Buying rv in netherlands versus London
Jun 4th, 2010, 05:09 PM
#41
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It can be done and I'm doing it but it's not cheap, it takes lots of time and it's risky. However, I'm doing it by buying a motorhome in the UK. I'm retired, I have lots of time and although I'm thrifty, I'll be risking the value of the motorhome at least part of the time.
I bought a VW van in Amsterdam back in the 70s and toured Europe and Morocco. I wanted to do something similar with a bit more comfort this time around.
I considered dealing with the two companies in Holland but had a bad experience with one of them in the 80s and the vehicles and their prices from the other didn't look good. Besides, the buyer never really owns the vehicle as far as I could tell.
I determined that a non-EU resident could buy a motorhome in the UK and if he/she has a valid UK address, can insure the vehicle with Down Under insurance (http://www.duinsure.com/sites/duinsu...pages/homepage).
I spent three months touring in my motorhome last year and hope to spend four months this year pending receipt of an extended visa.
My biggest concern so far has been that I haven't been able to find storage insurance for the motorhome. I'm covered while using it but not when it's stored. I've put it in very secure and expensive storage and hope that it's still in good shape when I pick it up again next month.
I bought a VW van in Amsterdam back in the 70s and toured Europe and Morocco. I wanted to do something similar with a bit more comfort this time around.
I considered dealing with the two companies in Holland but had a bad experience with one of them in the 80s and the vehicles and their prices from the other didn't look good. Besides, the buyer never really owns the vehicle as far as I could tell.
I determined that a non-EU resident could buy a motorhome in the UK and if he/she has a valid UK address, can insure the vehicle with Down Under insurance (http://www.duinsure.com/sites/duinsu...pages/homepage).
I spent three months touring in my motorhome last year and hope to spend four months this year pending receipt of an extended visa.
My biggest concern so far has been that I haven't been able to find storage insurance for the motorhome. I'm covered while using it but not when it's stored. I've put it in very secure and expensive storage and hope that it's still in good shape when I pick it up again next month.
Jun 6th, 2010, 12:05 AM
#42
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Wow, as usual, there is a lot of pessimism & misinformation ( from people NOT doing it) about extended travel in Europe. Nope, it is not expensive at all if you don't need the fanciest, top of the line RV. Traveling slow and living like a native is ALWAYS the cheapest way to travel.
As a few mentioned here, we have been RVing around Europe for the last 4 years and even as we continue to circumvent the globe ( wintering in Asia for the next several years so our daughter can immerse deeply in her 3rd language Mandarin) we will continue to RV in Europe for many more years.
We've traveled to 32 countries on 4 continents so far & over 175,000 miles ( most overland) and we live large on just 25K a year or 23 dollars a day per person. We could do it for much less but we like luxury and we rent a furnished home in the winter.
http://www.soultravelers3.com/
Looks like the OP has gone to other places to find accurate info. Some have been very helpful here, some not so much. For others interested in this topic, let me tell you that RVing Europe is STILL done by a TON of folks and it is probably the best way to explore Europe and a cheap yet luxurious way to go.
http://www.soultravelers3.com/2010/0...est-price.html
We did get a long stay visa, but know MANY who RV Europe for years without one. It is quite easy to do for North Americans and Australians/NZ types if one plans their slow travels thoughtfully.
Here are some classic info on the topic from people DOING it!
http://www.roadtripeurope.com/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/pub...n_europe.shtml
You can buy it in US and ship it and the Milavsky's book is the best for that info.
You can buy/long term lease one in Netherlands, UK or Germany. We did it in Netherlands and wrote about it on our website. Others give all the details how they did it else where.We went with an older RV ( 1998) to save money and stay low key and not tempting to thieves ( no theft so far). It's run very well with very little maintenance needed.
I know a single American mom with 2 kids who did this last year ( bought old RV in Fla & shipped to Europe) and when she was done she sold her RV in the UK very easily and quickly via UK craigs list or ebay. They did not get any visas, but traveled thoughtfully to stay legal on normal tourist visas.
One can easily RV in Turkey or Morocco ( many winter in these places) or other out of schengen places like UK, Ireland or I think some eastern European places like beautiful Croatia, or fly out to cheap area for rentals and leave RV in safe spot. Following the weather helps a bunch to make it easier as cold, rainy weather is not that fun for touring. We prefer eternal spring or endless summer...although some RVers like to do it in ALP ski areas which are a possibility. We prefer warm, sunny southern Spain winters & spring skiing in the nearby mountains.
Many store their RV's and return every year which is another way to go. We can use our RV as a vehicle/home/storage for almost nothing ( all costs) , so is a great thing to keep in Europe for years on end. We know all the good campsites and routes now although there are always more areas to explore. Or one can also easily ship it to other countries or continents. There was a French family and others that have shipped an RV around the world for years!!
We've shipped ours many places and find cargo ships are one of the nicest & luxurious ways to travel. It often can save you money and time. Traveling slow is the key and advantage so gas prices have never been a problem for us as we are usually parked and using mass transit, walking or biking. We usually just drive 3 or 4 hours then park for a week or up to a month in one spot. We do almost no driving in the winter, so live a very green and low cost life.
There are many luxury campsites in Europe, great places like Nice, Portugal, Spain to camp all winter, many luxurious resort campgrounds all over Europe ( for VERY little money) and many great places to camp for FREE if you are into saving money. Security is excellent in campgrounds, even for single women. There are even many vineyards in France that let you camp on them with your RV.
We had no problem finding VERY cheap covered storage in Spain and I know others who have found cheap covered storage easily in many countries.
We are camped in a luxury resort right now in Barcelona with a beautiful Med sea view from my site, 3 huge pools (one indoors) jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, zoo, kids club, tennis courts, restaurant, top of the line gym, store, rental bikes, out door movies and live bands on weekends, etc etc & paying 17 euros a day. Prices go even lower the longer one stays.
Even in crowded high season, we have found wonderful bargains like last year right on the water of Danube in idyllic Melk in Austria's wine country for 20 euros a day in August.
For the out-of-the-box thinker, this is a fabulous, cheap and easy way to deeply experience and explore Europe and get to know Europeans.
As a few mentioned here, we have been RVing around Europe for the last 4 years and even as we continue to circumvent the globe ( wintering in Asia for the next several years so our daughter can immerse deeply in her 3rd language Mandarin) we will continue to RV in Europe for many more years.
We've traveled to 32 countries on 4 continents so far & over 175,000 miles ( most overland) and we live large on just 25K a year or 23 dollars a day per person. We could do it for much less but we like luxury and we rent a furnished home in the winter.
http://www.soultravelers3.com/
Looks like the OP has gone to other places to find accurate info. Some have been very helpful here, some not so much. For others interested in this topic, let me tell you that RVing Europe is STILL done by a TON of folks and it is probably the best way to explore Europe and a cheap yet luxurious way to go.
http://www.soultravelers3.com/2010/0...est-price.html
We did get a long stay visa, but know MANY who RV Europe for years without one. It is quite easy to do for North Americans and Australians/NZ types if one plans their slow travels thoughtfully.
Here are some classic info on the topic from people DOING it!
http://www.roadtripeurope.com/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/pub...n_europe.shtml
You can buy it in US and ship it and the Milavsky's book is the best for that info.
You can buy/long term lease one in Netherlands, UK or Germany. We did it in Netherlands and wrote about it on our website. Others give all the details how they did it else where.We went with an older RV ( 1998) to save money and stay low key and not tempting to thieves ( no theft so far). It's run very well with very little maintenance needed.
I know a single American mom with 2 kids who did this last year ( bought old RV in Fla & shipped to Europe) and when she was done she sold her RV in the UK very easily and quickly via UK craigs list or ebay. They did not get any visas, but traveled thoughtfully to stay legal on normal tourist visas.
One can easily RV in Turkey or Morocco ( many winter in these places) or other out of schengen places like UK, Ireland or I think some eastern European places like beautiful Croatia, or fly out to cheap area for rentals and leave RV in safe spot. Following the weather helps a bunch to make it easier as cold, rainy weather is not that fun for touring. We prefer eternal spring or endless summer...although some RVers like to do it in ALP ski areas which are a possibility. We prefer warm, sunny southern Spain winters & spring skiing in the nearby mountains.
Many store their RV's and return every year which is another way to go. We can use our RV as a vehicle/home/storage for almost nothing ( all costs) , so is a great thing to keep in Europe for years on end. We know all the good campsites and routes now although there are always more areas to explore. Or one can also easily ship it to other countries or continents. There was a French family and others that have shipped an RV around the world for years!!
We've shipped ours many places and find cargo ships are one of the nicest & luxurious ways to travel. It often can save you money and time. Traveling slow is the key and advantage so gas prices have never been a problem for us as we are usually parked and using mass transit, walking or biking. We usually just drive 3 or 4 hours then park for a week or up to a month in one spot. We do almost no driving in the winter, so live a very green and low cost life.
There are many luxury campsites in Europe, great places like Nice, Portugal, Spain to camp all winter, many luxurious resort campgrounds all over Europe ( for VERY little money) and many great places to camp for FREE if you are into saving money. Security is excellent in campgrounds, even for single women. There are even many vineyards in France that let you camp on them with your RV.
We had no problem finding VERY cheap covered storage in Spain and I know others who have found cheap covered storage easily in many countries.
We are camped in a luxury resort right now in Barcelona with a beautiful Med sea view from my site, 3 huge pools (one indoors) jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, zoo, kids club, tennis courts, restaurant, top of the line gym, store, rental bikes, out door movies and live bands on weekends, etc etc & paying 17 euros a day. Prices go even lower the longer one stays.
Even in crowded high season, we have found wonderful bargains like last year right on the water of Danube in idyllic Melk in Austria's wine country for 20 euros a day in August.
For the out-of-the-box thinker, this is a fabulous, cheap and easy way to deeply experience and explore Europe and get to know Europeans.
Jun 6th, 2010, 12:17 AM
#43
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Oh, and about driving on the "wrong" side. It does take a bit to learn to drive an 18 foot RV in a foreign land, but not really that hard. We soon felt confident.
Hubs had driven a small rental car once in London ( straight off a long flight from Ca) and that was much scarier than driving our RV on the "wrong" side of road with steering wheel on "wrong" side as well since we have a Dutch camper.
We spent months in the British Isles with our RV without ANY problems, but we were also very experienced driving it around Europe by the time we got there. The roads in Ireland ( we went all over Ireland) are not great for RV ( especially when a big bus is coming the opposite way on a tiny country road which most are) , but not nearly as scary as other ones that we have been on like going straight up one of the worlds scariest roads in Santorini!!
Our RV is VERY heavy ( books and a full size digital piano come with us for our child's homeschool and classes with teachers on another continent like piano, violin and Chinese) so that makes it different than a weekend camper. Mountain roads are the most scary so we try to avoid them if possible, but it took us a while to learn this the hard way. Also driving at night or in ancient towns with tiny roads can be a thrill.
Mostly though, it is all easy and the main roads are great.
Hubs had driven a small rental car once in London ( straight off a long flight from Ca) and that was much scarier than driving our RV on the "wrong" side of road with steering wheel on "wrong" side as well since we have a Dutch camper.
We spent months in the British Isles with our RV without ANY problems, but we were also very experienced driving it around Europe by the time we got there. The roads in Ireland ( we went all over Ireland) are not great for RV ( especially when a big bus is coming the opposite way on a tiny country road which most are) , but not nearly as scary as other ones that we have been on like going straight up one of the worlds scariest roads in Santorini!!
Our RV is VERY heavy ( books and a full size digital piano come with us for our child's homeschool and classes with teachers on another continent like piano, violin and Chinese) so that makes it different than a weekend camper. Mountain roads are the most scary so we try to avoid them if possible, but it took us a while to learn this the hard way. Also driving at night or in ancient towns with tiny roads can be a thrill.
Mostly though, it is all easy and the main roads are great.
Jun 6th, 2010, 02:43 AM
#44
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<<< It is quite easy to do for North Americans and Australians/NZ types if one plans their slow travels thoughtfully. >>>
Can't see how it's "quite easy" as long stays require people to stay outside Schengen for 90 days in every 180 days. Which means spending a lot of time in UK / Ireland / Balkans / Belarus / Ukraine / Romania / Bulgaria or North Africa
Can't see how it's "quite easy" as long stays require people to stay outside Schengen for 90 days in every 180 days. Which means spending a lot of time in UK / Ireland / Balkans / Belarus / Ukraine / Romania / Bulgaria or North Africa
Jun 6th, 2010, 10:55 AM
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Well alanrow, since you have never done it, I suppose it doesn't look easy to you. BUT since I have and know many others who have, it sure looks easy to me. We have explored MUCH more of Europe than most Europeans.
I know it is hard to understand things that you have not done, but talk to anyone who HAS done this and they will tell you that is is MUCH easier than they ever expected and most wish they did it earlier because it is so rewarding.
With SLOW TRAVEL and good planning MANY still seem to find it quite easy and rewarding. It's a whole different mind set than a one week or two week holiday or vacation and MUCH cheaper. It's ideal for families, young gap year folks and retirees who love Europe, deep explorations and going off the beaten path some.
If one is traveling for a year or two or three or four or more and enjoys deep immersion, it is quite easy to do. Traveling slow costs so very little, yet is probably the most rewarding.Even when the euro was at it's highest and gas as well, we spent much, much less money than we did at home in the USA. If there is a will there is a way and many seem to find their own "HOW TO" quite easily ....or easily enough that it was worth the effort. It does take planning and prep, but those that do it find it more than worth it.
We've run into them all the time. I know one budget Kiwi family with 8 kids and a grandpa who did it with 2 RV's that they bought in Germany! I know an American couple who recently spent 2 years exploring Europe by car and caravan they bought in UK. David and Patty have been doing it every year for 20 years! http://www.roadtripeurope.com/ I know an older couple from Fla who have been doing it for the last 4 years while they winter at home & store their van in Europe. The We had dinner with them in Cappadocia Turkey! We had a blast with a family from Oz when we were in Nice at a campground where many winter. We met a great family from NZ while in Stockholm Sweden who helped my daughter celebrate her 8th birthday. The Milavsky's are really old and they've done it for years with a huge 23 year old RV and inspired many with their book. I mentioned that American single mom who did it with 2 kids and I know 2 other women who did it with one child. We run into TONS of gap year young folks in vans made out of all kinds of things like Ambulances etc.
etc etc etc
No, not as many do this as those that take those expensive tours of Europe where one soon forgets what country they are in and often spend a fortune on hotels, it does take an independent traveler, but for such, it is easy.
I think you have also left out quite a few other possibilities. Turkey and Morocco are great places to winter and much of Turkey is more modern than much of Europe, spectacular prices, more Roman & Greek ruins than Italy or Greece and the best hospitality in the world. Both can be quite nice winter resting places if in the warmer south areas and super cheap.
There are many books on the topic by people who have done it and there are quite a few ways of doing it. Many do it over several years time and since spring, summer & fall is the best time to see Europe, they can easily store it between trips....so some of their "out of schengen" is at home. Or perhaps in Buenos Aries, Uruguay, South Africa or SE Asia or ?? Some do 6 month trips with 3 months in British Isles and 3 months in Europe and 6 months winter at home. Some are perpetual travelers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_traveler
I also know many Europeans who do a similar thing for long stays in USA, Canada and Mexico ( and some further south) with RV's.
I know a Swiss couple who has been traveling the world non-stop for 20 some years using their one Landrover which they usually sleep in. If there is a will there is a way!
I know it is hard to understand things that you have not done, but talk to anyone who HAS done this and they will tell you that is is MUCH easier than they ever expected and most wish they did it earlier because it is so rewarding.
With SLOW TRAVEL and good planning MANY still seem to find it quite easy and rewarding. It's a whole different mind set than a one week or two week holiday or vacation and MUCH cheaper. It's ideal for families, young gap year folks and retirees who love Europe, deep explorations and going off the beaten path some.
