Have you ever wanted to live in your RV full-time? To most people the idea sounds crazy! I actually had a friend sit me down and tell me all the reasons not to do it when I first started.
He was worried that it wasn’t safe, that I was unprepared for full-time RV living, and that it would cost a lot of money.
A year later, I’m still living in my small travel trailer, and loving every minute of it. I never found myself in danger, and quickly learned the RV basics.
Plus, I’m actually making money through a remote job I found online. In fact, there are way more benefits to living in an RV full-time than a stationary house.
I’m not telling you that houses are bad. I stayed in one for most of my life. However, over the last twelve months I’ve discovered various practical reasons why living full-time in an RV is better than a house.
I’m going to cover all of them. And I’m also going to tell you 5 ways you can prepare for full-time RV living before you make the transition.
Let’s get started!
25 Reasons Why I Don’t Regret Living In An RV Full Time
When people think about full-time RV living, most of them only consider the challenges—and rightfully so.
You’ll be leaving behind most modern comforts, and downsizing to a much smaller living space, while also dealing with the difficult trials of the road.
However, most people also fail to consider the benefits of full time-RV living. They far outweigh the challenges.
Don’t believe me? Well, here’s 25 reasons why you should switch to full-time RV living:
1. No Rent or Mortgage
Your rent or mortgage is often the biggest expenditure in your life. In fact, in cities, you may only be able to afford a small studio apartment.
That’s already the size of your average RV! So, why not ditch it for a more affordable option? Even if you lease an RV, you’ll pay far less. This extra money can be implemented in other areas of your life.
You can use it to expand your business, grow your family, or buy more experiences rather than possessions.
2. Meet New People
If you live in a house, you occupy the same neighborhood, go to the same job, and hang out with the same friends.
On the other hand, if you live in an RV you’re always moving, and so, increasing the likelihood that you’ll come across new people.
I was surprised by the number of new friends I met on the road. You’ll meet them at RV parks, during outdoors activities, or even at the local watering hole. Make sure you ask for their phone number so you can stay in touch!
3. See New Places Everyday
If you travel while you live in a house, you normally plan out your trip. This means you’ll see new places, but you’ll never come across spontaneous adventures.
However, in an RV you’re always finding random sights and things to do. When I started, I found so many places that I didn’t even know existed—many of them right in my own backyard!
4. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Will Rogers once said, “You’ve got to go out on a limb sometimes because that’s where the fruit is”.
He was obviously referring to life, but here at RVing Know How, we think he was referring to RV living as well.
After all, any type of change takes us out of our comfort zone. That means switching from a home, to a home-on-wheels would catapult you into a new mode of living.
It might sound frightening, but in the long run, it can be very rewarding—opening new pathways in the brain, helping you develop new hobbies, and meeting new people. Get out of your comfort zone, and into a new you.
5. Work a Full-Time Remote Job from Your RV
Many people think that if you live out of an RV you must be a worthless bum. Yes, I had friends call me that—not cool.
However, you can still work a job even while you’re on the road. In fact, I would argue that a remote job is much better than one you need to visit physically.
It allows you to create your own schedule and avoid dealing with annoying co-workers. I work as a freelance writer, and make more than enough money to supplement my travels.
6. Beautiful, Beautiful Solitude
When you live in a house you’re surrounded by neighbors, and sometimes, an entire city. If you live in an RV you have the opportunity to escape all of that.
Public lands let you get away from society, and disappear into the wilderness. You can access them with your RV.
Read our ‘Dispersed Camping For Beginners: A Guide To FREE RV Camping Around The Country’ article for more information. Nothing is better for self-growth than a little solitude.
7. Live Anywhere
Do you get restless living in one place? Buy an RV! You can live practically anywhere. Avoid boredom and monotonous routine by moving your house around.
It’ll allow you to experience every environment and culture in the country. That way if you ever decide to return to sedentary life you’ll know where you want to stop.
8. No Utility Costs
If you’re smart about your RV living situation you can avoid utility costs. You can find water for free, and your alternator will often give you minimal electricity.
If you want to live more luxuriously (120V power, heater, etc) you might need to spend a little bit of money. However, it will never be as high as the utility costs in a house, or apartment.
9. Do More Outdoor Activities
At home you can play video games, watch TV, or lay about on your phone. That’s only because you don’t have untainted wilderness right beyond your front door.
In your RV, you can hear nature beckoning you outside all the time. Combined with a frequent lack of electricity and internet,this will force you to pursue all kinds of outdoor activities.
