- You can live full-time in your RV at a mix of private RV parks, some public campgrounds, mobile home communities, and on private land, with each option having unique costs and rules.
- Long-term RV living is easiest in places where it’s legal to establish residency and where you have access to basic utilities.
- Not everywhere allows long-term RVs, some cities, counties, and even homeowner associations have strict rules against it.
- Success depends on doing research, talking to locals, and sometimes being flexible about your location and lifestyle needs.
If you want to live in your RV full-time, you need to find a place where you can legally park and have a safe, consistent living setup. Most people make this work through long-term RV parks, public campgrounds with extended stay programs, renting or buying a spot in a mobile home park, or staying on private land with permission. The easiest spots tend to be in areas where local rules and state laws welcome full-time RVers. But, there are pros and cons to each option, and the best choice depends on your budget, your personal needs, and sometimes, your willingness to compromise.
RV Parks and Campgrounds With Long-Term Stays
For most, a private RV park is the obvious first choice. These places are designed for overnight and long-term guests, with hookups for water, sewer, and electricity. Some feel like small communities, others are little more than a gravel lot with a power pole. The prices, amenities, and even the level of social interaction all vary.
What you pay usually depends on:
- where the park is (resort areas cost more than remote ones)
- what facilities you get (clubhouse, laundry, pool, security, etc.)
- how long you stay (monthly rates are much lower than nightly, and some give discounts after six months or a year)
I have seen monthly rates as low as $300, before utilities, in rural states. In coastal or mountain regions near popular attractions, it can be $1200 or higher per month, plus electricity. Sometimes you can save by finding a park where you do your own lawn care or maintenance, but these opportunities are rare and usually in smaller, out-of-the-way parks.
Seasonal Campgrounds
Public or membership-based campgrounds sometimes allow seasonal or annual stays. You park for months at a time, usually during spring, summer, or fall. The parks run by state agencies (like state parks) usually limit your stay to two or three weeks, but there are exceptions. In places with lower demand, managers might let full-timers stay as long as there’s no local objection. It isn’t common near big cities or popular parks.
Some county and city parks have seasonal or year-round RV spots for far less than private campgrounds, but you have to know where to look and ask directly.
Mobile Home Parks and Manufactured Home Communities
Some mobile home parks accept RVs on a long-term basis. These aren’t always advertised as “RV-friendly,” but more and more are opening up to seasonal and permanent RVers. Why? Extra income, mostly, as fewer people buy manufactured homes.
The cost is usually lower than RV resorts and you might have access to laundromats, clubhouses, or storage. You’ll likely need a newer, self-contained RV, though, and there may be age or appearance rules. Be mindful: not every park wants kids, pets, or full-timers. Always double check the park’s rules.
Ask the manager directly: “Can I live here in my RV all year?” You’ll get a real answer faster than sifting through websites.
Private Land and Boondocking
If you want the fewest restrictions and don’t mind less “curb appeal,” private land is popular. You might rent a driveway, a backyard, or a few acres outside city limits. Sometimes these spots pop up on local listings, Craigslist, or word of mouth.
- Urban/town: Some areas allow you to rent or buy a lot with utility hookups. Others ban RVs completely, or let you park only behind a fence or in backyards away from sight.
- Rural: Counties with few zoning restrictions often let you stay as long as you want, even if you want to install septic and electric or rely on solar and well water.
- Boondocking: If you do not need hookups, there are public lands managed by BLM (Bureau of Land Management), the Forest Service, or even county agencies. These allow camping for up to 14 days in one spot, sometimes longer. In some states, people have built a full-time lifestyle by moving to a new free location every couple weeks.
The tricky part? Not all states let you use a mailbox or get a driver’s license using only private land, especially if there’s no building. Ask locals, join RV Facebook groups, and talk to county zoning officials, a five-minute phone call stops you from making a costly mistake.
Many states consider an RV parked long-term as “residential occupancy,” triggering rules about septic, water, and even taxes. Always check before you buy, or even rent, a piece of land.
Full-Time Living on Public Land
The idea of “living off the land” on public property is appealing, but full-time living is not always allowed. Most public land agencies limit continuous stays. For example, BLM land in the western US allows 14 days in one area, followed by a move of several miles. State parks, county parks, and most national forests have similar or even stricter rules.
| Public Land Type | Typical Stay Limit | Hookups? | Cost (per night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bureau of Land Management | 14 days per site/28 days per district | No | Free or $10-$20 |
| National Forest Service | 14 days per site/30 days per year | No, except some campgrounds | Free or $5-$25 |
| State Parks | Varies, usually 7-14 days | Some with hookups | $20-$50 |
| County Parks | Varies widely, from days to months | Some with hookups | $10-$40 |
If you do not need to stay in one spot forever, rotating between free or low-cost public land and paid long-term parks stretches your budget and gives you a mix of scenery and stability.
Other Options You Might Overlook
- Workamping: Some campgrounds and farms offer a free site in exchange for work. Tasks range from groundskeeping and office work to animal care. Usually seasonal. You get basic utility hookups and sometimes a small wage.
- Parking at Businesses: Sometimes you can make an arrangement with a local business (storage lot, repair shop, even some motels) to park and live, especially in rural areas or small towns. You pay rent and sometimes a little extra for utilities.
- House-sitting: Some RVers line up house-sitting gigs where they bring the RV, providing security and basic property maintenance while staying onsite. This can work for months at a time with the right setup.
Religious and Charitable Land
Some churches, monasteries, or rural charities allow long-term RV parking if you volunteer or pay a small rent. The atmosphere can feel more like a community, but the rules might be stricter. Expect regular check-ins and clear expectations about behavior and vehicles.
