Thinking about Fulltiming

Hi all.

My name is Brian and this is my first post here.

Following a recent conversation with a friend, I'm seriously thinking of buying and living in a motorhome for the next year or so.

I have just returned home to Ireland following many years working in Holland and the UK. I am now living in Dublin, my home town. I am paying €1,000 a month to rent a wee house while waiting for social housing. This should take a few years to materialise. I also started a business in Dublin and, fortunately, this is very successful and its growth is greatly exceeding my very optimistic expectations.

As I had started saving for a camper-van; I was thinking of a VW T25 Westfalia California; I thought to myself, why not think outside of the box and consider a larger Hymer and also consider using this as my main residence. My first response was to reject this thought as preposterous but it took root in my subconscious and is slowly becoming a viable proposition.

There are many arguments in favour. I could get a cheap loan from the Credit Union and pay this off within 2 years with the savings from rent. I want to travel the Wild Atlantic Way and see as much of Ireland as possible while I can and I want to do this sooner rather that later. I would prefer a rural to an urban environment but work, family and friendship networks tie me to Dublin city, and that's absolutely fine, but a motorhome would provide both options.

Arguments against include my age, what others might think and also the practicalities of fulltime motorhoming. I have turned 60 and should have more sense and embrace my inner cardigan and slippers. Well, to hell with that. I'm in perfect health and although one should never encourage the gods to laugh by telling them of your plans, I nevertheless (whispering) hope to die in perfect health, a long time in the future.

Travelling in caravans or motorhomes in Ireland has a long history but also a dark shadow. It seems to me that many of the unwanted and unacceptable feelings in some Irish people are focussed on travelling people who are the recipients of some dreadful prejudice and discrimination. I don't want to be part of that but on the other hand, I don't really give a damn what people think about me so long as I'm clear and honest about my own motivations and behaviours. Some robust Anglo-Saxon expletives spring to mind!

The practicalities of fulltiming provide a lot of food for thought. Thanks to the Internet, especially Youtube, I have done quite a lot of research and currently a 15-18yo Hymer B584 seems the best bet. I like the layout and it's just under 6 meters in length. The price is also feasible. I can imagine living in one. I would be very grateful for any advice or personal feedback about this.

My intention is to find a safe and secure parking space near the end of either the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) or LUAS (Tram) systems to allow easy access to my clinic in Dublin city centre. This would also provide easy access to the rest of rural Ireland. I would really only need access to a water supply as I'm hoping solar panels and a small generator would meet my electricity needs. I thought that if I fitted a SOG upgrade to a standard cassette unit, I could bury loo waste in a local field or flush down WC. Again, I would be very grateful for any advice or personal feedback about this.

Thanks for taking time to read this and allowing me a space to clarify my thinking and sorry for wittering on a bit but, hey, why use one word when ten will do!

Sure, why not.

What do you find hard to believe? I'd be interested to know.

Well, aside from the practicalities of it, you speak of having a business. A clinic in the city... But also suggest you're waiting for social housing. Why would you be eligible for council accommodation if, by your own admissions, you're doing so well?

You can't just park up your motorhome "close to a dart station" and live there.... I'm not sure you've thought this all out. How long before your generator is stolen? My machine is 11 meters (nearly 40ft long) and is as close to a house as you're likely to get on wheels. There's no way I could live in it full time.

Good luck to you either way.

I don't see any mention of a GF, wife or kids so I'm assuming your on your own.

I'm sure it'd take some adjustment, but you could probably come to terms with living permanently in a small space it if you're determined enough. One person doesn't really need a lot of living space when you really think about it...

The more practical challenges will be a concern. The "walk of shame" with your cassette will be something to admire... However, your thoughts of "burying the contents in a local field" may need a little more thought. Grey water will be an issue. Washing up, showers etc.. Security of the vehicle while you're not there etc.

Chances are some meddling neighbour will eventually report your vehicle if you plan on parking in a public parking area near the dart or luas.

Having said that, if you have enough fire in your belly, you'll find a way. I say go for it and best of luck with it! Life is for living, not for paying bills... (I saw a guy with that tattooed on his shoulder recently..)

