Why Full-Time RV Living is the Ultimate Family Lifestyle: Health, Freedom, and Community on the Road
- Kayla Mathieu
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
In a world where burnout, stress, and a constant rush have become the norm, more families are choosing a different path—literally. The rise in full-time RV living is more than a travel trend; it's a movement fueled by a desire for deeper connection, flexibility, and purpose. Whether it’s escaping the 9-to-5 grind or embracing outdoor education, thousands of families are hitting the road and redefining what “home” means.
Why More Families Are Choosing Full-Time Travel
Over the past decade, the number of full-time RVers in the U.S. has steadily increased. Now post-pandemic, this lifestyle has exploded. With the rise of remote work, homeschooling, and unschooling, families have realized they don’t need to be tied to one place to thrive. Instead, they’re opting for a life of freedom, adventure, and quality time.
For our family, full-time RV living started as a leap of faith. We traded square footage for limitless experiences, and the impact has been profound. No more rushed school mornings, long commutes, or missed moments. Now, when our son finishes his schoolwork, he grabs his fishing pole and walks down to the lake—a peaceful escape that fuels his mental health and joy. Fishing has become more than a hobby; it's a daily ritual that centers him, something we couldn’t offer when we lived in a traditional home.
Small Space, Big Connections
One of the biggest concerns we hear is: “Don’t you get sick of being in such a small space together?” Honestly, we wondered the same at first. But what we found is the exact opposite.
Living in a small space forced us to communicate better, laugh more, and lean into one another. It stripped away the distractions and gave us more time for what matters. One of my favorite examples is watching my husband take a midday break from work to shoot hoops with our daughter. When we lived in a house, his commute consumed so much time that simple pleasures like that just didn’t happen. Now, those spontaneous moments are part of our everyday life.
Research supports what we’ve felt: close family bonds are linked to higher levels of emotional well-being and lower levels of depression and anxiety in children (American Psychological Association, 2021). For us, RV life didn’t just bring us closer—it healed parts of us we didn’t even know needed healing.
Health and Wellness Benefits of Nature-Based Living
The mental and physical health benefits of spending time in nature are well-documented. According to a study published in Scientific Reports, people who spend at least 120 minutes per week in natural environments are significantly more likely to report good health and high well-being. Nature exposure:
Reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone)
Improves focus and creativity (especially in children with ADHD)
Boosts the immune system
Enhances mood and reduces anxiety
Full-time RV life puts us in the heart of these benefits. Whether it’s hiking through national parks, watching the sunset from our campsite, or simply breathing in the forest air, we’ve noticed how much calmer and more present we all feel.
Finding Community on the Road
While freedom and adventure are huge perks, community is what sustains this lifestyle long-term. Thankfully, the RV world is full of incredible people and supportive groups that help turn the road into a welcoming neighborhood.
Two Communities We Love:
Escapees RV Club – One of the most established and supportive RV communities in the country. With resources for mail forwarding, boondocking, meetups, and even RV parks, Escapees is ideal for families, solo travelers, and retirees alike.
RV Queens – A fast-growing community of women RVers and families that uplifts and educates others through social media, events, and storytelling. RV Queens is particularly empowering for moms who are navigating life on the road with kids.
Whether you’re parked next to fellow travelers at a rally or meeting up with another full-time family at a state park, there’s always a village waiting for you.
A Lifestyle That Teaches and Transforms
Choosing full-time travel with kids has transformed how we learn, connect, and grow. Education isn’t confined to a desk—it happens when we explore local ecosystems, talk to park rangers, tour historical sites, and meet people from different walks of life. Our daughter is learning history by walking through it, and our son is learning science while fishing in real-time habitats. Best of all, we’re learning together.
Ready to Hit the Road?
If you’ve been thinking about full-time RV living, know this: it’s not just about travel. It’s about living more intentionally, creating space for what matters, and raising kids who are connected to nature, community, and themselves.
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