The Pros and Cons of RV Living
Purchasing an RV is a big decision. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or are well on your way to living your best RV life, here are some pros and cons of hitting the road.
Pros
Travel and Nature
Feel like taking a trip? You have everything you need at your RV fingertips. No more searching for the best deals on hotels or airline flights. You have all the comforts of home right in your motorhome.
Once you know the types of campgrounds or RV resorts that suit your style, you can travel from one to the next, seeing the natural wonders the country has to offer.
Freedom
One of the greatest things about RV life, whether for vacationing or full-time residence, is the freedom to move whenever you choose.
If you’re vacationing, you can see more sights, visit more places, and meet more people. If you love one spot you can stay, if you’d like to experience another, you can leave.
If you live in your RV full time, the ability to live where the weather suits is invaluable. You can follow the sunshine all year long.
Having a coach or travel trailer gives you options that other types of travel or housing do not. You have all of the comforts of home, everywhere you want to go.
Community
The RV community is filled with friendly, interesting people from all walks of life. And they all love their RVs! You’ll find common ground everywhere with people at every stop.
Exchanging stories, sharing tips and hints, and helping each other are hallmarks of the amazing RV communities across the country.
Your RV is also an excellent way to visit friends and family around the country. Maintaining connections and making new ones is one of the best benefits of RV living.
Property Taxes and Yard Work
If you decide to live in your RV full time, you can say goodbye to property taxes. That alone is enough to make some of us pull up stakes. You can also free yourself of yard work and other chores involved with home maintenance.
Cons
Maintenance
If you own a home and an RV, you need to maintain both. You’ll also need RV storage. Those costs can add up. An RV needs more maintenance than other vehicles so you need to stay on top of it.
If you live in your RV full time, you cut out the double maintenance, but your RV will need even better preventive care when it’s your main residence. You’ll need to find reliable shops to handle both routine maintenance and inevitable RV repair service.
Gas
There’s no getting around the cost of gas. RVs don’t get the same kind of gas mileage as cars, so be prepared to fill up more often. Some of that cost will be offset when you travel by what you save on airline tickets and hotels.
If you live in your RV full time, it pays to find an alternate method of local travel. If you’re staying in a single location for several months, having a scooter or bicycle you can use to run errands can save you a lot of gas money.
Space
RV life is all about saving space. Clever custom design helps you make the most of your space. But you’ll still need to get used to paring back what you bring when you travel.
Full-time RV living is a lot like living in a tiny home. You need to make creative use of every inch of space. You’ll also need to pick and choose the things you want and need and let go of some of the trappings of a larger home.
Mail, Doctors, and Other Life Hassles
If you choose full-time RV life, you’ll need to make arrangements for things like a P.O box and find in-network healthcare as you move from place to place. This is easier if you have a couple of consistent bases during the year.
Internet
Wi-Fi can be unpredictable at campgrounds and other places you park your RV. This is a particular problem if you plan to work from your travel trailer or coach. Have good equipment to boost your signal if you need to connect.
On the other hand, spotty internet can be a blessing for travelers. Take some time to disconnect and enjoy the natural places you’re visiting.
The real beauty of RV living is the many options it affords. Your RV living might be a few vacations each year. Or maybe it’s moving into your RV full time. Either way, you have the freedom to roam the country, see beautiful natural areas, and hit the road when the spirit moves you.
