Life In An RV: Are You Ready?

For many Americans, living the dream means hitting the open road, living out of an RV and working from a mobile office. The freedom to travel and experience everything life has to offer from your living quarters on four wheels is an exciting undertaking … and one not to be taken lightly.

However, it’s fairly common today for many people to live and work from their motor homes, truck campers and camper vans, either full- or part-time. For the adventurous spirit and the practical person, it can be done. Many websites and blogs are devoted to sharing personal experiences with others. Some nomads are good enough to make money by simply writing about and documenting their lives on the road.

So, here are several advantages and disadvantages of the RVing lifestyle.

Are you Saving or Spending More?

The ever-increasing cost of buying a house is deterring people from homeownership, especially among millennials and older folks who don’t necessarily have the money to own and maintain a home. Plus, buying a home is a big commitment. But so too is purchasing an RV.

Once you take an RV off the lot, the value drops because vehicles are considered a depreciating asset. Same goes if you buy a used vehicle from someone. It won’t be worth as much in a few years down the road. On the other hand, a home increases in value over time.

Utilities/Rent

RVing could cost you less in monthly payments, overall.  Depending on where your site is, you aren’t paying water, sewer, and huge electric bills. You aren’t paying high monthly rent or a mortgage, home insurance, or property taxes. However, you’ll still be paying camping fees, RV insurance, licenses, internet, gas and maintenance.

You could find yourself paying up to $1,000 a month for full hookups and a patio with access to swimming pools and showers at some of the nicer KOAs. There are camping spots in state parks and at smaller sites that cost less, averaging from $300-$700 per month, depending on the location and amenities. It will take some budgeting and planning on your part.

Maintenance

Do you know how to change tires, and how to fix broken plumbing and leaky roofs? These events can be catastrophic. If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, there’s no one around to help fix these things at a moment’s notice. You have to be independent and self-reliant. You also have to be thinking ahead before traveling to cold or blistering destinations. Do your A/C and heating systems work? Before heading into cold, snowy territory, you’ll need to know if your heat works. It could literally mean life and death if your vehicle breaks down. The same goes for ensuring the A/C works if you’re traveling to warmer places like Phoenix and Las Vegas. You could overheat and your food could go bad without proper cooling.

Freedom

There’s something liberating about going where and when you want without being tied to a bunch of physical possessions. It’s a lifestyle that people choose to embrace and for good reasons. RVing is a way for people to do the things they love whether it’s hiking, biking, spending time on the water, watching beautiful sunrises and sunsets, or meeting new, like-minded people.