Living the RV lifestyle isn’t only for retired couples who like to travel. Families can (and do) live quite happily on the road, even with children and pets in tow!
Perhaps you’ve never thought about it before and now, having ‘peaked’ your interest, you may be wondering to yourself, ‘how does a family live in an RV full- time?’
To live the RV lifestyle with a family full-time, you must adopt a minimalistic lifestyle. This means living simply with the least amount of ‘stuff’ possible!
In other words, the ‘bare necessities’ and nothing more! While getting used to this lifestyle takes both time and patience, it’s a wonderfully exciting and economic way to make your family travel dreams come true!
Now that you know it’s indeed possible for a family to live the RV lifestyle full-time, let’s take a closer look at this in more detail below. We’ll discuss how to do it on a budget, even with pets!
We’ll explain ways to homeschool children while travelling and which units are best for full-time family living. We’ll even include information on how to insure your RV and register it as your primary residence.
And now, if you’re ready to learn more above living in an RV full-time with a family, then let’s get to it!
Can a Family Live in an RV?
If you’re curious as to whether a family can live in an RV, the answer is yes, absolutely!
However, you must live simply. Minimalism in all aspects is required. It can take some getting used to, since, as a society, we tend to consume much more than we really need.
Materialism must be a thing of the past, if you intend to live both happily and comfortably as a family adopting the RV lifestyle.
In order to downsize, you can consider having a yard or garage sale to sell any large items you no longer need for life on the road. The money you make can help fun your new travel-with-family lifestyle.
As well, anything that doesn’t sell can be donated to your local charity. Not only are you getting rid of unnecessary supplies, you’re also helping those less fortunate. It’s a win-win!
What Type of RV is Best for Full-Time Living?
The type of RV you choose is dependant upon the number of people in your family, whether (or not) you have pets and how much you can afford to spend on the rig itself.
While many full-time RV families travel and live in a ‘fifth-wheeler’, that doesn’t mean that it’s ‘the best’ for your needs. Some prefer a travel trailer to a motorhome, for example.
Owning a rig that feels like living in a home is what you’re after, especially if you want to make it your permanent residence with a family. Look for a unit that’s at least 40-feet long with a regular floor plan.
Make sure it can sleep at least 4 people comfortably and comes with the necessary ‘must-have’ features your family requires, including bunk beds, extra-large bathroom, built-in entertainment center, etc.
How to Live Full-Time in an RV with Your Pets?
Just as it’s possible to live full-time in an RV with your family, so too is it possible with pets. As space is limited, it’s usually better to travel with smaller pets who seem to adapt easier to close quarters.
Provided your pet has the necessities it needs (such as food, water, toys, etc.), he/she will likely do well.
Larger dogs, for example, need exercise regularly and may find long road trips (with few stops) difficult.
Not that it can’t be done, you just need to get your pet accustomed to this kind of lifestyle, which takes both time and patience to accomplish. Also check out Traveling with pets in an RV for more insights on this subject.
How to Live Full-Time in an RV on a Budget?
The average cost of living the RV lifestyle is anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000 a month. Many factors come into play, including parking fees, insurance, gas, food and utilities (such as phone and internet).
Consider the following example as a good starting point, which ranges from $1,175 to $1,475 per month:
- Fuel expenses – $300 – $500 (or use the following formula: price per gallon/gas mileage x total miles travelled = $)
- Insurance fees – $150 (please not that possible health insurance fees will cost extra)
- Vehicle maintenance and repairs fees – $50 – $100
- Campsite fees – $200
- Dump fees – $25
- Cell phone and internet fees – $200 – $250
- Laundry expenses – $50
- Entertainment or recreational expenses – $200
This, of course, is just an estimate based on a few examples I’ve read online of families currently living full-time in an RV.
It’s difficult to put an exact price on it, as there are so many variables to consider, including how often or how far you travel, where and for how long you stay, the cost of your rig and the amount you spend on groceries or eating out.
A ‘miscellaneous’ fee should also be added (at an amount equalling 10% of your total monthly fees) to cover any ‘extra’ expenses you may incur.
Once you determine the approximate cost of living life on the road full-time with a family, you can decide whether (or not) you can afford it and if so, how you can go about setting income goals to achieve it!
Can an RV be Considered a Primary Residence?
Stationary RV living or using your RV as your primary residence is possible, however, this doesn’t mean you can park your rig just anywhere and call it home!
There are very places in North America where you can simply purchase a plot of land and then live on it full-time (for free) in an RV.
Legally, you must have a registered mailing address and pay taxes to a specific state or province.
How Much Does Full-Time RV Insurance Cost?
Full-time RV insurance costs approximately $1,500 per year. On average, it ranges between $1,000 to $2,000 for most rigs, however, the policies and prices can vary.
For example, insurance on a Class C RV may cost only $1,000 whereas insurance on a Class A model could cost upwards of $2,000!
While the law in most states and provinces requires RV’s have liability insurance when being driven on the road, there are also extra insurance policies available (that are optional and help provide extra protection) for those using an RV as their primary or permanent residence.
Can You Live Full-Time in an RV and Homeschool?
While RV living on a full-time basis with a family isn’t typical, it’s definitely ‘doable!’ Pretty much anything you do in a home you can do in an RV and that includes homeschooling your children.
It’s more flexible activity-wise and often shorter than a typical school day (2 or 3 hours as opposed to 5 or 6).
Making sure you have access to the internet is important if you intend to homeschool your children. You’ll need to equip your RV with Wi-Fi capabilities and ensure whatever campground your staying at has a working Wi-Fi network.
You may have to pay extra for this, so be prepared.
Homeschooling while living the RV lifestyle is more about hands-on rather than textbook learning. Mobile life provides more opportunities for ‘field trips’ to a variety of education venues across the country including aquariums, zoos, museums, historic sites and national parks.
Conclusion:
To conclude, living the RV lifestyle full-time with a family requires a serious lifestyle change. You must embrace a minimalistic approach, whereby you live simply with as little ‘stuff’ as possible.
In other words, you enjoy the ‘bare necessities’ of life, consuming no more than absolutely necessary.
This way of living may take some getting used to but once you do, you’ll discover a sense of peace that comes from living ‘within your means’ as well as a feeling of freedom that you never knew was possible – the freedom it takes to make your travel dreams come true!
Hopefully this article has been of help to you. Thanks for reading. Good luck and happy trails!
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