full time living in rv

There are many different kinds of “full-timers” (people who live in an RV year-long):

• Some who are in this lifestyle for the adventure, IE: full-time nomads
• Some who are in this lifestyle for retirement and slow exploration
• Some who are living full-time RV life to cut down on modern living expenses
• Some who just don’t want to be tethered to one place (it is very cool to be able to bring your house everywhere)

Full Answer

Can you really live full time in a RV?

That’s both a yes and no, parking and living in an RV on your own land is not illegal. If you’re planning to live in it full-time, though, you’ll likely be breaking the law that can you live in an RV. Even if you own the land, there are laws prohibiting you from using it as a permanent house.

How much does it cost to live in a RV full time?

Overall, something between $2,000 and $3,000 seems standard for two people RVing full-time. Of course, it can be more or less depending on your lifestyle and lots of other factors including the campgrounds you live in, traveling distance, the cost of your rig, and more.

Is it illegal to live in a RV full time?

It is both legal and illegal to live in an RV full time. It all will depend on where you keep your RV parked and if you managed to make it your full address. You must speak with the HOA or/and the local council and ask whether you need a permit for it.

Can you save money living in a RV full-time?

Absolutely. If you are willing to reduce the number of things that you have in your home, have a bit of adventure in you and really want to focus on saving, you can save money by living in an RV. The best way to save money is to find a cheap place to park as pad fees can add up quick.

Can you live permanently in a RV?

Yes, an RV can be a permanent residence for tax purposes or to claim residency in many states. The IRS considers any structure as a possible primary (or secondary) residence if it has sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities. For other purposes, you can get an address assigned to your RV property like any other home.

How much money do you need to live full time in an RV?

We have seen monthly full time RV living budgets from fellow travelers as low as $1,600 and as high as $5,000. If you really want to go minimal, you can easily live this life for around $1,000 per month by finding a free spot to park your rig for extended periods or by becoming a camp host.

Is it realistic to live in an RV?

Living in an RV has its moments, but it's not always easy. Moving an RV camper can be expensive and may cause wear and tear on your vehicle. You have little privacy when living in an RV, whether you're inside trying to sleep or outside trying to get some fresh air. Visit Insider's home page for more stories.

Why you shouldn't live in an RV?

Lack of Privacy. Unless you're living the RV lifestyle alone, finding personal space can become an issue. With such a small living area and no walls to divide rooms, it's hard to find privacy. Since you live in a super-cool home, people will want to come and stay with you to get a taste of your RV lifestyle.

Is it cheaper to live in an RV or a house?

So the initial cost of RV living is certainly lower than buying a house, and you'll save money by not having to stay at expensive RV parks every night. After all, the average cost of an RV park is around $30 a day.

What type of RV is best for full time living?

Drive-able Motorhome RVs for Full Time Living Many RVers believe that Class C or Class A motorhomes are the best type of RV for full time living because they are comfortable for long travel days. Drive-able RVs also give you more flexibility to chose an everyday vehicle instead of having to drive a heavy duty truck.

Is living in an RV considered homeless?

RVs are larger than trucks and are more likely to have interior space that include core elements of habitability like access to electricity, running water, plumbing, and heat. Thus, persons sleeping overnight in a habitable RV are not likely to be homeless.

What address do you use if you live in an RV?

When in doubt, seek out the advice of an attorney who specialized in residency. You have several options here once you have chosen your “home” state. “Live” with a friend or family member. You can use their address, but consider this; all your important, legal, official mail will be landing in their mailbox.

Is RV life hard?

RVs are small inside, so it helps to really like all the people around you. It's impossible to get much privacy living in one. It's also hard to entertain other people in a recreational vehicle given the space constraints. Because of the limited space, it helps to keep the inside well organized.

Can I retire and live in an RV?

You Can Live on a Modest Budget in an RV It's fairly common for income to dip in retirement, and that can necessitate lifestyle changes. Longtime RVers say that life on the road works well on a limited budget. “We live modestly,” says Charley Hannagan, who has been RVing with her husband, Joe, since 2014.

Can you shower in an RV while is moving?

The good news is that you can use the RV bathroom while the vehicle is in motion. Because the electrical systems are in action while the car is on the road, you can use the bathroom and flush with the water pump as normal.

How can I make my RV home permanent?

You can set up your RV for permanent location use in seven basic steps:Pick your location.Deliver and Level your RV. Place Blocks Next to Wheels. Drive Your Trailer Onto the Blocks. Place Wheel Chocks Around Tires. Lower the Tongue Jack. ... Connect the Hookups.Organize Inside the Camper for Living.Set Up Your Outdoor Space.

