\u201cNormal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to a job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car, and house that you leave empty all day in order to afford to live in it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The words hit home, and we knew we wanted more. So, at 43 and 45, we traded predictability for possibility. We sold our house, bought an RV, and set off on a journey to live, work, and travel full-time\u2014bringing our beloved dog, Coda, along for the adventure.<\/p>\n Rather than settle for coexisting in a \u201cnormal\u201d life, we instead consciously chose to co-create a richer one, fueled by our love of travel and making the most of our time together. Knowing that tomorrow was promised to no one, we decided not to wait for retirement. We wanted to embrace this lifestyle while we were still young, active, and in good health.<\/p>\n Julie and Marc at The Badlands<\/p><\/div>\n The seed for this lifestyle was planted in Marc in 2001 during a 5,000-mile road trip aboard a luxury motorcoach on a business trip with colleagues. \u201cI remember sitting up front, watching the countryside roll by through that big windshield and thinking, \u201cThis is the life\u201d Marc recalls.<\/p>\n Then, in 2011, we met a couple of full-time RVers at a pizza restaurant in Colorado Springs. As they shared their RV life stories, their infectious zest for life ignited a spark in us. We drove home buzzing with excitement, both saying, \u201cWe should definitely do that someday!\u201d<\/p>\n It took a few years until we made that dream a reality. We realized RV living aligned perfectly with our dreams. It would give us more time together, freedom to explore, and the chance to create a life filled with meaningful experiences rather than material possessions. Our biggest challenge \u2013 how to work from the road \u2013 was answered when Marc landed a remote job, and we set the wheels in motion\u2026 literally!<\/p>\n Stepping into the unknown wasn\u2019t without its fears. Julie\u2019s biggest concern was losing a sense of connection and community. For Marc, it was maintaining reliable internet for work.<\/p>\n \u201cWe tackled these fears head-on,\u201d Julie says. \u201cWe researched endlessly, invested in tools to ensure connectivity, and reminded ourselves that challenges would become opportunities to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n And grow, we did. As Julie puts it: \u201cWhen you get an idea, don\u2019t just talk or dream about it\u2014go find a way to make it happen!\u201d<\/p>\n Since then, we\u2019ve visited 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, owned five RVs, and driven over 100,000 miles. The rewards of our RV life and travels have far outweighed the challenges. Driving America\u2019s scenic byways, exploring national parks, local gems, and chasing the best weather of every season have given us a deeper appreciation for each place and life\u2019s simple joys.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll never forget our first visit to the Grand Canyon. It was snowing, and the view was completely obscured as we stood by the edge. But as the snowfall eased, the canyon opened up and revealed itself\u2014dusted in white, vast, and breathtaking.<\/p>\n Another memorable experience was watching hundreds of colorful hot air balloons float over us at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. With our RV parked by the field, we had a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring and magical spectacle.<\/p>\n \u201cLiving in an RV has given us the freedom to see places at their best,\u201d Marc shares. \u201cWhen it\u2019s your lifestyle and not a vacation, you don\u2019t have to hurry there and back. Instead, we\u2019ve been able to immerse ourselves in each destination, traveling at our own pace and letting the journey unfold naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n We didn\u2019t start with deep pockets or a windfall when we hit the road in 2014\u2014when we met in 2010, we had next to nothing. Initially, Marc worked remotely in operations management for a Texas-based company, while Julie used her marketing expertise to create RVLove.com and our YouTube channel.<\/p>\n What began as a way to document our travels and share advice quickly became a trusted resource. By 2017, RVLove had grown, so Marc left his corporate job to join Julie full-time. Since then, we\u2019ve written two books with a major publisher and launched the first online school for RVers. Combining creativity, resourcefulness, and savvy decisions, we\u2019ve built a sustainable business that funds our travels and inspires others to pursue their adventures.<\/p>\n Marc repairing RV in campground<\/p><\/div>\n That\u2019s not to say RV living has been without its bumps. Repairs, breakdowns, and unexpected delays can throw a wrench in even the best-laid plans. \u201cYou quickly learn that flexibility isn\u2019t optional\u2014it\u2019s essential,\u201d Marc says.<\/p>\n The solution? DIY skills, adaptability, and a sense of humor. From fixing RV repairs to navigating breakdowns and changing campground bookings on the go, each challenge became a chance to build resilience and self-reliance.<\/p>\n We quickly learned that the unexpected\u00a0and challenges are all part of the adventure. When you embrace that, you can really lean into and enjoy RV life, no matter what it throws at you.<\/p>\n \u201cRV living makes you more resourceful and confident in your ability to handle just about anything!\u201d says Julie.<\/p>\n For those considering RV life, we offer this advice:<\/p>\n Start with a Test Run:<\/strong><\/p>\n Rent an RV for a week or two to see if it fits your lifestyle well. If so, try different kinds to determine which type you prefer.<\/p>\n Research and Budget:<\/strong><\/p>\n Be realistic about costs \u2013 from fuel and campgrounds to the total cost of RV ownership. Having the right camping memberships for your travel style can save you substantial money. Learn more about all this at our RVLove website.<\/p>\n Travel Slowly:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cApproach RVing as a lifestyle, not a vacation,\u201d Julie emphasizes. \u201cRushing and trying to pack everything in will burn you out. Take your time and savor the experience. It will be more enjoyable, safer, and less expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n Prioritize Health:<\/strong><\/p>\n RV living is perfect for staying active. We hike, bike, and explore new trails everywhere we go. And preparing meals is easy in an RV, which helps us stick to a healthier diet while traveling.<\/p>\n The RV lifestyle may seem unconventional, but it aligns beautifully with our approach to aging. Staying active, mentally sharp, and socially engaged is baked into RV living. We\u2019ve bonded with countless fellow travelers, shared stories around campfires, and formed lifelong friendships.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve also discovered that people are more alike than different,\u201d Julie says. \u201cTraveling helps you see the world\u2014and yourself\u2014in new ways. It\u2019s humbling and deeply rewarding.<\/p>\n Keeping physically and mentally engaged while connecting with other RVers, exchanging tips, and bonding over shared adventures\u2014is part of what makes the RV lifestyle so fulfilling.<\/p>\n Photo: GabrielaPhoto.com<\/p><\/div>\n As we reflect on over a decade of RV living, one lesson stands out: Tomorrow is promised to no one.<\/em> If you\u2019ve ever dreamed of living differently\u2014breaking free from routine to embrace a life of purpose and adventure\u2014we encourage you to consider living the RV life. And if the idea of this lifestyle ignites something in you\u2026.take the leap! Start learning and planning to make it happen.<\/p>\n \u201cRVing has changed our lives,\u201d Marc says. \u201cIn just a few years, we checked off our bucket list goal of visiting all 50 U.S. states before 50\u2026 while working full-time! We\u2019ve shared incredible experiences and made lifelong friends we reconnect with around the country. It\u2019s amazing what you can see and do, when you prioritize experiences over possessions.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re reading this and it\u2019s awakening a desire in you, this is your friendly reminder that the open road is waiting, and so is your next adventure. All it takes is the courage to answer the call.<\/p>\n Will we see you out there?<\/p>\n How RV living transformed our health, happiness, and perspective<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15878,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[196,197],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-winter-2025","category-winter-2025-features"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15699"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16031,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15699\/revisions\/16031"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15878"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/marc-julie-badlands-750.jpg\")
<\/a>The Call to Adventure: Why We Chose RV Living<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Overcoming Fears and Finding Freedom<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/a>The Joys of RV Living<\/strong><\/h3>\nOne Might Wonder – How We Make a Living from the Road<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Challenges and Life Lessons<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Tips for Aspiring RVers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Aging Vibrantly on the Road<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/a>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Marc and Julie Bennett of RVLove.com<\/a> are avid RVers, authors, and advocates for living an adventurous, healthy, and fulfilling life at any age. They share practical advice and inspiration through their bestselling books, Living the RV Life<\/em><\/a> and RV Hacks<\/em><\/a>, as well as the<\/strong>ir blog<\/a> and YouTube channel<\/a>. (All photos courtesy of The Bennetts except where noted).<\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"