of a life not lived. I am not just doing this to save money. I also want to live until I die. The great irony in all this is that, on our bad days, we often retreat to the places where we call home, right? Well, I don't know where my home is. I live in a house but it's not a home. I think I can build one though, so I can be closer to the mountains and the oceans that I can take solace in. I want to go home too.

Finally, yes PatientSaver, I agree with your advice. As you can imagine, I've been a lurking member of these vandwelling forums for years now actually, and have read several books on it... to the point that that is the vast majority of all my Kindle recommendations, except for ones about solar power or aquaponics haha. The true test will be when the times comes for me to put theory into practice and actually build and then test living in my new "house" on wheels.

I hope things work out, but if it doesn't.... Worst case, everything falls apart, but hey, I am still in a fully-paid house, with a fully-paid van to drive around. I'm OK with that.

3 Responses to “The roadmap to the road”

  1. snafu Says:
    1481910322

    As a 'baby' step towards 'mobile' living, would you consider out-of-season renting a unit of type, size you'd consider adequate to understand it's fun and frustration trade offs? Check with your insurance agent as the parameter need to be fully understood.

    Lots of issues can be avoided when you choose the items important to your values. Everything is judged on the weight - quality - cost line. If the technical school/Community College near you offers an RV building program, it could be cost efficient to knock out an existing chassis to get what you want.

  2. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1481948875

    It sounds as though you have done a lot of thinking and researching on this. Of anyone, I think you probably have the greatest capacity to take to this kind of life you are considering. I mean, an RV is a good bit bigger than a closet, right? Smile

  3. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1481956334

    I've seen so many tiny house shows- maybe it will work for you? If you sleep in a closet in winter to cut down on heating costs it could do well for you to be in a much smaller place. Good luck!

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