RV Life and Retirement on the Road

Retirement is your chance to finally do all the things you’ve always been meaning to get to. It’s the time to embrace your passions, explore new opportunities, and take advantage of everything life has to offer.  Many people choose to travel in retirement. The idea of seeing the world and losing yourself in new cultures and situations is obviously an enticing one. However, taking frequent trips can add up in cost, and living out of hotels can get difficult and tiring after a while. For that reason, more and more retirees are taking life on the road.

Living in an RV (recreational vehicle), motorhome, or camper is becoming more and more popular, especially among retired persons.

Benefits of RV Life

One of the biggest benefits of RV life is that you get to see the country. Whether you’re planning on driving to campgrounds and national parks nearby or spending your time traveling across the continent, retiring in an RV lets you experience so many diverse areas and regions that you may have otherwise missed. There’s so much to explore and living out of an RV makes it all possible.

Another benefit is the freedom and spontaneity of it all. Many people worry that their lives will be boring once they retire. They picture themselves sitting around the house, doing the same thing every day. When you’re living in an RV, it’s almost impossible to have a banal life. There’s always new adventures and things to see and do.

Tips to Keep in Mind

While there are a lot of great benefits to a retirement on the road, there are also several things you’ll want to keep in mind, including:

Cost: While living in an RV and traveling the country can be less expensive than taking frequent trips, it’s important to note that costs can quickly add up if you’re not careful. If you don’t already own an RV, buying one can be a considerable expense. You’ll want to think about what you’re looking for out of an RV before you make a purchase. Yes, comfort and size are important but so is choosing a vehicle that matches your budget. You may want to consider renting an RV first to get idea of what to expect.

Maintenance: Much like your home requires regular maintenance, so does an RV. If you’re a handy person, doing some of your own repairs and upgrades can save you some time and money. If not, make sure your budget for fixes and unexpected issues. 

Food: When you’re traveling, it’s often easier to eat at restaurants. While dining out in a new city can be a wonderful part of touring the country, this can quickly become a big expense. Preparing at least some of your meals in your RV kitchen can help stretch your budget and it’s often a healthier choice.

Finding Community

One of the best parts of retirement is that it’s not just about finding time for yourself and your partner, but that you now have more time for friends, loved ones, and the community around you. The great news is that you can foster an incredible sense of community even when you’re traveling around the country in an RV.

Campgrounds are great places to meet others with similar interests and make friends. Even though you may not always be in the same place at the same time, modern technology makes it easy to stay in touch with the people you meet on your travels. 

A lot of people plan to meet up with their RV friends at various locations across the country several times a year. There are even RV clubs and groups set up for retirees to meet up with likeminded travelers.

Is RV Life for You?

If you’re trying to figure out if retiring to an RV is right for you, there’s a few questions you’ll want to ask yourself.

Are you an active person? RV lifestyle is usually an active lifestyle. There’s a lot of driving, but there’s also a lot of hiking, walking through nature, and taking part in other outdoor activities. If this sounds fun to you, RV life could be a great choice.

Are you a person who likes change and unpredictability? Even with meticulous planning, there will always be variations, delays, and other issues that mix up your schedule. Sometimes it will be a mechanical problem, sometimes it will be weather, and sometimes it will be other circumstances out of your control. For some people, this can be stressful, while others will embrace the unknown and love the unpredictability.

If you’re looking for an active lifestyle filled with travel, new friends, and some unexpected experiences, retiring to an RV lifestyle may be the right option for you.