Full-Time RV Living: Pros, Cons, and Tips for Van Life
In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and the pros and cons of full-time RV living to help you determine if this lifestyle is right for you.
With inflation taking the country by storm, there are plenty of benefits to grabbing your RV and living life on the road. However, there’s more to this transition than packing your belongings in a van and putting the pedal to the metal. There are also a series of challenges you’ll have to consider and overcome.
With the right guidance and information, you can consider the good and bad that come with life in a van and best prepare for whatever sour lemons come your way. Allow our team at Rjourney to guide you through the full-time RV living pros and cons and several essential van life tips.
Benefits of Full-Time RV Living
Countless opportunities for adventure and exploration are just the tip of the RV life iceberg. Many perks come with a life in a van. Allow us to share with you six of the most prominent benefits of RV living.
1. Gives You Flexibility and the Freedom To Travel
The flexibility of your new nomadic lifestyle just might be the most enticing perk of RV life. Not only are you not tied to one place, but it’s also infinitely easier to pack up and move your base than if you were stationed in a home or apartment. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about making hotel reservations or plane tickets as your vehicle is both in one!
2. Saves You Money
The cost savings of RV living are also too ideal to ignore. Since you won’t have to pay rent or utility bills, you can funnel those funds into upcoming adventures. Also, there are countless ways to go on budget-friendly RV travels so your savings can skyrocket without plummeting your chances of adventure.
3. You Can Work From Anywhere
If you have a fully remote job, managing work on the road is more than possible! That’s because most RV resorts and campgrounds offer WiFi on-site to help you stay connected for calls and assignments.
4. Spend More Time in Nature
With the flexibility of RV life, you can explore and be one with nature more easily than if you were in the city or tied to a house or apartment lease. With countless parks across the country to explore, unique excursions and experiences await you around every corner.
5. Easier To Live With Less
Downsizing for RV living is a much more streamlined process than downsizing to an apartment. With the limited spaces in your RV, you’ll learn to adjust to living with only the essentials and a sparse amount of extra belongings. With beautiful landscapes and endless possibilities right outside your RV door, it’s easy to forget about all the material things that once cluttered your life. Plus, there are many mental health benefits that come with a less cluttered and cramped space.
6. Build Connections With Other RV Lifers
While on the road, the people you meet and the connections and communities you build may surprise you. With secure WiFi access on several campgrounds, you can reach out to forums and chat rooms dedicated to full-time RV living. Once you’ve established a connection, plan in-person get-togethers and share life experiences and delicious s’mores over a campfire.
RV Living Challenges
There are plenty of upsides to RV life, but there are also cons to this lifestyle. Before you begin packing yet alone hit the road, it’s in your best interest to consider these four challenges that come with full-time RV living.
1. RV Maintenance
As the RV lifestyle commences and continues, you’ll run into needed RV repairs. From interior repairs such as renovations and air conditioning systems to fixing dents and scratches along your vehicle’s exterior, RV maintenance for full-time travelers will be on the mind more often than not. But compared to other expenses with a house or even condominium, the RV repair bills will seem like a drop in the piggy bank.
2. Constant Planning
For many people, the constant planning is among the least appealing parts of full-time RV life. You have to diligently stay on top of your routes and your budget. But if you adjust to the planning process, you can find many premier RV destinations with a simple search.
3. Navigate Weather
Constantly opening your computer or phone to check weather reports can be exhausting and nerve-wracking. Since we don’t have control over what falls out of the sky, trying to navigate nasty storms and blizzards is a constant headache for some.
However, there are routes you can take to minimize the stress and risks of Mother Nature. Explore seasonal RV hot spots that best fit your needs, regardless of whether you want to beat the summer heat or embrace the cold of winter.
4. Staying Connected With Those Outside of Your RV Life
Although you’ll meet new faces during your travels, you might start to miss the friendly faces and loved ones from your hometown. While it’s far from impossible to meet up with family members, the probability of missing various life events will increase while on the road.
However, it’s possible for your partner or immediate family to join you on your full-time RV journey!
Tips for Living in a Van Full-Time
Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of life in a van full-time, it’s time to plan and downsize for RV Living. The life transition may bring about some struggles, but there are several tips you can use to overcome whatever challenges come your way. Here are some van life tips for your transition to full-time RV life:
- Plan routes and budgets ahead of time
- Downsize and remain minimalist and organized
- Embrace a life less connected with society
- Stay safe and stay informed about your surroundings
- Seek out ways to connect with other RV lifers
- Remain flexible and open-minded
Start Your RV Life With Rjourney
To kick off your life on the road, choose Rjourney for a long-term RV camping stay. With several premier campgrounds across the country, each with a unique set of on-site amenities and activities, we accommodate your needs for full-time RV life. Find your nearest Rjourney resort or contact us online to book your stay now!