Full Time RVers For Three Years Give Advice On What Not To Do, And What Is A Must See When Traveling
In 2013, Marc and Julie Bennett decided that, although they loved their Colorado home, they wanted to travel more. They sat down and discussed their goals, aspirations and dreams, and noticed that everything that they wanted in life was about travel, places and experiences, nothing material. “This was a real eye opener for us both, so we began discussing how we could do more travel sooner, rather than later,” explains Julie. However, Marc had limited vacation, and it was also important that their other family member, their dog “Coda”, was included in these plans. Even though both had full time jobs, it was a bit easier than they thought and Marc, Julie and “Coda” are now in their 3rd year of living, working and traveling on the road.
Marc, who is Director of Operations for a Texas based Nutritional Supplements Company, ended up being able to do his job remotely. Although he still works a 40 hour week, he has been able to work just as effectively on the road as he was in a brick and mortar office, with just a good internet signal and the ability to run his Go-To Meeting software. Julie even notes that Marc “actually is even more effective, as he doesn't get the distractions of an office, his stress is lower and he doesn't have to deal with a daily commute!” She continues that “his health and happiness are greater which improved his productivity and effectiveness at work.....so much so that he's even been promoted since hitting the road!”
Julie is a Lifestyle Consultant/Coach and a Digital Content Producer, creating content for her blog/website RVLove.com, as well as their You Tube channel RVLoveTV, where Julie and Marc create video and articles to help those learn about living the RV lifestyle. Between Skype, FaceTime and her phone, Julie can easily deal with her clients, both domestic and international.
When asked about challenges they have faced on the road, Julie says they haven't experienced too many major ones to date, but it is “definitely a learning curve. We'd say our biggest 3 challenges so far have been planning and organizing our travels around reliable cellular and internet connections so we can work, finding service providers (doctors, hairdressers, mechanics, etc.) in new places, and (realizing that) when you need to take your RV in for repair, you have to take your whole house!”
But that said, Julie says that there are also things that have become unforgettable, that they wouldn't trade, such as the amazing people they have met, being able to “live like a local” in places they could never afford otherwise, such as Carmel by the Sea and Cape Cod, snorkeling among the parrot fish just 50 meters from the RV in the Florida Keys and watching the sun rise from the top of Cadillac Mountain in Arcadia National Park.
Like all RVers, Julie and Marc have their favorite spots. The Grand Canyon is a place both say that everyone must see in their lifetime. They also fell in love with the beauty of Sedona, Arizona and its' “special kind of energy”. They found Upstate New York to be a pleasant surprise,....a scenic area with fantastic fall colors and Nashville to be a vibrant town with a “great vibe brimming with musical talent”. They also found Zion National Park and Southern Utah to be an unbelievably beautiful place as well as Capitol Reef National Park, which, Julie says “so many people haven't heard of!”
However, Julie and Marc have a bit of advice for those contemplating moving to the full time RV lifestyle:
1. Don't jump in blindly. Take the time to create a budget, get your finances in order, pay down debt and plan how to make it happen in a
reasonable timeline.
2. If selling a home, realize that it may take more time and energy to downsize than you realize.
3. You'll be surprised how little stuff is needed to live really well.
4. Take time to research the right RV. Don't buy the first one viewed and try to avoid the temptation of buying at an RV show when
excitement and emotions are running high!
5. Be clear on the features that are most important to each person who will be living
in the RV. Find a floor plan and setup that meets everyone's needs. That way
the space is set up for success from day one!
6. Look for quality build over fancy gadgets
Julie says that in combining their love for road trips and driving with their reasons for becoming full time RVers, they have come to realize that this lifestyle is a perfect fit for them. “Taking in the country one mile at a time through our windshield as we drive-like driving Route 66 through Winslow, Arizona and singing Eagles songs at the top of our lungs......yes, we plan to keep going!”
And with that, Julie and Marc leave readers with one final suggestion: “If you're not already flexible and adaptable, you'll soon learn how to be! Plan your lifestyle but don't over plan your travels. Keep some room for spontaneity- that's when some of the best adventures happen!”
Kim Pezza
A graduate of State University Of New York At Fredonia with a BA in Creative Writing, Kim is an author for Hatherleigh Press [Random House] and Seaside Publishing. She enjoys camping, cheese making and historic crafts.
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