Let’s finally address what all these people on Instagram are doing living in a van. Is #vanlife just a fad of influencers showing off with back doors open to the beach? Maybe there’s something else going on behind the scenes.
Many are finding that a lifestyle of full-time travel is more feasible than advertised. And the lifestyle isn’t limited to vans, but also school buses, ambulances, and RVs.
If the idea of living in an RV intrigues you but you require a little convincing, continue reading for everything you need to know about the lifestyle.
How Much Does Living in an RV Cost?
There are several factors that affect the cost of living in an RV, but you’ll find that the lifestyle is incredibly affordable across the board. While the cost of living depends a lot on how you like to live, some major cost factors include:
- The initial RV purchase
- Gas
- Camping Fees
- Maintenance
- RV Insurance
These are some of the major aspects you’ll face specifically traveling in an RV. What you spend on gas and insurance, however, you’ll save in rent, mortgages, and utilities. Overall the average cost of RV living is 2,500 to 3,000 dollars a month.
How to Choose the Right RV
There is a variety of RVs to choose from, ranging from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand. When choosing the right RV, consider what features you’d like to have compared to your budget. While some newer models come with outdoor kitchens and solar power, you can start living in a lightly used RV with all the necessities and at a fraction of the cost.
Your choice of RV also affects the cost of maintenance and insurance. The bigger and newer your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for parts and coverage. Look here to see how much you could be spending to insure your RV.
How to Keep Your RV Maintained
A major consideration when living in an RV is your vehicle’s resale value. Many vehicles lose most of their value within months of use, but you can hedge this with proper cleaning and maintenance.
You’ll find that the most important factors to protect your investment involves:
- Dents and scuffs on your exterior paint
- Properly working door and window slides
- Eliminating moisture inside
Moisture can cause some of the most critical damage to your rig. With moving parts connected to your sink and shower, as well as any seals on your vents or windows, there are many ways for water to come into your rig. Keep an eye on these points of intrusion and you’ll have an easier time keeping the inside of your rig dry.
RV Travel Ideas
With all this in mind, you can finally get to one of the biggest reasons for living in an RV: travel. When traveling in an RV, you’re only limits are gas prices and camping spaces. With these in mind, you’re pretty open to seeing some of the greatest places in the country.
On the West Coast, you can’t go wrong visiting Glacier NP, Yosemite NP, or the Redwood State Forest. And if you’re on the East Coast, you should definitely consider Acadia NP and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
More on RV Living
While the lifestyle is considered ‘alternative’ when compared to renting an apartment or owning a home, there are obvious benefits. Not only do you open yourself up to see the country, but the financial advantages make living in an RV an enticing option.
For more road trip ideas, take a look at the articles in our Travel section.
