Right time to travel?

[ck32]

Hello all,

My husband are contemplating traveling. I've wanted to do it ever since I started nursing school, but the time just hasn't been right. We are at a crossroads now and just wanted to get some opinions from those of you whom have experience in this area, please.

Here are some of the logistics....from what we are thinking, if we do it. We have a two year old son and live in Florida. My husband wants in 100%, wants to buy an RV, sell our house and take assignments out west....California to start. He would be the one working, while I stayed with our little one. I would probably fly back once a month to remain PRN at the hospital where I currently work. This would also give us the opportunity for us to see family.

Even though I would love to take this adventure, I have several hesitations....

We want to have another baby soon. And I don't know how the insurance works. We would have to have coverage, there's no way I would feel comfortable without a good plan.

Also, I'm in graduate school (Family Nurse Practicioner). I won't be starting clinicals until August of 2018. Then, we would either come home or if we know we will be in a certain area, I could try to do them in that vicinity.

It also makes me nervous to go in debt (buying an RV and bigger truck), travel to make more money to pay off this newly acquired debt. But, the hubs thinks an RV is the way to go, having our own space and making it feel like home, especially since the little one and I will be spending more time in it.

Our main reasons for traveling....

Make more money;

More importantly, be able to make new memories/experiences together, seeing different parts of the country (especially before we build our forever home). We're worried if we don't do it now, we may not have this opportunity again.

I know this was was a long post, sorry:-( But, I would greatly appreciate any feedback!! Thanks so much!!

[NedRN]

Buy a used RV. Or even better, try a regular travel assignment to see how you like it in general before making huge changes.

Check out what a tax home is on PanTravelers and Traveltax. If you sell your home or otherwise fail to maintain a permanent (livable) residence, you have lost your tax home. A tax home results in higher net income exceeding $10,000 a year as a tax benefit to offset the cost of traveling away from your home on business. If home is wherever you are, you are never working away from home. It sounds like you are retaining strong ties to home and have at least three reasons to return regularly, so keeping a residence makes a lot of sense.

Insurance is costly. Right now the cost is hidden to you so you are going to suffer some ticket shock. Count on $1,200 to $2,000 a month (or more). You can get it from a broker, direct from insurance companies, the healthcare exchange (ACA is still the law), or COBRA (still the law) your existing insurance for up to 18 months.

[ck32]

Thanks so much for your response and your tips!!

I am just having a hard time getting on board the RV travel idea. My dad has done it for years with his work and I know it's a perfect way to travel for a lot of people but maybe not for our situation.

We started discussing last night the possibility of traveling and renting a house. Can you tell me how likely it is to get an assignment in a location then be in that vicinity, let's say a 45 mile radius, for a few assignments? Also, is it difficult to find housing on your own without using the agency assigned housing??

[NedRN]

Can you tell me how likely it is to get an assignment in a location then be in that vicinity, let's say a 45 mile radius, for a few assignments?

Pretty easy in a number of urban areas. However, if you work in one area over 12 months, or have most of your income generated from that same general area over 18 months, that is now your tax home, and again you have lost much of the financial benefit of being a traveler. Staff compensation when you include the benefits may be much more attractive.

Also, is it difficult to find housing on your own without using the agency assigned housing??

Pretty easy, especially if you are willing to pay top dollar to the same temporary medical housing companies that travel companies use. More stressful if you shop around on your own to save more money. However, traveling families like yours often send the non-working spouse on ahead to the next assignment to look at properties. Which is certainly less stress than the single traveler experiences.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

Are you traveling with pets?

Housing can be difficult to find if you are not in major cities.

[ck32]

Thanks for the help!! We will probably be traveling with our dog, but not guaranteed.