How do people make money living in an RV full-time?

Read on to understand six of the most essential ways you can use your recreational time to generate substantial income to support your needs and goals.Telecommuting. Many businesses allow people to work online full-time. ... Freelancing Online. ... Workamping. ... Start a Blog. ... Amazon CamperForce. ... Become an RV Technician.

Does living in an RV save money?

Full-Time RV Living and Traveling Rather than taking up a somewhat permanent station at an RV park, you could also live in your RV while traveling full-time. Believe it or not, this can save just as much money (if not more) as living stationary at a long-term RV park.

Is owning a RV cost effective?

The short answer is no. With the exception of some in-demand vintage models, the value of an RV depreciates over time. An RV is an investment in a lifestyle, but you can mitigate the expense by renting it out when not in use through a third-party rental site like Outdoorsy or RVshare.

How do I become a full-time RV family?

In short, anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 per month could be argued as 'needed' to be a full-time RV family. You will need to figure in the cost of a truck and camper, or a motorhome and a vehicle to tow. There are expenses such as campground fees, gas, activities, and national park passes.

3. You can drive to better weather each season

Being able to travel wherever you want is probably the best thing about owning an RV.

4. No commuting daily to a job

The average American spends around 54 hours per year sitting in traffic.

8. Meet interesting new people regularly

When you go on RV road trips, you are going to meet a lot of interesting people.

9. A good way to see family in other parts of the country

Family members are constantly moving around, at least in some families.

10. Go where you want, when you want

We all have freedom. However, we also have responsibilities, and those responsibilities can keep us from doing whatever we want, whenever we want.

11. Easy to earn an income on the road blogging or YouTubing

Just because you now live in an RV doesn’t mean you don’t need to work.

12. No yard work!

I want you to think about how much time or money you spend on maintaining your garden.

What is RVing full time?

Of course, full-time RVing is in large part about spending less time staring at screens and more time exploring the coastlines, mountains, deserts, cities and small towns that define America. When the Nealys first started out as full-time RVers, they took an idealistic approach to travel.

Where do the Nealys go once they leave their campground?

The Nealys aren’t quite sure where they’ll head once they leave their campground host position in Florida , but they know what they’ll do when they get there. “The first thing we do when getting to a new place is get on Yelp and see if there’s a local brewery, and then we go to town, meet local people and drink beer.”.

What does "balance" mean in RVing?

In the life of a full-time RVer, balance means a number of things. It means researching and planning, but it also means driving west with no other goal than to see the surf of the Pacific.

Is it healthy to go all the time?

Being go, go, go all the time is not healthy or fun. It is exhausting. Allow yourself the freedom to stay in one place for a week or longer at a time. Not only will this recharge your batteries, but you will be able to truly appreciate the places and people you encounter. 2.

Is RV life slow?

1. RV Life Is Slower Paced. As you set out to pursue the RV life, you may be tempted to go non stop and see as much as you can as soon as you can. The RV lifestyle, however, requires a different mindset. Being go, go, go all the time is not healthy or fun. It is exhausting.

Can you live in an RV all week?

RV life is not all weeks alone in the great outdoors. Be sure to try a sampling of lots of different experiences — from camping in crowded cities to spending time in untouched nature.

What are the pros and cons of living in an RV?

Some of the many advantages of living in an RV include: Freedom: RV life allows you to change locations whenever you want . You’re never obligated to stay in one place for longer ...

How many miles does an RV drive?

The average RV is driven 3,500-miles annually . Residing in an RV on a full-time basis can triple those miles. RV repairs can be expensive, depending on the issue. Preventive maintenance is mandatory if you make life in your RV.

Is it better to live in an RV or a smaller RV?

Decide if a larger RV with plenty of space for a smaller, easier to navigate RV is best for you. Life in an RV can be great, but it takes a lot of preparation and planning to make sure that you are ready. With a bit of time and prep, however, this new lifestyle can certainly be the one for you!

Is it cheaper to live in an RV than a home?

The savings offered when you live in an RV allow you to have money left over every month and actually do the things that you love. Living in an RV is certainly cheaper than living in a home. Travel: Travel is simple when you live in an RV.

Is RV life cheaper than mortgage?

It’s a great option for anyone who isn’t ready to settle down and for individuals who want to explore and wander. Cheaper: No mortgage.

Is RVing a home on wheels?

