And, as some point out, they're horrible buys unless you intend to stay in that area for many years. They take away your flexibility to move as needed.
US houses are cheap As F. Come Up to Canada and get a reality check. 300K is like a 1950s complete gut and reno starter home in most cities. Places like Vancouver have literal tear down homes selling for 2+ million just for the lot so they can bulldoze and put a new home on. I think we can make California and NY look good for prices.
Because all the "starter home" housing has been turned into rentals. So you can rent and make your landlord's mortgage payment, or you can buy a live aboard RV and while you aren't getting any equity, you at least aren't spending as much.
@@jamestheotherone742 nope. Mostly foreign money from China jacking our prices up. And technically, youre spending a ton for an RV because they're a very quickly depreciating good.
In 2019, divorce forced me to move out of ex’s four bedroom home with two large workshops.. I looked at properties and ascertained what I could qualify for a mortgage. But, Luckily a 1989 19’ travel trailer was for sale and I bought it for cash. It is my second RV having had a 1976 21’ class C we did three long trips with before I gave it away. Many savings have been made this year and I’m gradually getting it organized. It is set on a friend’s permanent hookup where the utilities are the only rent. No mortgage, no long term debt, low cost insurance, low utilities, a one time tag and I am surviving. In the tough times of 2020 I can say I made the right decision.
@@ADG-pl7ur really? When there is attraction so long as the car is nice enough, you got game. But a woman that wants you for your car will leave when someone else has a better car. And golddigger will want you to give up some money before you know what. For a few laughs I guess it is great.
It's common to see RVs parked around Los Angeles with people using them as their primary residence. Really sad to see how the American quality of life keeps plummeting.
@@NorceCodine LAPD is not allowed to persecute people for being homeless due to a city ordinance. So unless they're causing a disturbance, there's nothing they can do.
Get out of "progressive" cities and don't vote the same kind of morons into office in the next place you go. Sorry but I lived in Seal Beach for years and S Cal was a beautiful place to live and it went to hell due to poor gov policy. My anger is not directed at you, I am just peeved that a beautiful city turned sour so quickly.
@@rawdawg15 I live better in New Mexico on 1/4 the money I made in CA. House it almost 2x the size and property tax, no joke is 1/10th as much. Plus we still have beautiful beaches. No water but the beaches go on for miles. :) Unfortunately the new Governor is bound and determined to turn us into the next CA.
@Kernica1 chase temp trends? You can just move with the seasons if you like. You can enjoy temperate weather all year round. Plenty of people carry dogs in their RV. Really depends on the size of the RV.
Agreed. I've been living in my truck since February. Faced trauma and abuse as a kid. Tried to work. Faced bullying at 3 jobs in a row. Got diagnosed with Anxiety and PTSD. Nobody cared. "I don't owe you anything. Gib me more attention!" Since there's a stigma against Disability: Homelessness was the only thing I could default to. Our country's response to the Pandemic is no coincidence neither. Toxic people keep taking from us. And we don't want to live with them anymore.
Back in 2008 when the economy stumbled, was forced to sell my home to pay off some debt. Had enough cash after settling everything to buy a 5th wheel. Was a bit of a desperation move at the time, but I soon came to like it. One of my neighbors in the camp ground I chose was moaning about being trailer trash, I said hey look around you were in a beautiful spot water front, with good folks around us, and it's inexpensive. I've since upgraded my R.V. and moved on to a private property which is even cheaper, yet still close to all amenities. Gonna live this way for the foreseeable future!
I admire your dete rmination Ant. I have downsized six times in life so the experience and challenge to shrink is not traumatic. When I bought my 1989 19’ Holiday Rambler Alumalite XL (aluminum frame, dual axle, self-contained tiny house) a friend offered me the chance to put it on his concrete pad with full hookup and pay the utility bill which has been $125 or lower in 16 months. I know this cannot last but it sure has made the adjustment back to single life worthwhile.
I recommend YouTuibe Premium...ad free. Based on suggestions from several friends I gave up TV in 2018 and saved $100/month. The capsule of PBS Newshour on TH-cam is enough for me. Local news is printed in our weekly newspaper. I have made better use of time for others and myself.
scarpfish For a few extra dollars you can get rid of ads with TH-cam Premium. Save a lot by dumping Dish Networ or DirecTV. You’ll be surprised how much quality time you gain for family and friends by getting rid of TV.
@@NAT-turners-Revenge I hear ya, I think the banks will try to keep the prices artificially high, they always do, but won't be able to this time. There will be a correction across the board... housing market, stock market, precious metals, ect. I mean, look at the USD index (currently 94.35) and Gold and Silver have surpassed record levels in a matter of days... the US dollar is on its way to collapse. The "Great Rest" is real, but won't happen for probably a couple more years at best. imo.
Zoran D that’s what my financial advisor told me. Stay in my apartment for a couple more years and houses will be cheaper than ever but you need to buy then cause the cheap housing boom will fill up quick and house prices will rise again.
They neglected to mention a few items: 1) An RV is priced like a home but it depreciates faster than a car. 2) Do Not finance for 20 years or you will be upside down for 20 years and never be able to sell it 3) The issues mentioned in the house portion are due to the fact that its basically a stick built house that goes through an earthquake and hurricane every time it's moved. 4) Servicing a motorized RV is a nightmare. Even if it has a Ford, Chevy or Mercedes logo on it those dealers won't touch it. The RV Dealerships will generally only service the house portion. If you break down on the road....good luck finding repairs. 5) Vanlife is popular because those Van's can fly under the radar and park in city streets. Most places will not allow an RV to be occupied on the street. A regular looking van can do that. Regular RVs are having increasing difficulty finding places to park. 6) All that being said it's still worth it.
Well that's.... enlightening!!! Being a carpenter the few I have seen were just that. I had to throw one away once. Had it around my knees in a half hour with a sledge hammer!!!
@@mastertry1935 I have live in my fleetwood RV for 10 yrs the pluming is not strong Luke in a house unless you ask for it , but I love living in my RV ,everthing needs maintenance
@Kaven Gilbert Would you say you can be homeless and live in a car? If yes where do you draw the line between a selfmade RV and a car? Seems to me the line is blurry and you can be both homeless and live in an RV.
As a temp solution after an accident that made me lose everything, staying in an RV is doing the job 4 me so I thank God for the blessing. I have everything I need, including hot water n awesome AC, I could care less if people think is bad but is affordable and I have a roof over my head, thank you Jesus!🤗
Amen! Part of the problem is we want it to good, I was living in an RV before I married and would do it in a flash even while married it it became necessary!
An innocent child dies a long horrible death every 10 seconds due to starvation/bad water. And YOU think that that there is some sky daddy watching over YOU because you're just sooo much more special than they are? You're not "blessed", just delusional!
You are correct. Being a Digital Nomad has been going on for at least 10 years, it is finally catching on as a really cool way of life. All you need is an internet connection. There are thousands of jobs online. You dont even have to have any many skills, of course the more you have the more you can make in a shorter time. There is a full time RV lady that has a digital book (it is digital so she can update it often) on Amazon that describes hundreds of online jobs. Her youtube channel is Creativity RV. She sells her digital book for $10, but lately she has had it on sale for $3 for those just starting out on the Nomad lifestyle. This lady is on it. Check her out.
Houses are selling what they are not worth and people want to get out of dodge. I'm not paying $300,000 for a $65,000 worth of material and labor home!!
materials and labor is not even close to $65k for a house.. Otherwise you would have seen an army of people who quit a job for a year to build their home..
@@quoaitran1135, you never heard it because it isn't real. There are plenty of tradesmen in the market. If it was guaranteed to get a 20% annual markup on a house everyone would have been on it. Let alone 300/65 = 461% markup.
Or the government will raise the rates of tolls so they get their pound of flesh... or privatization which will be a free for all. I've watched the tolls going in and out of NYC continue to rise and I don't see it getting better.
Most people can't/won't think of an RV until absolutely desperate because they won't want to (not cool), kids, or better options (moving in with family). The people buying these are doing it for the lifestyle, not to live.
On the other hand, rural areas are struggling to keep their populations, with many companies adopting permanent remote working. Renting high or RV living are in many cases, choices.
Not sure about the US, but in Australia not having a permanent residential address creates all sorts of hassles with license, registration, insurance, and a bunch of other things. It's almost like... The powers that be do not want you to be free 🤨
@@BWater-yq3jx It is essentially the Cesta Que Trust based corporate slavery system. Birth Certificates and Social Security Numbers are your corporate brand which is your contractual coerced agreement for access to credit, including bank accounts, mortgages, car loans, all fraud loans, rent, and all other things you can imagine using the strawman name. The corporate signature by unknowing US Taxpayer slave creates the Federal Reserve Notes and locks the victim into a contract which gives the private courts, jails and corporations such as the IRS doing business as government. Enslaving its self proclaimed citizens under Congress viewed as chattel. The residential address is in fact a martial law post where war is committed on the citizens through a paper war. Not to include the militarized police policy enforces merely and extention of the administrative agency of the corporation. There is more but that is a little glimpse.
@Denes Szerdahelyi geez. What are you doing to your vehicle. Either someone needs to tell you that these are not an offroader or you need to pressure your state to fix its roads. And don't go off road. These are not expedition vehicles.
@Denes Szerdahelyi Are all RVs bad? Has quality control dropped in recent years? I'm just speculating and asking questions. Maybe an older, used, well-maintained RV at a cheaper price would be a better deal? Again, just speculating.
Or maybe don't want to go into a 30 year debt. I rent all my life, well up to my 56 years of age. I move from state to state, city to small town. From 21 to 56 of age. Longest I stay at one place was for 7 years. Shortest 3 months. I was able to save money, since the last 20 years. I been debit free. I was able to save enough to buy a home in cash. My parents are old now, and I decide to live near them. To able to take care of them. I now live 30 minutes away from my parents. I love my place, first time home owner and it's prefect. I already fill my bucket list. So I'm just relaxing and spending more time with my parents. Both are in good health and still can mow the yard and do gardening. I fish with my dad on his boat. Life been great for me and I have many skills trades. Since I done so many different kind of jobs. Since I was moving a lot. Now I'm just semi-retired and taking it much easier.
RV sales growing...Due to 28 million Americans might loose their housing property...The American dream they soo much believed was basically just a dream.
My wife and I camp because we love going around our beautiful state of Michigan and being in the great outdoors with our daughter. Our entire family camps and we love doing it. A lot of work to own a camper but at the end of the day we love it.
I own my house, no mortgage, and still thinking of going mobile because just the property tax, utility bills, insurance, upkeep(!), is draining my account. I can't save a dime, and I am literally a slave to my house. Its crazy.
@@frederickmuhlbauer9477 , We are talkin way different areas of the country my home is in Illinois The Hamptons is a very expensive area someplace I would never be able to afford so I can understand you paying 25000 a year if I had the income to be able to afford a place like that I guess 25000 a year would be nothing my yearly income is not even that much money. I hope you are enjoying your home.
