RV Retirement: Things to Consider Before Living Life on the Road

Ready to trade in that mortgage of yours for a home on wheels? Lots of retirees (or those nearing retirement) make this decision. Not only can it be more cost-effective to live in an RV than a traditional home, but it provides you with a means to travel the country during retirement. Whether you intend to do this on a seasonal, long-term (but temporary), or permanent basis, there are some things you’ll want to know about life on the road during retirement.

RV Type

​There are several types of recreational vehicles to choose from to meet your retirement needs. While you want to consider factors like safety, maneuverability, and affordability, size is a factor you don’t want to overlook. Consider testing out or viewing a few different rigs to determine which one is large enough to comfortably fit you, your significant other, and your belongings. One vital consideration is choosing the right RV to ensure it meets all your comfort, budget, and travel requirements. Researching and getting acquainted with different types can make a significant difference in your retirement journey on wheels. If you are in Philadelphia, exploring the new and used RV marketplace can provide a range of options to suit your specific needs.

Minimizing Personal Belongings

There are varying sized RVs that you can purchase or rent, however, you won’t have as much space in the recreational vehicle as you would at home. That means you need to get really serious about the things that are most important to you. Holding on to essentials and letting go of the rest may be emotionally challenging, but it’s necessary for your safety and finances.

You’ll need to get rid of excess baggage as it can weigh you down and clutter up the space you do have in the RV. If you’re not keeping your home, ideally you’ll want to donate or sell the items you don’t need. Anything you want, but don’t want to travel with you in the RV can be placed in storage, however, keep in mind this is another bill you’ll need to budget for.

Creature Comforts

Though minimizing your personal belongings is necessary to live comfortably on the RV during retirement, having certain creature comforts on board is ideal. What are some things that you should purchase for the RV to make it more suitable for full-time living?

Perhaps you would like a television set or a computer for entertainment or business purposes. You might need an RV screen room enclosure for your awning so you can get out of the sometimes cramped space and enjoy the outdoors. Maybe your RV has a nice kitchen area, but you’d like to cook outdoors whenever the weather permits it. Then you’d need a grill and other cooking essentials to prepare your meals.

Safety and Protection

Car accidents aren’t the only thing you have to worry about when you’re living in an RV full-time. There’s also the possibility of natural disasters, theft, vandalism, and illness. Should your rig get robbed, damaged in a storm, or vandalized, it is imperative that you have enough insurance protection to cover the costs.

It goes without saying that as you get older, the risk of developing certain medical problems is higher. That’s why it’s important to have high-quality health insurance to protect you no matter where you are in the country. The right insurance coverage allows you to keep up with well visits and preventative measures while also seeking the treatment or emergent care you need in more serious circumstances.

Budget

RV living full-time as a retiree may seem like the most affordable thing in the world, but it’s not. Though it does provide significant financial relief from being a homeowner, there are still expenses attached. Such expenses can include the lease or RV loan, gas, maintenance and repairs, parking fees, tolls, insurance, and more. You’ll need to get a detailed list of expenses together to compare it to your retirement income to be sure you’re able to live comfortably. If not, there are a lot of remote and seasonal working opportunities you could consider to boost your retirement income.

Relinquishing the burden of a mortgage, utilities, and other expenses during retirement and simply exploring the country sounds like a dream come true. It can be, of course, as long as you’ve considered factors like those listed above. If living in an RV full-time is something you’re seriously considering, start planning well in advance to ensure that life on the road is everything you dreamed of and more.