Why Did We Choose an Airstream?
The “Queen” under another beautiful sunset. This one was courtesy of the wide open spaces of Nebraska.
This week we wanted to address another of our most frequently received questions, why did we choose an Airstream?
To prepare for this answer you first should know that Andrea and I have been fortunate in real estate to buy low and sell high on several occasions. Thus, we came into this process looking for similar financial returns when deciding which brand to buy.
We had seen the numbers, read the reports on quality, and loved knowing that over 70% of Airstreams ever made are still on the road. While Airstream has a higher entry price point the longevity sold us on the brand.
Our transition to this lifestyle was essentially based on one word “Freedom”. (I hope you read that in your best Braveheart voice 😊)
Mel Gibson in Braveheart is one of our favorite all time movies.
Freedom to travel when and where we wanted.
Freedom from debt.
Freedom to find our true selves while seeing the world!
Debt Free
We accomplished this by buying a used 2008 28-foot Airstream Safari SE and a Ford F250 King Ranch tow vehicle. Used or “new to us” allowed us to pay for both in cash maintaining our debt free status. Andrea had also found many comments about a shift in quality in the recent Airstream construction during her research, so we were happy to get one made before 2012.
Size and Maintenance
As newbies to the rv life, there was a lot we both had to learn, and airstreams offered another benefit to us. Simplicity. We had no electric slide outs, hydraulic leveling, or a whole lot of fancy technology for us to worry about. We have been able to problem solve many of our own issues without much hassle and gained confidence as we continue to move forward.
A view into the kitchen and bedroom from our living room couch.
The Safari model was the perfect length for us. Its size allows us to have a walk around queen bed in the bedroom and an apartment size sleeper sofa in the living room. We like to think of it as our beautiful mobile 1-bedroom luxury condo. Big enough to live in but small enough that when it comes time for chores, it’s a quick process to get everything put back away, cleaned up, and free us for our next adventure outdoors.
Living Room view out the panoramic windows that made us fall in love with Airstreams. The view is courtesy of beautiful south Florida.
Wow Factor
The airstream creates conversations in every place we have camped. We feel blessed to meet people and hear their stories about their desire to have an airstream at one point in their adventure, while seeing their current adventuring rig. The fact this happens all over the country is a testament to the history of Airstream as a company and inspires us to live up to that legacy in our full-time adventures in the “Queen”.
What’s Right for You?
For those of you considering this lifestyle whether it be seasonally, part-time, or full-time, there is no one rig that is perfect for everyone. You need to pick the right one for you, your traveling style, and what works within your budget. Whatever you decide will be great for that stage in your life and no one purchase must be “forever”.
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