When we roll into town in our RV, it’s always heartwarming how many friends and family members offer us a place to stay. “You can sleep in our guest room!” “We’ve got plenty of space!” We truly appreciate it—it’s so kind. But most of the time, we stick to our RV.
Why? Because it’s our space.
The RV is where we’re most comfortable. We’ve got our pillows and blankets, our favorite soap and shampoo, and everything else exactly where we like it. We know where the light switches are, we control the thermostat, and we never have to wonder if we’re using the wrong towel. There’s something about having our own familiar space that makes life on the road feel a little easier.
It’s also just more practical for us. With a baby in tow, life can get loud and unpredictable. There are middle-of-the-night wake-ups, early mornings, and the occasional meltdown (sometimes the baby’s, sometimes ours). Staying in the RV means we don’t have to worry about waking anyone up or working around someone else’s schedule. And because we keep the RV fully stocked, we never have those “Oh no, we forgot the baby’s blanket!” moments. It’s all right there, ready to go.
When visiting friends or family, we try to find a setup that works best for everyone. If it’s possible, we’ll park right in their driveway—assuming it’s allowed and there’s enough space. That way, we’re close enough to spend plenty of time together but still have our own retreat at the end of the day. If that’s not an option, we’ll book a nearby campground or even choose a fun destination spot we can all enjoy. The flexibility of RV life means we can make it work no matter the situation.
One of our favorite examples of this was the time we camped in a friend’s driveway for two weeks. It was perfect. We had days where we didn’t even see each other, and when we did hang out, it felt effortless. No one felt like they had to entertain or adjust their routine—it was just easy. We could visit without imposing, and it worked beautifully for all of us.
Of course, staying in the RV doesn’t mean we don’t love spending time with friends and family. It’s just that having our own space makes it easier for everyone. We can enjoy long visits without any of the little stresses that come with being full-time houseguests.
If you’re an RVer, do you feel the same way? Is having your own space the key to enjoying visits, or do you prefer to mix it up and stay inside? I’d love to hear how you navigate this balance on the road.
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Great article, Elise! We feel the same way. It’s wonderful to be able to be in close proximity to friends and family and still be able to sleep in our own bed every night.