Also how far away can one of those get as far away from society, 4x4 and off grid capability, completely fully self contained, getting close enough to a water source to reup. A lot of those R.Vs can’t . Survival is the key .
I'm surprised and impressed how many people have written replies to this discussion. It goes to show that people are struggling to hold on to what they've got, to stay on an even keel.
Up and down the US coast on my way to Mexico, I met many many Americans along the way at various campgrounds who lived in campers full time due to the property crunch of 2008, and then the squeeze from home values escalating. It was getting harder and harder to find a place to stay with my RV with full hook ups, I got to learn that there is two types of RV camp grounds, permanent, and traditional vacationers. This was the beginnings of stealth camping to some extent, it was an economic push rather than a "freedom" move. I totally sympathize with these people, but they would migrate from job to job, and the camper proved a very useful tool in this endeavour. Camper boom, more like property affordability bust.
the price of homes and taxes has gone up exponentially since 2010 so has the price of everything else. yet the federal minimum wage has stayed the same since 2009...it’s 2020.
Why not mention the fact that more and more people can't afford to rent, especially in the big cities? i'm sure lots of people buy RVs to live in them, but oh yeah, that would go against the narrative.
@KFC Man Yes a RV is a home. My comment regarding people buying RVs has to do with evictions and financial struggles that people are facing. I live in California so we have a big affordable housing crisis problem here and many people live out of their cars. They are going from structures like homes to mobile living. There's nothing wrong with it, but it may be a sign that they are doing it because they have to due to the drastic increase in housing affordability.
@Patrick Baptist Correct, which is why people are buying them, because many people are going from living in homes and apartments to living in vehicles.
I wouldn't call living in a RV homeless. A car yes, a van maybe but some of these RVs are huge, and they have that wall that comes out to make the thing even wider. Prob the same size as one of those micro studios theyre starting to make in the city, except much cheaper and you can travel with it. I wouldnt mind getting a RV 10 years down the line when they make them electric. That'd be bad ass.
@Patrick Baptist Right on man, I'm a truck driver so I don't have nearly as much space. I have an apartment but have been thinking of just getting rid of it so I can lower expenses and buy some land. In Canada, up north you can get a few acres for around 60-100k which isn't to bad...problem is they want 35%-50% down for a downpayment which is a lot when you consider you still have to build everything (Raw land). Nowadays it seems like the smarter thing to do. Buying a house now is like buying at the top of the market. Interest rates are so low so prices are as high as they can be sinc e people can max their mortage rates out...but when interest rates rise the mortgages will sky rocket. Most of these people can barely hang on at 2-3% what happens at 10?
I am so thankful now that our varied RV experiences from 1995 to1998 taught so much and has been useful this year for downsizing again. To shift down from a four-bedroom 40 year old house to a 19’ 30-year old dual axle camper backed by a mini storage. This time I don’t own the land. It belongs to a good friend. I serve them as a caretaker and do gradual landscape work as time permits. While the camper is road worthy, I have no plans to travel and camp.
The most important principle that you need to adopt is having a sustainable plan in " generating income" when choosing to live the RV/VanLife route. Finance is fundamental when on the road. Firstly, you need fuel to operate your home converted automobile. - Setting camp on someones land will cost you. - Maintenance of essential supply such as water, gas for cooking, and vehicle servicing. - If the battery fails, you will need a reliable and brand new replacement, which is recommended. - You need to eat. You will need to access to the internet. You will need to partake in some leisure and social activities. However, for retirees they probably have a huge lump of savings and retirement savings. So they would likely to travel to destinations, experiencing the attractions each county has to offer. Maybe staying at B&Bs some nights of the week. But for young adults, a source of income is essential!
i have had houses and look forward to buying my trailer. its a condo on wheels. no property taxes, nosey annoying neighbours and i can leave and go where ever i want!
I live right in Toronto; several years ago ruled out homeownership and don't even want to name a place in Ontario I would like to move to but moving far from here is a great idea.
The sad thing is when the pandemic hit and places closed, it was difficult to find a place to park these RV’s/trailers. Do your homework before you buy.
Crista, after the 2009 "recession" and my wife and I renting in the San Francisco bay area for 35 years we finally bought an acre and a half of raw land in the mountains of a neighboring state. We bought a new 30' Travel Trailer and parked it on the property. I have been working on the property for 4 years now. I am building a Timber Lodge Cabin from lumber I milled myself with tools I made with my own hands (I am a Blacksmith and Timber Framer). The bottom line is if you don't own land you have no sanctuary, no safety and no refuge and nowhere to park an RV. If you own an RV you have a roof over your head (thats a good thing) but you are still "homeless" My advice? Buy a piece of land...anywhere. There is cheap land all over the country. You will then have a base and a place of refuge. Refuge from the storm........
@@timcisneros1351 *****Tim...this is the best post of all of the hundreds here**** You did it exactly right. I subscribe to many TH-cam full time RVers Channels and have for a time. The one thing that I often post is that this COVID time has hopefully taught many full time RVers/ Digital Nomads the most important lesson of a plan B/C, a base as you said, whether that is a six and bricks house, land, another option for your RV or another place to live. Who would have thought we would be here. I am glad you have the skills to build a home. Are you going to be able to insure your home?
@@kellyname5733 Thank you Kelly. The one thing I hate paying is Insurance premiums. I've always said.."Your best "Insurance" is what's on top of your shoulders". Number one I am building the Cabin without any loans so it is "debt-free" for the most part. I had to use a couple of Credit Cards over the past few years just to finish a project I was working on while I was there. I go every four- six months and stay for 2-4 weeks (or until the money runs out! Ha!) then I go home and work for four months, saving some money then turn around and do it again. It would be so much easier to borrow the money and just get it done, ... but.....Then I wouldn't own the property...the bank would. As far as Insuring against Fire damage? I am using an ancient Japanese technique called "Shou Sugi Ban" of "torching" the surface of the wood. This does three things..1)insect resistance, 20 UV resistance and 3) Fire resistance. Along with "defensible space" around the structure. I think this is better Insurance than an Insurance Company who waits until AFTER your house burns down to come "help" . I've documented some of the project on my Instagram. .... instagram.com/theforgeworks/
@@regalrob I'm glad that you find the condition of the world funny. I don't think it is funny. But it affirms my hope of future. And no I am not at all a negative person. I just hear a lot of people are very worried and trying to find solutions to big issues. Hence my comment.
@@regalrob there is a solution. But it is not man. And it will come whether or not humans agree or align themselves with it. This is why I am not negative, but have hope.
SG F hundred thousand dollar RVs have very poor build quality, for that matter 98% of the RVs being cramped out of these factories will be a total disappointments to who ever is unfortunate enough to buy one so if you think $100,000 plus RV is better than a house you’re going to find out that *A* they aren’t and *B* there be so many of you out there on the road they’ll be no where to park it and when you find a parking spot. The government has gotten out of the camping business they have turnover management to private corporations which have increased fees to the point where the costs are similar to rent or a mortgage payment they do this because they can because there are so many of you out there you’ll have very little choice Don’t believe me buy an RV and find out.
@@4toes1nose Yes Bark that has been happening for a few years now. Many full time youtube Rvers are coming off the road. It is not freedom for the large rigs. They are limited by their size to start with and now so many full time RVing is making it not fun anymore. Yes the quality of RV is just crap. You cant get any warranty service cuz' all the repair places are jammed with broken RV's. Building out an RV with quality materials is skyrocketing. You cant even buy a cargo trailer now. Even the school bus's are in short supply and the prices are rising really fast.
Living in our RV we got out of debt, and are now completely debt free. In normal circumstances (sans Covid shutdowns), we park at the beach with a panoramic view of the ocean from our bed. RVing may not be the right fit for everyone, but there are certainly many of us who do prefer a mobile home over a stationary dwelling. Especially in light of the chaos many cities across the country are experiencing right now; While others are stuck in apartments or homes worried about leases, payments, and the process of moving, we have the ability to leave at the drop of a hat. There is a certain luxury in having high flexibility.
True Story: A friend of mine wanted to buy a boat. It took some convincing so he and his wife bought a small trailer and for a time everyone was happy. The trailer was to small for cooking a proper meal! So they got a larger trailer. This trailer was soon followed by a still larger trailer that could accommodate guest and grand kids. One day my friend asked his wife if she would look at a cruising boat that he felt was very reasonably priced. Upon decending inside into the galley his wife exclaimed "No way, this boat is to small". They continued to look and purchased a much larger boat. I submit to you, my friend is a genius!
@WITNESS PROTECTION I'm impressed!!!! You must be an HVAC Tech, plumber, electrician, mechanic, body man, welder, carpenter, and handyman all rolled into one.
Agreed I own one. We use our for camping. Not living. Just understand that the day you buy one is the day you start working on one. Luckily they are very simple and I actually enjoy modifying mine.
The Van Life /RV Life depends on cheap Fossil Fuel , and The Freedom of Movement and unfortunately Fossil Fuel usage in the Future, is going to be the New Cigarette Smoker i.e. Not Substantial and a cancer on Mother Gaia. Ever hear of limiting our Carbon FootPrint? We are shifting Ages from the Industrial Age to the Silicon ( Information ) Age i.e. The Fourth Industrial Revolution i.e a Technocracy. With the advancement of technology ; Especially Biometrics powered by 5G nex Gen Technology via Artificial Intelligence many many many professions ( Blue and White Collar ) are going to be Obsolete. 50Mil unemployed people in this country ( and because of Artificial Intelligence, it's going to get much MUCH worse, and the people who are working, many are living Paycheck to Paycheck. SO how are Poor People going to buy Fossil Fuel, especially if it becomes Rationed ( which I personally believe it will be )? Also, The End of Freedom of Movement is being ushered in right now courtesy of cOVID. Travel, whether by Foot, to enter into a Public Building or Place, or To Travel by AIR , or Mass Transit or TO DRIVE ' is going to be a privilege and NOT a Right, to be determined by our Social Credit Scores. Always do your homework. The landscape is Dramatically Changing..
You should consider getting a towable RV if you worry about the aging engine. If the RV's engine broke down, you will have a problem, because your living space is attached to a broken down engine. Yet it is true that you get better price for used RVs.
LOL we got the same mindset bruh. i was thinking exact same things. 2021-2022 will be a game changing years for many industries. especially everyone wonders what Tesla would come up with and how its gonna effect the market.
Yup that’s me. I’m 28 and I just bought a travel trailer to live full time in while I attend college. It’s definitely more upfront cost but seeing as how the apartment cost around California are insane at around $2000 a month just for a one bedroom. The $250 a month payments added to the $400-$600 monthly rates for RV parks starts to seam more reasonable. My quick math says that after 3 years of renting an apartment I will have spend $72,000 and at the end have nothing to show for it. While with my RV I will have spent about $36,000 and have at least some asset by the end. Not saying it’s the perfect plan, but I’m gonna work it so it leads to something bigger.
My wife and I lived on the road for years working festivals. We've settled down into a brick and mortar business but have kept our old camper as a parachute in case we HAVE to live in it.
small favor to ask you buyers!! PLEASE learn the limits of these vehicles. i drive an 18 wheeler and see ALOT of you manhandling these things. they are not cars. also buy a damn spare tire or 2.
