10 Reasons People Live On The Road & 10 Different Ways To Do It
Why Rent When You Can Road?
Ahhhh, road life, a dream that is quickly becoming a reality for millennials who can’t afford homes. There are so many reasons, and so many methods that people use to make this dream a reality, none of which are the “perfect” one. Really, your roadie journey is personal, and it's up to you to get as much as you can out of the experience, whether you’re in your 4-seater car or a multi-thousand-dollar RV.
1. Financial Freedom
Living on the road is often associated with a higher amount of financial freedom. It combines the ability to see the sights while being able to save money for plans. Alternatively, the freedom allows for more money to do once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences.
2. Desire For Adventure
Even if we want to be, very rarely do any of us have the time or funds to actually be globetrotters. This style of living allows you to see parts of the world you’ve always wanted to see and stumble across places you’ve never heard of before.
3. Minimal Responsibility
If the only thing you’re worried about is your job and your car, you’re doing pretty well for an adult. Folks are flocking to the roadie life because if they can’t pay for a house, why bother being stuck in a city and paying for rent?
4. Debt Reduction
With less stuff to worry about and not enough space for frivolous purchases, a mobile home setup is a productive way to become debt-free. So much so that you may even accelerate your goal of becoming debt-free.
5. Flexibility
If you don’t like the city or space you’re in, you can get up and leave! Road life is a great way to experience new places, and also gives you a quick exit if you’re really not vibing with any particular place.
6. Simplicity
On the road, life is simple. You can form a routine, you can wear the same clothes, you can enjoy it being just you and the land, and that's pretty great. We’re pretty sure nothing beats waking up to the sound of mourning doves, surrounded by trees.
7. Minimalism
Unless you have one of those insane sizes of motorhome, there isn’t a lot of room for extra stuff. This extreme version of downsizing allows you to really think about what’s important to you, what you need to survive, and get rid of anything else.
8. Off-Grid Living
Yes, reduce that carbon footprint! Off-grid living relies on renewable energy systems, self-sufficient water systems, and waste management. Sure, you’re spewing out a fair amount of gasoline exhaust through that tailpipe, but you’re not worried about a power grid. This also means that the only big man you owe money to is your car insurance company.
American Public Power Association on Unsplash
9. To Get Closer To Nature
We just don’t spend enough time in nature anymore, do we? The occasional camping trip or hike may hold us over for a month or two, but really immersing oneself in nature is difficult at the best of times. With a mobile home, you can wake up every morning and have a campfire in the middle of nowhere, if you so choose.
Johannes Andersson on Unsplash
10. Cheaper Way To Travel
Sometimes van life isn’t actually about minimalism or the simplicity of you and the road. Sometimes it's truly just the cheapest way to travel. You can save a decent amount of money by avoiding insane hotel fees or Airbnb prices, instead opting for a campsite or random parking lot (with safety in mind, of course).
1. Car
Living out of your car is probably the cheapest and easiest method of road life, even if it's also the most uncomfortable. If you have a decent vehicle that isn’t known to break down easily, you could pack up and head out tomorrow, if you so choose.
2. Cargo Van
A sprinter, Ford Transit, or even a Volkswagen Westfalia are the most common small vehicles you associate with road life. They’re often not tall enough to stand completely straight up in, but are a much roomier option than your Toyota Camry.
3. RV
Not the movie, but the titular character in the movie! An RV, or motorhome, combines driving and living into one unit. These guys are the ones most often associated with the high class, hundreds of thousands of dollars option that we’re seeing today, thanks to the widespread popularity of road life.
4. Trailer
A trailer is simply an RV without the car, requiring a heavy-duty vehicle to truck it around. The positive of a trailer is that they tend to be cheaper, and if your vehicle dies, you don’t lose your whole house. The flipside to that is if you don’t already have a vehicle that can tow you around, you’re now spending more money on another new thing.
5. Campervan
A smaller version of the classic RV style, a campervan is built on a van chassis instead of a larger truck chassis, often complete with a bed or storage system that extends above the car cabin. These vehicles are a bit more maneuverable, but usually lack full amenities like bathrooms or bedrooms.
6. Tent Life
If you’re still leaning towards a road life based out of your car, tent life may also be in your future. You can keep that flexible outdoor-sleeping structure tucked away in your vehicle, and pull it out to have a bit more space to stretch your legs when you find yourself at a campsite.
7. Truck Camper
This tiny living unit fits on the bed of a pickup truck, often extending over the top of the vehicle’s cabin. It can be a pop-up or hard-sided, and offers a more secure space to lay your head at night. It doesn’t, of course, have many of the extra amenities commonly found in RVs.
8. Minivan
A minivan is a smaller, stealthier mobile home option than even a cargo van, making it less susceptible to prying eyes and potential thieves. They’re also much cheaper than a cargo van, and still have a decent amount of space for you to spend your nights comfortably.
Janosch Diggelmann on Unsplash
9. Travel Trailer
Small trailers, like teardrop trailers, are excellent van life options for folks who want more space than their standard vehicle, but don’t want to invest in a pickup truck to haul something around. Teardrop trailers are lightweight and are able to be pulled by small cars with ease, so you can keep your car without sacrificing a proper bedroom.
Doğan Alpaslan DEMİR on Unsplash
10. Converted Bus
One of the most popular methods for road life is converting a school or Greyhound bus to fit your needs. This method is often cheaper if you know what you’re doing, but it also takes more time than purchasing a pre-made bus outright. It’s also a fun, creative opportunity, as you get to design a space that fits your own needs.