It’s a home on wheels for those adventures, giving travelers more freedom to go where their hearts take them. But for some people, the RV becomes their one and only home; their literal home on wheels. Full-time RVing has many advantages and of course, some disadvantages as well but don’t knock it before you try it.

How much does a state park cost?

State parks cost between $30 and $45 and the amenities can vary. Private parks can cost anywhere from $20 to $120 per night, again depending on the season, location, and amenities. Federal parks, and forest service park prices vary but many of these are rustic camps with no hook-ups.

Which state is the most liberal to call home?

There are some states that make this easier than others, but wherever you decide to “call home” (or domicile) that is where you will vote, register your vehicles, get your mail, list as your address for insurance, and pay taxes. South Dakota is one of the most liberal states in which to domicile.

Is it stressful to live in a big RV?

There are stresses involved in living in cramped quarters, and there are stresses involved in living in a larger RV as well. Just driving, pulling, maintaining, gassing, and parking a “big rig” can be stressful. Then there’s the question of a new RV vs a used RV .

Is there a warranty on a used RV?

There are warranty (or lack thereof) issues, and maintenance concerns, and wear and tear that may not be evident until you’ve already taken ownership of the RV. And believe it or not, this is true for both new and used RVs.

Can you park an RV on public land?

You can park your RV on some BLM or public land for free, so there are no camping fees. You can also stop for free in most rest stops for a night, or stay in the parking lot at Walmart or Cabela’s, without any fees. But when you are living in an RV full-time, that only takes care of a few days while you’re traveling.

How old do you have to be to get an RV loan?

For example to get a longer term loan your RV may need to be less than 8 years old.

How much does a campground cost?

Campground prices range from $0 a night to $200 a night. It all depends what you are looking for. If you purchase a membership like Thousand Trails – you pay a flat one time fee to buy the membership.

What is the difference between vacation and traveling?

There is a difference between being on vacation and traveling full time. Your home is always with you, which means so are all the worries and chores that come with it . . . Plus when you go to a new location you don’t have a vacation budget to blow on doing all the fun and cool things. You have to get creative and find as many free things to do as you can!

What are the pros and cons of a camper?

Easier maneuverability. There are a few pros to choosing a camper for full-time living. The biggest advantage is that campers are more nimble than large motorhomes and fifth wheels. They can go anywhere a car can go.

Why are campers built?

Let’s face it, campers are built to fit into the budgets of a larger share of the market, meaning they are more affordable, but to fit into that lower price range they need to be built fast and cheap. That translates to lower quality components and construction protocols that focus more on quantity than quality.

What do you need to camp in a hurricane?

You might need all weather gear, chains for the truck or trailer, extra coats, blankets, and boots. You could be camping in the snow or on the edge of a hurricane and it’s not like you can just drive back to your house and wait out the storm. You need to be able to endure whatever nature throws at you.

Do campers need generators?

Many campers do not have a generator, so living full time in those campers will require a connection to shore power for electricity or the camper will need to be modified with solar panels and a battery system or use a portable generator.

Can you park a camper in a parking lot?

Campers fit into any campground or RV park and are easy to park in a parking lot of any store while restocking the rig. If you have a truck camper, you can even remove it from the truck and use the truck without breaking down your camp to fetch supplies.

Is it sunny to live in a camper?

Not all days are sunny when you live in a camper. Full-timers need to be prepared for everything. Photo by P. Dent. Sure, you’re living in a house on wheels, so you should be able to drive away from approaching bad weather but this is not always possible.

Can you live in a camper full time?

Another limitation of living full-time in a camper compared to living full time in a larger motorhome is the size of many of the components in the camper. The propane tanks (if they even exist) are usually small portable tanks that need to be refilled often, the refrigerator and freezer may be quite small, and the freshwater tank, black, ...

Best RV Parks for Full Time Living in Arizona

Arizona the “Grand Canyon State” is one of the best states for full-time RV living thanks to its year-round warm weather, endless sunny days, and beautiful desolate desert landscapes.

Best RV Parks for Full Time Living in California

When most people think of California, what usually comes to mind are endless beaches and year-round warm weather.

Best RV Parks for Full Time Living in Colorado

For those full-time RVers seeking a more active outdoor lifestyle, Colorado is definitely the place to be.

Best RV Parks for Full Time Living in Florida

If you’re looking for beaches, endless summers, and warm weather it’s hard to beat the state of Florida.

Best RV Parks for Full Time Living in Texas

Texas has one of the most diverse and unique cultures in the country, with numerous state mottos and phrases that embody the state such as “Don’t Mess with Texas”, “Remember the Alamo, and “Everything’s Bigger in Texas”.