As you might imagine, there are both pros and cons to living in an RV year-round. Here are a few things to consider as you think about embracing this lifestyle for the long term.
First, let's start with the pros.
Pros of Living in an RV Year-Round
Put Down Roots… or Not!
The first and arguably the best thing about living in an RV all the time is that you can up and move anytime you want.
Bad weather coming? Move to another area a few hours away that isn't expected to get hit.
Are you tired of the local sights? No problem - you can go find new ones.
Are the neighbors giving you trouble? No need to stick around and suffer through it - you can just move.
Less Time Maintaining and Cleaning Your Home
When you live in a home, you spend a lot of time cleaning and maintaining the home. Things break, stuff gets scattered all over the place, and it can get quite messy.
Yes, your RV can get messy too. Things can break. But these things don't happen as often as they do with a bigger home. And when they do, they generally don't take as long to fix. Cleaning an RV takes what, 30 minutes? How long did it used to take to clean your whole house? A few hours?
Spend Money on Experiences Instead of Things
When you live in a home, it's tempting to spend money on new "stuff." The new air fryer. A new TV. A new set of pillows for the couches.
When you live in an RV, there's no room for a lot of stuff! So you must be very selective with the "stuff" you buy.
This frees up your money to spend on experiences instead of stuff. Memories will last a lifetime, but we all know "stuff" won't always.
Meet Great People
One of the best things about this lifestyle is the variety of people you'll meet. As this article puts it, there is no "typical" RV owner. Instead, RVers come from all walks of life. Some are retired, and some are young families with young kids. Some are single people in their 20s that work remotely.
Getting to meet so many great people is just something that doesn't happen as often when you go home to the same place, with the same neighbors, every night.
All of that said - let's talk about a few cons to this lifestyle.
Cons to Living in an RV Year-Round
Itty Bitty Living Space
Like the genie in Aladdin, living in an RV doesn't give you much breathing room. But, of course, you aren't as cramped as a genie in a lamp. Still, it may sometimes feel that way, especially if you visit some family or friends and are reminded how nice it is to be able to stretch out a bit.
Having Personal Time is More Difficult
This is a moot point if you plan on living in the RV by yourself. But if someone will be with you, just know it can be more difficult to get alone time.
In a house, you have your options on where you can go to get alone time. For example, if your partner is in the kitchen, you can go anywhere else - a bedroom, living room, or entertainment room.
In an RV, it's a bit harder to get that distance. Not impossible, just more complicated.
You Have to Give Up Your "Stuff"
It's not easy to get rid of stuff you've been accumulating. Think about it- you've probably been acquiring things for years - even decades!
To part with it is not easy. Sure, you can put some stuff in storage. But the more you can say goodbye to, the better. Just keep in mind that it won't be easy.
It's Hard to "Nest"
Do you know someone (maybe it's you?) who likes to "nest" when they travel? They're the kind of person who puts their clothes in the hotel's drawers instead of keeping them in the suitcase the whole time.
These types of folks like to settle in. Unfortunately, that can be harder to do with an RV. You know your stay - even at a great RV campground - is temporary.
Conclusion
There are both pros and cons to the full-time RV lifestyle. It's not for everyone, but it works for many people and may be right for you!
