The Reality of Full-Time?

For the most part you will probably love it. It will work best if you move with the seasons as RV's are often terrible in extremely hot or cold areas. Either be handy and learn the ins and outs or expect to pay big money for repairs. Have money behind you for the blown transmission or new set of tires. I have not done in depth research on working for a site but you may be better off just paying and working elsewhere. Seek out receptive people in campgrounds or rv parks and ask them how they do things. If you shop for an RV, remember that the number one issue is water damage. Let me say it one more time WATER DAMAGE. Good luck to you.

Debt free is a good start!

But RV FT living is not much cheaper than paying rent.

If you 'workcamp' for a free campsite at a campground then not much time for employment to pay for necessities.

You will still need some means of income for:
Vehicle registrations, vehicle insurance, medical coverage, food, cell phone/internet, fuel, propane, 'mail forwarding service' (because you will need one to establish your domicile/residency,forward your mail) Federal income taxes on ALL monies earned and State taxes on monies earned in any state that has a state tax, emergency fund, savings (to stay debt free) and entertainment.

We FTd for 7 yrs. but we were debt free, had a monthly income, a big emergency fund and had 'memberships' which allowed us to minimize our site fees.
Because workcamping 20 hrs each per week just for a site was about $5/hr and LESS.

We loved FTng.......and would still be doing it if life hadn't throw us a curve.

Great adventure/lifestyle....but it is not cheaper. Just different.

Good luck!

Well, we were a little older than you guys when we started (40) but I suspect our financial position may be different as well. We also still work about 5 months of the year. During that time we live on an RV lot that we bought 11 years ago. It gives us somewhere to come back to and we always have the same doctors, dentists, vet etc etc and yes its a little bit of a security blanket. I agree with a former poster that said there is little financial advantage to full timing over paying rent etc. You have to factor in major repairs and periodic replacement of the RV. I'm also not sure how it works for Americans in regards to health care as I believe there are expenses there that we just don't have. Make sure you go in with your eyes open, be well planned with a solid back up plan and the world is your oyster. And reference that, don't limit yourself to the US. You can take the slow road south as well. Mexico, Belize, Guatemala etc. All have their merits and your life experience will be greatly enhanced. However in our experience it is no cheaper RVing in Latin American countries than the US (or Canada). I recommend you also learn spanish which is not difficult to do. There is also europe but europe can be expensive. There is also a 90 day time limit in europe before you have to leave to to a non Schengen country. For RVers that usually means Morocco in the south or a variety of northern countries. Morocco is a neat place to spend some time and a good winter destination for RVers in a non expensive environment. Lots to think about for you two. The world is your oyster. :)

Either way I wish you both good luck and interesting times. Everyone must follow their own path. There is no right way to experience life and this amazing world we live in. We are in year 11 of full timing and hopefully have a ways to go. One day at a time. We have changed so much over the years and continue to grow as we explore new places languages and cultures as full timers.

Good luck.

John and Angela

rjxj -- Thanks for the purchasing info and advice, much appreciated.
Old-Biscuit -- Thank you for pointing out the financial obligations. I knew there were things I was overlooking. It's not so much that we're trying to live more cheaply, it's just that we're looking for more freedom and a different approach to things. Thanks again for your insight.

Does anyone have thoughts on the ease or difficulty of finding work in a new place when you're not currently living there? For example, if you're camp hosting in Florida for the winter and want to spend the summer in Montana, have you found that an employer will hire you from afar, or do you generally have to go to a location first and then look for work?

John and Angela - Thanks for your reply and well wishes! What we have in mind is something similar to what you described... probably even working more year-round than 5 months. We are open to full-time work and while we don't have a specific RV spot to return to, we do both have family homes in NY and PA where we would be welcome for periods of time. I also have several ideas for work I can do remotely from any location... I have skills and experience as a writer and editor, my boyfriend has handyman and carpentry experience, and I have many years of restaurant experience, a fall-back job which is often not hard to find in almost any town.

For those of you who pay regular fees for renting an RV space, what would you say is an average monthly cost?

kwalk8 wrote:
John and Angela - Thanks for your reply and well wishes! What we have in mind is something similar to what you described... probably even working more year-round than 5 months. We are open to full-time work and while we don't have a specific RV spot to return to, we do both have family homes in NY and PA where we would be welcome for periods of time. I also have several ideas for work I can do remotely from any location... I have skills and experience as a writer and editor, my boyfriend has handyman and carpentry experience, and I have many years of restaurant experience, a fall-back job which is often not hard to find in almost any town.

For those of you who pay regular fees for renting an RV space, what would you say is an average monthly cost?

Sounds like you both have some options for employment. If your boyfriend has carpentry and handyman skills tell him to consider looking into becoming a licensed RV tech. There is always work for people like this and with decent returns.

Happy trails.

2 companies that offer seasonal or part time work: Amazon (various locations & hard work!) and Home Depot. They don't offer campsites so you would have to find cheap places to park in their area. KOA hires seasonal workers. Alaska hires seasonal workers in the summer in their parks and private comanies such as campgrounds and hotels, lodges, cabin rentals. Check with Disney in FL and CA for winter work. Full time RVing will not be cheaper. Camping, fuel and vehicle and health insurance will be the most expensive items. Sometimes it will be stressful. If I were in your shoes I would go for it!! Ask yourself what's the worst thing that could happen. Debt free is a must. It won't work if you pay truck and camper payments. Good luck and keep us posted on your decision!

remember, you have to be very handy with tools an fixing things or very handy with your check book!

One not-so-lovely chore is dumping and rinsing the black water tank!

Been there...done that ;)

Workamping for site is the better option in my opinion. Usually requires 20-24 hours a week combined...most of our jobs were 2 days a week. We found these types of hosting to be less stressful and more laid back (and fun).

As someone already mentioned, when hosting for pay the reward is not worth it...after you do the math it's usually much less than $5/hr. Most will expect you to work all hours assigned (40+)...more stress, less fun.

We've done Amazon and enjoyed it, but the season is short, Sep-Dec, and only certain locations...if you have to drive a long ways to get there (and back) it will take a good chunk of your paycheck...at least until they decide to raise the hourly rate. They still pay the same as in 2009 and everything costs much more now. But if your close to one of the locations where they hire CamperForce then it might be a good option.

Parks generally cost $400/mo. and up depending on the cost of living in the area you choose. I have seen a few that have 6 month and yearly rates that could save you a little. Keep in mind that most long term spaces do not include electric. This is why a lot of folks do hosting...no rent and free utilities.

Like I tell people, travel and lodging are the 2 biggest expenses when full-timing. If you can host for 2 days a week for a free site then you eliminate one of the 2 big ticket items.

Of course you will still have all the normal expenses...medical, insurance, vehicle registrations, etc. And don't forget Uncle Sam! You will need an mail address that provides you with a legal residence. We went with Escapees and became residents of Texas, but there are others that provide the same service.

Best advice, keep asking questions here on the forum. There are plenty of knowledgeable folks here who have been through the process already and will share that knowledge with you.

Good luck on your dream.


Dan