The Benefits of a Permanent RV Setup and How To Establish One
When gas prices across the U.S. increase significantly, full-time and part-time RVers may feel the pinch, with some even deciding that gas prices are cost-prohibitive to living or traveling in their rigs. Instead of giving up the simplicity and joys of having a tiny home on wheels, you may want to consider a permanent RV setup. Setting up in one spot is worth considering whether you live in your rig or use it regularly to travel to a favorite destination. It has many benefits and isn’t hard to do.
What Are the Benefits of a Permanent RV Setup?
When many people get an RV, they do so with the notion that it provides them the freedom to travel while bringing the creature comforts of a home with them. Full-timers tend to like the idea of the adventure, digital nomads enjoy that they can work from anywhere, and retirees love how easy it is to visit the grandkids and tick off bucket list locations.
Maintaining a permanent spot for your rig may seem like it negates the reasons for living the RV lifestyle, but there are many advantages to doing so. The benefits of a permanent RV setup include:
- Paying monthly rent prices that are usually significantly lower than nightly or weekly fees, even with club and organization membership discounts
- Saving money on gas
- Eliminating the need to set up and break down every few days or weeks
- Having the opportunity to become involved in and get to know the local community
- Enjoying a favorite location for less than it costs to rent or buy a brick-and-mortar home
- Creating a space that suits your needs and making it feel like home
- Eliminating the challenges of finding your next stop and worrying about making reservations during peak travel seasons
A permanent RV setup offers many of the perks of a tiny home on wheels while removing some of the biggest issues people have with traveling or living full-time in their rigs.
How Do You Establish a Permanent RV Setup?
Claiming a spot to call “home” in your RV is easier than buying a house or finding a home to rent. Here are considerations and tips for transitioning to a permanent site for your rig.
Make Sure Your RV Suits Your Needs
If you’ve already been living full-time in your RV, you likely have this part sorted out. However, there are additional considerations for a permanent RV setup. If you rarely spent time in your rig when moving to new locations regularly, you may find that being stationary puts less pressure on you to always be on the go.
You can slow down and spend more of your day in and around your unit. Your house on wheels should be comfortable enough to while away your days when you aren’t out exploring. Think about all those rainy days, and make sure your RV can work for you even when you’re stuck inside.
If you’re transitioning to full-time RV living or sticking to part-time, consider what you need from your space to make it comfortable while you’re staying at your permanent RV setup. If you like to cook or enjoy entertaining, you want an RV that can accommodate.
Choose Your Location Wisely
Location is the most crucial aspect of moving to a permanent setup. If you don’t thoroughly enjoy the environment, you will likely grow frustrated and bored with stationary RV living. Choose an area with plenty of things to do that interest you, with all the conveniences you need for daily life nearby.
Another critical consideration is climate. Numerous RV parks are open year-round in places where temperatures regularly drop below frigid and white stuff falls in buckets. Winter appeals to some, and they have rigs and setups that can weather the weather. However, it isn’t easy to have a permanent RV setup in these locations. You may find it far better to choose an area with a milder winter climate, where you won’t have to worry about turning into an icicle or dealing with freezing water pipes.
Find the Right RV Park
Once you have an area in mind, find a park that caters to long-term stays. Not every RV park is amenable to people setting up permanently on a site. Even those offering monthly rates may limit how many months you can remain at the park. When looking for a park for a permanent RV setup, consider:
- Park security features: Some security features, such as gates or on-site management, may be readily apparent. Others may not be obvious. Ask the park about what it does to ensure safety and determine if it conducts criminal background checks for long-term stays.
- Park amenities: Know what amenities you desire from an RV park and look for places that have them. Some parks that allow long-term stays have all the bells and whistles of a resort, while others offer little more than a place to park. If you’re living in your rig, find out where and how to receive your mail.
- Site setups: When you have a permanent RV setup, you want a spacious site to accommodate outdoor living. You want a site that is level, with full hookups that are in good working order.
- Park rates: Make sure you understand what is included in the park rates. Most places that offer monthly rates also charge for electricity. Some places charge a flat rate, but the standard is to charge for use. Occasionally, you’ll see RV parks that also charge for water.
If possible, visit your top choices before making a final decision to better understand what it might be like to live there.
Where Can You Find Parks That Allow a Permanent RV Setup?
The climate in the Texas Hill Country and surrounding areas is excellent for establishing a permanent RV setup. The Boston Group manages several RV parks that allow long-term stays for reasonable rates and with the amenities that make stationary RV living enjoyable. Check out our portfolio and begin exploring the possibilities!
Sources:
https://www.twdb.texas.gov/publications/state_water_plan/2012/04.pdf