[A/S] Longer-term living in an Airstream

["maurice_riggins"]

This is probably a newbie question you don't see too often...

We plan to relocate across several states next summer. This involves 
divesting ourselves of years of accumulated "junque," storing and 
moving household goods, and preparing for (new roof, carpeting, etc), 
and selling a house... not waiting until a buyer wants to close in 
30 days to begin moving out. The move also entails a job change, and 
being ready to relocate immediately for the right job... even if it 
is before summer. On arrival at the new location, we want to take 
some time to find (or build) the right house (since this is the one 
we'll retire with), and we've been in the situation before where that 
doesn't always line up with the end of a house or apartment lease. 
I've moved many times, including overseas, back in the days of my 
military career, but Uncle Sam isn't paying for this move. I also 
worked at a large RV sales and service company (SOBs) back in '70-
'71, so I'm not totally new to it, even though it's been awhile.

Since we've wanted an RV anyway, we've just about convinced ourselves 
to buy a late-model 34' Classic and live in it for a year or so 
during this transition, with household goods in storage... as opposed 
to getting involved with leases at both ends, or motels, either of 
which is investing in nothing, with no tax deduction as well.

Many of our friends, and grown children, think we're nuts. I guess 
I'm seeking some advice, possibly support, and even the opinions of 
naysayers who think its a bad idea AND have some experience to base 
their opposition on. I've heard of retired folks who live in 
Airstreams full-time... why can't we, at least for awhile? The 
reason for the 34' is not only to make that period as comfortable as 
possible, but to avoid the trade-ups I've seen so many friends make 
with boats and RVs until they get one large enough.

Our RVing friends are trying to convince us the Airstream is old and 
outdated, with a lot less storage, and to go with a Class A motorhome 
pulling a trailer with the Harleys, rather than try to tow a huge 
trailer with 800-1300 pounds of one or two bikes in the 8' bed of an 
F-250SD Supercab w/7.3L PSD (yet to be bought... enough truck?). But 
its the nostalgic retro design of the Airstream (not to mention the 
metal versus plastic, fiberglas, rubber roof construction) that 
attracts us to it so strongly... it's the Harley-Davidson of RVs as 
far as we're concerned. Besides, there are times we might want to 
haul the bikes somewhere without taking the RV, such as when the 
group we're with is all staying in one motel.

So what do you think? Good/bad plan? Are we really nuts? LOL! Any 
tips for long-term living in an Airstream?

TIA,
--
Maurice