Fulltime RV Life: What We Have Learned in one Year of Full-Time Travel

Thank you for following our travel journey!

We are a family of 4 full-time travellers who see the importance of experiences together over material things. We are The Daigle Adventure Crew: Monica, James, Matthew and Mia and our fur baby Milo and we have been traveling across the United States and Canada in our 43 ft fifth wheel trailer for almost a year now. Living full-time in our RV, we've experienced so many ups and downs of this lifestyle, and wanted to share our experiences and insights with others who are aspiring to travel full-time, part-time or those who are already on their own adventures on the road!

What We Love About Full-time RV Travel:

1. Flexibility and Freedom: The biggest advantage of living in an RV is the freedom to move around whenever and wherever we want. We can easily pick up and go to a new location pretty much whenever we feel like it. This is especially beneficial for our family, as we love exploring new places, meeting new people and experiencing new things together.

2. Family Bonding: Living in an RV has brought our family closer together. We spend more time together and have developed a deeper understanding of each other's needs, feelings and desires. We've also learned to communicate better and solve problems as a team.

3. Cost-effective: Living in an RV full-time can be significantly cheaper than living in a traditional house or apartment. With proper budgeting, it is possible to save a lot of money on rent and utilities, especially when full-time travelling is approached as a lifestyle, and not a vacation. As an example, we cook most of our meals in the RV kitchen (we have an indoor and an outdoor kitchen!), which helps us keep our food spending to a minimum and also helps us stay healthy! 4. Minimalistic Living: Living in a small space has taught us the value of minimalism. This lifestyle has helped us become more mindful and intentional with our purchases. We've learned to live with fewer possessions and focus on what really matters to us...loving, learning and growing...together!

Some of the Cons of Full-Time RV Living:

1. Limited Space: Living in a small space can be challenging, especially with a family of four and a dog. We have to be mindful of the space we have and make sure everything has a designated place. It helps to keep the rig tidy and free of clutter to make it feel more spacious. We have also learned to get very creative in how we utilize our space, and have tried to personalize each family member's space so that it feels like their own. Even cooking and baking can be a little more challenging with the lack of counter space. Of course, our dog needs space to run around, so we have to make sure we find places where he can do that. We take him for long walks and hikes with us, and most RV resorts and parks have dog parks where he can run around and make new friends. 2. Lack of Privacy: Living in an RV means that we're always together in a small space. It can be challenging to find alone time or privacy. We've had to learn how to respect each other's personal space and find creative ways to give each other alone time. We recently purchased an outdoor tent which added another room to our living space, and also helps us be able to spend time outdoors when the weather and bugs make it challenging! 3. Maintenance and Repairs: Living in an RV requires regular maintenance and repairs. Your house can get damaged and battered often, as travelling distances with it can be equal to having it endure earthquakes and windstorms all at once! We've had to learn how to do basic repairs ourselves, which can be time-consuming and challenging. Sometimes waiting for parts or finding a repair shop when we're on the road can be challenging, especially in remote areas. 4. Limited Amenities: Living in an RV means that we have limited amenities compared to a traditional house or apartment. For example, we have a limited amount of hot water, and we have to be mindful of our electricity usage when we are at parks that don’t have full hookups or if we are boondocking in the wilderness. Some national parks may offer electricity but no water and/or sewer hookups, which can add another element of challenge.

5. Feeling Connected: As wonderful as it is to have a backyard that is constantly changing, it can also be difficult to feel grounded and connected to a community at times. We have met so many amazing people on the road, some of whom have become close friends, and are so grateful to have a community of fellow RVers. It is tough to have to say good-bye often. We've learned that moving at such a fast pace was so exciting for us in our first year of full-time travel, but moving into the second year, we plan to take things a little bit slower, and get to know places and people for a greater length of time, hopefully at least a month at a time.

We feel the Pros of Full-Time RV Living Outweigh the Cons Living full-time in an RV has its pros and cons. We realize that this lifestyle is not for everyone, but for our family, it's been a great adventure. The flexibility and freedom of this lifestyle have allowed us to explore new places and create memories that will last a lifetime, exploring amazing places, some of which we didn't even know existed! Living in a small space definitely has its challenges, and so does this nomadic life, but it has also allowed all of us to learn and grow in ways we never thought possible. Ultimately, if you're dreaming of living and travelling full-time in an RV, we recommend giving it a try and seeing if it's the right fit for you and your family. It may just be the adventure you've been hoping for!