Living in a Van, RV, or Otherwise on Wheels
- Adam Garrett
- Jul 20, 2024
- 8 min read
My friends Dr. Jim & Mary Rudisill in their live-aboard home at the time
In this article, I'll be getting into methods of living on wheels that most people wouldn't consider, but that are viable for the low % of the population who can, who are able, & who truly want to make it work, whether they want to engage in it for a short stint (i.e. right after college) or make a long term life change. These strategies can often be used in combination with home ownership or without home ownership, though I recommend simultaneous home-ownership for most, despite it not being inherently necessary for most of the below to work. The reason why that's typically best is due to the significant impact of home ownership on net worth & the option to rent your house while you're engaging in the below strategy. My rent or buy page begins with information on the net worth impact of home ownership.
Converted Vans/Busses & Other Homes on Wheels
Above: the classic SNL skit by Chris Farley parodying living in a van
Is Living in a Van for Losers?
Unlike the above skit by Chris Farley & others will imply, living in a van isn't just for losers. When my wife & I went ice climbing in the Vail area of Colorado, we were surprised to find out that our ice climbing instructor was living in a van that had been converted to accommodate live aboarding at a nearby Walmart with his girlfriend. If given the choice of living in a van, or living in a trailer park, living in a van or RV could yield substantial savings toward home ownership in light of lot rent costs at trailer parks. When combined with home ownership, living in a van or RV also yields some of the benefits of homeownership like the net worth gains.
RV & Converted Van Costs: Free to More than Some Homes
In addition to converted vans, there are also some incredible RV's, some of which can cost more than homes (especially more than low-cost mobile homes in some cases). On the other end of the spectrum, there's even a Facebook group dedicated to free travel trailers.
In addition to free trailers in places, paid options can be fantastic deals at times, especially if located in advertising not dedicated to exclusively trailers, i.e. the below, which was around half the cost of something comparable out of the options within 150 miles on RV Trader:
$5k for 2015 Trailer Sleeping 8
With the disparity between value below and actual value, you could buy something like the below and immediately flip it, or you could live there for years, then sell, and come out even or for a profit as long as you did substantively superior marketing vs the seller (i.e. better pictures and listing it in the right places).
He bumped up the price to $10k after I said, "That's a great price!"
If I hadn't said that, it may have been sold for $5k like the price you see in the other screenshot above:
RV Trader Screenshot of $10k as Bottom Price for 2015+ Sleeping 8+
The below is the very bottom price of over 1k trailers within 150 miles:
It's also possible to repurpose items to live in them, like this repurposed horse trailer being converted to a traveler's caravan.
Overnight parking:
Adam's Favorite Free Option: Wildlife Management Areas for 14 Free Nights per Site at a Time if You Have Hunting or Fishing License
For up to 14 nights per site, camping is possible with your travel trailer at Wildlife Management Areas.
Trailers Allowed in WMA's
Per DWR:
"Can I camp in a travel trailer or recreational vehicle (RV)?
Yes, but understand that WMA roads are not suitable for long vehicles or trailers. Keep in mind that no amenities are provided (electrical hookups, potable water, convenience stations). Some WMAs may not allow travel trailers or RVs due to the size and design of access roads and parking. Be sure to check the posted rules for your selected WMA on the DWR website."
Restrictions on Location Within WMA
Per DWR:
"Are there restrictions on where I can camp?
Yes, camping is only allowed in previously cleared locations; no vegetation can be cut to make room for a camp. It is unlawful to camp within 300 feet of any lake or facility (building, boat ramp, etc.). Camping is prohibited in certain other areas as displayed on WMA maps, publicized on WMA kiosks or where posted as “No Camping.”"
Get Free Access via Hunting or Fishing License
Per DWR:
"Is there a fee for camping authorizations?
There is no charge for camping authorizations at this time."
"Do I need any other license or permit in addition to a camping authorization?
Yes, camping is allowed while participating in authorized activities on WMAs (e.g., hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, wildlife viewing).
Hunting, fishing, and trapping activities all require users to possess valid licenses. Boats with motors must be registered. Any person 17 years of age or older who does not possess a valid hunting, fishing, trapping license or boat registration is required to purchase an access permit or Restore the Wild membership, which includes an access permit, to visit and utilize a WMA . In some situations, a special use authorization is needed in addition to the camping authorization (see next question)."
Related:
Very Limited Amenities
Per DWR:
"What type of camping is available at a WMA?
Camping is primitive, temporary and dispersed. There are no established campsites and no amenities (electric, potable water, dump stations, restrooms, convenience stations)."
Up to 6 People Can Camp (Or More if Same Household)
Per DWR:
"How many people can camp under one authorization?
Up to six people can camp under the same authorization. If a group of more than six people all live in the same household, they can camp under a single camping authorization."
"When do I need a special use authorization in addition to a camping authorization?
A special use authorization is required for any group larger than 12 persons and for any activity not specifically authorized. Hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, and wildlife viewing are all specifically authorized activities."
Possible Activities: Hunting, Fishing, Paddling, Gathering, & More
While activities highly vary based on location, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, & more are possible.
Gathering is Allowed on WMA's (But No Digging or Root Removal)
How to Obtain Camping Authorization
Locating Wildlife Management Areas
Here's a general overview of parking options for van life.
Here's a map of free places to park RV's (& typically vans).
RV Campsite Subscriptions
There are also a number of subscription-based options for living at rotating RV sites, which could be effectively combined with something like the Wildlife Management Areas where you would still be paying far less than you would for lot rent at many trailer parks. Here are 5 examples.
Accommodating Strategies Above to Simultaneous Home Ownership is Encouraged
Liveaboarding in an RV or similar can be accommodated to existing home ownership. Engaging in that while maintaining home ownership of 1 or multiple homes pulls together the beauty of home ownership, including benefits like appreciation, programs to reduce home cost (like I used), leveraged investments, tax incentives, increased net worth, and more, and the flexibility of alternatives to traditional home ownership.
Some would prefer to purchase 1 or more than 1 home while liveaboarding & accommodate their purchase decision based on liveaboarding. Someone seeking to do a lot of camping off-site from their own property may want to live near places where that can be done for free or at low cost. While it would be important to check on zoning law, some may want to have their RV at home that they move to when they are renting out their home to short-term renters in the peak season of the year only.
If engaging in live aboarding that takes you far away from the home you own, be sure to keep in mind that it's still critical to have systems in place so that your home stays in good shape.
Generally speaking, it's best to be paying down a mortgage in such a way that you'll pay it off by the time that you retire. Typically, buying sooner rather than later will mean that you will pay less as long as the market in your area is facing a positive projection. With most buyers acquiring 30 year mortgages, and retirement age at 65, that means that most buyers will do best to get a mortgage at least by 35 for a home that they don't plan to sell due to the costs that are typically incurred in the sales process, unless they downsize to a home that is of lower value (especially from 2-3 story homes to 1 story).
Related:
Government Penalties/Lost Incentives of Above for Some
It is important to note that for those who engage in liveaboarding for too much of the year, it is possible to lose home ownership exemptions available for Medicaid, Social Security Disability Income, Supplemental Security Income, & more, which can drastically negatively impact net worth. Here's more on that under the following headings:
SSI Supplemental Security Income: Home Ownership Not Typically Counted Against Someone
More on Social Security Exclusion of the Home
SSDI Social Security Disability Income: Home Ownership Not Typically Counted Against Someone
Medicaid: Home Definition & Impact Basics: Home Typically Excluded
Related:
About the Author: Adam Garrett - 3rd Generation REALTOR®
Adam is the 3rd generation in a line of award-winning real estate agents serving SE VA. He has served full time at Garrett Realty Partners since May 2014 when he joined the marketing department before transitioning to full-time sales to assist buyers and sellers in February 2015. He believes that an educated buyer or seller makes the best decisions, & is dedicated to helping with that both digitally & on-site physically for buyers & sellers. He's also available for referrals to real estate agents around the globe. In several capacities, his resources & direct offerings for assisting sellers & assisting buyers are either unmatched or are top 1% for the SE VA area, and in some cases, nationwide. Not stopping after closing, he also provides information for tenants, landlords, & homeowners.
Related for Buyers:
Related for Sellers:
While Adam can refer buyers and sellers elsewhere, Adam’s direct coverage includes most of SE VA including Hampton Roads (VA Peninsula, Southside, & Middle Peninsula), the Northern Neck, & Greater Richmond.
Adam's Coverage Map with Adam's 5 Multiple Listing Services highlighted in orange & areas without good MLS coverage excluded:
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