{"id":19807,"date":"2024-11-17T20:16:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T02:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storagecom-blog.local\/?p=19807"},"modified":"2024-12-16T12:50:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T18:50:48","slug":"living-in-a-camper-full-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/living-in-a-camper-full-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Complete Guide to Living in a Camper Full-Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picture this. You wake up each day with a new view outside your window \u2014 mountains one morning, beach the next. Living in a camper full-time means living an unfettered life of freedom and discovery. But, for all the perks, this lifestyle has its own set of challenges: from budgeting to figuring out where to park safely and managing repairs on the go.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interested in knowing how to make an RV a permanent home? We\u2019ll give you an honest look at what it\u2019s like to live on the move before trading your house keys for RV keys.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Living in a Camper Full-Time Really Like<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Martin Mecnarowski \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Living full-time in an RV offers an incredible sense of freedom, but there\u2019s also a big learning curve and some unexpected adjustments.<\/span><\/p>\n

For many, RV life means adapting to a smaller space and a simpler way of living. Ashlyn Socinski, a Knoxville-based travel wedding photographer at<\/span> Willow + Rove<\/span><\/a>, who spent six months traveling in a fifth wheel with her family, shares, \u201cIf you are traveling with children, or multiple people in general, it gets tight. You pretty much lose all of your personal space, especially if it\u2019s raining and no one is going outside. Sometimes your neighbors suck. But there are always pros to these things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another reality of RV life is that breakdowns and repairs are part of the package. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll RVs are built pretty sloppily because they aren\u2019t meant to be lived in, so things break often,\u201d Socinski added. <\/span><\/p>\n

Living in an RV requires a bit of a \u201chandy\u201d mindset \u2014 you\u2019ll likely find yourself hammering nails or tightening screws now and then. RVers should be ready to handle these maintenance issues and even bring along a toolkit with spare parts. <\/span>And one more thing, you need to be flexible, as conditions change on the road. From finding a place to park to dealing with the weather, you\u2019ll need to stay adaptable. But overcoming the small frustrations of RV life is worth it for the chance to see different places and meet new people.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Choose an RV<\/h2>\n

Planning to live in an RV full-time starts with picking the right rig, and not just the size. You have to find a setup that matches your daily needs, your travel plans and, of course, your budget.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first thing Socinski took into account when deciding on an RV model was accommodating her family, including two kids who each wanted their own space. \u201cWe found a fifth wheel (the<\/span> Keystone Avalanche 390DS<\/span><\/a>) with two bedrooms, a loft and two full bathrooms. It was perfect.\u201d If you have specific needs, like office space or extra storage, look for an RV model with a layout to support those features.<\/span><\/p>\n

When selecting an RV, ask yourself these questions on size and layout, and decide on tank capacity and the features that work for you:<\/span><\/p>\n