Recreational vehicle (RV) living has undergone a well-deserved resurgence in recent years. Gone are the days when RVs solely catered to retirees — today, RV living is swiftly becoming the full-time housing choice of younger people, as it combines the ability to explore the world, work remotely, and have the comforts of home.
A growing number of millennials and Gen Zers prefer to prioritize traveling, remote working, and being debt-free. A report from the RV Industry Association shows that 22% of current RV owners are in the 18 to 34-year-old age range. And in the next five years, 84% of millennial and Gen Z RV owners are eyeing to buy a brand-new RV unit.
Living life on the road has many benefits, including flexibility, comfort, and convenience, and it’s something that many travel nurses — healthcare professionals who travel to different states for work — have also taken advantage of. And though RV living has many wonderful perks, it’s vital to know if it’s the right living arrangement for a travel nurse or healthcare professional like you.
We list some important considerations before you set out to buy your very own RV and drive off to your next assignment.
RV living works best for adventurous people who love challenges
One of the many perks of RV living is it can enable you to explore new places and enjoy new experiences.
After your shift at the facility, you can drive out to visit beautiful spots and experience nature up close via fun activities such as hiking and biking. If you’re the outdoorsy type who considers the entire country your ideal backyard, RV living is a solid option to consider.
If it’s your first time to have an RV, chances are, you’d need to learn new skills, including learning to park your RV, getting the furnace to work when temperatures drop, and connecting your RV with electrical, water, and sewer hookups. RV living is great for the type who enjoys learning new skills. If you’ll be traveling with a partner or your family, it’s helpful to divide tasks to keep things organized and efficient, especially if you work long shifts and need help maintaining the RV when you’re not at home.
RV living is for those who embrace minimalism
Because most RVs have limited space, it will force you to simplify your life by only bringing items that you need and are important to you. From creating a capsule wardrobe that consists of your favorite scrubs and essential pieces of clothing to only bringing versatile kitchen gadgets and appliances to save space, minimalists will thrive living in RVs full-time.
RV living is for people who don’t mind doing their research (and doing lots of it)
Living the RV life doesn’t just entail a lot of driving out on the open roads — it also involves a lot of research work even before you hit the pavement.
From deciding whether you should rent or buy an RV, determining the right RV size for you, your family, and your adorable pets, and checking to see if your next facility has a nearby RV campground or park, you’d need to go online and research.
Factors such as time and budget will also play a key role in determining whether RV life is for you. For example, if the state you’re going to doesn’t have RV parks near your facility and would require you to commute upwards of one hour to get to work on time, or if the RV park rates end up being more expensive (this may happen during peak times of the year), it might be better to consider renting property. Popular options for property rental include hotels, Furnished Finder, and Airbnb.
It’s also a good idea to research if you’d need a special permit and how much insurance will cost you before you decide whether RV life is for you.
Do your due diligence and go on forums to seek advice from fellow travel nurses, especially those who are located or have worked in the states you’re headed to. At Meda Health, our helpful support team can also give you advice based on our employees’ experiences and feedback.
Aside from our stellar support team, we offer our employees perks that start from day one. Discover the Meda Health edge here.
