To some, it might sound crazy; leaving behind material possessions and living out of an RV is not for everyone. That said, modern nomads embrace this lifestyle. Some point to the relationships nurtured by traveling together, others love the flexibility, and many thrive on collecting new experiences at each destination. These are the ways RV life benefits people who leave behind their stick and brick homes.
Accumulating Experiences Instead Of Things
The most obvious benefits of becoming a modern nomad are the experiences. How many people get to see a new view from their window every morning? RVers can be at the beach one day and in the mountains the next.
When people pack up and get ready for an RV journey, they force themselves to consider which things are necessary. Motorhomes are small. That means that there's no room for junk--just the truly useful items. Each possession has its place--that keeps campers tidy and it's good chi for travelers. As nomads shed their belongings, they must necessarily put their priorities in order.
Experiences gained may range from meeting new friends at campsites to visiting astounding destinations. Learning RV maintenance will be an adventure for most first-time nomads. Getting out of the living room and onto the road opens up whole new worlds for the people who choose this lifestyle.
Connecting To Others
Being on the road changes relationships. It brings families and couples together and creates bountiful opportunities to meet new friends at campsites and destinations.
Changing to RV life may feel like leaving cherished friends behind. Of course, it's always easy for nomads to go back for a visit since their homes have wheels. People with families spread far and wide may even get to visit their loved ones more often. They can stay as long as they want. They don't even have to ask for the guest bedroom since they bring their own accommodation along for the visit.
For the people living in the motorhome, it's a chance to get up close and personal, which can be good or bad. Many couples find that RV life strengthens their relationships since they get to share so many experiences.
Families, like the Meinhofers and Boohers told the Washington Post about their reasons for becoming nomads. They were tired of working from nine to five and missing out on time together. Each family wanted to connect more deeply with their kids and give little ones the chance to see more of the United States. Now Jessica Meinhofer works remotely and homeschools her two kids from their RV. The Boohers say that their five children make friends everywhere they stopped.
Finally, RVers meet new neighbors every time they park their vehicles. Usually, that means making friends. On the other hand, when neighbors are noisy or rude, it's simple to park in a different place.
Working And Cost of Living
For many people, living in an RV or camper ends up costing less than owning or renting a home. According to Kristin Haynes of The Wayward Home, living in an RV can cost as little as $1400 a month if travelers are mindful of their spending. That includes a loan or rental payments for the vehicle, gas money for moving around a few times (not every day), groceries, insurance, and utilities. According to the Bank of America, the mean monthly average for just housing in the U.S. is $1709. More than half of people pay less than that and the rest pay more. It still makes living in an RV look cheap.
Having a lower cost of living means that people can work more flexibly. Remote employment, like writing or customer service, often allows workers to choose their own schedules. Other RVers work seasonally with programs like Amazon's CamperForce. What they earn between September and December allows them to rest for a few months.
RV Life
The benefits of RV life are many, but anyone interested in trying it doesn't have to jump straight in. Rental companies offer a variety of campers. That way travelers can try out different features and models before investing in one of their own.
People should also consider some of the difficulties of nomadic living before giving up their job or home, though. There's not much privacy in an RV, especially when more than two people share the space. RV bathrooms are notoriously small. Most of these vehicles don't have space for a washer or dryer. Employment for nomads often pays poorly--just minimum wage in many cases--and doesn't always offer health or retirement benefits. There are also frequent repairs that travelers need to make to their motorhomes.
None of that can compete with the sensation of waking up and seeing the sunrise over the ocean at a beach boondocking site, though. Nothing can beat traveling, spending time with family, and seeing new destinations.