10. Gorgeous Views for FREE
When you live in a house you sometimes need to pay hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars to get a beautiful view.
In an RV you can get a breath-taking view all over the country for FREE. I’ve parked my travel trailer on beaches, in forests, and on mountains overlooking cities.
I could not afford these views if I lived in a house, but in an RV, I can access all of them—for free.
11. Teaches You Humility
Living in an RV will keep you humble, and teach you about all the things you take for granted.
My travel trailer made me appreciate the endless supply of high pressure, tap water I had at home.
In a house I can use the toilet whenever I desire, clean as many dishes as I want, and wash myself in a shower that heats up in seconds.
That’s not the case in an RV. It’s a lot more difficult, but you’ll adjust quick, and it’ll make you have a whole new respect for modern comforts.
12. Gives You More Free Time
Without the responsibilities of a stationary house weighing you down you’ll find yourself with a lot more time.
This time can be filled with new hobbies, or skills you want to learn. Even when you’re driving your RV you can listen to podcasts, or trade with your co-pilot and complete important work.
No matter how you slice it, you have more time when living in an RV than when you live in a house.
13. Stronger Relationship with Yourself (And Your Partner, and Your Family)
Traveling in an RV puts you in a new situation every day. This daily change adds a level of struggle that will help strengthen you, and any relationships in your life.
It will make you more resilient, better at handling conflict, as well as a more skilled problem solver. It’s the type of struggle you won’t find when living in a stationary home.
14. Easier to Maintain
In a house you have a lawn to prune, a big kitchen to clean, and several rooms to keep straight.
An RV lacks a front, or back, yard, and consists of a smaller overall living space. That means, you spend a lot less time taking care of it.
Where a house can take you an entire day to clean, an RV will only take a couple hours at the most.
15. Never Forget Anything
If you’re like me you forget your wallet every time you leave the house. That ended when I started living in my RV.
After all, I brought my house with me everywhere I went. If I forgot my wallet, I would just turn around and grab it.
I couldn’t do that at home. At home I’d need to drive many miles back to my house, grab my wallet, and then head out again to complete my errands. This might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it is.
16. Become More Interesting
It sounds a little arrogant, but you do become a lot more interesting when you live in an RV rather than a house.
It’s a wonderful icebreaker, and people are always curious to hear how you do it. That’s because most people live in a home.
Everyone gets excited by a lifestyle that’s unfamiliar to them. Become more interesting, live in your RV.
17. Pack Rats Begone!
An RV is much smaller than your standard house, and still smaller than most apartments. There’s no room to store anything extra.
That means you get rid of, or never buy, anything that you won’t use. I brought these solar powered lamps that I thought I would use all the time, but I never did.
So, I gave them to a friend and made room for something I needed. If you have a bad habit of keeping everything, an RV is the option for you.
18. Eat Healthier
When I traveled around the country I found it nearly impossible to park my RV in restaurant or fast food parking lots.
Therefore, I started eating out a lot less. Instead, I cooked in my RVs in-house kitchen.
This saved me tons of money! Furthermore, I often lacked the 120V power required to use my microwave, and without an oven, I was forced to cook meals that were a little lengthier to make, but much healthier for me.
19. Don’t Want to Own an RV Anymore? No Problem!
When you want to sell a home, it’s a huge process. You need a realtor and mountains of paperwork.
Selling an RV is much easier. If you ever get tired of your home-on-wheels, or want to upgrade it, just sign over the title to someone else and collect the money. There’s no need for a realtor or a lengthy selling process. It’s great!
20. Never Get Homesick
One of the hardest parts about traveling for long periods is the inevitable homesickness stage.
I’ve traveled all over the world and felt this feeling more than a few times; however, I’ve never felt it when traveling the country in my RV.
That’s because you’re literally taking your home with you wherever you go. If you ever feel sad or miss your home, just pull-over and spend some time in your RV.
Make sure to decorate it with plenty of pictures and other sentimental items, so it feels cozy rather than strange.
21. Become an Amateur Mechanic
You’ll sharpen your mechanical skills whether you like it or not. Often times something will break, and you’ll be far from a mechanic or any other related business.
Fortunately, Google and YouTube are excellent tools for every type of repair.
It might be frustrating at first, but learning about your RV is a must, and can be hugely beneficial when you’re in a bind.
22. Teaches You the Value of Experiences over Material Possessions
When I moved into my trailer, I suddenly realized how much of what I owned was unnecessary.
I got rid of my toaster oven and my huge TV and my bulky dresser. I didn’t have room for any of it.
