How can you live full time in the confines of your RV?

Friends have asked us how we can live full time in the cramped quarters of an RV. This is an reasonable question for which I have a reasonable answer. If you go back in your family tree a few generations you’ll find ancestors who lived in small dwellings (often one or two rooms) in which they raised families, cooked, did laundry and made most of their own clothing. They also raised and preserved much of their own food and still had time for church.If these ancestors were alive today, they might ask us the opposite question, “How can we live in such large dwellings?” They would be lost in the average-sized American house.

RV living is far more advanced than what our ancestors had. RVers have indoor plumbing, microwave and convection ovens, cooktops, refrigerators, electric lights, computers, indoor/outdoor stereo, TV’s everywhere, cell phones and combo washer/dryers. Some RVs even have dishwashers.Many modern RVs have more storage and counter space than did 1800s kitchens. With slide-out rooms RV galleys have become even more spacious.
I would wager most any 1800s American family would have gladly moved from their one room dwelling into a modern day RV. They would have the same or even more living space and modern conveniences to boot. So the reason we live well in our RV is because we have everything we need and want, making life very comfortable.

People who question the full time RV lifestyle need to think outside the box, because much of the RV lifestyle happens outside the confines of the RV box. With awnings, outdoor entertainment, BBQs, portable tables and very comfortable folding chairs and lounges, outdoor living is an extension of your living quarters. Besides, most full time RVers follow the great weather by moving where they can enjoy the outdoors year round.

When I lived in a ginormous stick house I had loads of extra work including mowing, watering, fertilizing, winterizing, painting, cleaning, repairing, weeding, cleaning gutters, shoveling snow, and so-on (makes me tired just thinking about it). I have a new set of maintenance requirements for my RV, but they are much more manageable and make for easy living. I still need to look after the care and maintenance of two motorized vehicles (the motorhome and the towed vehicle), but I had to take care of two vehicles even when I lived in a stick house.

Our expenses are greatly diminished compared to living in a stick house. Even with increased fuel prices we still save money living the full time RV lifestyle. It allows us to visit our kids and grandkids (who are scattered over several states) much more frequently than when we were stationary. We have hundreds of RV friends we’ve met over the years. RVers are the friendliest people on the planet. We get to see great places and do interesting things we wouldn't otherwise be able to experience. We pay no property tax and our monthly space rental at RV campgrounds is a fraction of our former house payment.

Everything we need is right at our fingertips and best of all we sleep in our own comfortable bed every night whether we’re in Arizona or Maine, Florida or Montana. Giving you the full story - Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing