"After White's husband died, she didn't have the money to take vacations, but living in her RV while traveling the country and working seasonal jobs offered a way to pay the bills and live the life of exploration that she craved. "You're on vacation in a way," she said, despite working relatively low-paid jobs, mainly managing activities and administrative tasks at campgrounds and parks."
"White is among many Americans living itinerant lives and paying the bills with seasonal work. So-called "work camping" has become popular among a broad swath of Americans, including retirees volunteering in exchange for an RV hook-up, Gen Z influencers pursuing #vanlife, and would-be retirees who need to fund their travel bucket list."
"Laurie and Matt DuShane had long dreamed of "living tiny and being able to go and see this country," Laurie said. So the Michigan couple bought an RV in 2020 to use for short trips planned around Matt's work schedule as a law enforcement officer. But the RV suddenly became their primary home when Matt left his job while struggling with health issues, Laurie said. "I knew that we couldn't continue in our current lifestyle without his income," she said."
Kathy White, 66, has lived for a decade in multiple regions while residing in a 30-foot Itasca Sunstar motorhome. After her husband's death, she used RV travel combined with seasonal jobs to cover expenses and continue exploring. Many Americans adopt itinerant RV lifestyles and use 'work camping'—seasonal positions at campgrounds and parks—to pay bills. The practice attracts retirees, Gen Z influencers, volunteers exchanging labor for hookups, and would-be retirees funding travel. Work camping delivers travel freedom and scenic living but also involves logistical difficulties and financial trade-offs that can make it no cheaper than traditional housing.
Read at Business Insider
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