By Estelle Rodis-Brown
“We could still be sitting in the same old chair in the same old corner, watching the same old shows. But once you retire, you’re supposed to live a new life; not drag out the old one.” ~Karen Flory
Retirement can open up a world of new possibilities. Suddenly, the responsibilities of your past life have fallen away and now you’re contemplating wide open spaces of the unknown. What will be your next step?
You could downsize, move to a retirement community, settle into your rocking chair… or you could embark on adventures along the open road.
Sound crazy?
Maybe, but you’d be in good company. RV (recreational vehicle) ownership in the U.S. has trended up 62% in the past 20 years with half of a record 11.2 million RV owners age 55 and over, according to the RV Industry Association. Nearly 1 million retirees have traded “bricks and sticks” traditional housing for full-time RV living. More than 9 million families plan to buy an RV in the next five years.
With the ability to work-camp (or work remotely), many RVers settle into hybrid retirement, working only to pay for their RV lifestyle. Without the typical overhead costs of living (no homeowners insurance, HOA, maintenance/repairs, mortgage) RVers feel free to explore, meet people, learn skills, simplify and be in the driver’s seat of their destiny.
FINDING THEIR WAY FORWARD
Among these on-the-road retirees are Karen Flory and her husband of 49 years, Jeff. A Kent State grad, Karen was a teacher before she and Jeff retired in 2020. After serving in the Navy, Jeff worked in manufacturing management and purchasing. Job transfers kept the Florys in constant motion.
For the past two years, the couple has lived in their RV for half of the year, but call Northeast Ohio home from April through September. In November, they‘ll hit the road again for warmer climes.
“We travel, not to get away, but to make sure the adventures of life don’t slip away from us,” Karen says.
This wasn’t necessarily the plan. Retirement took the Florys by surprise.
“The first few weeks were splendid. Relatively quickly, we redefined who we were. We joined the ‘less is really more’ lifestyle,” Karen says.
“Life changed and we purchased an RV. Reluctant to believe we’d ever grow to enjoy it, we sold our home and most of our worldly possessions. Of course, family treasures remained nearby but — just like that, and to the amazement of our loved ones — we ventured out.”
The Florys were living in the Southwest when they retired. They lived in their RV full-time in Texas during the height of the pandemic. Then they became event planners at a campground in Ohio before heading down to Florida’s Navarre Beach Camping Resort.
Although they were RV rookies, the friendly Florys were offered positions as activities directors at the campground, and became at-work campers. “We didn’t know much about camping but we learned quickly,” Karen recalls. “As a longtime teacher and someone not too afraid to try something new, I was honored, and my husband quickly jumped on board.”
“I think our retirement experience just fell into place and we had no idea what we were doing at first but we learned to embrace it. We had our ups and downs, we had to learn a lot, and we met so many people with so much experience in the RV way.”
EASING INTO THE RV LIFESTYLE
After selling the big family home and most of their stuff, the Florys have found freedom in streamlining. During Ohio’s warm weather months, they reside in a small condo on the edge of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, enjoying a “cabin-in-the-woods lifestyle” and reconnecting with family.
“Ohio has always been and will forever be my favorite place, particularly this northeast region and all its splendor,” Karen says. “Ohio is home. We love the beauty, the people, music, culture and nature. But, from a retirement perspective, winter in Ohio presents limits and challenges we’re not ready to abide by. Living salty during the winter is good for us. “
When RV camping, “there’s always a new experience waiting for us… new people, new places, new activities,” she adds. “When you’re RVing, every day is a new opportunity. You don’t get caught up in housebound chores because you’re living simply. There’s not much to clean or care for, so you’re free to meet the people and opportunities right outside your door every day.”
A few years into retirement now, the Florys have decidedly become snowbirds, spending their winters in warm climates and their RV.
“As untraditional and challenging as it seemed, the RV life has been very good to us,” Karen sums up. “Our lifestyle changed and so did we.”
Photo courtesy Karen Flory
Karen Flory
Thank you for partnering with me, Estelle. As I read it I become more close to how much we enjoy our reality and our lives as we wander through. I’d be so happy to author, support, encourage and provide insight and purpose into what retirement should and could mean to all of us.
It’s my my pleasure and my husband’s enjoying it all too. Never look back. If ya trip, get up, console yourself a bit and continue the adventures that await. Talk to you again soon.
Pat O’Connor
Good insight into this retirement lifestyle. Really emphasizes the importance of adaptability.
Thanks
Pat O’Connor
Laura Young
Thanks for sharing your lifestyle. We plan to sell our sticks and bricks home this summer and hit the road with our 5th wheel this summer. Our first destination is Virginia, North and South Carolina then Florida for the winter. We are looking at staying in the panhandle so I am interested to hear what you did at Emerald Beach Resort. I worked in the campground office last summer and would love to do that again. I’d love any suggestions you have for us new to the full time lifestyle.
Karen
I think it’s important to set down the old ways, part with what you really don’t need, make a decision for simplicity. My first thought, Little House on the Prairie days. It was my favorite show. My husband and I, along with our children, moved for work reasons, moved nearly 30 times. Each move I labored over so much stuff, and realized it was not us.
I spent 10 years sharing things, selling a few things, purging. If it was good I vowed to make sure someone else could use it!
Just prior to COVID we purchased a used, adorable 30-foot RV and within weeks we were living in it whether we wanted to or not, through COVID. It ended up the best thing that happened to us.
Our kids were on their own, our ambitions were great and off we went.
My suggestion is not to be worried, just explore! We learned to appreciate having no more than 2 towels each. We learned we did not need nor did we want stuff!
I remember arriving at a beautiful but laid back beach RV park and wondering what was next. Within 2 weeks I made friends, set up a great place for us and was so caught off guard when asked to be event planners for a 60 and over Beach RV park.
Not long after things were in full swing and we loved it and so did everyone else. As a retired teacher I always let imagination of what could be lead me. And it was so wonderful. Look around where you are and find fun and purpose, smile, initiate, invite, listen! That’s how I’ll start it but please keep in touch. The greatest experiences await you.