‘œStrong and content I travel the open road.’ ‘“ Walt Whitman

When people learn that I spent almost four years living in an RV, they often have many questions about my former lifestyle.   Living in an RV seems almost romantic, especially if travel is involved.   I am often asked for advice when people consider making a similar move.

When I lived in my RV, it wasn’t because I was planning to travel and see the world.   For me, it was simply a matter of economic necessity.   I was in the middle of a financial implosion, my home was in foreclosure, I had filed bankruptcy, and I moved into my trailer as a way of avoiding homelessness.   Although I certainly would have liked to travel, my job and lack of credit kept me firmly in place.

But there are a lot of people who are successfully living the nomadic RV lifestyle.   Some, like the folks over at Geeks on Tour, run their own business from the road.   Others, like Tioga and George, are retired and choose a more frugal lifestyle in Mexico.   Retired or not, it is possible to live on the open road if that’s the lifestyle you choose for yourself.

My wife and I have considered, many times, going back to the RV lifestyle, but we aren’t ready to make the move yet.   As with everything in life, there are trade-offs and things to consider.   Our 22′ trailer is relatively small, and the idea of two adults, three parrots and a 13-year-old girl living in it for an extended period of time sounds pretty uncomfortable.   A larger RV would make that transition easier, but we are committed to staying out of debt, so it isn’t in the cards for us now.

If you are thinking about moving into an RV, there are several important things to consider:

1.       Do you own an RV that is well-suited for full-time use? Before you can embark on such an adventure, you have to start with your rig.   Does your RV have enough room for you to comfortably live for an extended period of time?   Is it in good repair?   Is it durable enough to be used on a daily, ongoing, basis? Is it new enough so that pickier RV parks will let you stay?

2.       Are you familiar enough with the RV lifestyle that you will feel comfortable with your ever-changing scenery? Do you have the temperament, skills and/or financial resources to deal with constant change and the possibilities of breakdowns in unfamiliar places?

3.       Do you have a source of income? If not, do you have some reserves?   Although there are organizations such as Workamper News that can help travelers find work, it’s best if you have some cash reserves on hand in the event that you don’t find a job right away.

4.       Do you have a plan for receiving your mail? Do you have friends or family who can forward your mail, or will you use a mail forwarding service?   Although switching the majority of your bills to online bill pay will be helpful in reducing the amount of mail you receive, it won’t eliminate everything and you’ll need to plan for it.

5.        Are you banking with a national bank that has branches in the areas where you will be traveling? If not, how will you handle your banking needs?

6.       What will you do with all your stuff? RVs are notoriously short on space, and you’ll need to get rid of, or store things like furniture, collectibles and other personal property that can’t go on the road with you.   If you choose to store your goods, make sure you choose a storage facility wisely, purchase insurance, and pack your stuff carefully so it’s not damaged while you are away.

7.       If you have kids, have you worked out the details for their education? Our daughter is enrolled in a charter school that lends itself well to home study and distance learning, so we could leave her in her current school if we ever decide to hit the road.   If your kids go to a more traditional, brick and mortar, public school, you’ll need to work out other arrangements.

8.       Are you leaving yourself an escape plan? Have you considered what you will do if you really don’t like RV life?   Don’t be a in a rush to sell your home and all your household goods if you aren’t sure that you’ll be completely happy with your decision.   Although most full-time RVers are very happy with their nomadic lifestyle, not everyone enjoys it forever.   Make sure that you don’t make irrevocable decisions too quickly.

Next in series: Vacation on No Money

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