Although I know many people do it, and enjoy it, personally I am not convinced of the advantages of full timing, especially as I get older. Maybe I am back to front as many people wait until they are older to do this. However, as mentioned by Roger I also spend long periods away, but tend to 'hide' back home in the winter. There are enough hobbies and entertainment here to keep me fully occupied for the dark, short days. Yes, you can rent your property, but for personal reasons I am loathe to do that. Maybe it is because I lived in rented property myself for long periods of time while overseas, and did rent out my own house for one assignment. But I did not make a lot of money once the repairs had been done, and I also never really liked living in someone else's house, or having anyone in mine. So, I now lock my house up while I am away. I find that 3 to 4 months a trip works out quite well, and the mail pile is usually only knee deep. What we save on the utility bills during that period covers the extra costs of a cold winter.
I have probably spent hours mulling over the costs, and hopefully savings, of doing various things. Downsizing can release money, although I have to question who is in the position of downsizing nowadays when the average price of a house is over 170k, and what do you actually get for that? Apartments, certainly up here, are almost as expensive as houses because everybody wants them. A good 2 bedroom one is now approaching 250k so to downsize to that I reckon you need a home valued at 350k plus, to make it worth while, and of course no mortgage. I am not disputing there are some out there, just that it may not be the run of the mill. If you look at 100k difference on downsizing then you are probably left with 80k after paying all costs and the usual extras. Things always come up. It is not really a fortune when you only get 4k a year income, unless you start spending capital.
So, so far, I stick with what I have and enjoy the long long summers. Those that do decide to go for it have my admiration.
I have probably spent hours mulling over the costs, and hopefully savings, of doing various things. Downsizing can release money, although I have to question who is in the position of downsizing nowadays when the average price of a house is over 170k, and what do you actually get for that? Apartments, certainly up here, are almost as expensive as houses because everybody wants them. A good 2 bedroom one is now approaching 250k so to downsize to that I reckon you need a home valued at 350k plus, to make it worth while, and of course no mortgage. I am not disputing there are some out there, just that it may not be the run of the mill. If you look at 100k difference on downsizing then you are probably left with 80k after paying all costs and the usual extras. Things always come up. It is not really a fortune when you only get 4k a year income, unless you start spending capital.
So, so far, I stick with what I have and enjoy the long long summers. Those that do decide to go for it have my admiration.
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