Transitioning to life on the road full-time means you will also be altering the way you spend and save money. Just like any big move in life, you have to consider what your daily, weekly, or monthly budget is going to be. This will determine what type of campgrounds you may look into when searching for a place to stay, or lead you towards boondocking instead of paid campgrounds.

Due to the majority of the RV population being retired people, most of the high-end rv resorts are filled with newer rigs, booked up far in advance, and expensive. This makes staying at these locations challenging and also rough on the wallet. We have had the luxury of staying at these places twice on our trip so far. This was due to Scott needing to leave the current city we were in, to attend to work; leaving me behind…alone. As a young woman, being alone in any city that I’m unfamiliar with and don’t know anyone in, can leave me a little on edge-but even more so when I’m in a giant RV, in the middle of the woods, where my best protection is a hammer and a cat. Each time we spent several stressful hours researching highly rated rv parks in the area and making many phone calls until we were finally able to find a place with a vacancy. Both places were very well kept, but we definitely had the oldest RV in the resort-which made me feel a little safer knowing I was surrounded by more affluent individuals rather than ne’er-do-wells. Of course, the downside was that these places ran for about $50-$60 a night. Which can get expensive fast when you’re living on a budget. These places also pack people in like sardines, so if you like your space, these wouldn’t be the best options for you.

On the other hand, there is boondocking, a.k.a dry camping, a.k.a dispersed camping, a.k.a camping at large. This is a great way to save money because it’s free camping on public lands, but the challenging part is finding the locations where this is allowed in each state. Some states allow boondocking for a night right off the side of the highway at a pull-out. The downside is that you’re literally on the roadside, so it can be loud. It is also hit or miss on whether the road you’re on allows overnight parking. Typically, there will be signs that say no camping or overnight parking that will indicate it’s not allowed, but if there aren’t any signs, then its up to you to roll the dice on the spot for the night. We like to use apps such as FreeRoam, The Dyrt, Campendiem, FreeCampsites.net, and Havest Hosts (my favorite) to find free spots for a night or two. When traveling, you should always be aware of your surroundings, but especially when you’re in boondocking locations. Always trust your gut, if somewhere doesn’t feel safe then keep looking for something that does.

Whether you prefer high-end RV resorts, free dry camping, or state parks, there are plenty of options out there. The best part about RV life is that no matter what your budget is, home is where you park it!