Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 45
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    Klondyke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last Online
    26-09-2021 @ 10:28 PM
    Posts
    10,105

    1 million Americans live in RVs.

    1 million Americans live in RVs. Meet the 'modern nomads.'

    When Robert and Jessica Meinhofer told friends they were moving into an RV in 2015, most thought they were crazy.

    The questions poured in: How could they go from living in a 2,000-square-foot home to living in a 250-square-foot trailer? What would they do with their stuff? What would their children, ages 6 and 9, do for school? Was this a midlife crisis? The hardest people to convince were Jessica's parents, who grew up in an impoverished Latino neighborhood in the Bronx and worked hard so their daughter could have a better life. They couldn't understand why the couple wanted to live like migrant laborers.

    The Meinhofers are doing this by choice, not financial desperation. They are part of a movement of people ditching "sticks and bricks" homes that have long embodied the American Dream and embracing a life of travel, minimal belongings and working when they want.

    "We're a family of four redefining what the American Dream means. It's happiness, not a four-bedroom house with a two-car garage," said Robert Meinhofer, who is 45.
    The Meinhofers and a dozen others who spoke with The Washington Post about this modern nomadic lifestyle said living in 200 to 400 square feet has improved their marriages and made them happier, even if they're earning less. There's no official term for this lifestyle, but most refer to themselves as "full-time RVers," "digital nomads" or "workampers."

    Most modern nomads need jobs to fund their travels. Jessica Meinhofer works remotely as a government contractor, simply logging in from the RV. Others pick up "gig work" cleaning campsites, harvesting on farms or in vineyards, or filling in as security guards. People learn about gigs by word of mouth, on Workamper News or Facebook groups like one for Workampers with more than 30,000 members. Big companies such as Amazon and J.C. Penney even have programs specifically recruiting RVers to help at warehouses during the peak holiday season.

    A million Americans live full-time in RVs, according to the RV Industry Association. Some have to do it because they can't afford other options, but many do it by choice. Last year was a record for RV sales, according to the data firm Statistical Surveys. More than 10.5 million households own at least one RV, a jump from 2005 when 7.5 million households had RVs, according to RVIA.

    Interest in "RVing" - either full time or on weekends - appears to be picking up, especially among young couples. Half of new sales are going to Americans under 45, and purchases by people of color are rising, RVIA found in its 2016 surveys, a change from the 20th century, when white retirees dominated campsites.

    Read more
    https://www.sfgate.com/business/arti...n-13383991.php

  2. #2
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Last Online
    Today @ 07:05 PM
    Location
    Roiet
    Posts
    34,895
    I'll have one of these and a life time supply of diesel fuel.

    http://www.rvcountry.com/product/new...-44b-751502-10

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094
    When I hear people talking about living in a motor home, I always think of Albert Brook’s movie Lost In America.



    Worth a watch if you’ve never seen it. Funny, funny movie.

  4. #4
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    I'd do it in a heartbeat but the wife wouldn't be having it...

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
    Klondyke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last Online
    26-09-2021 @ 10:28 PM
    Posts
    10,105
    A half century ago I had read:

    Travels with Charley

    In 1960, Steinbeck bought a pickup truck and had it modified with a custom-built camper top – which was rare at the time – and drove across the United States with his faithful 'blue' standard poodle, Charley. Steinbeck nicknamed his truck Rocinante after Don Quixote's "noble steed". In this sometimes comical, sometimes melancholic book, Steinbeck describes what he sees from Maine to Montana to California, and from there to Texas and Louisiana and back to his home on Long Island. The restored camper truck is on exhibit in the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Steinbeck

  6. #6
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    The wrath of the grape...

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094
    My parents had a Winnebago for a while. They never sold up their house to live in it, but they would go months at a time sightseeing out west with their friends. They loved it. Dad just got to old to drive and maintain it, so they got rid of it.

    The money spent on motor home travel can be used for heaps of airline tickets and hotel rooms!

