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Why many are seeking to own RV Property in 2022

| Updated Jul 13, 2023

We're far from alone in seeking to own RV property. It's a trend that has been growing fast over the past few years and a viable alternative to the hassle of trying to find open spots in a campground that – too often -have been booked up for months in advance.

This week in Episode 376 of the RV Podcast, we talk to two couples who are shopping for land. But for much of the year, I've been hearing from many others about this topic, including other influencers who – like Jennifer and me – have bought their own RV property.

You can watch the video version of this episode of the podcast on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel below:

The audio-only version of the podcast is available on all the podcast apps. Or you can listen on whatever device you are reading this in the player below.

We've been writing and reporting about this trend since the spring of 2021 and we got so interested in the idea that we recently bought 5 acres of wooded land in Tennessee for our own RV property. We bought at a place called the Woodlands at Buffalo River near the small mid-Tennessee town of Linden.

To get you up to speed on what and why we bought our own RV land, here's a video right after we bought it:

And here's the video we did last week after we put in the driveway:

We've written about other places where you can buy RV property and, as we continue developing our Tennessee land and perhaps by our own RV property somewhere in Northern Michigan, we'll file updates over the next year documenting our process.

Why others want to own RV property

people who want to own rv property
Some of the people we met in Tennessee recently who want to own RV property

Based on our interviews with numerous RVers who either now own RV property or are in the process of doing so, have identified a bunch of reasons.

  • If you own RV property, you always have a place to camp.
    You can stay as long as you want, invite friends and relatives and avoid all the hassle of crowded campgrounds.
  • Having a base camp provides security and a familiar launching spot for exploring.
    Many of the Rvers we talked to said, in fact, that they are looking for to own RV property in several different parts of the country so they can take advantage of the seasons and comfortable temperatires.
  • Many are really fed up with trying to find spots to camp when they have openings, either for short term stays or seasonal stays.
    Noted one camper: “I live in NC recently bought an RV. From Jacksonville, NV south to Holden Beach, NC, every campground is booked up long term. Some have as much as a 7 yrs. waiting list! So if you have property now is the time to make it RV ready.”
  • The RV boom shows no signs of easing.
    It has become more and more of a challenge to find camp spots, even in boondockng areas. “We love our RV,” said one woman. “But honestly, we are thinking of selling because it is such a hassle finding decent places to stay. We're going to see if we can buy a couple of acres somewhere. That's the only way we figure we can go camping.”
  • Maybe want to build something more.
    Many the people we talked to say they are also considering building a permanant structure of some sort on the RV property, be it a storage shed for their outdoor equipment, a garage for the RV or maybe even a cabin or cottage. Listen to the two couples in the podcast interview to hear more about this.
  • We're sensing that a surprising number of fulltime RVers have decided to find a home base, either by owning RV property or buying a home.
    They are not quitting the RV lifestyle but they are tired of what has been descrbed to us as “decision fatigue,” always having to be searching for a place to stay and a Plan A, Plan B and Plan C if their initial decisions don't pan out.
  • The dwindling number of boondocking spots.
    While there are still planty of places where one can get away from it all on public land, it's also true that almost every week, areas are being closed to dispersed camping because of trash, human waste and vandalism. “We visited a favorite boondocking spot last weekend and found that the people there before us literally emptied their black tanks right on the forest ground,” wrote a follower named Emily. Said another follower, Al: “It seems that everywhere we boondock nowadays, we have to spend a half hour cleaning up garbage from previpous campers. Not fun!”

Owning RV property is not for everyone

For one thing, it's expensive. Just as RVs are selling fast and houses are often going for well over asking prices, private land that can be used for camping are also in high demand.

When land is found, decisions have to be made quickly. And some people are just not made that way.

Then there's the cost of putting in amenities. Septic, electric, and water hookups can easily cost $10,000 or more.

Clearing trees and vegetation to carve out RV sites usually demands heavy equipment and several thousand dollars more in expenses.

There there are permits from local governments.

There are lots of choices available besides land

Among other things, RVers who don't want to buy a multi-acre property have alternatives like:

  • Seasonal rentals in RV parks that cater to snowbirds
    Think Florida, the Rio Grande Calley of Texas and Arizona. In the summer, many parks in northern states offer long term rentals. Competition is steep and, like everything, seasonal rates are rising. But if you can research and search as far in advance as possible, you should have success.
  • RV “Casitas”
    You'll typically find these in the southwest. They are typically a small house with an attached covered structure for your RV on a small subdivision-style lot. You own the “casita” and have it and the RV as living space. Cost starts around $130,000, depending on location and ameneties in the devlopment.
  • RV Lots
    It is possible to purchase an RV lot. We've seen some RV “resorts” offer this in Floirda, Arizona and Tennessee. Here's a video I did on a place called The Landings.

What's your experience with these new opportunities?

Let us know in the comments!

Mike Wendland

Published on 2021-12-22

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

5 Responses to “Why many are seeking to own RV Property in 2022”

December 24, 2021at2:09 pm, Marilynn Buckham said:

We have owned 2 acres of property 1 hour south of Buffalo( our permanant home) near Pennslyvania, Chautaugua) Its in a little town called
Ellicottville , New York, Its just beautiful for the Summer and Fall. its wooded and open and private with a private road. We have cleared two acres and have a Gazebo over the creek looking up at the slopes of Holiday Valley. A summer /winter (Ski Resort). We have put in a permanent Fire PIt and a outside Kitchen. We do have electric, water, access to cable, wifi, and facilities for a outhouse. We have a 21 foot Pleasure Way. In the Winter we head to our home in Florida, Indian Rocks Beach. We are done looking for a crowded camp site.

December 22, 2021at10:19 am, Anne Turner said:

What was the name of the app you mentioned that showed the map on your phone with your lot lines? Looked in the show notes above and don’t see it. Thanks!

December 22, 2021at12:59 pm, Mike Wendland said:

Its called Guru Maps Pro

December 22, 2021at8:57 am, Thomas Fromholt said:

Do you know of any similar locations in upper Michigan for buying RV sites? I’d like to be around Traverse City or Petoskey?

December 22, 2021at1:00 pm, Mike Wendland said:

No…nothing like this in Michigan that we’ve been able to find

Comments are closed.

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