Living in an RV in a fixed location can be a housing alternative for retired or semi-retired individuals. There are several kinds of fixed locations that can be considered. Of course, one can buy land and set up privately anywhere that zoning allows for a permanent RV space.
Some RVers live in a “stick” house part of the year then, often for warmer weather in winter, travel south in their RV for the remainder of the year. These RV folks are referred to as “snowbirds.” Others live full time in their RVs between two or more locations and designate one of the locations as home base.
There are many RV resort destinations to chose from throughout Canada and the United States. These locations involve purchasing or leasing a space for an extended period of time. Rick and Paulette of Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, Canada have such an arrangement. They winter at Sands RV and Golf Resort in Desert Hot Springs, California. You can follow their migration through their blog – Rick and Paulette’s RV Travels.
There are also membership resorts where a specific space is attached to the membership. One such resort is my partner’s and my northern destination, Surfside RV Resort in Parksville, British Columbia on Vancouver Island. Although we do not “own” land, we own the right to spend six months of the year in our designated space there. We are responsible for landscaping and upkeep of our site just as we would be responsible for the yard of a home we owned.
Surfside is a great resort with Parksville Beach on one side and the Englishman River Estuary and Wildlife Preserve on the other. It is a perfect destination for wildlife watching in British Columbia’s coastal springs and summers.
For additional ideas about the best locations for retirees, a good starting point is Claire Beckham’s post here at the RVT.com blog. You can also search for RV Properties on RVT.com to get an idea for types of properties and memberships available out there at any given time. There is truly something for every RV lifestyle.
At the other extreme, one can “boondock” their way around North America. (Boondock means to camp free.) One of my favorite boondocker’s travel blogs is Diana Tolerico’s Life on the Open Road. She has some great information on boondocking in this post.
Author Levonne Gaddy’s book “This Restless Life: A dream chased through California parks in an RV” chronicles her relocation adventures from the Southwest to Central Coast California during the Great Recession of 2008-2009. They encounter many twists and turns including a dead body found near their camp hosting camp site, problems finding work and multiple threats of floods. @Levonnegaddy
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Yep! It’s a great way to live. We’ve also thought about some park models when (if) we get tired of roaming. :c)
Hi Paul. Yes this RV living allows us to access and belong to places that otherwise would be impossible. I’m recalling our four or so months in the summer and early fall at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park camped along the Big Sur River. It was heavenly. As is our site on Vancouver Island. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Levonne, i enjoyed the article. Something for Leon and i to think about.
Thanks for commenting Annie.
Just turned fifty and cannot wait to get on the road, born in South-Africa, but love the USA and as far as travel goes is an amazing country for travel, thanks for the article.
Maybe we’ll see you around then!