Why I Love Living In A Motorhome
Living in a motorhome is seen as 'the dream' lifestyle choice for some and for others, they think you're crazy. Of course it all depends on individual circumstances. One thing I will say is its not all beach park ups and sunsets (I'm afraid Instagram is lying to you).
That aside, it really is an awesome lifestyle and one that I don't regret at all. At the end of the day, its up to each individual to weigh up the pros and cons and decide if the lifestyle is for them but I can certainly tell you the reasons why I love living in a motorhome:
Freedom and Flexibility:
Living in a motorhome gives me the flexibility to travel and explore different places, without being tied down to a specific location. Now that I am a full time YouTube content creator, I have even more freedom as I don't have to go back to one place for my work. I work on the road so I can travel at the same time and that is made much easier by always having my house with me.
And when I walk about freedom and flexibility, I don't just mean big or far fetched trips. I'm talking about being able to catch up with my mates no matter where they live. I can park up outside or nearby, and by having my motorhome, I can cut down on travel time to get to and from them. I just make a trip out of it and stop along the way.
Cost Savings:
Living in a motorhome can be more cost-effective than living in a house. There's no mortgage or rent, and utility costs are generally lower. Plus, I have more control over my utilities because I can manage my resources like how much LPG I'm using or utilise solar power for what is then, effectively, free energy.
It's not as cheap as people think living in a motorhome, you still have a lot of costs to consider like vehicle running costs, maintenance, tax and insurance. But it is definitely considerably less than in a house. Check out my latest living in a motorhome monthly budget video to see a run down of my costs.
Minimalism:
Living in a smaller space definitely encourages a more minimalist lifestyle, as there's less room for belongings and 'stuff'. You learn to only carry what you need and find more efficient ways of doing things. I am a self confessed amazon and gadget addict and that hasn't ceased since living in a motorhome. I do, however, have to think about what I carry with me
Now, those that have followed me for a while know that I didn't take to this theory during my first year or two of motorhome living. Because I decided to just move in to a motorhome on a whim, I had waaaay too much stuff (13kgs of DVDs I was carrying around! Yes, really). I've had to have a few clear outs along the way and then again when I moved in to my current motorhome. I know my fellow full-timers will agree that you need to have regular clear outs as, even living in a small space like a motorhome, you still accumulate stuff over time.
You will also adapt how you live in the space so your needs will change, hence why regular clearcuts and stock takes are essential. This does lead to a simpler and more intentional way of living though.
Connection with Nature:
Motorhome living allows you to be closer to nature. I'm not talking tree hugging and running around bare foot (which is absolutely fine btw, just not for me), its about getting outside more. The locations I stay in mean I'm often surrounded by greenery, trees and of course fishing lakes!
Even doing urban park ups, I can change the view out of my window if I want and you'd be surprised how much impact that can have on your state of mind.
Reduced Environmental Impact:
Ok, I know a diesel guzzling motorhome doesn't scream 'save the planet' but when you consider that it is my only vehicle and I don't use it for commuting on top of my travel, I'm still using less than I would if I lived in a property and had to drive to a place of work or drive to and from the shops.
Motorhome living generally requires fewer resources and where possible, I'm using renewable energy such as solar panels for power.
Spontaneity:
This one is in conjunction with the flexibility point but living in a motorhome means I can do spontaneous road trips or activities. If there is somewhere I fancy going or a friend says do you fancy meeting up, I can do it if I have nothing else on.
It means you can do stuff without the need for much planning.
Tailored Living Arrangements:
This one is great, I can choose my neighbours! I like the hustle and bustle as much as the next guy, I grew up in the South of England, and later lived in Thailand for 2 years, after all. But I still enjoy quiet and I love the fact I can move my home to somewhere more remote if I want to. Or on the flip side, if I'm somewhere and its noisy or I end up with annoying neighbours, I can move.
Escape from Routine:
Living in a motorhome gives you a way to break free from the daily grind. I love that I can go where I want, when I want and I'm not tied in to anything. When I was a lorry driver, I still had a rota to stick o of course, but I had the flexibility to go where I wanted after work. I didn't have to go back to the same place if I didn't want to. I think this lifestyle gives you a different perspective.
A little bit of routine isn't bad though and sometimes, it's good for you. Bear that in mind! The difference is, you'll get to make up your own routine to suit you.
Financial Independence:
Living in a motorhome definitely enable me to have a more financially independent lifestyle. I had he loan to pay off from my first motorhome but because I of my regular lorry driver income in my first few years, I was able to budget and get everything paid off. I'm now happily debt free and with lower living costs that I have some control over, I also feel I have more control over my time and how I spend it.
Community:
This one sounds cheesy but its true, the community is great. I've met some awesome people, who are now good friends, through this lifestyle. It's also great having people I can chat to about motorhome problems, share hints and tips with and those who 'get' it.
As I said at the beginning of this post, it's important to note that while living in a motorhome offers numerous benefits, it's not suitable for everyone. Personal preferences, comfort, mobility and individual circumstances will all play a part. If you try it and its not for you, thats ok! Nothing is irreversible and it's better to try and say you did it than wonder 'what if'. Do your research, tailor it to you personally and you should get the maximum enjoyment out of living in a motorhome.