People are living longer and longer, which means that retirements are looking a little more active than they did 20 years ago. Crossing the country in an RV is a great way to make the most of your newly-unfettered life for all kinds of reasons. Anywhere from 750,000 to a million retirees are living on the road these days. Here's why!
It's Surprisingly Cheap
Yes, it's possible to spend millions on an enormous recreational vehicle. You don't have to go that over-the-top, though. It's more common to spend maybe five figures on a rig that doubles as your transportation and your home. RV parks have catered to baby boomer demand by installing modern gyms and other hotel-esque conveniences. Gone are the simple bingo nights of the past. The cost still averages something like $400 per month. That's a phenomenal cost of living nearly anywhere in the country. If you establish residency in a state like Texas that doesn't have an income tax, you're golden in your golden years!
You Can See the Whole Country
We live in a big, beautiful country that covers a vast span of land on this planet. Not only does road-tripping in an RV make sense, but it also expresses the drive to explore that is at the heart of American life and culture. While plenty of people are moving from state to state, most of us haven't had a chance to see the whole thing. We have rainforests in the Pacific Northwest. There are vast deserts and gorgeous rocky outcroppings in the Southwest. Glorious plains, towering mountains, great cities, oceans, and woods are all waiting to be witnessed.
It's a Community
RV retirement isn't nearly as solitary as the stereotype would lead you to believe. There are national organizations like Good Sam Club and smaller communities that crop up in RV parks. There are RV organizations and clubs from big to small to everything in between. You get to meet people—all sorts of people! And, you can do it wherever you want. Thanks to the conveniences of modern technology, if you really like them, you can keep up with them from the road after you've parted ways.
Celebrate Your Lack of Schedule
Telecommuters often find ways to celebrate their independence. They can work in bathrobes at 3:00 a.m. just because they can. Living in an RV is the ultimate expression of rebellious impulse against society's arbitrary rules. There's no 9-to-5 tethering you anywhere! You can make your own schedule. Why not go just to celebrate the very fact that you can? You're on your own time now. Act like it.
It's Not the Same Old Thing
Lastly, it does require some planning, both in terms of trip logistics and financially. You can just pull up in your large RV anywhere. There are size constraints after all. You will be either alone or with your significant other in a small space. And odds are you will have to downsize your belongings pretty significantly.
But think about what those downsides really mean. If you're a person who values the company of a loved one and who doesn't mind sacrificing some elbow room, this could be for you. If you're someone who strives to live simply, this could be for you. This is a very different kind of retirement, certainly. And while the drawbacks certainly need to be thought through carefully, there are also large numbers of people out there who don't really see these things as drawbacks. They love their life on the road and the freedom and independence an RV gives them.
(featured image via Bigstock)
