There are lots of reasons to own a recreational vehicle, and even better ones to retire in one. When the road to retirement ends, start a new journey by hitting the open road and making the RV your new home — or, you know, at least a second one that you spend a lot of time in.
Related: Tips for RVing in the winter
You’ll buy fewer things
You’ve probably read retirement planning advice that says one of the ways to make your hard-earned retirement fund go further is to downsize. When your primary home is an RV, downsizing is something that just kinda happens. The typical travel trailer has less than 400 square feet, so you can’t bring everything with you. And the more you’re on the road, the more you’ll find you can do without a bunch of stuff.
You’ll see more of your family
Families often split apart geographically when the kids are all grown up — and if you’re retiring, you may even be considering moving to a warm-weather state like Florida. Retiring in an RV greatly reduces the challenges of seeing your kids and grandkids outside of the holidays.
You’ll eat better
Some RV retirees claim to eat better than they did when living in a traditional house. This is in part because the thrifty lifestyle that drives people to retire in an RV leads to them eating in more than out, but also because they get to enjoy regional specialties and fresh food from all the nation’s best unchained eateries.
You’ll have a more manageable budget
Your income dips when you retire, which may force you to change your lifestyle (or downsize as previously mentioned). But living in an RV while traveling cross-country can be surprisingly easy even on a limited budget. You can park for free in many places, and with a senior pass, you can get in national parks for free and pay only half the normal rate for parking, which comes with Wi-Fi, cable, electricity, water, and sewer services. And if you sell your house, you won’t have a mortgage to worry about, allowing you to put the extra money toward the things that really matter.
Related: Common RV issues you should anticipate
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