Can You Just Park Anywhere and Live?
You might want to just park on any street, or a friend’s driveway, and call it home. This is where you usually run into trouble. Most cities have local rules banning people from sleeping long-term in vehicles parked on the street. Even counties and suburbs can send code enforcement after you if a neighbor complains.
Even if a spot seems “safe,” ask: will you have water, power, trash, and mail? These basics make the difference between comfortable living and a real headache.
If you are determined to skirt the rules, some people do stealth camping (parking overnight in business lots or safe neighborhoods). But long-term, this gets tiring. There is a constant risk of being told to move or getting ticketed. Some people pull this off for months, but it tends to be stressful.
Where Full-Time RV Living Is Welcomed
Some areas are much friendlier for RV dwellers. These usually fit one of these categories:
- States with lots of public land and less regulation (think Arizona, New Mexico, some counties in Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and South Dakota)
- Rural areas that never developed strict zoning laws
- Coastal states where weather makes year-round living possible, though costs can be much higher
- Counties with RV retirement communities or lots of seasonal workers
I spent time in a county in New Mexico where the city park let RVers stay all year for $100 a month, it was barebones, but that was enough for a full-timer who wanted to save money and did not need fancy amenities. On the other hand, in most of California, local government is quick to move RV dwellers along unless they are in a proper RV park.
What About Zoning and Local Laws?
The single biggest surprise for newcomers: local zoning ordinances can ban or restrict full-time RV living, even on your own property. Some areas consider an occupied RV a “dwelling unit” and only allow it in licensed parks. Others require expensive septic systems or prohibit “camping” for more than two weeks. Even if a neighbor is fine with it, an unhappy local official can change your plans quickly.
| Area Type | Common Zoning Rules | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|
| City | No long-term RV living outside of parks | Typically strong; complaints quickly acted on |
| Suburban | Often banned by homeowner associations (HOAs) and local codes | Strict; neighbors report violations |
| Rural County | Rules range from strict to almost none | Usually complaint-based; little enforcement unless problems |
| Unincorporated | Less oversight, but some minimum utility/sanitation rules | Rarely enforced unless neighbors complain |
Save yourself headaches: a quick call to the county code office before you park long-term can prevent evictions and fines.
What Utilities and Services Do You Need?
Living full-time in an RV requires a bit more planning than a short camping trip. At a minimum, think about:
- Electricity (shore power or reliable solar panels/generator)
- Water (either piped in, delivered, or hauled)
- Sewer (campground sewer, dump station nearby, or an approved onsite tank/septic)
- Trash removal
- Mail and package services (many RVers use a forwarding service or rent a mailbox at a nearby business)
- Internet (campsite WiFi, or more likely, mobile data or satellite internet)
If you cannot get these easily, full-time living becomes tough. Some people love the challenge, but most want at least reliable electricity and water. In the desert Southwest, people even form informal groups where one member runs into town for groceries and propane once a week, just to make group RV living work.
What About Affordability?
How much you pay each month depends on location, amenities, and a little bit of luck. Here are a few typical numbers seen in 2024:
- Private RV park, monthly spot: $350-$1500 (most include water/sewer/trash; electricity extra)
- County/city park with RV pads: $100-$400 monthly, often on a first-come basis
- Public land: Free, but you may pay for dump/fill stations, gasoline, and extra equipment
- Mobile home park spot: $400-$800 monthly in many regions
- Backyard/driveway rental: $200-$500 monthly, usually all-in
There’s a common idea that RV living is always cheap. That depends. If you want full hookups, weekly mail, a pool, and a safe spot near a city, your cost can rival renting a small apartment. If you are comfortable with primitive setups or willing to move often, you can save a lot.
Paying a little extra for a quiet, legal, safe long-term spot is almost always worth it if you plan to park your RV for months or years.
Steps to Find Your Full-Time RV Spot
- Decide if you want or need to stay stationary, or if you will move seasonally, every few months, or even travel year-round.
- Make your basics list: What do you require for comfort? (showers, WiFi, laundry, etc.)
- Pick a state that welcomes RVers for residency, if you want to establish a legal address for licenses and taxes.
- Ask in local forums, groups, or social media, most long-term RVers found their first spot from word of mouth, not Google.
- Call parks and potential landlords directly. Be honest about your needs and length of stay.
- Plan ahead for busy seasons, most RV parks fill up months in advance during snowbird or holiday seasons.
- Pilot test a few spots for a week or two before signing a long-term lease or buying land. It is easy to miss noise, rules, or bad neighbors in an online listing.
Real Talk: Limitations and Things That Can Go Wrong
I hate to say this, but full-time RV living is not always carefree. RVs break down. Some regions dislike full-timers. Social isolation can creep up fast, especially in rural locations with few neighbors. And costs, honestly, might climb higher than expected in touristy areas or busy seasons. If you are someone who needs consistent WiFi or access to healthcare, the list of ideal places shrinks more.
But there is a plus side, even so. Communities form quickly between full-timers. You can adjust your cost of living by your own choices. And, unlike a house, you can leave a place that does not work for you, if you are willing to stay flexible.
Not every RV spot is perfect. Some places look great online, but you only learn the truth after a week. Never feel bad about moving on if it does not fit your life.
Is It Worth It?
If you crave mobility, value minimalism, or want a low-commitment home base, RV living can make a lot of sense. Just do the homework. Check the rules. Plan your utilities and backup spots. Combine a little caution with some trial and error and, honestly, you end up finding a system that works for you.