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094
    Why is this is Speakers Corner? Is there something controversial about RVs?

  9. #9
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    ^^ I hate airports and hotel rooms

    But the getting older part would probably do me in as well...as far as living that nomad RV lifestyle.

  10. #10
    RIP
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    16,939
    Something I'm aiming to do in the next couple of years, love the freedom and the quality family time away from the rat race.
    Trouble is that freedom costs money and plenty of it...

  11. #11
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    ^Chitty some of those fancier RVs cost more than I paid for my house. Of course there's always the 2nd hand market.

    I wonder if Lostandfound still has his...

  12. #12
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    Misskit the movie Money Pit is a good one for those living in houses.


  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    God bless America and freedom, some countries could lean.
    ]
    Home - Services - Community safety - Illegal camping
    Illegal camping

    There is no free camping within the shire; to 'camp' also includes sleeping in a vehicle. Any person found contravening the Caravan and Camping Grounds Act will receive a modified penalty of $125 on the spot.
    Designated camping areas are listed in the Camping brochure. (Printable map). It is also recommended you contact the Margaret River Information Centre for more detailed information.

    That's the desert, in the middle of nowhere, where I come from, they'll tow yore RV and you are on the street, if there is a street.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,552
    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Why is this is Speakers Corner? Is there something controversial about RVs?
    As Jeff would say, "consider the source".


  15. #15
    Thailand Expat
    can123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    24-04-2023 @ 02:34 PM
    Posts
    5,547
    A cheaper alternative for people in the UK.


  16. #16
    Thailand Expat Fondles's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chonburi, Thailand
    Posts
    7,861
    glorified trailer park trash.... no thanks.

  17. #17
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    Quote Originally Posted by Fondles View Post
    glorified trailer park trash.... no thanks.
    trailer trash can't afford anything like this:





    jus sayin...

  18. #18
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    Quote Originally Posted by can123 View Post
    A cheaper alternative for people in the UK.
    I like the idea of that...but I imagine it would take some getting used to sleeping on the water.

    We have quite a few "houseboaters" here in the States too. Never checked prices on any of those though.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat
    can123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    24-04-2023 @ 02:34 PM
    Posts
    5,547
    I have always fancied driving one from the UK to Thailand.
    Last edited by can123; 13-11-2018 at 05:11 AM.

  20. #20
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    When we had our less fancy RV ^^^ we met some of the nicest, well mannered people I've had the pleasure of meeting in my lifetime.

    Manor RV Park - Estes, Colorado




    trashy trailer park

    Last edited by SKkin; 13-11-2018 at 05:14 AM.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
    can123's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Last Online
    24-04-2023 @ 02:34 PM
    Posts
    5,547
    ^
    77,000 US dollars for that particular boat but can go up to 160,000 US dollars.

  22. #22
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    Quote Originally Posted by can123 View Post
    That particular boat is currently for sale for 77,000 US$
    That's a lot less than what those RVs I posted go for...probably at least a 150 grand apiece or more for both of those units.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Last Online
    29-11-2023 @ 01:10 PM
    Posts
    1,815
    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    God bless America and freedom, some countries could lean.
    ]
    Home - Services - Community safety - Illegal camping
    Illegal camping

    .

    That's the desert, in the middle of nowhere, where I come from, they'll tow yore RV and you are on the street, if there is a street.
    So that’s the desert ? The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River ? Infested with giant karri trees and surgeons’ tax-dodge wineries ? With a sharky coastline ?
    Interesting type of desert.

  24. #24
    fcuked off SKkin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    39.2014 N, 85.9214 W
    Posts
    7,554
    The Turner Caravan Park looks like a pretty nice place...

    https://turnerpark.amrshire.wa.gov.au/




  25. #25
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    41,562
    There's something about the whole RV / caravan / camping thing that appeals to me. I don't know that I could do it on a permanent basis though.

    Actually hired a caravan for over Xmas and will be at a spot on the beach -- it's going to be fucking awesome.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •