I have had the travel bug since I was about 10, so travel has always been in my plans. However, life got into the middle of those plans--got married, had kids, got divorced, had to support self and kids with two jobs, kids graduated college and got jobs in other states, took care of elderly mother, mother passed away--finally at age 69, I was free to do what I wanted to do all my life. I also had been able to put some money in the bank, could start collecting SS, and I could continue my online college teaching part-time job while on the road to help pay my expenses. (Just quit that half-time job last June, by the way, at age 77. College said I could come back sometime, but I don't think so!)
For most of us who travel solo, it was not a choice of solo or as a couple. I had been divorced for 25+ years, but had done a lot of traveling for my job so traveling alone to strange places was not a big step for me. I had even gone to the UK by myself several times.
So, my choice was basically to buy a motorhome and travel the country "free at last" or stay in my condo, and sit in my recliner until I died. One way or another, it was going to be solo. The first choice was the best one for me, although I think my kids would have been happier if I had stayed put.
I pretty much knew this would be a long-term decision for me, so I bought big, or at least big for one person. First, a motorhome is much easier to park and manage than a trailer, so that was easy. It also gave me the ability to pull into a parking lot or rest area and use my facilities and fix a snack or meal without going outside. I started looking at smaller motorhomes, but knew that I had to have a bed I could walk around to make because I had fragile kneecaps and had been warned by the guy who replaced my knees that I should never kneel on a soft surface. I also test drove a Class A, but because I am so short, I had to have the steering wheel jammed into my stomach to reach the pedals. Even with extenders, I would not have been able to reach visors or some other things in an A cab. A Class C fits my body better than an A. (I also chose not to tow and am still happy with that decision.)
So, a big C was my choice, and I have been happy with it with one exception--I would have liked more CCC. Also, going 32' meant that my motorhome feels like a small apartment. I can walk back to my separate bedroom, etc. I have lots of space for clothing and such--actually twice as much as if I were traveling with a spouse or partner. I also have twice as much water to use than a couple would and need a lot less food storage!! I only need to dump tanks every 3-4 days, which is a real plus!
Biggest advantage is that I can do what I like and eat weird meals if I want to. No fighting about the TV changer or where the next stop will be or what we ought to have for dinner. (No one to help with maintenance or lifting heavy stuff, either, but things do balance out.)
I am reminded of the ladies in a campground laundromat a few years ago who were all amazed that I could do this all by myself. That is, except for one woman who said, "You are SO lucky." Turns out her husband had bought the 5th wheeler, planned the trip, and decided what they would do. She said that the last 90 days had been the worse in 45 years of marriage! An often-discussed problem with traveling as a couple is that often both do not always want the same things and one will want to quit before the other.
So going solo is really not so bad. There are times I'd like company, but other times I am very glad I don't have any. And regardless, I still have the choice of traveling alone or staying home alone. MUCH prefer traveling alone!!
