RV Living – Everything You Need to Know Before You Hit the Road

At Aristotle’s Cafe we talk about all sorts of things. And we recently had a conversation with our community on “what are you most excited about?” A young couple that joined our discussion immediately brought up that they had chosen to do RV Living.

Our group was so interested in this different lifestyle that we thought it would be fun to follow up with all the information here so that anyone looking to live on the road and full-time or part-time RVing might need to know.

Table of Contents

• What is RV Living?
• Why RV Living?
• How Much Does it Cost to Get Started in RV Living?
• Why Live and Work in an RV?
• RV Living, it’s not always easy
• How to Live Well In a Small Space?
• Safety & Security Concerns When Living in an RV

What is RV Living?

RV Living takes many forms, but most recently there’s a growing trend of people who have decided to sell their house, or stop paying rent and dive into full-time rv life.

“RV” stands for recreational vehicle, and there are many different types of RV’s out there. One of the most iconic RV’s out there is the Airstream, this is a travel trailer that is like a little house on wheels. There’s no motor, so you’ll have to get a vehicle strong enough to pull it around safely. There are many brands that make travel trailers, and this is what many people start out with.

Then there are fifth wheels, which are much bigger and can get really fancy (think fireplaces and big flat-screen TV’s).

Class C RV’s are also a favorite for people who choose full-time rv living. This is the all-in-one package, you can drive around without having to worry about another vehicle.

Finally, possibly the most popular choice with people lately are these renovated vans. These are great for weekend getaways or roadtrips, but they will be a big cramped for people looking to live full-time for more than a few months.

Why RV Living?

RV living is a great alternative to choosing to live in a traditional home. They are a lot cheaper to buy and maintain, and they offer some really unique benefits that you won’t find with other housing options. For example, many people choose to live in an RV full-time because they love the freedom of the remote lifestyle.

RV living is a growing trend among people who want to live a simpler life. It’s not easy to make the transition from traditional living to RV living, but there are many benefits.

1. It gives you the chance to explore and still keep all the comforts of home with you.
2. You can choose your own lifestyle – many RVers love that they can splurge or save depending on what they value.
3. It helps you spend less time maintaining a yard, house maintenance, and it’s much easier to stick to a minimalist philosophy.
4. RVers are generally very friendly people and you can find a great community of like-minded people.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Started in RV Living?

The costs of living in an RV are different for everyone. It depends on what type of RV you want to live in, how much you want to spend on gas, and how often you want to stop at a campground.

There are a huge range of prices to choose from. There are some people that can find a used travel trailer for $8,000, and others who buy one brand new for $100,000! That’s one of the reasons why people enjoy RV living so much, because you can really choose any lifestyle that fits you.

Those that want to be off-grid and live on a budget are able to boondock (aka no electricity or water hookups), and those that want to go the luxury route have RV resorts that are almost like Disney world.

The biggest recommendation is to start looking and finding out what kind of lifestyle you want to live. One great way to try without investing too much is to check out a service like Outdoorsy, which is like Airbnb but for RVs. That way you can rent something for a short time, try it out, and if you don’t like it you can make the right decision.

Why Live and Work in an RV?

Working from home is a trend that has been on the rise for years. It can be difficult to find a job that will allow you to work remotely, but if you are able to find one, it can be a great way to save money and still have an exciting and fulfilling career.

The number of people who are choosing to live and work in an RV is on the rise. This type of lifestyle offers many advantages: more time with family, less stress, more freedom. Today’s workforce is looking for a way to eliminate the 9-5 lifestyle and live more simply. One way they are achieving this is by living out of their vehicle.

It’s possible for RVers to work remotely as well, making it easy for them to live this type of lifestyle while still earning an income.

RV Living, it’s not always easy

Many people jump right into this lifestyle. While it might seem very exciting at first it’s important to know some of the challenges you might face.

1. Storage: The most common challenge that people face is storage. They have to find a way to store their belongings when they don’t have a lot of space available in their RV or tow vehicle.
2. Location: Another challenge is location. When you’re living in an RV, while it is fun to move around, sometimes it’s hard to find your next spot.
3. Privacy: Thin walls, a small space, and in some cases unexpected new neighbors are all part of the lifestyle.
4. Uncertainty: One of the biggest differences to RV living is that there are a lot of unexpected things that happen. From popped tires, to electricity problems, to wifi issues.
5. Wifi is expensive: If you want to work while on the road it’s going to come at a price.

How to Live Well In a Small Space?

Living in a small space can be challenging and it is not uncommon for people to feel cramped, frustrated and unproductive.

People around the world are becoming more and more interested in learning how to live in small spaces. The good news is that whether you’re living in a tiny home, a loft, an apartment or any other type of small space, you can still be productive and comfortable.

However, there are many ways of making the most out of your living space and make your life more enjoyable.

• Declutter your space. Get rid of all the things that you don’t need or use anymore and make sure there’s enough room for everything else.
• Make sure that your furniture is placed efficiently so that you can maximize the use of your space.
• Use vertical storage spaces like shelves, cabinets, and closets to store items such as clothes, shoes, books and other items.

Safety & Security Concerns When Living in an RV

Living in an RV, especially for long-term travel, can be a bit scary. You don’t always know who you are living near and you can’t control your surroundings as much. So it is important to be aware of the safety and security concerns when living in an RV.

Some of the safety and security concerns when living in an RV are:

• You might not have a landline or cell phone service all the time.
• You could have limited access to medical services if you need them.
• You might have to live with people who are different from you and don’t share your values or beliefs.
• You might not have any access to food or water if there is a natural disaster like a hurricane or earthquake nearby.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this gives you a good idea of whether RV living is the right choice for you or not. Now that we have discussed the various aspects of life on the road and the pros and cons, you might have a better idea of what to think about.

Life on the road is not for everyone, it is a difficult lifestyle to live with all its ups and downs. But if you are able to make it work for you then you will be rewarded with a lot of freedom, flexibility and endless possibilities.