Living in a RV instead of apartment while travel nursing?

offlabel · Jul 22, 2017

I've know a couple of folks that have done this. It's a great idea. Incidentally, a couple of the best nurses Ive met.

NedRN · Jul 22, 2017

RV is kind of like travel nursing. Do it first because you like the lifestyle, not because of money. An RV will not be less expensive than finding standard housing. It becomes more appealing if traveling with a partner or pets. The appeal of never having to pack and unpack every three months is undeniable. Just don't do it to save money.

Just as a cautionary note, no matter what kind of housing you choose, you must maintain a tax home residence to be eligible to receive stipends tax free.

northmississippi · Jul 25, 2017

I would still have a base home that I live in when not on a contract. I figure that whatever apartment I could rent wouldnt be very big anyway, and I wouldnt be bringing much but clothes. It would be neat to "live" on a lake or river that has a rn park area. And like I said, that rv would be paid off at some point and I could start keeping the money for living expense on the next contract.

NedRN · Jul 25, 2017

There is a lot of maintenance and depreciation. Buy used! But not too used.

RN/WI, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jul 30, 2017

I am considering rv as well. Housing is extremely expensive I'm finding in the last year, not to mention difficulty finding an apartment that will lease for 3 months. Problem is when I look at the cost of rv, maintenance, and cost to park and availability to park for 3 months straight. I've met several nurses that have been on assignment that have done the rv thing and they swear by it. I'm still considering but still have not gone for the idea yet. Anyone have any more info on the negatives of traveling with an rv?

NedRN · Jul 30, 2017

Thin walls don't stop nearby road noise, or neighbor noise. Most RVs are three season only and cannot be used in freezing conditions. Fuel to keep fridge working between parks or if boondocking to save on park fees.

Sure, lots of people love the RV lifestyle and I can't knock it as a lifestyle. But once you buy one, you are committed to that capital cost and subsequent depreciation in value. I'd love to do it myself, but at best it costs just as much as renting for me. Couple of pets, kids, significant others, it might cost less.

Either you have a motorized RV, or we are talking about towing a trailer. Both mean extra cost for maintenance of the large towing vehicle or RV and double or more fuel costs. If RV, you are probably going to be towing a car as well. More upfront costs, and maintenance of all systems on all vehicles.

No way to really win. Buy used and you have higher maintenance costs. Buy new and suffer from higher upfront costs and higher depreciation.

Enough negatives? Here is a good way to get a reality check on real cost of ownership. Go to an RV rental site and check out costs. Deduct 25% for their profit margin and you have a pretty good estimate of the real operating costs. That would include all real costs of ownership except park fees and fuel.

jive turkey · Aug 7, 2017

I'll offer you some things to consider as someone that has owned a travel trailer and done a great deal of traveling.

It's not impossible to make an RV/TT a less expensive option than renting. It'll be very difficult and dependent upon where you are and what you need.

If you're goal is to maximize how much money you keep I can confidently say 9xs out of 10 you may as well go ahead and bypass the RV option.

1. You have to spend the cash to buy it or pay monthly payments to finance it (please don't finance depreciating vehicles). You may be able to recoup the cash you spent later, but likely not all of it as time progresses.

2. You have to insure it. That's an added cost.

3. They're heavy and burn a lot of gas. The Koch brothers would like you to do this.

4. I used to drive busses. Vehicles of this size need lots of maintenance. Look at a listing for a used one for sale. They'll often brag about how it has only low miles, but then there's a long list service they've performed on it. That may sound like a selling point but as a savvy buyer that's a flag to how much it costs to maintain the thing.

5. Getting stranded on the interstate is very expensive.

6. Grandma and Grandpa make it more expensive for you when they're ready to travel for fun. Park rates sky rocket during peak seasons

7. parks often charge for utilities, garbage, sewer/dump. If not at a park, you're buying lots of gas to run the generator plus paying to dispose of waste

8. Depending where you are if not at a park, may require permits.

9. Those things are a dickens to drive/tow.

I don't mean to discourage you, just consider those expenses before committing to it. Like others have said, it should be more about the experience than a money saving tactic.

8-ball, BSN · Aug 7, 2017

My wife and I live in our RV while on assignment. Best advice I can give is call before you shop. Many places don't have openings near the assignment so because of that we often don't get to go where we want but instead go where we can find a place to park. The big cities are out and more rural options are better. Then you have to try and reserve the spot with a deposit and then have your recruiter submit you and hope you get the job, if not you have lost your deposit. Worse is if you get the job and no place to park. I love living in the RV but finding an assignment and place to park is difficult. If I had it to do again I probably wouldn't. Check out the FB group adventures in RV travel nursing.

NedRN · Aug 7, 2017

Just to add to the excellent last two posts, towing insurance with Good Sam is a must.

There are some truly great online forums (2 anyway - there is a list on PanTravelers useful links page) with a wealth of information about every possible aspect of RVing. You are looking for the fulltimers sub forum. Ignore advice about establishing a state residence, that is not the tax home so valuable to travelers.

Argo · Aug 9, 2017

There are numerous variables to rv life. It can be very expensive or extremely cheap. How minimal are you willing to go? Are you solo travelling? Are you willing to commute some? I have been in an rv(travel trailer) on assignments for 3 years.

Angiebaby01 · Mar 20, 2018

This actually ally sounds like a great idea ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½