Are any Airstreamers Homeless? - Page 2

snog · 03-13-2009, 05:25 AM

indeed, it does seem that the sense of being 'homeless' can sometimes be one of perspective. if people CHOOSE to live full time in an RV, more power to 'em! i would hardly call that being homeless. i would love to do so, too, but, alas, i don't drive/nor can afford a car.
i also agree with the person who made some cogent points against stationary home ownership. sure doesn't seem like the investment it once was thought to be. on the other hand, though, paying rent for decades certainly is a total loss. you never get any of all that money paid in back.
yes, in some circumstances, people who are hardcore homeless do make some poor choices. i also have to wonder why people don't save when times are prosperous for them. even though i have been low income much of the time i've lived independantly, i have always saved as much as i could. i've known people who make many times my income who don't have a dime to their name. it does require dicipline to save. but, like the user who'd mentioned that having lots of possesions can be a millstone around one's neck, i never have had the desire to be aquisitive. that being said, i do have my little luxuries, but at the same time, i consider having money in the bank as the ultimate luxury. there's a rule of thumb that a person should have at least 6 months living expenses in their savings accounts. having no money to fall back on would make me very anxious!

anyhoo, i wonder if the RV owners mentioned in the news coverage could drive their RV's to an RV park...

flitzwhopper · 03-13-2009, 09:17 AM

Peace of mind... We avoided all of the fun involved in buying a home and finding out it was a mistake. We've been in the same house for 25 years and although it was worth a lot more before the crash than now, we still have equity. None the less.... the twink in the back yard and a serviceable TV makes the concern about an unexpected turn about in our fortunes much less threatening. This unexpected benefit to owning our camper really does matter - to us.

Al - K4GLU · 03-13-2009, 09:29 AM

Just like Elvie I sold my home in May '07 at a huge profit just before the you know what hit the fan. I live in a 20' 2007 Safari - have zero debt and have been debt free since 1980 - and I might add have lost not one cent in the schlock market as it became obvious to me after the Dot.com thing that it was nothing but a manipulated crapshoot and that the majority of financial advisers were a joke. But I certainly don't consider myself homeless. I just take it with me wherever I go.

SteSpot · 03-13-2009, 02:15 PM

Check out this story on CNN about portable tents for the homeless.......really homeless....

Tents on wheels give homeless people roof and pride - CNN.com

pj

doug&maggie · 03-13-2009, 03:46 PM

I think there is generally an involuntary element present when defining oneself as "homeless", whether you are in a shelter, on the streets, in your car, AS, RV, etc. I saw a news clip last night about one of Bernard Madoff's victims, who lost everything, they are homeless and living in their (huge) RV--but can't afford gas for it. One of those "there but for the grace of God go I"-----

snog · 03-14-2009, 05:43 AM

yeah, that totally blows about people having been *&^$ by one bernie madoff, who, ehem, made off with all their money.

i do have to say that i've always been leary of the stock market. which is why i still have my assests; even though they earn very little, being in CD's, at least they're safe. i wonder why people would put ALL their money in stocks.
anyhoo, it's tragic that folks trusted ol bernie. i hope he does make restitution.

i found it very sad that 'Brenda', the senior who lived in a 'tent with wheels', was homeless. elders should never have to be on the streets. you'd think the poor woman would be eligable for public senior housing...

indeed, there but for the grace of God, go i... i consider myself very fortunate to have my apt. it's shabby, but it's home and the rent is low!

MaryContrary · 04-21-2009, 12:33 AM

wow great thread...
I have never thought of myself as homeless, although I live in my AS full time. I've lived in all sorts of houses, apts, lofts, warehouse apts, urban skyrises, and rural areas...always renting. But after all those I love my airstream living experience the best!

when it came down to wanting to buy something to call my own, the idea of being tied to one city was frightening....where to go?
Now I can pick up and go to California tomorrow, and then spend time on the east coast if I wanna

Some people landscape their lawn and buy clunky furnature, I save all my pennies for gas and have absolutly everything i need neetly packed in 30' of alluminum.

I payed about 500-1000$ a month plus all the bills for too long. airstreaming is wayyy cheaper.

danalee · 04-21-2009, 03:09 AM

Excellent response, Paula. I especially agree with your comments about the guy who thinks he should hold out for the salary he was making in his prior world. I've always told me kids that you can be "rich" as long as you live within your means, whether it be hot dogs and beans or steak and potatoes. I am glad that I grew up in a family that really struggled, it taught me so much and I appreciate my good fortune so much more. I may have to return to the workforce due to issues that we are all facing but it certainly won't be the high pressure administrative job that I left almost 10 years ago. We have made adjustments in our lifestyle to accomodate our circumstances and are fine. No we aren't taking cruises and I buy my clothes at the local thrift store. We eat healthy but don't eat at extravagant restruants. We are looking forward to vacationing in our new to us 65 AS. It is functional now but further repairs and upgrades will come as we can afford it!!My son-in-law made a comment that as painful as it has been we all needed a wake up call and people will either heed that call and get a grip or they won't like the folks living in their extravagant MH.

doorgunner · 04-21-2009, 09:44 AM

I've been "Residentially Challenged" for a few years.
It'll be hard to go back to the dark side.

snog · 04-22-2009, 06:34 AM

i am glad that this thread is ongoing.

paula, i couldn't agree more with your take on homelessness. i believe that if people, even low income folks [like myself- i've never made more than 15,000 in any given year] saved when they could, they'd have an emergency fund to fall back on. at a very young age, i started to build my savings, even when making a very very low income. while i've never been especially materialistic and extravagant, i have been frugal, too. it does take dicipline! poor people especially, have to learn to live within their means. it's part of our reality to make do with what we have and not mourn for what we can't afford. indeed, many folks in 3rd world developing countries would consider most of what we define in america as poverty to be veritable riches.

as for the newly fallen, who'd prior to their misfortune lived high on the hog, they have to take a hard look at their current reality and live accordingly.

i do feel the most compassion for the mentally ill. most of these folks need costodial care.

i can't say enough that much homelessness in this country is due to poor choices and lack of dicipline. i have a friend who'd put herself through a masters degree, and as well, paid for her off campus living expenses, from her savings. she lived so frugally, lol, that she debated on whether to buy a dollar pair of sox.

kudos to the immigrants who bust their butts. the reason they're successful is due to hard work and living within their means.

redhawkerII · 10-11-2009, 05:52 PM

You ought to see, or already have seen, the people that live all along the sides of the streets in downtown L.A....it's enough to make you cry.

ibgl6 · 10-11-2009, 06:03 PM

I was thinking of selling my A/S but I might just better hold onto it cause you never know....SAM

airstreamjudy · 10-11-2009, 07:31 PM

Retired, sold my homes (boats - lived aboard for 22 years), moved to Florida and purchased a 2 bedroom/2 bath house. After two years, I purchased my vintage AS (very dirty and needed lots of work) to use as a hobby and to attend rallys. For fun I put a for sale sign on my house and it was gone within 3 days - moved to the AS and love it. I have no intention or interest in owning a house on dirt (except my AS) for a very long time. Full timing in my AS is wonderful. Some people would think that I'm homeless. They are wrong! I have no debt, I have everything I need and I like living in the AS. Being trailer trash in a AS is the most fun I've had in a long time.