And after a few weeks I discovered that I was better off without it. I made simpler, healthier meals and downsized my wardrobe to the essential outfits.
Most importantly I ditched my TV which I spent hours on daily, and started experiencing life more.
The world was my oyster. I hiked, stargazed, read more, and even learned the guitar. Experiences can last a lifetime, but all material possessions expire.
23. Experience Year-Round Beautiful Weather
The snow has started to fall in your hometown. It’s about to get very cold—and you hate the cold.
If you have an RV you can hit the road, and leave the frigid temperatures behind. Go to Southern States in the Winter and the Northern States in the Summer.
Now you can experience every state at its best weather. It’ll save you money on propane and keep you in good spirits year-round!
24. Bye-Bye Bad Neighbors
Everybody has that neighbor they hate.If you live in a house, you’ll be stuck with them for the foreseeable future.
But, if you live in an RV you can just drive away. That’s right, literally pull away, and most likely, never seen them again.
Dislike neighbors altogether? No problem! You can park your RV on public land and isolate yourself from everyone.
Check out our ‘Dispersed Camping For Beginners: A Guide To FREE RV Camping Around The Country’ article for more information.
25. FREEDOM
They say freedom isn’t free, but in an RV, it’s pretty darn close. When you combine every number on this list one word blossoms forth as a result—freedom.
Freedom to go where you want, to be who you want to be, and to do (almost) whatever you want. Want to go on a hike? Do it. Trying to start a new online business? Go for it.
Without the anchors that stationary life ties around your ankles you’ll find yourself free to pursue the life you’ve always dreamt of living.
5 Ways to Transition from Your House to Your New RV With Ease
So, you’re going to do it? You’re going to make the transition from a house to an RV? Awesome! I’ve included five ways to make the process easier for you.
They’ll help you avoid the mistakes I made when I first started full-time RV living.
Sell EVERYTHING!
When I started on my full-time road journey,I was still attached to many of the items in my house.
I decided to buy a storage unit to store my bed and my dresser and other replaceable items.
After all, I figured I would eventually return and want to use my furniture again.
However, after I left I quickly discovered that the monthly rent for the unit was burning a huge hole in my pocket.
In fact, it was costing me more money to store my items than it would be just to buy new ones when I returned.
I ended up returning home, and selling everything, before closing out the storage unit.
Don’t make my mistake. Instead, sell EVERYTHING. It will give you more money to start your full-time RV lifestyle and save you money in the long run.
If you have any sentimental items (photo albums, heirlooms, etc), store them with a friend or relative.
Download the Essential RV Apps
In the modern age, apps are an essential part of our lives. That remains the same even when you switch to full-time RVing.
Apps can help you plan trips, navigate routes, save money, and teach you important information.
There’s so many out there that it can be difficult to find the best ones. Fortunately, we compiled a list of the Best RV Road Trip Planner Apps And Tools For Route Planning.
With these apps you’ll elevate from a full-time RV greenhorn to a veteran in no time.
Learn the RV Basics
Do you know the difference between a black-water and grey water tank? How about the function of an RV stabilizer? If your answer was ‘huh’ to either one of these questions, it’s okay, but you have a little learning to do.
Read your owner’s manual or do some research online. Its important to know the basics of RV living so that you can make a smooth transition.
The road is stressful enough, and it’ll be more stressful if you don’t know how to run your water pump or empty your tanks.
Our website, RVing Know How, is an excellent resource for learning everything you need to know about RVs and the lifestyle that comes with it.
Go on a Test Run
After you learn the RV basics you should go for a trial run. It’s a good way to test your knowledge and see if you actually enjoy living in an RV.
Go on a weekend trip to a National Park or stay on some public land for a couple nights.
It’ll help you ascertain what items are important to bring and which ones can be left behind.
You’ll also get a better idea of the costs you’ll be accruing, as well as the basic routine of full-time RV living.
More than anything it will make you fall even more deeply in love with the road lifestyle.
Visit an RV Event or Rally
If you’re still uncertain about making the switch from a house to the road, you should visit an RV Rally. They’re a great resource for beginning RVers.
They offer seminars for beginners, catalogues of important RV accessories, and an opportunity to meet people in the RVing community.
But that’s not all! They also include all sorts of fun activities like, live music events, contests, and other forms of entertainment.
Check out our article ‘The 20 Best RV Events and Rallies in the U.S. That You Should Attend’ for more information.
That’s every reason for why you should live in an RV rather than a house. Do you have any other reasons to add to the list? There’s so many that I’m sure I forgot some. Please let us know in the comments below!
