My name is Michelle and I live in an RV. And yes, I regularly earn over $100,000 a month.
A common question I receive is: “Why would you make $100,000+ and live in an RV?”
I get asked this so often it warranted its own article. The short answer is simple — we live in an RV because we love RVing.
People make many assumptions about why someone would choose this lifestyle: that we’re hippies, homeless, or conversely, that we inherited money and don’t work. Some think that if we bought a “real” house we’d stop RVing. We did own a conventional home for six years, and we still prefer life on the road.
When people react with surprise, I wish they’d ask instead, “Why wouldn’t someone live in an RV if they could?” For us, full-time RVing means freedom. We can chase the weather, visit friends and family across the country, wake up by the ocean one morning and spend the next night beside a snow-capped mountain. Living small has taught us how little we truly need — and that knowledge feels like real freedom.
This freedom does come with trade-offs. RVing can be frugal for some, but for many — including us — it can be more expensive than traditional housing. We don’t live in an RV primarily to save money, which is a common misconception. Because of limited space we must be thoughtful about purchases, so we rarely buy things that would clutter a typical home.
RV-related content:
- The Ultimate Guide To Getting Started RVing
- How This Family Travels Full-Time With 4 Kids and 2 Dogs
- How To Make Money While RVing
- How Much Does It Cost To RV?
- Common RV Questions – Yes, I Even Talk About What We Do With #2
We’ve been RVing for over two years and absolutely love it. People keep asking when we’ll stop traveling, “grow up,” and buy a house again. The answer: not anytime soon. Full-time travel and RV life aren’t for everyone, but right now this lifestyle fits our family perfectly.
Like many, I never imagined living in an RV. It wasn’t a childhood dream, but after one step inside an RV I knew it was for me. Living full-time in our RV has been one of the best decisions we’ve made.
Here’s why I live in an RV even though I earn $100,000 a month.
Not everyone has to live the same life.
One of the best things about life is that people can be different. If everyone lived the same way it would be dull. Some people prefer houses; some prefer RVs. We chose the latter. We had a house for about six years, but the travel bug bit us and RV life made more sense.
My income has nothing to do with the validity of living in an RV — we simply love traveling. We could have bought a big house and luxury cars, but that wasn’t what we wanted. We chose what felt right for us.
Many find that choice shocking. I’ve heard people call me crazy for living in an RV while earning well, but living in an RV doesn’t mean I’m lying about my income, being miserly, or lacking stable housing. This is my home by choice.
We get to see so many amazing places.
Living in an RV lets us travel to countless incredible locations without leaving home behind. Some places we’ve visited include:
- Mountain summits such as Huron Peak, Horseshoe Mountain, Mount Peale, and others.
- The Pacific Northwest: Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, Ruby Beach, Hoh Rainforest, and more.
- Utah: Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Moab.
- Colorado: Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, and towns like Breckenridge, Aspen, and Durango.
- Our roots and home base in Missouri, and visits to family in Mississippi and Illinois.
- Arizona: Saguaro, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, Page.
- California: the coast, Death Valley, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite.
- Oregon: Bend, Newport, Portland, Silverton and its dramatic coast.
- Wyoming: Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
- Montana: Glacier National Park.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
And much more. We choose camp spots near trails or scenic areas and stay as long as we like, enjoying the landscape from the comfort of our home on wheels.
Related: The Honest Truth About Van Dwelling: Answers To The Most Common Van Life Questions
I can live by the beach, the mountains, the desert — anywhere.
RV living lets you pick your setting. The United States is full of beautiful places, and rather than limiting ourselves to one, we can live in many of them. This goes beyond vacations; bringing your whole home along means you don’t forget essentials and you remain comfortable wherever you park.
One summer we might choose the mountains, the next winter the beach; the flexibility is freeing. Some days my front window opens to a national park, other times to a quiet lakeshore. Living in an RV lets us choose our view.
I spend more time outside.
I love hiking. RV life allows us to park near trails, bike routes, and climbing areas so outdoor activities are part of daily life. Often we can walk or bike right from our campsite to a trailhead, which means more time outside and less time sitting in stores or malls.
It’s amazingly beautiful living in an RV.
The views from our RV windows are unforgettable: national parks at dawn, mountain ranges, deserts, lakeshores, and wildlife. For many, that alone makes RV life irresistible.
I can follow the weather.
Because our home is mobile, we follow the weather. We prefer mild temperatures — roughly 70 degrees — so we choose locations that allow comfortable living year-round. If it’s too hot or too cold somewhere, we leave. Our clothing is mostly for one season, and the ability to chase pleasant weather makes daily life easier and more enjoyable.
I don’t need a ton of stuff.
A high income doesn’t mean I want to accumulate things. Living in an RV forces downsizing, and that process can be liberating. We donated and sold much of what we owned before our move. At first it was hard, but over time the simplicity became freeing.
Now we carry a small, curated collection of belongings. We buy more mindfully, waste less, and save more as a result. The outdoors also take up much of our time, so we don’t spend hours shopping; we explore instead.
Downsizing Your Home? Here’s How I Went From A 2,000 Square Foot House To An RV
I can work and travel at the same time.
Working while traveling is absolutely possible. I run an online business — primarily this blog — and it allows me to earn income while on the road. At first I worried about connectivity and distractions, but I’ve found I’m more motivated than ever, and the scenery out the window helps.
When I want a break I go for a hike or a morning bike ride, then return to work refreshed. We’ve met many interesting people in the RV community, including retirees and other digital professionals carving out their own travel-work balance. Making money while traveling shouldn’t hold you back from pursuing a life you love; with some planning it’s very achievable.
Related articles on how to make money while traveling:
- How To Make Money While RVing
- 75+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- 10 Ways To Make Money Online From The Comfort of Your Home
- Ways To Make An Extra $1,000 A Month
- My Tips On Successfully Traveling And Working At The Same Time
Living full-time in an RV has allowed us to combine work, travel, and home life in a way that feels balanced and fulfilling. I’m often asked whether people look down on RVing — and why — or whether readers want to try this lifestyle themselves. For us, the answer is clear: RVing isn’t about income or status. It’s about choosing a life that brings joy, adventure, and the freedom to explore.
Do you look down on RVing? Why or why not? Would you want to live in an RV?