Apart from the issue of how expensive sticks and bricks are - to buy or rent - people are wanting the van/rv life because they're fed up of how fast the world is moving. Stop the world I want to get off.
I can get you a truck camper for around US $4000 that is not much smaller than the average studio apartment; completely functional with a working toilet, shower, refrigerator and bed. Pay in cash. Never pay rent again. It CAN be an expensive lifestyle but by no means has to be that way.
Yup, I would say minivan sales are way up. I got myself one just in case, I love it. Perfect room for one person. I see conversion vans everywhere now. There's something nice about being able to take your home with you.
Many talk about the strain on the industry, and the strain on quality. But what I am really glad to see you address is the strain on where to park it! While the RV industry is booming by leaps and bounds, the places to park it are shrinking. There are no new campgrounds being added. Space is not increasing. Some National Park and State Park Campgrounds book out a year in advance. Public lands are shrinking because of abuse in the form of homelessness, and lack of Federal resources to support the growth. Rules are getting more strict about overnight parking, with even Walmart starting to prohibit overnight stays. I've been an RV full timer for eight years now (by minimalist preference, not due to housing crisis,) and fact is, it's getting VERY crowded out here!
We don't have to work as an employee in big city and live miserably without a family in an RV forever. Once we gather enough money, we could move to small town or village and buy a farm
I've had my motorhome for 3 years and love it. I don't have to drag our luggage in amd out of hotels and it's our bed, food, and everything else that belongs to us. Plus kids can use bathroom without having to pull over to a rest stop. When it's parked at home, we use it as an office or just to get some quiet time away from the house. The money we have saved from not flying/lodging 6 people in our family has almost paid for itself.
Your story is just like my aunt and uncle's story. They bought one they use whenever they visit someone and it's awesome to have a private place wherever you go. It's a great office/ hangout space for my uncle when it's home. It definitely makes me want to buy one when the time is right!
Almost the same story for us. The nightly rates are way more affordable at RV parks than a hotel, we have more room, can bring our own food, pets are welcome and we dont need to unpack at the destination. Its also served as a great office during the pandemic.
For me it's germs. I won't sleep in a hotel bed that someone else slept in last night. And with the return of bedbugs, you never know what is going to infest you or your luggage.
Ya know, I saw that they clearly missed the primary driver behind young RVers and #vanlife, so I turned to the comment section, only to realize that I was late to that party. Glad to see that unlike CNBC, everybody else was on the same page. Maybe they were dodging that talking point to avoid opening that uncomfortable can of worms?
I have a 1985 Monaco Diplomat. Real plywood used in the floors. Solid oak cabinets. Cost the same as three houses when new. Bought for the cost of a used car. Repairs $200 an hour or more. Modern RV's are mostly plastic and particle board. Tires (eight) cost around five thousand dollars. Gas 6 to 8 miles per gallon. Slide outs always the first to break while extended. then, you cannot drive to get them repaired. I have seen people parked for months waiting for their rigs to be fixed. Amish in Elkhart, IN work in several rv factories.
I pay $10,000/year in property taxes for a middle class home in Detroit Metro. No property taxes on an RV and insurance is cheap on recreational vehicles. If it was just me and the lady, we would sell everything and hit the road.
@@rvw3022 No it's not. Those RVs are extremely expensive and depreciate rapidly, you're losing more in depreciation alone than you would pay in lodging costs.
@@2011blueman brand new yes but used or going the vanlife route is way cheaper especially if you're an avid traveler. Do the research if you don't believe me.
Some might think this is a healthy sign for RV industry. But when you look deeper, there's a grim reality to it since according to latest report, 25+ million Americans are facing eviction crisis for this year alone. Let that sink in.
I still think there is a market for a twice a year RV train in the west. It would be a series of flatbed train cars that RV owners can drive on and tie down. Then the train would do the main north/south and east/west migration.
I saw one at an Aldi Grocery Store and asked about it ... he was an Executive from Germany who brought camper to USA to sleep and work in to visit Aldi Stores around the country ... cool as hell!
We bought a camper van last year (Fiat Ducato Multivan from 2008) and my feeling about "van life" at this point is quite mixed. A camper van (ours has been outfitted by the previous owner himself) is a very expensive toy that needs permanent maintenance. Especially if it is already some years old, there are constantly repairs and technical improvements required, so owning an RV will be surely MUCH MORE expensive than you may think now. Just take your figure of what you think the van will cost on a monthly basis and double it. It is not just the repairs but also the fuel which is often underestimated, the fees for parking lots and camp sites which you are required to book, etc. All in all it is just incredibly EXPENSIVE. Traveling with the van on the weekends can be fun if there is enough nature around to just park anywhere you want. It is NOT fun in cities or highly populated areas (which we commonly have in Europe) where you have to squeeze your RV through narrow streets. Also, preparing the van for travel, even when it is only for a few days, can take you hours unless you have everything in double version and leave it permanently in the van (which is my advice). Be prepared that leaving with a big dog or kids for a weekend means an enormous amount of preparation and yet, you will realise after you departed that you haven't brought THAT ONE thing which you urgently need or which could have made the weekend more fun "Oh, I should have brought that book". Van life with a big dog is difficult because neither you nor the dog have enough space to move around. The dog will be CONSTANTLY in your way and the RV will be dirty after like 30 min. No matter how well you clean before you travel, the dog gets in and bam, it looks like you didn't clean for 10 years. No matter how fancy your RV is, travelling with a bigger dog will make that whole experience somewhat filthy and you will crave for a real shower and some hygiene only after a weekend. Overall, I am not sure if I would opt again for a camper van and whether I would put again so much money on the table. Especially because the van is a CONSTANT investment. On the other hand, especially when going into remote areas with lots of nature, camping becomes fun because you don't bother about where to park, whether you fit that street and where you could walk the dog. You just open that door, let the dog run around and RELAX :)
We own our house outright and we have a motorhome too so we can travel the U.S. at a leisurely pace and bring our pets with us. If I had a too big mortgage and was worried about whether I could keep paying that mortgage during the present pandemic and perhaps the economic depression to come, I would sell the house and all my furniture and buy an RV outright for full-time living. I would make arrangements to park it in a relative's backyard for free during mild weather and then relocate elsewhere when the autumn weather was changing for the worse. There is a lot of BLM desert land and National Forest land in the Southwest that is perfect for winter camping and usually there is no charge to camp there just so long as you relocate every two weeks. There are lots of retirees who are RV snowbirds and who spend every winter camped out in the desert Southwest at low cost. Younger people who can work remotely via computer and a dish/wireless internet connection could take up that lifestyle too. It sure would beat being homeless because your mortgaged house was foreclosed upon. And if there is another Great Depression, those who still have cash may be able to buy a used RV for cheap from someone who is trying to raise some extra cash and just wants to stay home.
Funny, the 1% is increasingly buying more second/vacation homes meanwhile the millennials and the middle class now is all “trendy” with tiny houses and van life, and are suffering from declining homeownership rates. Does that sound like a system that works for the people?
It's easier than ever to become a millionaire. You can easily earn $100k+/USD/Year while living in Thailand as a digital nomad. I live on a 10-acre farm while my customers are all in major cities. There's a lot of luxuries nowadays, you just have to take advantage of this new world.
@@b22chris Digital marketing agency--social media management, seo, email marketing, click funnels, etc. Never event went to school for marketing, did a stupid liberal arts degree.
Yes, most RV's made now are aimed at well-off retirees. And, people would need to pay for camping sites. You cannot just park one anywhere without having water, electricity or dump station.
@@SunnyGirlFlorida Exactly. Then there are repairs, tires, upkeep, food for on the road, you still need all the things you need in a house (dishes, towels, shampoo, etc.), gas, etc. It's not a cheap way to travel. It sure is beautiful, though. I don't know about living in a camper full-time. I know it can be done, but you can also wear underwear that's 2 sizes too small for weeks at a time. I wouldn't recommend it. My husband is retired, and I love him with all my heart, but there are moments when I just want to choke him out, and that's at home, in a very big house on 2 acres. I can't imagine being stuck in a camper/RV 24/7 with ANYONE. I need my cranky time.
You can get used towables between 10-25k that has very low usage, then live off grid to reduce cost. But, you can get free water at various locations and parks. But, the sewage you have to track parks with free dumping or truck fuel locations dump sites might cost a little. Their are other approaches in living in parks and camp grounds at low cost that provide Electric, Was and sewage. You just have to do your own homework depending on your budget and if you are retired or not to include what locations you are going to live at. Their are folks out their paying $1,500 - $3,500 for monthly rent or ownership to include property taxes and insurance rising every year. RV living could be a solution...
I live in a high tourist area. Northerners bring a lot of money in tourism and in buying second and third homes/condos. Because we are a desirable area, prices cater to that, pricing out people who actually live and work here. This phenomenon is the same in most tourist areas, as well as high-tech areas where people make a lot of money for corporations (California). People who own property sell at too-high prices because they can get it. Rents are over the moon because they can get that, too. Working people are falling off the edge, as they look for smaller and smaller places to live that they can afford. But even those are going for top dollar, and owners are retrofitting even places the size of closets with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and fancy everything, because they will get the money back in the first year or two. People are moving to states that have less appeal in order to survive.
My husband and I have been full time RVers for almost 4 years now. We started traveling to see where we wanted to settle down. It's a lot of work (we have a 5th wheeler) but so is owning a house. We've saved so much money living this lifestyle, and are planning on buying a small house soon with the money we saved. We're planning on keeping our rig, and are hoping to get a modular home in the RV resort we have stayed in for a few years now. We can have more room while the pandemic is still happening, and can update some areas for better use.
With the housing crisis, RV's are the better solution. You can buy a piece of land and park your rv on it. You just pay the property taxes on the land.
@The Perfect 2020 Vision Let me tell you a short story about my parents. When I was only in first grade my parent's moved from a rented house in Redondo Beach California to a mountain cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains in California. That small two bedroom cabin cost 15 thousand dollars. My dad had a GOOD job at a company called Aerospace. Remember, I am referring to the early to mid 1960's. My mom scrimped and saved their money. His paycheck didn't grow enough, even back then, to keep up as the years went by. I can remember my mom saying "If we could only make four hundred dollars a month, we'd be fine!" He lost his job during the recession and computer crunch, as we called it. He sent applications all over the country for years. He couldn't get a job. So, he took a job as an elementary school janitor. Then he found a job on the mountain, as a trainee meat cutter, back when grocery stores still had meat cutters. My mom went back to work as a drummer, which was what she did before they got married. Before that we lived off of their savings, that she had saved by pinching every penny that came into the house. We never had any luxuries. My clothes came from second hand stores or were hand me downs given to me by our rich neighbors. Finally my dad got a job in the field he knew, for decent pay but we had to move to a horrible town in the middle of the desert. Because my mother had saved every dime we were able to rent the mountain home and buy a house in that ugly desert town. Times have been hard before today. It's just much harder now because wages are not equal to inflation and housing costs are MUCH worse!
@The Perfect 2020 Vision To a point, yes. Remember back then the American Dream was to be a home owner. I have no clue why that term is still used because it means nothing now.
Daver G and I obviously wasn’t comparing the cost of 10k used with new bev. I was saying new bev compared to new ice vehicle. You misconstrued my words
He didn't say how he got his conclusions about why many people bought RVs after the 2008 crisis; but I have to argue that the major reason was that people found themselves at the risk of being homeless while waiting to get back on their feet. RVs were the best next alternative because they allowed people to travel to areas where they hope to get a job without having to carry the cost of hotel stops and then renting a home at a new location that may not provide the job they sought..
My fiancé and I have been living full time for the past two years in our 2001 Northstar truck camper. Paired with an 04 Ram 2500, it is an extremely capable set-up for getting to the places that ordinary RV's just can't. And yeah, the not paying for rent is one of the best parts. Just put that money towards maintenance and you're good! By far, one of the best purchases we have ever made. Also, they didn't say it, but truck camper brands and generally (in my experience) much better at being built. Just do your homework, find what fits your needs and then get going.
This past April of 2020 I retired from trucking. I'm used to living on the road. I decided to save some money by buying a late model Ford Transit van and then convert it. I found a good one on Car Gurus which was listed two thousand less than the suggested price. I got it from a reputable dealership. I'm a happy camper! Oh and I'm also a baby boomer. My van has a V6 310 HP twin turbo EcoBoost engine. It gets great gas mileage. It also has the trailer tow package. I have downloaded apps for places to boondock. There are over two million acres of BLM land in the western states. Free Roam is a good app. I refuse to pay for parking!!!
im 65 and have never owned brick and mortar home ( life long surfer , fisherman , hot rod and euro car owner , yachtsman and now motor coach owner ) leased beautiful beach front condo all through my 20s , then paid cash for lightly used sailing yacht and lived aboard for 10 yrs. , one more sail boat then a sport fisherman and now 40 ft, motor coach at beach front rv resort with f type jag and a car trailer , the adventure continues
People outside of America: Oh I want to move to America, and live the American dream. Foreigners: I want to go back home, its not what I see in the Hollywood movies. This is the reality of America, we are moving toward third world.
@@TheBadboy440 Not so much anymore Not as many in Europe desire to emigrate to the US Most are either dirt poor from Central/ South America or wealthy from Asia
I have a 1989 C Class with a 1989 Ford Econoline 350 van chassis with a Big Block 460 Hollie V8 7.5 liter engine! Great Rv it does not hesitate going up hills at all! And it was the first year for fuel injection on those engines! in 1985 to 1988 it was a 4 barrel electronically managed carburetor and engine!
In reading so many of the comments, most don’t have a clue what’s out there in the RV communities. Many of us are retirees and own/ed our own homes. I’ve owned 2 homes, outright, with no mortgages! Sold both 10 years ago and moved to the USVI and rented...by choice! Recently moved back to the states and bought a motorhome to live fulltime and travel. I’m 70 and never want to buy another “sticks and bricks” home. There are thousands like me who can afford to live and/or buy anywhere I want, but have chosen to live mobile.
america is house broke. We build expensive houses, tax them to hell, and expect this to be sustainable for the average person.
And, as some point out, they're horrible buys unless you intend to stay in that area for many years. They take away your flexibility to move as needed.
US houses are cheap As F.
Come Up to Canada and get a reality check. 300K is like a 1950s complete gut and reno starter home in most cities.
Places like Vancouver have literal tear down homes selling for 2+ million just for the lot so they can bulldoze and put a new home on.
I think we can make California and NY look good for prices.
Antonio Renteria Canada 🇨🇦 is even worst
Because all the "starter home" housing has been turned into rentals. So you can rent and make your landlord's mortgage payment, or you can buy a live aboard RV and while you aren't getting any equity, you at least aren't spending as much.
@@jamestheotherone742 nope. Mostly foreign money from China jacking our prices up.
And technically, youre spending a ton for an RV because they're a very quickly depreciating good.
In 2019, divorce forced me to move out of ex’s four bedroom home with two large workshops.. I looked at properties and ascertained what I could qualify for a mortgage. But, Luckily a 1989 19’ travel trailer was for sale and I bought it for cash. It is my second RV having had a 1976 21’ class C we did three long trips with before I gave it away. Many savings have been made this year and I’m gradually getting it organized. It is set on a friend’s permanent hookup where the utilities are the only rent. No mortgage, no long term debt, low cost insurance, low utilities, a one time tag and I am surviving. In the tough times of 2020 I can say I made the right decision.
You sure did. You are still pretty well off since you gave away an RV. peace
@Freddy H Yes, it is more comfy than a car.
@@bonchidude just not with the woman you really want
Are you working?
@@ADG-pl7ur really? When there is attraction so long as the car is nice enough, you got game. But a woman that wants you for your car will leave when someone else has a better car. And golddigger will want you to give up some money before you know what. For a few laughs I guess it is great.
People are not buying those to travel, theyre buying it to live inside cuz housing is no longer affordable
DING DING DING!!
@@lextacy2008 most people who can't afford a house, just rent. not buy expensive RVs
@@mariacheebandidos7183 they do buy vans and cars live in it
@@mariacheebandidos7183 they dont buy expensive ones they get used ones and cheaper ones.
Bad idea. RVs fall apart quickly.
It's common to see RVs parked around Los Angeles with people using them as their primary residence. Really sad to see how the American quality of life keeps plummeting.
What does LAPD do? Does it let them park?
@@NorceCodine LAPD is not allowed to persecute people for being homeless due to a city ordinance. So unless they're causing a disturbance, there's nothing they can do.
Get out of "progressive" cities and don't vote the same kind of morons into office in the next place you go.
Sorry but I lived in Seal Beach for years and S Cal was a beautiful place to live and it went to hell due to poor gov policy. My anger is not directed at you, I am just peeved that a beautiful city turned sour so quickly.
more like the California quality of life. If you don't make movies or work in tech, you are probably broke.
@@rawdawg15 I live better in New Mexico on 1/4 the money I made in CA. House it almost 2x the size and property tax, no joke is 1/10th as much. Plus we still have beautiful beaches. No water but the beaches go on for miles. :) Unfortunately the new Governor is bound and determined to turn us into the next CA.
Sales are growing because home prices are outrageous. This is a very sad trend.
It's not sad. I think RVs beat the hell out of apartment life. Flexibility and freedom.
@Kernica1 chase temp trends? You can just move with the seasons if you like. You can enjoy temperate weather all year round. Plenty of people carry dogs in their RV. Really depends on the size of the RV.
Definitely, housing collapse coming this year or by March of 2021.
@Lanla Colan a lot of RV parks have mailboxes for permanent residents. Otherwise people use PO Boxes
@@protosspc Exactly! nothing sad about it. That's a poor state of mind.
People are buying them as a primary residence.
Wouldn't mind replacing with my house. Don't do it do to having kidos
@Brian The Explorer sadly central California is slowly becoming a reflection of la n San Francisco. Use to be nice and peaceful
Problem is unemployment. No job hiring and companies are shutting down.. thats why people are buying rv for recovery mode.
Soon it will be most of us. There will no longer be a middle class. U are either rich or homeless
@@FreshKicks4545 You're joking right? What does central California have to offer? 29% of Fresno residents abuse meth LMFAO
Boomers are retiring and Millenials can't afford homes. It's a perfect storm.
If boomers move out of their homes, it will be a good thing.
*Housing unaffordable in liberal cities
Fixed it for ya
SG F Yeah Phoenix and Florida housing prices are expected to crash soon due to boomers dying out.
Because of QE
Angel Gutierrez Nope. Their Gen-X kids will inherit them, and gouge the millennials with high rent.
Record homeless, record unemployment, unaffordable cities, RV sales up, tent sales up, firearm sales up.... yep, sounds about right to me.
Agreed. I've been living in my truck since February.
Faced trauma and abuse as a kid. Tried to work. Faced bullying at 3 jobs in a row.
Got diagnosed with Anxiety and PTSD.
Nobody cared.
"I don't owe you anything. Gib me more attention!"
Since there's a stigma against Disability:
Homelessness was the only thing I could default to.
Our country's response to the Pandemic is no coincidence neither.
Toxic people keep taking from us. And we don't want to live with them anymore.
Sounds like World War 3 Lol
Emu Riddle what kinda skills do you have
More riots incoming
@Daver G wait another 4 months for the eviction wave to happen
Back in 2008 when the economy stumbled, was forced to sell my home to pay off some debt. Had enough cash after settling everything to buy a 5th wheel. Was a bit of a desperation move at the time, but I soon came to like it. One of my neighbors in the camp ground I chose was moaning about being trailer trash, I said hey look around you were in a beautiful spot water front, with good folks around us, and it's inexpensive. I've since upgraded my R.V. and moved on to a private property which is even cheaper, yet still close to all amenities. Gonna live this way for the foreseeable future!
I admire your dete rmination Ant. I have downsized six times in life so the experience and challenge to shrink is not traumatic. When I bought my 1989 19’ Holiday Rambler Alumalite XL (aluminum frame, dual axle, self-contained tiny house) a friend offered me the chance to put it on his concrete pad with full hookup and pay the utility bill which has been $125 or lower in 16 months. I know this cannot last but it sure has made the adjustment back to single life worthwhile.
People are not buying houses; they are buying location. Blight is taking over the country. It is in the mix.
So sick of these videos starting 30 seconds in because YT had to show me the latest ad from their newest get rich quick scheme hustler.
Get yourself an ad blocker. It's worked wonders for me!
Yeah but how you gunna afford rv?
I recommend YouTuibe Premium...ad free. Based on suggestions from several friends I gave up TV in 2018 and saved $100/month. The capsule of PBS Newshour on TH-cam is enough for me. Local news is printed in our weekly newspaper. I have made better use of time for others and myself.
scarpfish, me too. I'm sick of the hucksters hawking their goods, especially selling masks, which don't protect from the fake virus.
scarpfish For a few extra dollars you can get rid of ads with TH-cam Premium. Save a lot by dumping Dish Networ or DirecTV. You’ll be surprised how much quality time you gain for family and friends by getting rid of TV.
Housing prices need to come down. They are too high
Yes, regionally yes... im in southern california... its artifically inflated thanks to banks holding onto supplies
Oh, they will.... real estate crash is on its way.
@@scorpisces182 yea but issue is will the banks and those with cash on hand keep it artificially high
@@NAT-turners-Revenge I hear ya, I think the banks will try to keep the prices artificially high, they always do, but won't be able to this time. There will be a correction across the board... housing market, stock market, precious metals, ect. I mean, look at the USD index (currently 94.35) and Gold and Silver have surpassed record levels in a matter of days... the US dollar is on its way to collapse. The "Great Rest" is real, but won't happen for probably a couple more years at best. imo.
Zoran D that’s what my financial advisor told me. Stay in my apartment for a couple more years and houses will be cheaper than ever but you need to buy then cause the cheap housing boom will fill up quick and house prices will rise again.
People are buying RV's because housing is becoming unaffordable.
*Housing unaffordable in liberal cities
Fixed it for ya
@@Rommie26 damn bruh 🙈
@@Rommie26 *Housing unaffordable in desirable cities where everyone wants to live
Fixed it again, no need to thank me.
Romeo26 Hmm idk man. Even some red states are becoming unaffordable.
Angel Gutierrez red states have the highest home ownership rates
Illegal immigration made housing so unaffordable with supply and demand
BS everyone is broke and can’t afford a real home.
Toai Tran If the customers are telling the dealers why I believe I’ll accept that.
If that weren't funny it's so true
Hahahhaa true
They neglected to mention a few items:
1) An RV is priced like a home but it depreciates faster than a car.
2) Do Not finance for 20 years or you will be upside down for 20 years and never be able to sell it
3) The issues mentioned in the house portion are due to the fact that its basically a stick built house that goes through an earthquake and hurricane every time it's moved.
4) Servicing a motorized RV is a nightmare. Even if it has a Ford, Chevy or Mercedes logo on it those dealers won't touch it. The RV Dealerships will generally only service the house portion. If you break down on the road....good luck finding repairs.
5) Vanlife is popular because those Van's can fly under the radar and park in city streets. Most places will not allow an RV to be occupied on the street. A regular looking van can do that. Regular RVs are having increasing difficulty finding places to park.
6) All that being said it's still worth it.
dude, those car salesmen would get a loan for the dead if they think they can close a deal, so no worries even if u are broke! lol
I sold RV's for many years. All types, all price ranges, all are crap.
what are your thoughts on LTV?
Well that's.... enlightening!!! Being a carpenter the few I have seen were just that. I had to throw one away once. Had it around my knees in a half hour with a sledge hammer!!!
can you elaborate please? why are they all crap? I am looking to purchase one as I can't afford houses in California
@@mastertry1935 I have live in my fleetwood RV for 10 yrs the pluming is not strong Luke in a house unless you ask for it , but I love living in my RV ,everthing needs maintenance
Depends on your definition
Homeless everywhere, tents everywhere, RVs everywhere.
When homeless becomes the new normal.
@Kaven Gilbert Would you say you can be homeless and live in a car? If yes where do you draw the line between a selfmade RV and a car? Seems to me the line is blurry and you can be both homeless and live in an RV.
If you lose your house to foreclosure and all you have left is your RV... you're homeless in my opinion. The RV is just a fancy bus.
As a temp solution after an accident that made me lose everything, staying in an RV is doing the job 4 me so I thank God for the blessing. I have everything I need, including hot water n awesome AC,
I could care less if people think is bad but is affordable and I have a roof over my head, thank you Jesus!🤗
You have a home that you own. Peace, strength & healing to you.
Yes, you are blessed.
Amen! Part of the problem is we want it to good, I was living in an RV before I married and would do it in a flash even while married it it became necessary!
Well said god bless
An innocent child dies a long horrible death every 10 seconds due to starvation/bad water. And YOU think that that there is some sky daddy watching over YOU because you're just sooo much more special than they are? You're not "blessed", just delusional!
What's changing is our idea of a "home" and where it's located. Mobility is a huge advantage in the modern economy.
You are correct. Being a Digital Nomad has been going on for at least 10 years, it is finally catching on as a really cool way of life. All you need is an internet connection. There are thousands of jobs online. You dont even have to have any many skills, of course the more you have the more you can make in a shorter time. There is a full time RV lady that has a digital book (it is digital so she can update it often) on Amazon that describes hundreds of online jobs. Her youtube channel is Creativity RV. She sells her digital book for $10, but lately she has had it on sale for $3 for those just starting out on the Nomad lifestyle. This lady is on it. Check her out.
@e causey Left 5 months ago, hope I left in time to keep my house equity in TX. Im thinking Yes.
Admin, admin! I smell a bot in our midst!
@e causey Governments around the world have been modifying weather since the late 1940's. What you state in your post is true
Home is were you are and not what you are in!
Houses are selling what they are not worth and people want to get out of dodge. I'm not paying $300,000 for a $65,000 worth of material and labor home!!
Exactly
Ding ding ding! Bingo
materials and labor is not even close to $65k for a house.. Otherwise you would have seen an army of people who quit a job for a year to build their home..
Really? I never knew it was that much of a jack up in price
@@quoaitran1135, you never heard it because it isn't real.
There are plenty of tradesmen in the market. If it was guaranteed to get a 20% annual markup on a house everyone would have been on it. Let alone 300/65 = 461% markup.
The earliest RV’s were the covered wagons that settlers used in the 1800’s.
Next they are going to look into a way to put a "Traveling Property Tax" on Towables,The government destroys everything it touches.
You called it, I see it happening in 10-20 years
@@exaucemayunga22 Land Of The Fee
@@FidelCashflow13 Land of the Fee home of the Slave doubt it? don't pay taxes shackled and caged is your future or dead if you resist.
Going mobile just a hippy gypsy watch the police and the tax man miss me, when I'm mobile Don't care about pollution just an air conditioned gypsy!
Or the government will raise the rates of tolls so they get their pound of flesh... or privatization which will be a free for all. I've watched the tolls going in and out of NYC continue to rise and I don't see it getting better.
because america faces an eviction crisis as shown two days ago?
😁
Do you really think people who are getting evicted can afford RVs?
@@silenthero4487 yes, there are many who cash out 401ks, get loans, use savings as a last resort for unsustainable rent... maybe moreso vans tho
They still pay rent...it costs money to park those things.
Most people can't/won't think of an RV until absolutely desperate because they won't want to (not cool), kids, or better options (moving in with family). The people buying these are doing it for the lifestyle, not to live.
RV living is the new “American Dream”
On the other hand, rural areas are struggling to keep their populations, with many companies adopting permanent remote working. Renting high or RV living are in many cases, choices.
Not sure about the US, but in Australia not having a permanent residential address creates all sorts of hassles with license, registration, insurance, and a bunch of other things.
It's almost like...
The powers that be
do not want you to be free 🤨
It is the exact same way here. The address is a weapon against you.
@@richricoproductions9564
Thanks, I've been curious about how that goes in the US for a while.
@@BWater-yq3jx It is essentially the Cesta Que Trust based corporate slavery system. Birth Certificates and Social Security Numbers are your corporate brand which is your contractual coerced agreement for access to credit, including bank accounts, mortgages, car loans, all fraud loans, rent, and all other things you can imagine using the strawman name. The corporate signature by unknowing US Taxpayer slave creates the Federal Reserve Notes and locks the victim into a contract which gives the private courts, jails and corporations such as the IRS doing business as government. Enslaving its self proclaimed citizens under Congress viewed as chattel. The residential address is in fact a martial law post where war is committed on the citizens through a paper war. Not to include the militarized police policy enforces merely and extention of the administrative agency of the corporation. There is more but that is a little glimpse.
I live abroad. You just need a friend's address or an accountant to accept mail for you.
@@Dachdogoriginal Will a PO Box work? I think they are still like $20 a month. it is probably cheaper at the Post Office.
The word that is missing - Housing Prices.
99% of all RV's are built like crap! junk materials and assembly line production make for a shoddy product
true they all leak after 5 years
I've heard Skoolie owners call RVs "sticks and staples"
Exactly right!
That's why you remodel numb nuts🙄
They are made to be lightweight and not last. The worst thing you could buy is a motorhome over 10 years old.
Tent Sales are also growing. `How to Decorate a Cave,` books, will be the next best seller.
@@devilsadvocate7059 I pray to Lord God Almighty.
At least we are still funny! ;)
On the head Michelle.. we'll be eating dirt soon.
People are buying their apocalypse-mobiles.
Hahaha. True.
@Denes Szerdahelyi, true, so true. Raking in lots of cash without delivering quality is a very maddening trend.
@Denes Szerdahelyi they are all cheap, flimsy and unsafe. It's a step above a tent so don't be fooled.
@Denes Szerdahelyi geez. What are you doing to your vehicle. Either someone needs to tell you that these are not an offroader or you need to pressure your state to fix its roads. And don't go off road. These are not expedition vehicles.
@Denes Szerdahelyi Are all RVs bad? Has quality control dropped in recent years? I'm just speculating and asking questions. Maybe an older, used, well-maintained RV at a cheaper price would be a better deal? Again, just speculating.
Maybe these young people live in vans cause they cant afford a house!
Or maybe don't want to go into a 30 year debt. I rent all my life, well up to my 56 years of age. I move from state to state, city to small town. From 21 to 56 of age. Longest I stay at one place was for 7 years. Shortest 3 months. I was able to save money, since the last 20 years. I been debit free. I was able to save enough to buy a home in cash. My parents are old now, and I decide to live near them. To able to take care of them. I now live 30 minutes away from my parents. I love my place, first time home owner and it's prefect. I already fill my bucket list. So I'm just relaxing and spending more time with my parents. Both are in good health and still can mow the yard and do gardening. I fish with my dad on his boat. Life been great for me and I have many skills trades. Since I done so many different kind of jobs. Since I was moving a lot. Now I'm just semi-retired and taking it much easier.
@Hyun Kim ageist . this person is not responsible for your failures
@Hyun Kim How have boomers been failures. Too bad you don't have any logic to begin with
@Hyun Kim you just need to say "okay boomer". The rest is implied ;)
@Hyun Kim Only thing that destroyed the economy is greed. No sense pointing at finger at anybody. Not all baby boomers were greedy. I sure wasn't.
RV sales growing...Due to 28 million Americans might loose their housing property...The American dream they soo much believed was basically just a dream.
My wife and I camp because we love going around our beautiful state of Michigan and being in the great outdoors with our daughter. Our entire family camps and we love doing it. A lot of work to own a camper but at the end of the day we love it.
I own my house, no mortgage, and still thinking of going mobile because just the property tax, utility bills, insurance, upkeep(!), is draining my account. I can't save a dime, and I am literally a slave to my house. Its crazy.
I know the feeling Sold in 2015 for all those reasons you mentioned
I live in downstate Illinois my house insurance and property taxes is probably less than what I would have to pay for lot rental on a motorhome.
@@debbieframpton3857 Well you are blessed then or that lot rental is outrageous My taxes and insurance in the Hamptons was around 25 thousand a year
@@frederickmuhlbauer9477 ,
We are talkin way different areas of the country my home is in Illinois The Hamptons is a very expensive area someplace I would never be able to afford so I can understand you paying 25000 a year if I had the income to be able to afford a place like that I guess 25000 a year would be nothing my yearly income is not even that much money. I hope you are enjoying your home.
People need to stop thinking luxury and start think survival
👋👋!
Also how far away can one of those get as far away from society, 4x4 and off grid capability, completely fully self contained, getting close enough to a water source to reup. A lot of those R.Vs can’t . Survival is the key .
@@donnaocasio45 Agreed
True dat
be honest how many people clicked on this video to read comments about unaffordable housing
I did
i mean you can't argue that is not true
@DarkAngelusV where are you at, Commiefornia?
