We are categorized as being “remote workers,” but I prefer to say I work from home.
This motorhome is my home. It is my sanctuary. When things get tough, I turn on my music and close the blinds. While the outside changes constantly, the inside remains the same.
It is comforting to me.
A couple of weeks ago, we were driving through Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our goal was to see every lodge along the road. We like to “lodge it” and have done so ever since we lived in Alaska.
What does “lodging it” mean?
To be a candidate, the lodge needs to have a great room, preferably with a fireplace. Some have views to sit and ponder upon, and some have comfy rocking chairs next to the fire.
Historical lodges are my favorite. Those built from trees that were once standing in the very spot of the structure, and majestic fireplaces made from local river rock.
We spent many days reading in front of a large wall of windows overlooking Mt. McKinley at one of the Princess lodges near Denali National Park.
It’s also great if they have a coffee shop.
Back to our journey through Custer.
A couple of the lodges in Custer State Park featured resident artists, as do many national parks. It was lunchtime, so we headed to the restaurant inside one of the lodges.
The flow of traffic to the restaurant took us first through the area where the artists were displaying their paintings and working on new ones. We stopped to see their work and say hello.
Assuming everyone in the lodge was visiting, they asked us where we were from. That is the question I least like to answer. (I need to figure out why it bothers me so much.)
We answered that we were full-time in our RV and travel around the country. So, we are from nowhere and everywhere.
He said, “So you are homeless.”
And he did not say it nicely. It was with a smirk.
That bothered me for the rest of the day.
Why do some people think we are in some way lower class because we choose to live the full-time RV lifestyle?
We live life by design.
We have a smaller footprint.
We are free to explore, learn, and have adventures.
We continue to work, pay our bills, and contribute to society.
This is my home, my office, and my sanctuary.
Perhaps I should come up with a more thoughtful answer when someone asks me where I am from. Any ideas?
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RVT1233
As full-timers since 2020, I have the same reaction to that question. We live and travel in a motorhome by choice, and I’m not sure why I feel the need to clarify that, but I do. I usually just tell people where we lived when we owned a home, but my husband is always quick to tell people we live in a motorhome. We rarely feel judged or looked down on, but it does happen. I’ll be checking back to see what others say about this because I would like a better answer to that common question also.
Plus, some non-RV’ers are not familiar with the term “Full Time RV’ers”.
You can always give them your domicile state and let it go at that.
FT on the road since 2019 and we hear the opposite response. They ooh and aah and say that they dream of doing the same.
The answer to the “Are you homeless” question is … No I’m not “LESS” anything — I get to see this country at a lower cost in my HOME on wheels. Do you get to travel the country whenever you want?
After 10 years of thinking we were insane to sell our beach houses and hit the road in Beauty, our friends and colleagues are finally taking notice. While they are struggling to secure affordable insurance and/or find an affordable downsize property we are happily planning our next trip abroad. Conventional housing can be wonderful, but you gotta know when to hold’m and know when to fold’m.
May have been his idea of a joke? Most homeless live in RVs that aren’t going anywhere. You could laugh and say something like, “Yes, if homeless is living in a luxury RV, traveling around the country, and visiting the most beautiful parts of North America! Without worrying about home maintenance and property taxes.” They’ll just be jealous!
I’m just lucky enough to take my home with me wherever I choose to go. (If you work real hard, and plan well, maybe you can do that too. Smirk right back!)
‘Excuse me ma’am(or sir) we are un-housed”
I have lived most of my life on the road and raised my daughter till her
teens on the road. I am my own boss and have been since the first male boss thought he had rights. Most people haven’t a clue what an alternative lifestyle is; they only see what they want to see. My 72 years around the sun have given me a wonderful story of life, doing me. Just do you and don’t ever feel embarrassed by who you are or what you do.
You could say that your home is wherever you park at. Tomorrow, your home might be at another wonderful lodge.
Full timer since 2015. Have noticed attitude on being full time has changed since COVID. Before people seemed envious and many said they dreamed of doing it themselves. After many people joined full time life but found it not what they expected. Many couldn’t exit lifestyle because of finances. Homelessness is a problem not connected to RVing in my book. I answer the question of where are we from with” Everywhere” and call ourselves HOME FREE instead of homeless
I asked Chatgpt to give me some comebacks to the homeless comment. This is what AI gave me.
😄 Funny / Lighthearted Comebacks
😎 Confident / Cool Comebacks
🧘 Polite / Philosophical Comebacks
My driver’s license and plates say South Dakota. So that’s where I’m from. That’s all any stranger needs to know.
Why waste time thinking about what others think of you? This wasn’t a person who you will likely ever see again. This isn’t a person that you consider a close friend. Or family, Their opinions shouldn’t influence you at all.
Exactly. Beat me to that. One of the most liberating aspects of being is not caring what people who aren’t important to you think of you.
I am full timer since 2018. Class A towing. Since going full time the Dept of Veterans Affairs has listed me as “homeless” despite having a $350k Motorhome. I have stopped trying to explain my life choice to anyone and enjoy the anonymity that traveling affords.
When I was full timing and got a comment like that, I would say I was houseless not homeless. Depending on the attitude of the person I would rebuff with a bit of a lie and say that my RV probably cost more than your house! I’m part timing now and get comments about how expensive my Mercedes van is, people alway have to judge you on something.
As a navy brat who was registered in 22 schools between kindergarten and the 12th grades, that question, “Where are you from?” has always been a challenge for me. Why does my happy fate of being born a resident of the world arouse suspicion rather than mystery or wonder? That your truest answer, “I’m from everywhere and nowhere” (a most elegant response, by the way) is met with mocking cynicism (that I too, have experienced) is both puzzling and sad. I could talk with you about this for ages. We must meet up someday and do just that. Until then, count it all joy.
The question being asked here is more does one have a “sticks & bricks” home where we live at least part time. People should phrase their question better & recognize that those who choose to RV full time are not ‘homeless’ in that sense of the word. Full time RV’ers should not be compared to those who are living full time in a RV park or simply parked on the street as we have often seen.
As a full-time RVers, divested of property, we like the term, “Forever Campers.” It implies that we are on the move, independent of a specific place, living by design and ambition and not moored to conventional housing.
You don’t need to justify your lifestyle or living arrangements to anyone. I’d just answer a comment like that with, “Not at all”, smile, and walk away.
I just tell them I have a big fiberglass home ( class A) and I love it because if I don’t like the neighborhood or the neighbors I just start it up and move down the road. They usually look at me and smile!
I’m FROM everywhere but HERE.
You’re not obligated to answer any question or provide explanations posed by strangers,
I believe part of the problem full-time RV’ers face is articles in the RV world media, including this newsletter, constantly harping about the mostly Western States problem of high cost of living and regulations forcing some groups of people who might even make $100K a year having to live in tents and beat up and battered RVs.
Why let it bother you? I’ve been asked many times and I say I’m from Wisconsin and right now we are exploring this part of the country in our rv
nuf said
I rarely am asked about our RV lifestyle by anyone who doesn’t think it would be great, at least for a while. I’ve never had anyone be so rude as to call me homeless. Although many have said they could not do it or ask if I miss having a home base.
We refer to our class A as home no matter where it is parked. If people ask where we are from we say Texas. We moved there 28 years ago but haven’t owned a (non rolling) home anywhere in 5 years. Our kids and grandkids live in Texas so they are home to us.
Born & raised in Indiana!
While working in a Florida State Park, a visitor found out we live that way. She said I was transient in a tone of dismay. I like words. I told her by definition we are transient. She stared at me then said I was trying to rile you up. Good for you for not being offended. I don’t know what people are like this. Maybe social media made it so people have no fear of being rude. Her opinion of me doesn’t change that I love this life!
Opinions are like hind ends – everyone’s got one and most of ’em stink. If I were full-time I would maybe use where I grew up as the answer, if I answered at all. That way you do have a point of reference of a place where you lived.
I don’t know why the uninformed have to be so judgmental
Also what a very cool idea for traveling. I love these old lodges!
I mean, people in many cases wish they had the same freedom us full timers have. Sometimes, people are just jerks and ignorant. Don’t let it bother ya.