Definition of RV Full Timing

When Dave and I started on this RVing journey, we always knew we wanted to be full-timers. We had an image in our mind of what a full-timer was. But along our journey we have come to find out that there are more definitions for full-timers than we thought!

There is no one option that is better than the others. They are just different. It is about what works for you as an individual, or you as a couple.

Full-timer:
No “stick and brick” home, travel the country in an RV

This is the life we have chosen. We are RVing Nomads. It fits our sense of adventure and our craving to experience the country. We sold our “stick and brick” house and live in our RV 365 days a year. Sometimes we will stay a night or two in a location and sometimes we will stay for as long as 3 months.

We are not alone in our full timing. According to the Washington Post, and many other sources, there are at least one million people who are full timing in their RVs. The Washington Post: 1 million Americans live in RVs. Meet the ‘modern nomads.’ This is due to some people wanting more freedom in their retirement, wanting to spend more time with children as they are growing up, a desire to explore new places and as an unintended benefit of covid-19 restrictions, the new ability to “work from home” (an RV).

Pros:

1. When you come off the road you can choose to be wherever you want to be in the country.
2. You are “all in”. This lifestyle means there is nothing to “go back to”. Notice the emphasis on “go back to”.

Cons:

1. You have exchanged an entity that will appreciate in value (a stick and brick) for an entity that will depreciate in value (an RV).
2. Being a RV nomad and moving from place to place is not for everyone. It can be frustrating to always be looking for the grocery store in your new area that has the freshest vegetables.

Full-timer:
Live in an RV in an RV park year round

There are many RV parks in Florida and Texas that are dedicated to living year around / full-time in your RV. This southern living makes sense if you are ready to live in a southern climate year round. Even if you have an arctic insulation package for your RV, most RVs are not going to keep you warm in the winter!

Pros:

1. You pay a fixed amount for lot rent and usually electricity.
2. You have a sense of community.

Cons:

1. No more “puttering” in the yard or garage.
2. RVs are only so large and were not built to be a permanent residence, especially if there are children. See our last blog titled RV Living: Your Relationships in 400 Square Feet or Less

Non-Traditional Full-timer:
Have a home base, but travel at least half of the year

While it isn’t the traditional full timing experience, some people will live in their “stick and brick” house during half of the year and travel full-time in their RV for the other part of the year.

An example of this could be someone who lives in a southern state during the winter, but explores other regions of the country during the summer, for example, Yellowstone National Park or Acadia National Park.

Other people may live in their stick and brick home in a northern region during the summer, but explore the southern half of the country during the winter, for example, Big Bend National Park or Joshua Tree National Park. Sometimes these people are called “Snow Birds” or “Winter Texans.

Pros:

1. You will maintain a sense of belonging to a community in both locations.
2. It can feel like the best of both worlds.

Cons:

1. It is expensive to physically and financially maintain a stick and brick and an RV.
2. You never really feel settled anywhere.

Summary

Being an RV full-timer means different things to different people. No one decision is better than the other; they are just options. The best option is the one that fits your needs and the needs of your partner. It is a way of life. Go for it!

Your partners in travel…………
Kathryn, Dave and Lucky
RVing Nomads
It’s a Lifestyle!

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