I'm surprised and impressed how many people have written replies to this discussion. It goes to show that people are struggling to hold on to what they've got, to stay on an even keel.
@DarkAngelusV I pay 200 dollars every month 🤷
Up and down the US coast on my way to Mexico, I met many many Americans along the way at various campgrounds who lived in campers full time due to the property crunch of 2008, and then the squeeze from home values escalating. It was getting harder and harder to find a place to stay with my RV with full hook ups, I got to learn that there is two types of RV camp grounds, permanent, and traditional vacationers. This was the beginnings of stealth camping to some extent, it was an economic push rather than a "freedom" move. I totally sympathize with these people, but they would migrate from job to job, and the camper proved a very useful tool in this endeavour. Camper boom, more like property affordability bust.
Cost of living is getting out of control I remember when it wasn’t this bad but now it’s getting out of hand.
the price of homes and taxes has gone up exponentially since 2010 so has the price of everything else. yet the federal minimum wage has stayed the same since 2009...it’s 2020.
Yes livable wage is much higher!
Why not mention the fact that more and more people can't afford to rent, especially in the big cities?
i'm sure lots of people buy RVs to live in them, but oh yeah, that would go against the narrative.
they said that 1-1,5 million people are living in RVs
@@TheRuNNeRs22 I think it’s higher number nationwide
It's because people are getting ready to become homeless.
@KFC Man Many don't. There are large numbers of Americans that live in cars, vans, and RVs.
@KFC Man Yes a RV is a home. My comment regarding people buying RVs has to do with evictions and financial struggles that people are facing. I live in California so we have a big affordable housing crisis problem here and many people live out of their cars. They are going from structures like homes to mobile living. There's nothing wrong with it, but it may be a sign that they are doing it because they have to due to the drastic increase in housing affordability.
@Patrick Baptist Correct, which is why people are buying them, because many people are going from living in homes and apartments to living in vehicles.
I wouldn't call living in a RV homeless. A car yes, a van maybe but some of these RVs are huge, and they have that wall that comes out to make the thing even wider. Prob the same size as one of those micro studios theyre starting to make in the city, except much cheaper and you can travel with it. I wouldnt mind getting a RV 10 years down the line when they make them electric. That'd be bad ass.
@Patrick Baptist Right on man, I'm a truck driver so I don't have nearly as much space. I have an apartment but have been thinking of just getting rid of it so I can lower expenses and buy some land. In Canada, up north you can get a few acres for around 60-100k which isn't to bad...problem is they want 35%-50% down for a downpayment which is a lot when you consider you still have to build everything (Raw land). Nowadays it seems like the smarter thing to do. Buying a house now is like buying at the top of the market. Interest rates are so low so prices are as high as they can be sinc e people can max their mortage rates out...but when interest rates rise the mortgages will sky rocket. Most of these people can barely hang on at 2-3% what happens at 10?
I am so thankful now that our varied RV experiences from 1995 to1998 taught so much and has been useful this year for downsizing again. To shift down from a four-bedroom 40 year old house to a 19’ 30-year old dual axle camper backed by a mini storage. This time I don’t own the land. It belongs to a good friend. I serve them as a caretaker and do gradual landscape work as time permits. While the camper is road worthy, I have no plans to travel and camp.
The most important principle that you need to adopt is having a sustainable plan in " generating income" when choosing to live the RV/VanLife route.
Finance is fundamental when on the road. Firstly, you need fuel to operate your home converted automobile.
- Setting camp on someones land will cost you.
- Maintenance of essential supply such as water, gas for cooking, and vehicle servicing.
- If the battery fails, you will need a reliable and brand new replacement, which is recommended.
- You need to eat. You will need to access to the internet. You will need to partake in some leisure and social activities.
However, for retirees they probably have a huge lump of savings and retirement savings. So they would likely to travel to destinations, experiencing the attractions each county has to offer. Maybe staying at B&Bs some nights of the week.
But for young adults, a source of income is essential!
i have had houses and look forward to buying my trailer. its a condo on wheels. no property taxes, nosey annoying neighbours and i can leave and go where ever i want!
Good points. With the size of condo's now, trailers are more affordable. Especially if you rent.
I’ve lived in my 5th wheel..It’s pretty nice to be that free .
K Jhnsn so then how would I pay property taxes if nothing exists
@K Jhnsn i live in Canada and there is only vehicle and trailer registration and yearly stickers. but not property tax. far cheaper than any house
@K Jhnsn extortion!
Honestly at the rate Toronto housing is going up every year I’ll have to buy one if I want to find somewhere to live
I'm also in Toronto. And I feel ya.
*cries in Vancouver*
I moved to Mexico, been here 9 yrs
Same here....
I live right in Toronto; several years ago ruled out homeownership and don't even want to name a place in Ontario I would like to move to but moving far from here is a great idea.
one of my goals is to get one and just travel the whole country. and i will.
Nah
Van/bus life is cheaper and you can customize the layout to your liking.
@Kerza AG step by step , country first.
@Kerza AG too late.
Same here
The sad thing is when the pandemic hit and places closed, it was difficult to find a place to park these RV’s/trailers. Do your homework before you buy.
yup, just can't park on any street for too long
Crista, after the 2009 "recession" and my wife and I renting in the San Francisco bay area for 35 years we finally bought an acre and a half of raw land in the mountains of a neighboring state. We bought a new 30' Travel Trailer and parked it on the property. I have been working on the property for 4 years now. I am building a Timber Lodge Cabin from lumber I milled myself with tools I made with my own hands (I am a Blacksmith and Timber Framer). The bottom line is if you don't own land you have no sanctuary, no safety and no refuge and nowhere to park an RV. If you own an RV you have a roof over your head (thats a good thing) but you are still "homeless" My advice? Buy a piece of land...anywhere. There is cheap land all over the country. You will then have a base and a place of refuge. Refuge from the storm........
...we need refuge as much as freedom,. And Hope as much as life itself
@@timcisneros1351 *****Tim...this is the best post of all of the hundreds here**** You did it exactly right. I subscribe to many TH-cam full time RVers Channels and have for a time. The one thing that I often post is that this COVID time has hopefully taught many full time RVers/ Digital Nomads the most important lesson of a plan B/C, a base as you said, whether that is a six and bricks house, land, another option for your RV or another place to live. Who would have thought we would be here. I am glad you have the skills to build a home. Are you going to be able to insure your home?
@@kellyname5733 Thank you Kelly. The one thing I hate paying is Insurance premiums. I've always said.."Your best "Insurance" is what's on top of your shoulders". Number one I am building the Cabin without any loans so it is "debt-free" for the most part. I had to use a couple of Credit Cards over the past few years just to finish a project I was working on while I was there. I go every four- six months and stay for 2-4 weeks (or until the money runs out! Ha!) then I go home and work for four months, saving some money then turn around and do it again. It would be so much easier to borrow the money and just get it done, ... but.....Then I wouldn't own the property...the bank would. As far as Insuring against Fire damage? I am using an ancient Japanese technique called "Shou Sugi Ban" of "torching" the surface of the wood. This does three things..1)insect resistance, 20 UV resistance and 3) Fire resistance. Along with "defensible space" around the structure. I think this is better Insurance than an Insurance Company who waits until AFTER your house burns down to come "help" . I've documented some of the project on my Instagram. .... instagram.com/theforgeworks/
The world is crazy. People are afraid they'll be homeless. Or they want to be mobile to flee from the chaos that is inevitably going to happen soon.
@@regalrob I'm glad that you find the condition of the world funny. I don't think it is funny. But it affirms my hope of future. And no I am not at all a negative person. I just hear a lot of people are very worried and trying to find solutions to big issues. Hence my comment.
@@regalrob realistic. If you think humans are going to solve the disaster this world is in, then that is what is truly funny. Hahaha
@@regalrob there is a solution. But it is not man. And it will come whether or not humans agree or align themselves with it. This is why I am not negative, but have hope.
Does New World Order ring a bell for ya? It's Coming!
@@ibetternotseeyousimp556 yup Klaus Schwab
Camping is going homeless without experiencing negative consequences
Camping is absolutely nothing like being homeless, therefore it's really not an accurate comparison
Have you seen prices for RVs? People that can afford 250K for a recreational vehicle can afford a home :)
Pack a bag go have some fun has NO connection with struggling for survive day after day, year after year on the street.
Well I have a home, but I’m tired of being in the house. I need to be able to sleep and cook, because of the coronavirus I don’t feel safe eating out!
And homeless becomes the new normal.
The difference, is retirees are buying $100,000+ RV's, not young families going on short trips.
SG F hundred thousand dollar RVs have very poor build quality, for that matter 98% of the RVs being cramped out of these factories will be a total disappointments to who ever is unfortunate enough to buy one so if you think $100,000 plus RV is better than a house you’re going to find out that *A* they aren’t and *B* there be so many of you out there on the road they’ll be no where to park it and when you find a parking spot. The government has gotten out of the camping business they have turnover management to private corporations which have increased fees to the point where the costs are similar to rent or a mortgage payment they do this because they can because there are so many of you out there you’ll have very little choice Don’t believe me buy an RV and find out.
Poof yes i know a young couple who bought an rv and said parking camping fee it $400. Wth that’s expensive
@@4toes1nose Yes Bark that has been happening for a few years now. Many full time youtube Rvers are coming off the road. It is not freedom for the large rigs. They are limited by their size to start with and now so many full time RVing is making it not fun anymore. Yes the quality of RV is just crap. You cant get any warranty service cuz' all the repair places are jammed with broken RV's. Building out an RV with quality materials is skyrocketing. You cant even buy a cargo trailer now. Even the school bus's are in short supply and the prices are rising really fast.
@@4toes1nose but no property tax and you have mobility
@@1compaqedr8 per week or month?
I went full time in my RV 5 months ago and I am loving it! I’m saving lots of $ not being in a house.
Living in our RV we got out of debt, and are now completely debt free. In normal circumstances (sans Covid shutdowns), we park at the beach with a panoramic view of the ocean from our bed. RVing may not be the right fit for everyone, but there are certainly many of us who do prefer a mobile home over a stationary dwelling. Especially in light of the chaos many cities across the country are experiencing right now; While others are stuck in apartments or homes worried about leases, payments, and the process of moving, we have the ability to leave at the drop of a hat. There is a certain luxury in having high flexibility.
True Story:
A friend of mine wanted to buy a boat.
It took some convincing so he and his wife bought a small trailer and for a time everyone was happy.
The trailer was to small for cooking a proper meal! So they got a larger trailer. This trailer was soon followed by a still larger trailer that could accommodate guest and grand kids.
One day my friend asked his wife if she would look at a cruising boat that he felt was very reasonably priced. Upon decending inside into the galley his wife exclaimed "No way, this boat is to small". They continued to look and purchased a much larger boat.
I submit to you, my friend is a genius!
If you ever visit a factory and see one built (thrown together),....you'll never get one.
Yeah, this episode definitely hinted at the issue of all manufacturing coming out of one underskilled part of Indiana.
