If you’ve ever scrolled through posts with the #vanlife hashtag on Instagram, you’re likely already intimately familiar with the wanderlust feeling that RV life inspires. Imagine it — packing up a few necessities and hitting the road in your own home on wheels for an adventure you’ll never forget. As more and more travelers begin to crave long-term adventures that allow for total freedom and control, the RV life beckons women from all walks of life. Here are five benefits to taking your home on the road with you.
1. Seeing The Vast Beauty of This Country
There’s so much natural splendor packed into the many miles extending from sea to shining sea that sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. There’s the island-inspired quirkiness of the Florida Keys. The majestic vistas of the Grand Canyon. The coastal drives through California. The endless farmlands of the Midwest. The RV life is your ticket to every treasure contained in this huge swath of land, and since your transportation is also your home, you can stay for as long as you want in a destination before the changing winds beckon you to move on.
2. Living a Pared-Down, Minimalist Life
Let’s face it — when you’re traveling by RV, you simply can’t take all of your belongings with you. And for many of us, that’s a good thing. Paring down for your RV travels gives you a taste of minimalism and the freedom that comes with owning fewer possessions. You learn how to use less, purchase fewer things, and treasure the things you already have. Buying the latest gadget or having a closet full of clothes loses its appeal when you’re short on storage and every square inch counts.
3. Escaping the 9-to-5 Grind
The RV life lends itself to escaping your normal routines, especially the dreaded 9-to-5 schedule. Get up when you want to. Drive when you prefer to. And see the sights on your own schedule. When you’re at the wheel of your RV, you’ll feel like you’re finally at the helm of your life, in total control of your time. So stop for that coffee, or take an afternoon nap. The world is your oyster!
4. No Two Days Are the Same
When your day-to-day experiences vary wildly, you benefit from the mental and mood boost that comes with experiencing new things and expanding your worldview. One day you can wake up on the shores of a secluded beach. The next you can find yourself surrounded by city skyscrapers. You can move between mountains and deserts or vast wilderness and highly populated areas in a matter of days. When the scenery gets old, simply set out in a new direction.
5. Saving Money
The savviest camper fanatics will tell you that they’ve saved a bundle living the RV life, especially when you compare the costs of this lifestyle against the costs of a mortgage, new vehicles, and the other material trappings of modern-day life. Though there’s definitely a learning curve, there are always ways to cut back your expenses, from boondocking to cooking your own food.
If you’re dreaming of committing to the RV life but don’t have much experience with campers and life on the road, renting an RV can be a way to dip your toes in before you make the big leap.
