We are closer to nature, away from the rat-race living, somewhat off the grid, in a much smaller living space and with a lot less. Who knew that we could live in and a 31ft RV, amongst nature and with less than we ever thought we’d need and be thrilled about it? C .Star. V
Now in our second full year, of full-time RV-living with our 2 dogs. I have continued to learn that there is no wrong or right way to do RV living. As we see and watch many people come and go, we see them in all sorts of RV’s, vehicles, tents and whatever’s. Some travel a bit and then there’s other people that don’t travel at all, but live in their RV, some travel here and there and others just do part time, some do just weekends, holidays, family get togethers or just get out whenever they get a vacation or time to do so..
As for the transitioning to RV-living, I feel it’s an ongoing transition.. As many of us still have a storage (among other places) to clear out. There’s much we also think about in how to rearrange some things or some situations and be able to travel more and to visit family, friends, enjoy other places and make new friends.
I basically feel it is as if we have traded and bartered for a different way of doing some of the same things we did each day in our house, but in a smaller space and get to experience much more. Some people also feel it can be for personal growth and knowledge, for others it is for peace, privacy and serenity, less chaos and/or residential needs. Others find revolving adventures, but it can be all of this as well…it’s all in what you need, want or make out of it.
Some other things I’ve learned:
*No matter how well you plan, organize or progress, chances are there still will be some unpredictability that can go hand and hand with any lifestyle. There can be struggles sometimes in making reservations in places to park and camp or in deciding and finding somewhere as well. Along with staying on a budget, figuring out income and next destination as well as possible needing or doing maintenance on your RV.
*We re-adjusted planning and learned to plan ahead, making reservations 4-6 moths ahead of time (usually just a very small deposit to reserve), this helps with the flexibility and the unpredictability in getting or finding availability.
*While living the RV-lifestyle, you might be moving your things around several times (a day) to get to things you want or need. So, prioritize and organize for your daily needs, keep those things most at hand in upfront places or easy-to-get-to places and get rid of things you don’t need (well, after all it is suppose to be more of a minimalist life-style, as much as possible anyways). However, we keep a storage to rotate things out such as summer then winter stuff, holiday things, etc. and this all can also make more space and help. .
*Keeping organized is a must. Measure inside the cabinet, closet or wherever and get some plastic clear (easy to see inside) boxes that will fit, possibly stack and can easily be taken in and out. Then make labels for general contents, so you’ll remember what’s in them and where. Believe me you won’t ‘ always recall.
*In your travels, you may come across some things that are familiar to you and other things not so familiar, even if you’ve revisited the same desired places.
*It’s customary and almost an etiquette to say hello or wave to another rv-er, camper or host, whenever walking by each another or passing by their camp site. Even though many people are friendly, helpful and we greet each other, we can create some additional campite privacy, but pulling up our truck (or vehicle) across the campsite a certain way.
*Pulling my truck across the campsite a certain way also helps us with our dogs when taking them out of the RV, as in coming out of the RV, it helps to block-out from the dogs view for a moment and gives us a chance to see if people or other dogs are coming or going to be passing by.
*We had started a trend at one campsite area that has the beach down the way on one side and the port on the other (it can get really windy), so instead of parking by pulling straight in, we parked the RV sideways. It helped cut down on the wind and give us some more privacy, as we try to book reservations on the water side so, we can set-up our things and sit and face the water.
*You won’t get much privacy, unless you go to places that have sites a bit secluded by trees or further apart from each other or farther spread apart out from each other, learn ways to create privacy. There are also more remote and spacious areas to checkout, but you will need to know or learn being able to manage without running water, sewer options and even no electric, but (not always) most have set-ups have at least electric hook-up.
*We have stayed at semi- primitive places that have only electric hook-ups, no water hook-up and no sewage hook-ups, but have potable water to fill tanks or whatever and bathrooms and showers in campgrounds. At out age ( and with my disabled hubby) we don’t need to take chances at real remote areas. We would consider more remote areas, if we were traveling with others meeting-up and staying at the same time in those remote places.
*You will possible encounter many creatures, animals, harmful small cactus or other weird plants that a human or animal, could step upon or come in contact with and some germs. So, you’ll need to take precaution and be aware of your surroundings, even ones you may walk by or under your stepping and remember to wash your hands often.
*You need reliable internet gadget for traveling, we found one, has worked well.
*Staying in your comfy clothes and PJ’s are always an option and possibly for several days at a time (you may not do laundry or have a laundry facility around, unless one inside your RV), but others don’t notice because they are doing the same too. Plus, many-a-times your neighbors won’t be around for too long anyway to remember what you were wearing nor do they care.
*What you eat or cook may not be that fancy, yet you can have a choice of area or atmosphere. You may buy less and keep less food, depending on your plans and eating fresh to me, is always better anyways.
*Refrigeration can be tricky sometimes. It would be nice, if stores sold (at more reasonable prices) smaller sized and/or packaged in smaller sized grocery items For years raising a large family, we’d buy in bulk and large sizes, now with less people to feed, smaller sized food-stuff keeps fresh (better) as we use it up and have another not-opened one waiting to use and it doesn’t take up additional space when on the road or in an RV.
*We use a mini heater if it gets too cold instead of using our propane, we plug it into the outside electric hook-up box.
*We have learned how long we can last on our tanks before there’s ever an issue of an overfull black or grey tank or to run out of freshwater tank. We calculate what our water consumption needs are daily to help us gauge the water in our fresh water tanks water better (I always bring or fill up extra purified gallons of water to have on hand), but can only travel with a few because of weight .
*We cut down on having to buy purified water, by purifying our own with a countertop system and keeping bottles filled in the refrigerator to have when needed. I also saved several water gallon jugs to fill-up when we are going to a campsites that do not provide water hook-ups, but has free potable water spouts to obtain water. We purify this water for cooking and drinking, with our water filters also.
*We have learned to better live on a budget and a better budgeting method, we have too many expences, we also spent more than expected the 1st year at full-timing and if we were to do it all over again, we would do things somewhat differently, but we did not have much time to plan and do so, nor did we have many options, when we set-out on this journey.
*We have become so much more comfortable, at ease and adjusted to outdoor living. The weather may have some control over us, but we have had more control over-all, of our own life.
*We have used so much of our own resourcefulness, all that we learned over the years and it’s all come in handy. I have learned so many tips and tricks in preserving water usage, using natural products for cleaning and bug repellants, to what products and items we enjoy using & having.
*Learned to pack and store things better for traveling, personally and in a moving vehicle as well as having a good routine with my dogs.
*Learned of all we have and wanted, and about more of what all, we really need.
*We are reminded daily, the reason we enjoy the RV-lifestyle so much is because of the peaceful, private nuisance and the freedom feeling.
*We have been told, life is a journey and it couldn’t be more true than when you are out Rv-ing…
*In all reality it’s not all perfect, fun and cheery like on instagram and such. There are things about the RV-lifestyle one may dislike very much, but if you have your exspenses at a minimum when you start (any vehicles or RV paid for) and keep on a good budget, it surely helps a lot. Especially since many RV and Camping places charge to stay at a site or spot.
However, within it all we don’t want to think about having to ever go back to living in a stationery home, at least not yet (and if we did, it would be a home-base) as we’d want to be planning on more rving, camping and traveling away from it and get to be living more than just living for (having to work and make payments on a bunch of stuff collected in life).
More < positive living experiences and >Less of collecting more things…
Have You thought about RV-ing? Let me know.
Very good