Fact Vs Fiction - Living in an RV
Thinking of living full time in an RV? If so, take a look at facts versus fiction and what living full time is all about.
Are you familiar with the Travel Channel? If so, you will have noticed that all the places they take you to have sun filled skies, star lite nights, and generally pleasant weather.
Everything is fun and romantic and exciting.
Crossing the country in an American motorhome is the perfect solution to every care in life.
And then you go on vacation, to the same place as Samantha Brown, and well, things are just a tad different.
Cold temperatures, rainy days and cancelled activities.
Living full time in an RV is somewhat like that.
The life style is great but not exactly as the pictures you have conjured up in your dreams.
Here are some examples of fiction versus fact: Fiction: Living in an RV is almost living cost free.
There is very little overhead and daily living costs are minimal.
Fact: Your expenses such as fuel, food, oil, tires and insurance are going up all the time.
And unlike a stick house, motorhomes depreciate.
You still pay taxes on just about everything you buy and campgrounds almost always have a nightly fee.
Fiction: RV travellers are happy campers with no worries, no cares, no problems and just 24/7 vacations.
Fact: Your problems don't go away, they may change, and there is always a solution to be found.
However, you still have to cook, clean, make repairs, put up with grouchy people, take the dog to the vet and have routine medical care for yourself and your family.
Fiction: You and your mate will be on a permanent honeymoon.
Fact: Ha, Ha and More Ha! Actually you will be living in close quarters for extended periods of time and you will get on each other's very last nerve.
As much as you love and like each other there will be times when the closeness is just a little to close.
Fiction: Sunny days are here 365 a year.
No snow, no cold just permanent bliss.
Fact: Travelling you can follow the seasons.
However, that comes with the cost of crowds of other doing the same thing and the higher prices of catering to these vacationers.
Almost all RV parks require you pay for electricity (if you stay for extended periods) and there are high cost of A/C in summer and heat in the winter.
If you heat with propane purchasing it at the campground can be expensive.
Fiction: Wide open spaces, luxurious views, and mountain high along the way.
Fact: Most RV parks sites are situated closely together.
Some times it seems like you are parked in one giant size parking lot, closer to your neighbors than you were at home.
That means closer to their dogs, their kids, their TV's and music and their occasional arguments.
On TV and in magazines you often see the lone RV parked on a mountain ridge soaking up a sunset.
In reality, they won't let you stop there, you are rarely alone, and those mountain ridges can be treacherous to drive.
Fiction: No more personal problems, ever! Free and Easy down the road I go.
Fact: Problems that you had at home do not disappear once you hit the road, they follow you along.
If your spouses snoring bothered you at home, in an RV it will be worse as you are in smaller quarters.
If you were to far in debt at home, there are still many many expenses on the road and the debt will still be there.
If you have addictions, fears or worries just because you are on the road those things don't disappear.
All of the above can be dealt with if you view them as challenges and not obstacles, as an adventure and not a chore, and as a opportunity to see the world and not in asking the question, can we go home now?
Are you familiar with the Travel Channel? If so, you will have noticed that all the places they take you to have sun filled skies, star lite nights, and generally pleasant weather.
Everything is fun and romantic and exciting.
Crossing the country in an American motorhome is the perfect solution to every care in life.
And then you go on vacation, to the same place as Samantha Brown, and well, things are just a tad different.
Cold temperatures, rainy days and cancelled activities.
Living full time in an RV is somewhat like that.
The life style is great but not exactly as the pictures you have conjured up in your dreams.
Here are some examples of fiction versus fact: Fiction: Living in an RV is almost living cost free.
There is very little overhead and daily living costs are minimal.
Fact: Your expenses such as fuel, food, oil, tires and insurance are going up all the time.
And unlike a stick house, motorhomes depreciate.
You still pay taxes on just about everything you buy and campgrounds almost always have a nightly fee.
Fiction: RV travellers are happy campers with no worries, no cares, no problems and just 24/7 vacations.
Fact: Your problems don't go away, they may change, and there is always a solution to be found.
However, you still have to cook, clean, make repairs, put up with grouchy people, take the dog to the vet and have routine medical care for yourself and your family.
Fiction: You and your mate will be on a permanent honeymoon.
Fact: Ha, Ha and More Ha! Actually you will be living in close quarters for extended periods of time and you will get on each other's very last nerve.
As much as you love and like each other there will be times when the closeness is just a little to close.
Fiction: Sunny days are here 365 a year.
No snow, no cold just permanent bliss.
Fact: Travelling you can follow the seasons.
However, that comes with the cost of crowds of other doing the same thing and the higher prices of catering to these vacationers.
Almost all RV parks require you pay for electricity (if you stay for extended periods) and there are high cost of A/C in summer and heat in the winter.
If you heat with propane purchasing it at the campground can be expensive.
Fiction: Wide open spaces, luxurious views, and mountain high along the way.
Fact: Most RV parks sites are situated closely together.
Some times it seems like you are parked in one giant size parking lot, closer to your neighbors than you were at home.
That means closer to their dogs, their kids, their TV's and music and their occasional arguments.
On TV and in magazines you often see the lone RV parked on a mountain ridge soaking up a sunset.
In reality, they won't let you stop there, you are rarely alone, and those mountain ridges can be treacherous to drive.
Fiction: No more personal problems, ever! Free and Easy down the road I go.
Fact: Problems that you had at home do not disappear once you hit the road, they follow you along.
If your spouses snoring bothered you at home, in an RV it will be worse as you are in smaller quarters.
If you were to far in debt at home, there are still many many expenses on the road and the debt will still be there.
If you have addictions, fears or worries just because you are on the road those things don't disappear.
All of the above can be dealt with if you view them as challenges and not obstacles, as an adventure and not a chore, and as a opportunity to see the world and not in asking the question, can we go home now?
