Workamping: How Retirees Are Hitting the Road
Have you ever dreamed of hitting the open road and working as you travel? Are you curious about how some retirees and older workers are making a living while exploring the country?
In her book Nomadland, Jessica Bruder explores the world of workamping and its impact on modern nomads. You'll discover how this lifestyle combines work and travel, offering both opportunities and challenges for those who embrace it.
Keep reading to learn more about workamping, the people who choose this path, and the realities of life on the road.
What is Workamping?
Workamping, a modern twist on an age-old tradition, is gaining traction among retirees and older workers. This lifestyle involves traveling in mobile homes and taking on temporary jobs across the United States. Often, these workamping opportunities come with a campsite and sometimes a modest wage. As economic shifts have made traditional retirement less secure, more people are turning to workamping as a way to supplement their income while enjoying a nomadic lifestyle.
The Rise of Nomadic Work
The trend of workamping has grown due to several economic factors. Since the 1980s, there's been a shift from company-sponsored pension plans to individual contribution schemes. This change, coupled with economic downturns and job scarcity, has pushed many people into a nomadic lifestyle out of necessity.
You might be surprised to learn that even as earnings have remained stagnant, the cost of living has increased. Social Security often falls short in providing adequate funds for retirement, forcing many to seek alternative ways to supplement their income.
Who Are the Workampers?
Workampers come from all walks of life. You'll find former professionals, tradespeople, and retirees who've converted their vehicles into mobile homes. These folks include ex-teachers, business executives, and even former high-ranking employees of well-known fast-food chains.
Some, like LaVonne, have faced periods of homelessness. Others, like Sameer, choose this lifestyle for the freedom it offers. Then there are people like Leonard Scott, a former property owner who now works at a hot spring to supplement his limited Social Security income.
The Workamping Community
One of the most interesting aspects of workamping is the tight-knit community that forms among these nomadic workers. Despite being spread across different regions, they've developed strong support networks.
Gatherings and Meet-Ups
Events like the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous in Quartzsite bring together nomads from various walks of life. At these gatherings, you'll find people sharing wisdom, collaborating on skills, and fostering a strong sense of community. They participate in workshops, share meals, and even work on collective construction projects.
Digital Connections
In the digital age, workampers stay connected through online platforms and blogs. Websites like Bob Wells' CheapRVLiving.com offer resources ranging from job listings to advice on inconspicuous parking. These digital spaces serve as forums where workampers can share advice, tell their stories, and find solace in the company of like-minded individuals.
The Challenges of Workamping
While workamping offers a unique lifestyle and sense of freedom, it's not without its challenges, especially for older workers.
Health and Physical Demands
Many workamping jobs are physically demanding, which can be tough on aging bodies. Linda, for example, fractured a rib while working at an Amazon distribution center. The lack of comprehensive health coverage and other benefits often exacerbates these challenges.
Financial Insecurity
Many senior nomads find themselves without adequate savings or retirement plans to fall back on. People like Don Wheeler and Linda May continue working past traditional retirement age to manage debts and cover basic living expenses. The Great Recession wiped out many people's life savings, leaving them to navigate an uncertain future with only unstable, low-paying jobs for support.
Limited Options as You Age
As workampers get older, they often find it harder to transition out of this nomadic lifestyle. The physical demands of jobs like those in online retail distribution centers can become too much for senior workers. This can lead to accepting positions below their qualifications or being forced into retirement due to physical limitations.
Looking to the Future
The question of what happens when workampers can no longer maintain their nomadic lifestyle is a pressing one. The cost of senior care facilities and assisted living often exceeds what these workers can afford.
Some, like Bob, are getting creative. He's converted a school bus into a home, reflecting a broader trend among workampers to find more affordable alternatives for their later years. Others, like LaVonne Ellis and Linda May, are transforming vans into homes or working towards building sustainable living spaces.
These efforts highlight the challenges of securing stable, long-term housing and underscore the precarious position many hardworking individuals find themselves in when considering their future.
In the world of workamping, the freedom of the open road comes with its own set of challenges. As more retirees and older workers turn to this lifestyle, it's clear that while it offers a unique solution to economic pressures, it also raises important questions about aging, healthcare, and long-term security in our changing economy.