A personal post by Martina:
Hey there! This post is a little different—it’s coming straight from me. I’ve been thinking about Full-Time RV life lately, and I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. While it’s still part of camplinQ, this post is more of a personal reflection. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Every time I go camping, I feel a little spark. A whisper of a question in the back of my mind. What if I never went home?
Imagine it—waking up to the soft light of dawn filtering through the RV window. No alarm clock, no morning commute, no emails demanding immediate attention. Just me, my coffee, and the open road stretching ahead like a blank page waiting to be written on.
It sounds perfect, doesn’t it? The kind of effortless, sun-drenched freedom that Instagram dreams are made of.
But then, just as I start romanticizing the idea of selling everything and hitting the road forever, reality taps me on the shoulder—probably in the form of an empty gas tank or a campsite fee I forgot to budget for.
And I have to ask myself: Is full-time RV life truly freedom? Or just another kind of responsibility with better scenery?
The Dream of the Open Road
It’s easy to understand why so many people fantasize about full-time van life. No rent, no mortgage, no utility bills stacking up like a game of financial Jenga. Just a home on wheels, an ever-changing backyard, and the ability to chase the seasons like a migratory bird.
One day, you’re waking up by the sea, the next, in the mountains. There’s no boss telling you what to do, no set schedule, no predictable routine. You live by your own rules.
Or at least, that’s the fantasy.
But What About Real Life?
Of course, social media makes it look effortless. Perfectly curated images of campfires under a canopy of stars, sun-kissed travelers sipping coffee with their doors flung open to a breathtaking view.
But what we don’t always see?
The breakdowns. The flat tires. The engine lights that flicker ominously in the middle of nowhere. The Wi-Fi struggles when you’re trying to work from a rest stop. The unexpected expenses that creep in like uninvited guests.
And then there’s the simple fact that even when you live in an RV, you still have to, well… live.
Freedom… or Just a Different Kind of Work?
Full-time RV life doesn’t mean you stop needing money. You still have to eat. You still have to put gas in the tank. You still have to figure out where to park for the night.
Unless you have unlimited savings (or an incredibly lucrative remote job), you’re still going to be working in some capacity. And if you’re working, worrying about finances, and constantly planning your next stop, are you really free?
Or have you just swapped one kind of stress for another?
So, Is Full-Time RV Life Truly Freedom?
Maybe freedom isn’t about where you are—it’s about how you feel. Some people find it on the open road, moving from place to place with nothing but a loose plan and a full tank. Others find it in having a home base, a place to return to after every adventure.
For now, I think I like my version of freedom—having the ability to travel whenever I want, but also knowing I have a home to return to. But who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll trade it all for life on the road. Or maybe I’ll try it and realize… part-time is perfect for me.
What about you? Would you love to live in an RV full-time, or do you prefer having a home and just going on adventures now and then?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Check out my video where I dive even deeper into this topic, and let me know in the comments—do you think full-time RV life is real freedom?