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Let’s Be Honest—Full-Time RVing Isn’t For Everyone

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

full-time RVing
Your living room can be anywhere when full-time RVing

Let’s Be Honest—Full-Time RVing Isn’t For Everyone

Do you dream of full-time RVing?

Do you have dreams of living in an RV, traveling full-time, and having the freedom of going where you want, whenever the mood strikes? That’s what most people who dream of full-time RVing think the lifestyle is all about.

They’ve been looking forward to the day when they can join the thousands of other full-time RVers, but when it’s time to make the move they learn their partner isn’t quite as excited as they are.  Now what to do?

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What is full-time RVing?

It means that someone lives in an RV full-time. That’s it. They live in an RV, whether it’s set up permanently or whether they have the ability to move their RV around the country they too are full-timers. Full-time RVing is a lifestyle choice many people are preferring for their retirement years.

A few years ago, my husband and I chose to live in an RV for the purpose of being able to move around from place to place for both work and pleasure. We sold our house, downsized our personal belongings, and moved into a very comfortable fifth-wheel.

For me, this was the perfect lifestyle. It was flexible, comfortable, affordable, and manageable. Plus, I was back amongst some of my favorite people–RVers. Most people whose dream of becoming full-time RVers picture themselves living the way we were.

Choosing the RV lifestyle can be scary

Not everyone is comfortable with selling their home and downsizing into an RV. In a perfect world, it would be nice to have the house waiting when we are tired of traveling, become ill, or want to settle down again.

For most of us, this is not an option. Selling our homes gives us the money to afford the lifestyle and makes it possible for us to travel full-time in an RV.

It can be a difficult decision to sell your house, furnishings, keepsakes, and things you’ve been accumulating over the years. For many, it’s not difficult. They want to relieve themselves of having the responsibility of maintaining a home and yard and everything that goes with it.

They’ve been dreaming of hitting the road for so long they have absolutely no problem with making the decision. For others, it can cause apprehension and tension that may be insurmountable. It’s a huge step.

RVing
Selling everything in a yard sale to go full-time RVing

Compromise

Sometimes and most often it’s about compromising. There’s usually ways to compromise that will satisfy both parties involved. Maybe do a trial run for six months and have someone take care of your home while you’re away. See if you actually like being a full-time RVer.

Another suggestion is to place renters in your home and put your personal belongings in storage. Come back after a year of living in your RV and make a final decision at that time.

If it’s important to have a home base then it might work by having an apartment to come back to or have a permanent RV lot to spend time at when you’re not traveling. It may be necessary for one of the partners to travel alone and the other joins them periodically. There’s no right or wrong answer. Make it work for you if it’s important.

Motorhome for full-time RVing
Photo compliments of Flickr – Full-time RVing anywhere.

We should have become full-time RVers sooner

Full-time RVing may not be for everyone, but those who do choose this lifestyle are usually extremely happy with the decision they made. It’s common to hear, “We should have done it sooner.”

For couples who were initially at opposite ends of the spectrum, they often agree to compromise and make it work in their own way. The popularity of full-time RVing is growing every year.

Still not sure if full-timing is right for you? Check out these great posts:




4 thoughts on “Let’s Be Honest—Full-Time RVing Isn’t For Everyone”

  1. Mine was kinda decided by accident. I went through a divorce, didn’t want to rent, could not find a 1 bedroom with a nice garage to buy so I ended up buying a small TT to reside in while looking for the perfect small home for me and my dog. 27 years later I’m still Full Time RVing. Would not change it for a million dollars.

  2. We have both been retired for about 10 years and have been living on our 320 acre off-the-grid mountain ranch in central Idaho. We borrowed our sister-in-laws motorhome last September and spent a couple of weeks camping in West Yellowstone… We both really enjoyed the lifestyle… So we have put our ranch up for sale and put a down payment on a 45′ DP MH… We will probably start our journey this spring… It will take us at least that long to downsize… We are definitely looking forward to a simpler life… My wife has had very limited exposure to RVing… I have done summer RVing for about 20 years… Every night I am either on the forums or watching Full-Timers YouTube videos… if it doesn’t work out the way we think it will we can at least say we gave it a try… We may try doing a little bit of work camping just to see what that life is like but neither of us is all that excited about cleaning bathrooms after strangers… 😉

  3. We talked about full timing for several years. When the time came to sell our home & everything in it my husband was hesitant. It sold & closed in 30 days. We had bought a 40’ 5th wheel toy hauler 2 months prior, parked it on the driveway, put our “stuff” in it then moved to an RV park. We stayed there for 7 months getting settled in before we started to travel. We finally got “on the road”. We loved it. We didn’t stay in 1 place too long. Traveled for 3 months then back to Florida for 3 months then off again for 8 months. This worked perfect for my husband. Now we will have been gone for 1 ½ years (hubby’s idea). We are now talking about downsizing.

  4. I can relate! Retiring at the end of November 2018. Me – full time RVing is my dream. My Wife, not so much. Compromise was our solution. As planning began we built a 40×60 metal building with carport on a lot. Full hook ups for our 5th wheel inside. Will build a small house inside and this will be our home base. Sold the house in town. Living in the 5th wheel now. Taking a 6 week or so trip beginning December 26,2018.
    That’s how we worked it out. I believe the key on any project or idea is – how can you make it happen? Just don’t give up on your dream!

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