If one is traveling for a year or two or three or four or more and enjoys deep immersion, it is quite easy to do. Traveling slow costs so very little, yet is probably the most rewarding.Even when the euro was at it's highest and gas as well, we spent much, much less money than we did at home in the USA. If there is a will there is a way and many seem to find their own "HOW TO" quite easily ....or easily enough that it was worth the effort. It does take planning and prep, but those that do it find it more than worth it.
We've run into them all the time. I know one budget Kiwi family with 8 kids and a grandpa who did it with 2 RV's that they bought in Germany! I know an American couple who recently spent 2 years exploring Europe by car and caravan they bought in UK. David and Patty have been doing it every year for 20 years! http://www.roadtripeurope.com/ I know an older couple from Fla who have been doing it for the last 4 years while they winter at home & store their van in Europe. The We had dinner with them in Cappadocia Turkey! We had a blast with a family from Oz when we were in Nice at a campground where many winter. We met a great family from NZ while in Stockholm Sweden who helped my daughter celebrate her 8th birthday. The Milavsky's are really old and they've done it for years with a huge 23 year old RV and inspired many with their book. I mentioned that American single mom who did it with 2 kids and I know 2 other women who did it with one child. We run into TONS of gap year young folks in vans made out of all kinds of things like Ambulances etc.
etc etc etcNo, not as many do this as those that take those expensive tours of Europe where one soon forgets what country they are in and often spend a fortune on hotels, it does take an independent traveler, but for such, it is easy.
I think you have also left out quite a few other possibilities. Turkey and Morocco are great places to winter and much of Turkey is more modern than much of Europe, spectacular prices, more Roman & Greek ruins than Italy or Greece and the best hospitality in the world. Both can be quite nice winter resting places if in the warmer south areas and super cheap.
There are many books on the topic by people who have done it and there are quite a few ways of doing it. Many do it over several years time and since spring, summer & fall is the best time to see Europe, they can easily store it between trips....so some of their "out of schengen" is at home. Or perhaps in Buenos Aries, Uruguay, South Africa or SE Asia or ?? Some do 6 month trips with 3 months in British Isles and 3 months in Europe and 6 months winter at home. Some are perpetual travelers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_traveler
I also know many Europeans who do a similar thing for long stays in USA, Canada and Mexico ( and some further south) with RV's.
I know a Swiss couple who has been traveling the world non-stop for 20 some years using their one Landrover which they usually sleep in. If there is a will there is a way!
Jun 6th, 2010, 01:35 PM
#47
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So "quite easy" = "lots of planning".
Thanks for the clarification.
<<< I think you have also left out quite a few other possibilities. Turkey and Morocco >>>
Last time I checked Morocco was in North Africa. As for Turkey, it's a long drive from Western Europe especially once you go over the Bosphorous (BTW it can be as cold & miserable as southern Europe)
Thanks for the clarification.
<<< I think you have also left out quite a few other possibilities. Turkey and Morocco >>>
Last time I checked Morocco was in North Africa. As for Turkey, it's a long drive from Western Europe especially once you go over the Bosphorous (BTW it can be as cold & miserable as southern Europe)
Jun 6th, 2010, 10:55 PM
#48
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When I was in my early twenties. I took off for Europe to tour in a VW van for eight months. I hadn't planned my route in any great detail but I took a couple of years to save up the funds to make it possible and I learned what was possible at that time before booking a flight.
Now I'm in my sixties and I have a bit more to lose. I'm making this trip over a few years while heading home in between trips. It does take planning and making the effort to get my ducks all in a row. If you have commitments, family and friends, never mind property, You need to try to make all the parts of the puzzle fit.
If this is not the kind of adventure you wish to undertake, that's fine. Do as you like. If someone else wishes to undertake such an adventure, let them learn as much as they can about all it might entail from those who think they have the information.
Happy Trails!
Now I'm in my sixties and I have a bit more to lose. I'm making this trip over a few years while heading home in between trips. It does take planning and making the effort to get my ducks all in a row. If you have commitments, family and friends, never mind property, You need to try to make all the parts of the puzzle fit.
