YOU'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF TRAVELING THE COUNTRY IN AN R.V.

Many retirees who long for the open road sell their homes around retirement age and invest a small, (usually between $15,000 - $25,000) and sometimes large portion ($50,000 to $200,000) of the sales proceeds in recreational vehicles.

For the full-time RV retiree, this radical yet fun change in lifestyle allows them to see the U.S., Canada and (Mexico if they choose but since it's so dangerous I don't recommend it), sitting far above most vehicles for toptimum views of the countryside. It is one of the most comfortable and stylish ways to travel the highways and biways that criss-cross the continents.

Imagine having the luxury to be able to pull off the road whenever you are hungry or tired. Make yourself a snack or meal…saving money every time you do and take a nap in the comfort of your RV home if you're tired of driving. No need to wait until you come to the next town. Although the miles per gallon is a lot less than a car, sleeping in your RV saves hundreds a night at motels and hotels. And the scenery will be far more spectacular than what you would see looking out a motel windo onto a freeway.

Others, like us, maintain a home base but spend some of their time on the road when we don't like the winter weather where our home is. Many people may spend most of their time traveling and just “check in” at their home every so often it's so fun. They have certain itenerary they follow and get together with their new RV friends that stay in the same spots.

Even with the high price of gasoline today, one of the primary benefits of a full time RV lifestyle is the flexibility to stay as long as you want in one place. And no matter where you travel, when your primary or second home is a recreational vehicle, your home literally is where your heart is.

You can travel to warmer climates for the winter months and cooler climates for the summer months. Many retirees from the northern states like Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana...and east coast states like Maryland up to Rhode Island, are referred to as snowbirds. These RV lifestyle retirees take their cues from the birds and migrate to warmer climates like Arizona or Florida, flock to the warm climates every year during the winter.

Likewise, retirees who have their primary residences in warm winter climates and hot summer climates (over 100 degrees) take off to places like Yellowstone, the Wasatch and Rocky Mountain destinations to take advantage of more comfortable days (averaging 75-85 degrees) and evenings the higher elevations offer.

Do you have friends and family spread out across the U.S. like so many of us in this transient society we live in? Owning an RV gives you the freedom to plan your winter or summer routes to take advantage of seeing your children, grandchildren and parents on a regular basis. And you don’t have to worry about being that 3-day-old fish that is starting to smell because you bring your home with you and don’t have to take up room or inconvenience anyone when you visit.

I do recommend that you bring along, or visit places where you can enjoy hobbies and other recreational activities in your new lifestyle. It’s important to have a variety of things you enjoy doing while you’re traveling the country so that you remain engaged and active. To that end, some full time RV retirees map out travel routes that allow them to enjoy things like golf. Every year they play golf courses from one coast to the other. Others enjoy following the NASCAR circuit during racing season, craft fairs or horse racing.