The transition between a ‘traditional' lifestyle and that of an RV can be drastic for some and easy for others. It all depends on what you expect and how open you are to change.
The RV lifestyle is not for everyone, it's true, but for those eager to live small and save money it can be filled with adventure and, really, isn't that worth it? So, why not depart from the boredom of living in a large house that's costly to maintain and doesn't reflect your thirst for travel for one that promises you much and more?
If you've finally made the choice to sell your home in favor of one on wheels, it's high time you know what to expect. RV living is similar to the usual lifestyle but the single biggest different is space. Instead of square footage of a couple of thousand, living space is reduced to a few hundred – around 400 square feet to be precise which, incidentally, is the largest. Making the transition to this suddenly tiny space naturally takes time but there are ways to make it less stressful.
Choose the RV you need
Not everyone can live happily in a tiny space and if you just have to have a little extra, choose a class A motorhome. It's the largest of all as it's built on a bus chassis. It's also the most expensive and if you have the cash, it can feature luxurious elements to rival upscale homes. Bear in mind that it's a hassle to move so consider other models if you intend traveling a lot.
If you're living alone or with one other person and are happy with a tiny space a class C motorhome will suit you. It can have almost every feature boasted by class A models but on a smaller scale. It costs much less too so you win both ways.
Shed excess baggage
If you're going to live small you need to downsize. Belongings you absolutely don't need, junk and trash have to go because unlike with a house, an RV has severe storage limitations. Certain belongings that can't be thrown but which are too bulky can be put into storage.
Try to maintain only a few possessions at any one time even years after you move in. They only gather dust and serve no purpose. If you decide to move back into a traditional house one day, continue to apply this practice so you never have to worry about lack of space again.
Learn to be a handyman
Not because the RV life is fraught with repair work but because early fixes are necessary if you don't want the problem to grow. Remember, it's a small space you're living in and every component is essential. Leaving one in a damaged state can mean posing a risk to related systems which drives up the cost of repair.
Expect to meet new people
RVers love having newbies on board. This may be disconcerting if you're not a people person but look at it practically: you're new to this so isn't it better to have help at hand? Besides, you'll be living in a campground surrounded by others and learning to be social is just part of the transition.
The RV lifestyle is not for everyone, it's true, but for those eager to live small and save money it can be filled with adventure and, really, isn't that worth it? So, why not depart from the boredom of living in a large house that's costly to maintain and doesn't reflect your thirst for travel for one that promises you much and more?
If you've finally made the choice to sell your home in favor of one on wheels, it's high time you know what to expect. RV living is similar to the usual lifestyle but the single biggest different is space. Instead of square footage of a couple of thousand, living space is reduced to a few hundred – around 400 square feet to be precise which, incidentally, is the largest. Making the transition to this suddenly tiny space naturally takes time but there are ways to make it less stressful.
Choose the RV you need
Not everyone can live happily in a tiny space and if you just have to have a little extra, choose a class A motorhome. It's the largest of all as it's built on a bus chassis. It's also the most expensive and if you have the cash, it can feature luxurious elements to rival upscale homes. Bear in mind that it's a hassle to move so consider other models if you intend traveling a lot.
If you're living alone or with one other person and are happy with a tiny space a class C motorhome will suit you. It can have almost every feature boasted by class A models but on a smaller scale. It costs much less too so you win both ways.
Shed excess baggage
If you're going to live small you need to downsize. Belongings you absolutely don't need, junk and trash have to go because unlike with a house, an RV has severe storage limitations. Certain belongings that can't be thrown but which are too bulky can be put into storage.
Try to maintain only a few possessions at any one time even years after you move in. They only gather dust and serve no purpose. If you decide to move back into a traditional house one day, continue to apply this practice so you never have to worry about lack of space again.
Learn to be a handyman
Not because the RV life is fraught with repair work but because early fixes are necessary if you don't want the problem to grow. Remember, it's a small space you're living in and every component is essential. Leaving one in a damaged state can mean posing a risk to related systems which drives up the cost of repair.
Expect to meet new people
RVers love having newbies on board. This may be disconcerting if you're not a people person but look at it practically: you're new to this so isn't it better to have help at hand? Besides, you'll be living in a campground surrounded by others and learning to be social is just part of the transition.
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