If this is not the kind of adventure you wish to undertake, that's fine. Do as you like. If someone else wishes to undertake such an adventure, let them learn as much as they can about all it might entail from those who think they have the information.
Happy Trails!
Sep 10th, 2010, 05:57 PM
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So many uninformed answers here. We bought a camping car in Europe 5 years ago and used it for 3 months in the spring and 3 months in the fall again since then. It is not overly expensive ,easy and rewarding. We landed there in France with a rental car and 2 weeks to find us a vehicle to our liking. In 10 days we had one. All you need is somebody to grandfather you with his address so you can register the vehicle. We did and got insurance valid in all the european countries that we visited and we visited them all over 5 years (including Russia and all the other ex communist countries and Turkey). Every step was not that difficult: buying, registering, insuring,driving, overnighting, lay overs, etc... We spent over 400 days there and stayed in campsites only a dozen times in all that time and felt safe at all times better than in America. Our 2nd RV is now for sale in France as we will start doing it in America now. It is a 25 Ft. top of the line Integral diesel that we bought for $135,000 and are reselling after 2 years of use for $60,000. Not cheap but the best of Europe has to offer with most of the depreciation already taken care of . You can contact us for any info on the subject or for the RV. Our sponsor can help you get started. The RV is turnkey ready with all possible equipment and a motorcycle in the inside garage.
Sep 11th, 2010, 08:40 AM
#54
"<i>You can contact us for any info on the subject or for the RV. Our sponsor can help you get started. The RV is turnkey ready with all possible equipment and a motorcycle in the inside garage.</i>"
Love it - Baldeaggle registers, tops an old thread to post a want ad for his used RV -- and doesn't give the contact info
-- Yep, great marketing there!
Love it - Baldeaggle registers, tops an old thread to post a want ad for his used RV -- and doesn't give the contact info
-- Yep, great marketing there!
Jun 1st, 2011, 02:21 AM
#55
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alanRow - We've been traveling around the world for the last 9 months so I am just getting back to this.
"long drive from Western Europe "
You don't always drive when you do RV travel. We have done a ton of cargo ships and over night ferries which saves a lot of time and actually can save costs in the long run...and are FUN!
It's a very quick ferry ride from Spain to Morocco, easy to take a ferry from western Europe to Turkey as well. We've done both and roads are also excellent in both countries. Areas that are quite warm in the winter as I know several who enjoy wintering in both.
We've taken cargo ships or ferries from UK to Sweden, Barcelona to Italy ( many times), Venice to Athens, Italy to Croatia, Athens to Satorini, France to Ireland, etc etc
Sometimes you can "camp" right on the boat, enjoying your RV comforts and plugged into their electricity. You can also get a nice cabin or sleep on deck ( prices vary on what you pick and how big your RV is.
Also if one picks an older and small RV ( small is best for Europe IMHO) you do not have to be rich. We paid less than 20 K for our motorhome and have just arrived back in Europe enjoying our 5th summer here with MANY more to come.
spaarne - So happy to hear that it was helpful for you! Good luck!
"long drive from Western Europe "
You don't always drive when you do RV travel. We have done a ton of cargo ships and over night ferries which saves a lot of time and actually can save costs in the long run...and are FUN!
It's a very quick ferry ride from Spain to Morocco, easy to take a ferry from western Europe to Turkey as well. We've done both and roads are also excellent in both countries. Areas that are quite warm in the winter as I know several who enjoy wintering in both.
We've taken cargo ships or ferries from UK to Sweden, Barcelona to Italy ( many times), Venice to Athens, Italy to Croatia, Athens to Satorini, France to Ireland, etc etc
Sometimes you can "camp" right on the boat, enjoying your RV comforts and plugged into their electricity. You can also get a nice cabin or sleep on deck ( prices vary on what you pick and how big your RV is.
Also if one picks an older and small RV ( small is best for Europe IMHO) you do not have to be rich. We paid less than 20 K for our motorhome and have just arrived back in Europe enjoying our 5th summer here with MANY more to come.
spaarne - So happy to hear that it was helpful for you! Good luck!
