Top Tips on Transitioning from Life in a House to an RV

Top Tips on Transitioning from Life in a

House to an RV

 

A minimalistic lifestyle is growing in popularity. Many people are becoming less attached to material items and are looking to declutter as much of their lives as possible. In some cases this means even leaving their homes to live life in an RV. An RV lifestyle not only encourages one to only take the bare necessities but also allows you to focus more on spending quality time with your family while being able to travel around collecting unforgettable experiences.

Living in a home on wheels isn’t for everyone. It’s important to familiarize yourself with what life in a RV entails. It is recommended you rent an RV prior to committing to a purchase and before transitioning from a traditional home. Do your research, lay out all the pro’s and con’s, and talk to people who are currently living in RVs.  This will give you a clear idea of what you can expect and how your daily life will change.

An RV will obviously have a smaller living space, but it leaves you completely mobile. You have the freedom to travel almost anywhere and can witness a fresh change of scenery on a daily basis if you wish. Getting an RV can provide you with financial freedom unlike having a large home mortgage or lease.

Have a Game Plan

Before you are on your way to fully embracing the RV lifestyle, do your research and make a plan. Create a prioritized list of all the important steps you need to accomplish in order to fulfill your desire of transitioning to an RV lifestyle. If you currently own a home, the first step should be to talk with a real estate agent to get an idea of what your home may be worth.  Once you sell your own, you will be able to create a budget for your new lifestyle.

If you are currently renting, it may be wise to wait until your lease is up or look into what penalties there may be for terminating your lease early. Whether you are waiting for your house to sell or lease to end, you should take this time to shop around for the RV that is right for you. That way when the time comes, you will be ready to hit the road.

It is also important to decide what you are doing with your belongings. The RV you purchase will most likely not be able to store everything. You can put your personal items in storage or sell them to fund your future travels.

Choosing where and how you want to live is crucial for your new traveling home. Although you may be on the road most of the time, you will want a place to park for the evenings.  Choose a location that is cost-effective, safe, and offers the activities and outdoor recreation you enjoy most.

Create a Budget

Most people believe that the cost of living in an RV will be cheaper than a traditional home. While this may generally be the case, it is important to create a budget and stick to it in order to keep your finances under control. You will no longer have many of the costs associated with owning a home but will now have new costs such as fuel and RV park fees.

Research the costs of owning an RV including repairs and regular maintenance. You may need to invest in equipment like a generator, surge protector, or a tire pressure monitoring system. There will of course be utility costs as well including electricity hookups, water, internet, and waste disposal.

After you’ve calculated the costs associated with your RV, consider your day-to-day living costs such as food and leisure activities. Once you have your budget down, you’ll know for sure whether RV living is within your financial means. You may find you still have to seek some type of employment to fund your new lifestyle.

Buy the RV

When it comes to buying an RV, you will not want to make this decision overnight. This is going to be the most expensive purchase in your transition and you will want to make sure you make the right choice.

Visit multiple dealerships and see as many RVs as possible. Your decision should be based on how user-friendly the vehicle is, the size and layout, the price, how well it suits your lifestyle, and its towing abilities when it comes to accommodating your current vehicle.

RVs can come equipped with all kinds of features and it is important you know which ones you are looking for. For example, you may wish to look into tankless water heaters, solar panels, and upgraded bedroom furnishings. Shopping for an RV is very much like seeking out a home.

Staying Connected to the World

Although some people may wish for an RV lifestyle in order to escape the city life to live completely off the grid, most will want to continue to have access to modern conveniences.

Having the means to communicate with your friends and family is important, so you want to base yourself in an area with strong phone and internet signals. Wi-Fi is a must if you are planning to work while on the road or simply want to stay current with the latest news.

Some campgrounds have Wi-Fi available but it usually isn’t great. A hot spot is a more secure and reliable option. You may also choose to use a VPN for additional security.

You should base yourself close to at least some kind of town where you have access to stores selling groceries, toiletries, clothes, etc. It is also important to be aware of where the nearest hospitals and pharmacies are as well as RV mechanics in case you require repairs.

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Author: Michael Jerrard

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3 Comments

  1. The photos are awesome…

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  2. What an Great Post. Very interesting topic of the time and I really thrilled to read this. Keep posting such interesting topics.

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  3. Hello! How much does it cost to live in an RV full time?

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