@WITNESS PROTECTION I'm impressed!!!! You must be an HVAC Tech, plumber, electrician, mechanic, body man, welder, carpenter, and handyman all rolled into one.
Agreed I own one. We use our for camping. Not living. Just understand that the day you buy one is the day you start working on one. Luckily they are very simple and I actually enjoy modifying mine.
The Quality of the housing in trumpie's America leaves alot to be desired.
Irish and EU Citizen
That is why building one out yourself is SO popular and way less money!
People too poor to pay rent so RV it is.
In other words, these people are homeless.
They still have to pay rent at camp grounds.
The Van Life /RV Life depends on cheap Fossil Fuel , and The Freedom of Movement and unfortunately Fossil Fuel usage in the Future, is going to be the New Cigarette Smoker i.e. Not Substantial and a cancer on Mother Gaia. Ever hear of limiting our Carbon FootPrint?
We are shifting Ages from the Industrial Age to the Silicon ( Information ) Age i.e. The Fourth Industrial Revolution i.e a Technocracy.
With the advancement of technology ; Especially Biometrics powered by 5G nex Gen Technology via
Artificial Intelligence many many many professions ( Blue and White Collar ) are going
to be Obsolete. 50Mil unemployed people in this country ( and because of Artificial Intelligence, it's going to get much MUCH worse, and the people who are working, many are living Paycheck to Paycheck.
SO how are Poor People going to buy Fossil Fuel, especially if it becomes
Rationed ( which I personally believe it will be )?
Also, The End of Freedom of Movement is being ushered in right now courtesy of cOVID.
Travel, whether by Foot, to enter into a Public Building or Place, or To Travel by AIR , or Mass Transit
or TO DRIVE ' is going to be a privilege and NOT a Right, to be determined by our Social Credit Scores.
Always do your homework. The landscape is Dramatically Changing..
@ spot on man. Agree 1000%
@@SunnyGirlFlorida what seriously??
If anyone is frugal like me, I see this as an opportunity to buy a used RV in 2-5 years when people can't afford to keep their RVs 😂
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You should consider getting a towable RV if you worry about the aging engine. If the RV's engine broke down, you will have a problem, because your living space is attached to a broken down engine. Yet it is true that you get better price for used RVs.
LOL we got the same mindset bruh. i was thinking exact same things. 2021-2022 will be a game changing years for many industries. especially everyone wonders what Tesla would come up with and how its gonna effect the market.
Be lucky if those RVs will last longer than 5 years. Those things are junk.
@@TheHDPerspective That's why they are cheap. They could be a good for people known-how, but for newcomers they better stay clear.
Yup that’s me. I’m 28 and I just bought a travel trailer to live full time in while I attend college. It’s definitely more upfront cost but seeing as how the apartment cost around California are insane at around $2000 a month just for a one bedroom. The $250 a month payments added to the $400-$600 monthly rates for RV parks starts to seam more reasonable. My quick math says that after 3 years of renting an apartment I will have spend $72,000 and at the end have nothing to show for it. While with my RV I will have spent about $36,000 and have at least some asset by the end. Not saying it’s the perfect plan, but I’m gonna work it so it leads to something bigger.
My wife and I lived on the road for years working festivals. We've settled down into a brick and mortar business but have kept our old camper as a parachute in case we HAVE to live in it.
Camping and Homelessness.
Plain and simple.
Nobody wants to deal with this Joke of a Pandemic Response either.
You mean joke of a pandemic
@M E I think Walt's response implies that there wasn't really any noticeable response to it.
If you own an RV you are never homeless!
small favor to ask you buyers!! PLEASE learn the limits of these vehicles. i drive an 18 wheeler and see ALOT of you manhandling these things. they are not cars. also buy a damn spare tire or 2.
Apart from the issue of how expensive sticks and bricks are - to buy or rent - people are wanting the van/rv life because they're fed up of how fast the world is moving. Stop the world I want to get off.
4 years in my Class B RV, Dodge van. No debt. Work less. More options. 😎
You tell em Angela!
Being mobile is the key to success! Don’t cement yourself in a brick & mortar home. Have the ability to pick up and leave !
Say it preacher!
That’s true to some extent but there are permanent options worldwide that are superior
More like carlife... Check out all the cars outside of Wal-Mart parking lot at 1am.... Homeless is the next pandemic.... 😢
Spot on no doubt it's already happening.
so true and sad
Unfortunately, as soon as any type of vehicle is fitted with any type of camping set-up, it instantly becomes absurdly expensive... 🙄
I can get you a truck camper for around US $4000 that is not much smaller than the average studio apartment; completely functional with a working toilet, shower, refrigerator and bed. Pay in cash. Never pay rent again. It CAN be an expensive lifestyle but by no means has to be that way.
You can always build one. Learn some new skills that will make living on the road useful.
Yup, I would say minivan sales are way up. I got myself one just in case, I love it. Perfect room for one person. I see conversion vans everywhere now.
There's something nice about being able to take your home with you.
preach the word!
Many talk about the strain on the industry, and the strain on quality. But what I am really glad to see you address is the strain on where to park it! While the RV industry is booming by leaps and bounds, the places to park it are shrinking. There are no new campgrounds being added. Space is not increasing. Some National Park and State Park Campgrounds book out a year in advance. Public lands are shrinking because of abuse in the form of homelessness, and lack of Federal resources to support the growth. Rules are getting more strict about overnight parking, with even Walmart starting to prohibit overnight stays. I've been an RV full timer for eight years now (by minimalist preference, not due to housing crisis,) and fact is, it's getting VERY crowded out here!
We don't have to work as an employee in big city and live miserably without a family in an RV forever. Once we gather enough money, we could move to small town or village and buy a farm
Good plan
I've had my motorhome for 3 years and love it. I don't have to drag our luggage in amd out of hotels and it's our bed, food, and everything else that belongs to us. Plus kids can use bathroom without having to pull over to a rest stop. When it's parked at home, we use it as an office or just to get some quiet time away from the house. The money we have saved from not flying/lodging 6 people in our family has almost paid for itself.
For some reason your comment and experience make a whole lot of sense! 👍
Your story is just like my aunt and uncle's story. They bought one they use whenever they visit someone and it's awesome to have a private place wherever you go. It's a great office/ hangout space for my uncle when it's home. It definitely makes me want to buy one when the time is right!
Almost the same story for us. The nightly rates are way more affordable at RV parks than a hotel, we have more room, can bring our own food, pets are welcome and we dont need to unpack at the destination. Its also served as a great office during the pandemic.
For me it's germs. I won't sleep in a hotel bed that someone else slept in last night. And with the return of bedbugs, you never know what is going to infest you or your luggage.
Ya know, I saw that they clearly missed the primary driver behind young RVers and #vanlife, so I turned to the comment section, only to realize that I was late to that party. Glad to see that unlike CNBC, everybody else was on the same page. Maybe they were dodging that talking point to avoid opening that uncomfortable can of worms?
Love this and I'm currently doing vanlife part time. While chasing a business dream
I have a 1985 Monaco Diplomat. Real plywood used in the floors. Solid oak cabinets. Cost the same as three houses when new. Bought for the cost of a used car. Repairs $200 an hour or more. Modern RV's are mostly plastic and particle board. Tires (eight) cost around five thousand dollars. Gas 6 to 8 miles per gallon. Slide outs always the first to break while extended. then, you cannot drive to get them repaired. I have seen people parked for months waiting for their rigs to be fixed. Amish in Elkhart, IN work in several rv factories.
I pay $10,000/year in property taxes for a middle class home in Detroit Metro. No property taxes on an RV and insurance is cheap on recreational vehicles. If it was just me and the lady, we would sell everything and hit the road.
People still want to travel and don’t want to fly. Makes sense.
Its also way cheaper than lodging costs
@@rvw3022 No it's not. Those RVs are extremely expensive and depreciate rapidly, you're losing more in depreciation alone than you would pay in lodging costs.
@@rvw3022 A good tent and a car is a lot cheaper than buying and driving a RV.
@@2011blueman brand new yes but used or going the vanlife route is way cheaper especially if you're an avid traveler. Do the research if you don't believe me.
@@redwhite_040 not very practical for most people most of the year but I agree.
prices are going up while the salaries stays stagnant
Homeless folks with their last major asset, i.e. car, say : HelLOOOO!
Some might think this is a healthy sign for RV industry. But when you look deeper, there's a grim reality to it since according to latest report, 25+ million Americans are facing eviction crisis for this year alone. Let that sink in.
My family and I live in an RV for over a decade now. It's great.
@Marco Deo hahaha sorry to hear that. 5 people total: My father, mother, middle sister, and youngest sister, and me.
RV sales are growing due to the worsening homelessness crisis, not because people want the “lifestyle”!
nothing wrong with RV's though. far better than being in a apartment building in a city during a pandemic with rules on top of rules LOL
I still think there is a market for a twice a year RV train in the west. It would be a series of flatbed train cars that RV owners can drive on and tie down. Then the train would do the main north/south and east/west migration.
Or barges cruising rivers or the Intracoastal.
I wish the VW California camper was available in North America
It is a wonder it isn't.
I saw one at an Aldi Grocery Store and asked about it ... he was an Executive from Germany who brought camper to USA to sleep and work in to visit Aldi Stores around the country ... cool as hell!
We bought a camper van last year (Fiat Ducato Multivan from 2008) and my feeling about "van life" at this point is quite mixed. A camper van (ours has been outfitted by the previous owner himself) is a very expensive toy that needs permanent maintenance. Especially if it is already some years old, there are constantly repairs and technical improvements required, so owning an RV will be surely MUCH MORE expensive than you may think now. Just take your figure of what you think the van will cost on a monthly basis and double it. It is not just the repairs but also the fuel which is often underestimated, the fees for parking lots and camp sites which you are required to book, etc. All in all it is just incredibly EXPENSIVE.
Traveling with the van on the weekends can be fun if there is enough nature around to just park anywhere you want. It is NOT fun in cities or highly populated areas (which we commonly have in Europe) where you have to squeeze your RV through narrow streets. Also, preparing the van for travel, even when it is only for a few days, can take you hours unless you have everything in double version and leave it permanently in the van (which is my advice). Be prepared that leaving with a big dog or kids for a weekend means an enormous amount of preparation and yet, you will realise after you departed that you haven't brought THAT ONE thing which you urgently need or which could have made the weekend more fun "Oh, I should have brought that book".
Van life with a big dog is difficult because neither you nor the dog have enough space to move around. The dog will be CONSTANTLY in your way and the RV will be dirty after like 30 min. No matter how well you clean before you travel, the dog gets in and bam, it looks like you didn't clean for 10 years. No matter how fancy your RV is, travelling with a bigger dog will make that whole experience somewhat filthy and you will crave for a real shower and some hygiene only after a weekend.
Overall, I am not sure if I would opt again for a camper van and whether I would put again so much money on the table. Especially because the van is a CONSTANT investment. On the other hand, especially when going into remote areas with lots of nature, camping becomes fun because you don't bother about where to park, whether you fit that street and where you could walk the dog. You just open that door, let the dog run around and RELAX :)
We own our house outright and we have a motorhome too so we can travel the U.S. at a leisurely pace and bring our pets with us.