If it were me, I'd be thinking more along the lines of Whippy's bus to be honest. I had a walk around in a 36ft Fleetwood bounder today (2014 model) and I recon I could survive for a few years in that if I really had to!!

If it is going to be parked up, you might as well have a caravan with no tax, insurance, test to do or servicing to pay for.

Thanks for this. Food for thought.

Mad?, not the first time I've been called that More of a duine le dia than an amadan, I hope!

I got back a several months ago from working and traveling in SE Asia for 6 months. Prior to that, I lived and worked in several different cities so I can adjust very easily to small space etc. I have hired an office in Dublin centre so this would be my permanent address. I already use it for business mail so not a huge change there.

I currently work 4 days a week and hope to shoot off during the other days. I also work 6 weeks and than have a week off. I was thinking that this would be bearable and even enjoyable if the venue was OK and I had a good view.

I have thought about weather, laundry etc and, to be honest, still haven't made my mind up.

Thanks for comments, though

Thanks Deirdre

Appreciate your advice. Still wondering if it is doable or not. I could use my office as my permanent address as this is registered in my name. I already get business and banking post there already. I plan to rent a parking space somewhere, a farmers field or similar. I haven't researched that yet. My requirements are security, good view, some basic services and near a DART or LUAS stop. I work 4 days a week with a week off every 6th week so lots of opportunity to travel. How feasible this is, I really don't know yet.

It's very doable and there is plenty do it, probably more so in GB. I am not sure what laws are in the South but if they are like the North then you are not allowed to camp for more than 28 days in the one place unless it is a licensed campsite. Saying that, if you get a good spot in a farmers field or similar that is slightly hidden from the main road there is no reason why you couldn't live there peacefully for months or years.

Have thought about it many a time and plan in the future to do it. Some people would be surprised at how little space they need if they just tried it, we live permanently in a mobile home, 14.5 foot wide and 42 foot long and even it has more room than we need. You just stop hoarding crap that you don't need.

How about people who put mobile home's in their garden, and let them out.?

Heard this before and they are supposed to do it in the North also.

Personally I think it's scare tactics, GE images are 3 years old or more. As far as I am aware no one has access to live images. Also, open GE and start looking for rural buildings, to actually find something that should not be there is like looking for a needle in a haystack, also the images on rural ground are not good enough to pinpoint what the building is. The only images that are good enough are those from streetview, so a building behind a building won't be detected.

You have the permanent address sorted and I'm presuming there's no way you can park up at the clinic, so I'd say your best bet is to find an elderly couple who have a large driveway or a yard area and who would be willing to rent you the space for a modest fee. Some elderly people may not only be glad of an extra few pounds, but also of having another pair of eyes about the place on a regular basis. Not knowing Dublin well I have no idea if this would be a solution for the nearness to the transport you mentioned. There are sites on the internet where people advertise their driveways and spaces for parking.

Camac Valley camping site is open all year you could stay there for your 4 days pw ,its close to the Luas at Red Cow ( bike it ) then off you go at weekends

€20 to €24 with no electric (solar ) and he would not be resident as he intends moving alot

Thanks for this

I wouldn't consider this unless I have a safe, secure and monitored parking place with a decent view. Public parking would be too stressful and uncertain. I'll keep my eyes open but something like renting a space in a farmers field or in a big garden would be ideal.

Still just thinking it through but fairly sure I want to give it a try. To hell with it, we only live once and I've done most of my living...

You're right about that. When I moved from the UK back home a few months ago, I gave nearly all my possessions to a charity shop. I like not being burdened by stuff I really don't need but want. Less is more for me!

Thanks for this. Good advice. Very encouraging.

Thanks. Good idea. I'll get in touch with them.

One other tip reference 'the walk of shame' I picked up early on was to measure your cassette and buy a suitable rucksack that it would fit into. Then you can go into any hotel, shopping centre, public toilet, or pub toilet to empty it discreetly.

Press the air button as you empty

Now now, Ken!
Accidents happen and what go's on in Vantastical, stays in Vantastical.