So I’ve been getting a great little online magazine called FLYP for a few months now. This last issue they shot into my inbox had a story on Tiny Houses, and the whole movement supporting them. The article is all about how going from the average 2,500 sq foot US home size, down to 89 sq foot trailer based homes, is catching on, and how beneficial to alot of people it can actually be. There’s only a small slant on the environmental aspects, which I think definitely warrant a mention, but the big draw I think right now especially, would be the financial aspects of a downgrade.
Having lived in a small apartment (admittedly not THAT small by any means), I can tell you we already just have too much stuff, and aside from that, living in that confined of a space isn’t for everyone. I won’t be running out to buy a trailer based mini-house of this size at any foreseeable point, but I can definitely see merit to the idea. But the whole article made me rethink, why is it that we are so interested in the RV lifestyle?
While I would love to say saving the planet is something I like to try to do, I also have to point out that our contributions to the problem is far far less than even most “below average” families, and well, it’s not a super top priority when it comes to the decision. It will play some part, but in the end, anyway we go, I think we’ll be better off than the “typical” lifestyle in a stick home. Ideally though, if it’s possible with the rigs we’re interested in, I’d love to get a bio-diesel compatible rig. I would love to have that option for the times and places it’s available.
Finances, are however, a high priority. With rent being nearly 2x what a payment on the RV’s we’ve priced out would be, it’s one heck of a step in the right direction. With all of the other costs associated with typical dwellings, you just run up the bills so far, so fast. Consolidating to a smaller living space should save us quite a bit in the heating and cooling department depending on the location we’re enjoying at a given time. Bringing all of the communication services into one bundle (Internet) is something we’ve already started to do, and it’s helped cut out alot of otherwise redundant service fees. Making it all mobile is the only techy hurdle still to be faced, but there are alot of good options cropping up for that when the time comes.
Quality of life. I think this is the absolute essential consideration for us anyway. I’m a world traveller, and have had the exploring bug put into me by my parents, my childhood as an army-brat, and my chances to meet new people from around the world from boy scouting, to just randomly moving to other countries out of boredom. Gena is eager to explore the country, and the world, and regain some of the experiences she had to pass on earlier in life. Being tied to a stick home, in the same spot, for the rest of our foreseeable future just isn’t something we’re warm to. The suggestions we’ve gotten about buying a home for a few years, and selling to move elsewhere every so often just seem like they’re alot more work for the bare minimum increase in potential benefits. So, the ability to travel on a whim, open the entire country as a potential job market, and enjoy just about any and all new experiences and options that open up if we so chose… are definitely quality of life benefits for us, and the reasons we’re eager to become full time RV people.
Like I said about the tiny house thing, I don’t think it’s for everyone, and I have to say the same about the RV lifestyle we’re aiming for as well. I think the same has to be seen as true for the “typical” stick home lifestyle so many people find themselves built into as well.