If I had a too big mortgage and was worried about whether I could keep paying that mortgage during the present pandemic and perhaps the economic depression to come, I would sell the house and all my furniture and buy an RV outright for full-time living. I would make arrangements to park it in a relative's backyard for free during mild weather and then relocate elsewhere when the autumn weather was changing for the worse. There is a lot of BLM desert land and National Forest land in the Southwest that is perfect for winter camping and usually there is no charge to camp there just so long as you relocate every two weeks.
There are lots of retirees who are RV snowbirds and who spend every winter camped out in the desert Southwest at low cost. Younger people who can work remotely via computer and a dish/wireless internet connection could take up that lifestyle too. It sure would beat being homeless because your mortgaged house was foreclosed upon. And if there is another Great Depression, those who still have cash may be able to buy a used RV for cheap from someone who is trying to raise some extra cash and just wants to stay home.
LOL .... You've been drinking from the Bob Wells fountain, huh ..>???? LOLOL
@@ricks.1318 Rick S. Do you own where you live? If not, do you have a plan if you cannot pay monthly rent or mortgage?
Funny, the 1% is increasingly buying more second/vacation homes meanwhile the millennials and the middle class now is all “trendy” with tiny houses and van life, and are suffering from declining homeownership rates. Does that sound like a system that works for the people?
People are free to buy whatever the hell they want so he’ll yeah it’s a system that works.
Go live in China ya commie!
It's easier than ever to become a millionaire. You can easily earn $100k+/USD/Year while living in Thailand as a digital nomad.
I live on a 10-acre farm while my customers are all in major cities. There's a lot of luxuries nowadays, you just have to take advantage of this new world.
Gazzle Spaz rock on bro. What’d you do digitally for income?
Dude, USA never supposed to create system comfortable for people. USA is about making money.
@@b22chris Digital marketing agency--social media management, seo, email marketing, click funnels, etc.
Never event went to school for marketing, did a stupid liberal arts degree.
I'm pretty sure trade in's are down because people are selling directly to consumers. It's cheaper for the buyer and more money for the seller.
But most people SELLING their USED RV are doing so to get rid of THEIR PROBLEMS....
If people are going to go homeless, this could be a solution?
Our camper cost 68k. I don't think FEMA will spring for that.
Yes, most RV's made now are aimed at well-off retirees. And, people would need to pay for camping sites. You cannot just park one anywhere without having water, electricity or dump station.
@@SunnyGirlFlorida Exactly. Then there are repairs, tires, upkeep, food for on the road, you still need all the things you need in a house (dishes, towels, shampoo, etc.), gas, etc. It's not a cheap way to travel. It sure is beautiful, though.
I don't know about living in a camper full-time. I know it can be done, but you can also wear underwear that's 2 sizes too small for weeks at a time. I wouldn't recommend it. My husband is retired, and I love him with all my heart, but there are moments when I just want to choke him out, and that's at home, in a very big house on 2 acres. I can't imagine being stuck in a camper/RV 24/7 with ANYONE. I need my cranky time.
You can get used towables between 10-25k that has very low usage, then live off grid to reduce cost. But, you can get free water at various locations and parks. But, the sewage you have to track parks with free dumping or truck fuel locations dump sites might cost a little. Their are other approaches in living in parks and camp grounds at low cost that provide Electric, Was and sewage. You just have to do your own homework depending on your budget and if you are retired or not to include what locations you are going to live at. Their are folks out their paying $1,500 - $3,500 for monthly rent or ownership to include property taxes and insurance rising every year. RV living could be a solution...
Money Journey With Sonny just like me! 5K for my small camper fully live off grid with solar and I’m happy with it!
I live in a high tourist area. Northerners bring a lot of money in tourism and in buying second and third homes/condos. Because we are a desirable area, prices cater to that, pricing out people who actually live and work here. This phenomenon is the same in most tourist areas, as well as high-tech areas where people make a lot of money for corporations (California). People who own property sell at too-high prices because they can get it. Rents are over the moon because they can get that, too. Working people are falling off the edge, as they look for smaller and smaller places to live that they can afford. But even those are going for top dollar, and owners are retrofitting even places the size of closets with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and fancy everything, because they will get the money back in the first year or two. People are moving to states that have less appeal in order to survive.
My husband and I have been full time RVers for almost 4 years now. We started traveling to see where we wanted to settle down.
It's a lot of work (we have a 5th wheeler) but so is owning a house.
We've saved so much money living this lifestyle, and are planning on buying a small house soon with the money we saved.
We're planning on keeping our rig, and are hoping to get a modular home in the RV resort we have stayed in for a few years now.
We can have more room while the pandemic is still happening, and can update some areas for better use.
My parents are in their 60s and are about to buy a RV to live in.
With the housing crisis, RV's are the better solution. You can buy a piece of land and park your rv on it. You just pay the property taxes on the land.
You also have to be in a state or county that allows for that! It's not always that easy, especially in Comifornia, where I am right now.
California is hell
You NEED to FIND a place that ALLOW it... FIRST, and THAT the politicians WILL control MORE as it grows in popularity !!!!
@The Perfect 2020 Vision Let me tell you a short story about my parents. When I was only in first grade my parent's moved from a rented house in Redondo Beach California to a mountain cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains in California. That small two bedroom cabin cost 15 thousand dollars. My dad had a GOOD job at a company called Aerospace. Remember, I am referring to the early to mid 1960's. My mom scrimped and saved their money. His paycheck didn't grow enough, even back then, to keep up as the years went by. I can remember my mom saying "If we could only make four hundred dollars a month, we'd be fine!" He lost his job during the recession and computer crunch, as we called it. He sent applications all over the country for years. He couldn't get a job. So, he took a job as an elementary school janitor. Then he found a job on the mountain, as a trainee meat cutter, back when grocery stores still had meat cutters. My mom went back to work as a drummer, which was what she did before they got married. Before that we lived off of their savings, that she had saved by pinching every penny that came into the house. We never had any luxuries. My clothes came from second hand stores or were hand me downs given to me by our rich neighbors. Finally my dad got a job in the field he knew, for decent pay but we had to move to a horrible town in the middle of the desert. Because my mother had saved every dime we were able to rent the mountain home and buy a house in that ugly desert town. Times have been hard before today. It's just much harder now because wages are not equal to inflation and housing costs are MUCH worse!
@The Perfect 2020 Vision To a point, yes. Remember back then the American Dream was to be a home owner. I have no clue why that term is still used because it means nothing now.
If you're looking to buy, I would suggest hold out for the new VW electric van or hold out for, hopefully, Tesla to create one.
Daver G it costs less in the long run and you’re saving the planet
Daver G if you want to spend 10k on a clunker in near term, go for it
Daver G you have no idea what you’re talking about. Tesla vehicles depreciate much less than ICE vehicles. Educate yourself. Not my job. I’m done here
Daver G and I obviously wasn’t comparing the cost of 10k used with new bev. I was saying new bev compared to new ice vehicle. You misconstrued my words
1234 that’s fine but people with money aren’t going to do that
He didn't say how he got his conclusions about why many people bought RVs after the 2008 crisis; but I have to argue that the major reason was that people found themselves at the risk of being homeless while waiting to get back on their feet. RVs were the best next alternative because they allowed people to travel to areas where they hope to get a job without having to carry the cost of hotel stops and then renting a home at a new location that may not provide the job they sought..
My fiancé and I have been living full time for the past two years in our 2001 Northstar truck camper. Paired with an 04 Ram 2500, it is an extremely capable set-up for getting to the places that ordinary RV's just can't. And yeah, the not paying for rent is one of the best parts. Just put that money towards maintenance and you're good! By far, one of the best purchases we have ever made. Also, they didn't say it, but truck camper brands and generally (in my experience) much better at being built. Just do your homework, find what fits your needs and then get going.
literally every comment ->
Why are RV’s sales growing?
Answer: Because more people are becoming homeless
Thanks guys 200 comments isn't enough
I think it’s because more people are going homeless
More than 200 looking at homelessness.
The return of the serf class
Modern Life Skill Essentials: Fishing, hunting, tent building,
at first, it may sound awful but after a while is fun and even distracting
Or maybe cave living!
This past April of 2020 I retired from trucking. I'm used to living on the road. I decided to save some money by buying a late model Ford Transit van and then convert it. I found a good one on Car Gurus which was listed two thousand less than the suggested price. I got it from a reputable dealership. I'm a happy camper! Oh and I'm also a baby boomer. My van has a V6 310 HP twin turbo EcoBoost engine. It gets great gas mileage. It also has the trailer tow package. I have downloaded apps for places to boondock. There are over two million acres of BLM land in the western states. Free Roam is a good app. I refuse to pay for parking!!!
im 65 and have never owned brick and mortar home ( life long surfer , fisherman , hot rod and euro car owner , yachtsman and now motor coach owner ) leased beautiful beach front condo all through my 20s , then paid cash for lightly used sailing yacht and lived aboard for 10 yrs. , one more sail boat then a sport fisherman and now 40 ft, motor coach at beach front rv resort with f type jag and a car trailer , the adventure continues
People outside of America: Oh I want to move to America, and live the American dream.
Foreigners: I want to go back home, its not what I see in the Hollywood movies.
This is the reality of America, we are moving toward third world.
@@maidenthe80sla Ooo! Where you planning to move to?
Actually it is kind of true
Those shining beacons of California and NY.....hmmmmm what do they have in common......
@@maidenthe80sla I’m living abroad since 2015, lived in the Hamptons area of Long Island Very glad I got out
@@TheBadboy440 Not so much anymore Not as many in Europe desire to emigrate to the US Most are either dirt poor from Central/ South America or wealthy from Asia
Can't wait to buy a cheap one next year! People are going to be going to be selling these once the covid scare is over!
The best kind of RV: the one that uses free wind power to move and can bring you around the globe: a sailboat!
Sailboat maintenance is out of this world. And its very dangerous to ignore it. I saw sailboats sinking when the owner was sleeping in it at the dock.
@@NorceCodine RV maintenance is out of this world. I saw a bear destroying an RV once. This must happen all of the time, RVs are not very safe.
I have a 1989 C Class with a 1989 Ford Econoline 350 van chassis with a Big Block 460 Hollie V8 7.5 liter engine! Great Rv it does not hesitate going up hills at all! And it was the first year for fuel injection on those engines! in 1985 to 1988 it was a 4 barrel electronically managed carburetor and engine!
In reading so many of the comments, most don’t have a clue what’s out there in the RV communities. Many of us are retirees and own/ed our own homes. I’ve owned 2 homes, outright, with no mortgages! Sold both 10 years ago and moved to the USVI and rented...by choice! Recently moved back to the states and bought a motorhome to live fulltime and travel. I’m 70 and never want to buy another “sticks and bricks” home. There are thousands like me who can afford to live and/or buy anywhere I want, but have chosen to live mobile.