FAQ: Answering Your Top Questions about RV Life
As you consider this major lifestyle change, many practical questions will come to mind. Here are quick answers to some of the most common ones we hear from aspiring RV retirees.
What are the best RVs for retired couples?
There is no single “best” RV; the right one depends entirely on your budget, travel style, and comfort needs. However, some models are consistently popular with retired couples. Mid-size fifth-wheels (30-38 feet) are often favored for their spacious, residential-style layouts and ample storage, making them ideal for long-term living. Class A motorhomes (32-40 feet) offer a panoramic front window for great driving views and significant basement storage. Class C motorhomes are often seen as a happy medium, easier to drive than a Class A but with more space than a van. The key is to choose a floor plan you can live in comfortably, with a dedicated sleeping area and enough space to not feel cramped on a rainy day.
Can I really save money by RVing full time?
It is possible, but it is not a guarantee. If you are selling an expensive home with a high mortgage and property taxes, and you adopt a frugal travel style (boondocking, cooking your own meals), you can live on a very modest budget. However, if you buy a brand-new luxury RV with a large monthly payment, stay in expensive resorts, and eat out often, you could easily spend more than you did in your stationary home. RV life changes *what* you spend money on. You trade a mortgage for fuel, campground fees, and maintenance. Careful budgeting is the only way to know if it will be a money-saving move for you.
How do I handle voting and taxes?
This is tied to your domicile state. Once you establish residency, you register to vote there. Nearly all states make it easy to vote via absentee ballot. You simply request your ballot ahead of each election, and it will be sent to you through your mail forwarding service. Your tax obligations also follow the rules of your domicile state. This is why choosing a state with no income tax, like Florida, Texas, or South Dakota, is such a popular strategy for full-time RVers. You will still file federal income taxes as usual, just with your new domicile address.
What about traveling with my pets?
RVing can be a wonderful way to travel with pets, as they get to stay with you in their familiar home. However, it requires extra planning. You must be mindful of campground rules, as some have restrictions on breed or size. You’ll need to find veterinarians on the road for routine care or emergencies. The biggest concern is temperature control. You must have a reliable way to keep your RV cool in the summer and warm in the winter when you are away, often using a remote temperature monitoring system that can alert your phone if the power goes out.
Been there, done that and it’s a GREAT LIFE! When I reached SS retirement age we were living in Las Vegas. Sold our house, bought my mother’s house, giving her a life estate, purchased a 2000 Winnebago Adventurer and “Hit the Road, Jack”. We full-timed it for two years, enjoying every minute of it. Went to Alaska, intending to stay about a month; came back four months later with over 259 pounds of frozen halibut and salmon. The vacation of a lifetime. Still have the old Adventurer and have down-sized to an even older (1997) Roadtrek. It needs a lot of work but has four solar panels and a 3,000-watt inverter, enabling us the flexibility to “boondock” almost anywhere we desire. We’re in the process of replacing the refrigerator and adding an awning. We’re getting a little older now (both in our early eighties) but still plan to “RV into the sunset”, enjoying our “golden years”.