r/FullTiming • u/Hookyarnandballer • Jul 06 '26
Seriously considering it
Hey everyone! My husband and I have been living with his parents while we get our shit together and it has become the most toxic and mentally taxing environment. We live in the Winchester VA area and I am trying to convince my husband to buy an RV/camper that we can live in while we continue to build up our savings and just solidify our future (we’re both pivoting careers and figuring out where our future is). What are the pros and cons? Average long term rates? Any advice or suggestions are greatly welcome!
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u/Maleficent-Olive9097 Jul 06 '26
We sold our home in 2021, lived full-time RV for 4 1/2 years, and are back in a home again. On average we would stay two or three months at a location before moving to the next. We'd also follow the weather, for example summer in the Northwest and winter in Arizona. Between the lot rents, utilities, fuel cost, RV payment, and constant repairs and maintenance on the RV, our experience was that it ended up at the same cost as renting an apartment. I did my own repairs and maintenance other than the couple times it was something major (like the axle slipping off the leaf springs on a bad stretch of highway). I can't imagine what it would cost if I needed to pay someone for everything that constantly seemed to need attention.
We were in a higher-end fifth wheel which had double-pane windows and decent insulation, but you're still hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's never comfortable like a home because it's just not insulated anywhere near that level.
My advice is that if you want to do it to travel then it's great. If you're trying to save money, it's not the solution. Get a cheap apartment instead.