Living & Working in Great Places
Decision?
How do you balance the adventure with the practical side? Do I keep a home, sell everything, store some things, insurance etc. Are you retired and venturing out? Are you doing seasonal work year round? In reading the housing outlines, doubling up at our age may not be the easiest or living in a dorm? RV's seem to be a trend but how comfortable are they or warm? Lots of questions!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Charlene Courtemanche on
-
Although I lived in the Washington, D. C. area for many years, I never made it to Norfolk, VA. This is my name by marriage - never returned to my maiden name...just easier to keep this one. Kids etc. Just to complicated to return to a name I hadn't had for many years.
It is French-Canadian and translated means short-sleeves!
-
Permalink Reply by Ann Carr on -
Not hard to do at all - Keep your home if you can afford it after the season, it will be nice to come back to and enjoy the things you thought nothing of before. If you can afford a small RV, maybe a Class C or Class A, then you will be able to manuever alot easier. Living in one is not hard. You just have to remember that you cannot have Great Great Grandmother's handmade kitchen table in one... also you will have to consider weight as in using plastic/Correlle type plates, plastic cups, glasses, etc. to save on the gas you have to use to pull the trailer cutting down on the amount of cookware, etc that you bring with you. Or you could purchase a 31 feet or more fifth wheel with triple slides, a truck that can pull it and a Honda 250cc Scooter to travel once you got there. (For me this would be heaven).
Top of the list is a motorcoach of at least 40 feet with a tow behind vehicle... not, unless you like the idea of paying $150K or more for something like this.
If you decide to go and purchase a trailer, check out Craigslist.com near your home and make sure you take someone who is mechanically inclined to tell you about what is wrong with the used trailer. There are ones out there that sell for under $5K and your vehicle can be towed behind..
if you have a pet, then you don't have to leave it as the pet can stay in your trailer while you live in employee RV parking - employee parking is usually $5 a day. Parking on a monthly basis outside the employee RV parks can be expensive. However, if you are traveling, you can stay overnight for free in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Now onto the job - I jumped out of a perfectly good corporate job about 4 years ago and have had a great deal of fun living and working in three national parks. Choose a job that you would like to do and have experience in. Don't worry about the younger managers, if they give you bull - just use your best "mother's look" and let them know you are there to work - not fool around. For the most part, you really don't see alot of younger managers in this type of work unless they are well qualified. Money will not be that great. If you decide to go into employee dorm type housing, most places have a dorm that is dedicated to those that live a quieter life. Expect to have a roommate. Human Resources does try to match age groups so you will have someone that is close in age to yourself or at least over 50. Bring things that please you - a favorite photo, a clock radio, your own television/DVD player and maybe even the satellite receiver, your laptop computer as most places have WiFii for you to use, your cell phone. In Glacier there were three tv stations we could receive without having an antenna.. Big Bend and Glacier - nothing unless you were purchasing a satelite service. Bring your own bedding especially a light weight down comforter... most of the beds are twins. Bring a car, although not necessary here at Glacier, it will help you to get around the various places you want to go and you will not have to wait on anyone to get you there. But most of all - remember when things are not going the way you imagined, go out into the wild and enjoy what God has left for you... tomorrow is another day and things will be different because your perspective will be different.
Good luck and happy tails!
-
-
Ann - many thanks for some wonderful information. It was practical and useful information. I am currently optimistic about a new position but if it doesn't work out then I will have about a year to make a life style change.
I currently have a good job that I love but am wearing a seatbelt at my desk during a "redesign" code word for reorganizing! I think I can make it another year. I may not have a chance at the new job because of age. So all this information is very helpful!
Ideally, I would be a tour guide at an historic property ! I can dream! Many thanks! Charlene
-
Permalink Reply by Sandew on -
I'm currently selling my house, but am buying a condo in town to rent out when I retire and venture out to the parks (plan to stay in the dorms at first). I wouldn't sell everything until you know for sure this will work out for you. I'm going slower, first by downsizing from the house to the condo.
I plan to rent out the condo while I work at Yellowstone and stay at the dorm the first year. If I pick a park without dorms, I may rent a RV and try that for a few months. I've talked to a couple here in Austin that did work in the parks, ranches, etc from this site, but kept their house to return to (they stayed in their RV while working during the summer). They said the pay was about minimum wage, but e dorms are inexpensive room & board.
-
Permalink Reply by Rick Alton on -
What I have learned in the last few years since I retired. Given the present economy we are all going to half to learn to live sensibly. Most people worry about the money coming in the front doar. I have found it is much easier to watch the money going out the back doar. We tend to spend a lot of money buying a life stile we really don't want and learn to hate . Work camping although not without problems can be a very economical way to live. In my case I rent a space in Quartzsite for 750 dollars a year. When I go north to work in the parks I use my lot for storage tools and stuff. I do half to pay my utilities. The people I am around are my age or older. the activities are unlimited and cheap. Life is good and my monthly expenses are less than 300 dollars. When I go up north I get paid a minimum wage well a little better than that but not much. My retirement builds up. At the end of the season I come down to Quartzsite and play in the rock club. Did I mention I also draw unemployment. Something I do see is people spending lots of money for motorhomes. I is not necessary you can find them very cheap if you look around. I have seen livable units for under 2000 dollars.
My point is with a little common sense and some planning you can have a good life and not go broke doing it.
Hope this interest you Rick
Get Your Next Job
Cool Works® Chat
What's New on Cool Works®
Bear Lodge Resort - Multiple positions open now at the lodges of the northern Big Horn Mountains
Adirondack Mountain Club
Camp Vega
Princess Cruises and Holland America Line - Transportation and Guest Services
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch
© 2009 Created by Cool Works tm
