Didn't buy first RC until age cough*45*cough so I can't comment.

But I would guess by my kids, that RC will dwindle as school gets more serious, then you are off to college, then off to work, then married, then kids, then back into RC. And by then you will want what's current gear. So unload everything when you stop using it unless you think you will be collecting vintage RC when you are 30.