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Very interesting thread, I'd like to see pics of the poster living full time in the campground. But camping does not always mean sleeping on the ground. We camp a lot and have cots from Walmart and a giant tent. Before that we had a series of popups. The cots are much more comfortable than the popup, which has a bed consisting of a small cushon over plywood.
We watch the tiny house show too. No way all the climbing into the loft would be practical for a senior.
We see tons of "retirees" near downtown living in tents.
Most of them spend part of day near Wal-Mart or freeway exits holding cardboard signs that include the words homeless, help, Jesus, thank you, or desperate.
Last time we did serious tent camping (5 days straight in Lake Tahoe) my baby boomer body was crying uncle. We even had some pretty good inflatable mats to soften the sleeping surface, but still, the first night back in a hotel bed sure felt nice.
But I'm intrigued by the idea of mega-frugal living once the kids are gone to college and beyond. My wife and I discuss it all the time, though we call it "Super Downsizing" and think we'll have about an 8 year window of retirement years when we're still in our 50s, without kids at home or grandkids coming to visit, and we'll be fairly mobile and do lots of traveling while still in good health. Then later, maybe settle back into a comfortable home and remain there.
But I don't think I'd be good in a tent more than 2 or 3 days in a row.
Steve
I think these stories get more and more preposterous and time will tell how they pan out. How many will be doing the same thing in 5 years, much less 10, or 20, or "actual" retirement age. I don't think they have a clue but I'd sure like to hear back from them. Aaahhh....to be young and smug again!
I have no desire to stay in a tent for more than a few days at a time, although I have fond memories of tent camping as a child and as a young adult. So I am with you in that sense. However, what age would that be for most people that they "can lay down on the ground" but not be able to get up? Certainly it would be extremely rare for anyone under 80.
Unfortunately, It's not extremely rare. I've know quite a few people who have started having mobility issues in their fifties. Really, they would be able to get up from the ground, but it would take a while--and it would hurt.
Unfortunately, It's not extremely rare. I've know quite a few people who have started having mobility issues in their fifties. Really, they would be able to get up from the ground, but it would take a while--and it would hurt.
Hell I hated putting shoes on from a mat on the ground when I was 30. That's why the cots work so well not just for sleeping but for use as you get dressed, plus you can store you bag underneath for more room.
Last edited by DaveinMtAiry; 04-22-2016 at 10:19 AM..
Today I'm in a 1450 sq ft bi level home (I built it) that is too big for me. My legs are giving out and the long commute from the bedroom to the upstairs main bathroom is catching up with me. Should have looked ahead on a personal nature and not looking to who may be living here after I'm gone.
Steve
This is a timely observation for me, even though the thread is eight years old! Just last night I mumbled to myself 'it's a good thing I have a small house' as I walked from the living room to the kitchen. After contracting Lyme disease twice my hip joints are pretty painful.
My house is only around 650 SF. Single storey Cape Cod. It's plenty for one person. In fact, the living room is just basically a room I walk through to get to the kitchen! I rarely use it.
Unfortunately, It's not extremely rare. I've know quite a few people who have started having mobility issues in their fifties. Really, they would be able to get up from the ground, but it would take a while--and it would hurt.
I've never heard of such a thing in someone less than 80 years old. I have a genetically substandard body in almost every respect and at age 72 it would be no more trouble for me to get up off the ground than to get out of bed.
You say you have known such people, and so I accept that - there would be no reason for you to lie about it. I am having trouble processing it, though, because it doesn't compute. Do you know why that is the case for people you've known? What would hurt, exactly, if they were to get up off the ground? The whole concept is scary as hell.
I recently met someone like that. She is 74 and walks with a cane but I don't know what the physical problem is. I don't know anyone else who wouldn't be able to get up--my husband is 75 yr old and lies on the ground fixing cars. It's his hobby, repairing MGs. No problem getting up.
But there are people with arthritis and other issues that would make it difficult for them.
Tents! When I was in my late twenties, I finally bought cots instead of just a mat on the ground. I would do that today if I hadn't sold off all my camping gear due to a divorce. But to live in a tent you'd have to live in a climate that was conducive to year round living outdoors. I'd hate to think of spending 5 months of winter with the snow piling up on the tent, unable to get out to get food, and probably literally freezing to death.
We live in the lap of luxury with our little popup camper for a few days in the heat of the summer here. There are built in beds at each end, a little sink and stove, a dorm sized fridge, and you're in a campground with other people and the owners in charge if you ever needed any help. Two years ago my birthday present from dh was a porta potty! Now I don't have to go to the campground rest rooms in the middle of the night.
I could easily live in one of the larger, non popup small campers that we have looked at recently. One had an actual bathroom with cabinets and a window --shower, sink, toilet. Then a separate room for dining and sitting, and beds at one end. Trouble is, we'd have to buy an SUV or a truck to tow it and here we go--getting in further than we want to, money-wise and getting too complicated.
When we camp during the heat of the summer, up in Maine, I see loads of huge (ugly to me and sort of overkill) long setups that remain there year round. You get a discount if you keep it there over the winter. You can also get discounts for keeping it there all summer.
My ideal would be a small towable camper like the one we recently looked at. I could live in it year round but of course, not in this freezing, snowy, northern climate complete with blizzards. I don't know if that is even allowed--the campgrounds usually close down in the fall. There are a/c units for campers so it could be done in the south year round. I enjoy being outdoors so a camper in a balmy climate would be fine with me. Not a tent though, not even with the cots. I'm spoiled now with the little stove and even a microwave in the camper.
You can get a good used small towable camper for a few thousand dollars. If you've downsized enough, who needs extra space? There's room enough inside to invite your camping neighbors in for a game of cards or to watch tv --or project a video on the tv screen, or just to visit. (I guess the only issues I'd have is, being a woman, I "need" my good china and silver, and my collectibles and a few pieces of antique furniture. But that stuff could be stored somewhere since it's barely used anyway. It's just stuff that I feel sentimental about.)
Sorry to ramble, but I love the idea of year round camping. We even considered taking the camper to Florida and volunteering at the campground to get a discount on the fees. That's the downside--it can get expensive unless you just live in an actual tent and truly rough it. When you pay for electric, gas, running water, it's still cheap but not THAT cheap.
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Now I don't have to go to the campground rest rooms in the middle of the night.
