Living in a motorhome: What are the pros and cons?

Can you imagine spending your entire life roaming the highways and byways of the UK, Europe or anywhere you want? That’s what you can do if you choose to live in your motorhome permanently.

For those in the know, this kind of lifestyle is known as ‘full-timing’ and quite a few people appear to be choosing it as an alternative to living in the same house or flat at a fixed address, hoarding stuff and constantly wondering what it would be like to indulge their secret wanderlust.

How easy is it to go full-time? There are opinions on this, so we’ll take a good look at the factors involved and answer a few questions at the forefront of people’s minds.

Can you legally live in an RV?

At present, there’s no specific law prohibiting you from living in your van, campervan or motorhome full-time provided that your vehicle has an up-to-date MOT certificate and is fully taxed.

The more worrisome question is where are you going to park it when you’re not exploring the great wide yonder?

You can’t just live in the nearest layby and there are a series of restrictions which you need to be aware of.

Local authorities across the UK and Europe have a free hand in determining what restrictions apply to where you can or can’t safely park up.

In any case, it’s a good idea to check The Highway Code when it comes to parking a non-standard vehicle for one or two nights in a row.

Pros and cons of living in your motorhome

When you live in your motorhome, you’re living like a snail (although it’s to be hoped your motorhome travels somewhat faster).

You carry your home on your back and can up and leave whenever you like. Just start the engine and off you go.

You aren’t tied down to one location and you might discover things you’d never have dreamed of. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?

But before we get carried away, let’s weigh up the pros and cons of living full-time in a motorhome.

The pros

No permanent address – Some people prefer to stay put because it’s a wrench to leave friends and family. However, the beauty of a life on the road is that, wherever you are, you can choose to leave or stay.

It’s a lot cheaper than a house – In terms of day-to-day costs, upkeep and other miscellaneous expenses, motorhomes are clearly cheaper than living in a house.

‘House-cleaning’ – You can clean your entire home in a matter of an hour or so.

Fewer chores – Having a smaller space to maintain means more time for enjoyable activities.

Home, sweet home – You can travel almost anywhere in the UK (or even Europe) knowing you’ll sleep in your own bed.

Fulfil dreams, see the world – Drink your morning coffee in the mountains and eat supper by the beach.

Parking fees are affordable – Most motorhome sites are reasonably priced.

Energy costs – Plugging into campsite facilities is often cheaper than home energy bills.

New people and cultures – The full‑timer lifestyle opens doors to diverse communities.

Variety is the spice of life – No more routine or familiar views.

The cons

No permanent address – Receiving post, registering with a GP, or handling official paperwork can be complicated.

Budgeting – It can be difficult to stick to a budget.

Laundry – Campsite facilities can be costly.

Lack of space – You’ll need to get creative with storage.

Mess and untidiness – Small spaces magnify clutter.

Local amenities – Shops, doctors and dentists won’t always be nearby.

Weather and seasons – Be ready to tolerate low temperatures.

A humorous blog notes the constant sound of rain as a particular challenge.

Can you live in a motorhome all year round?

Yes, but winter can make finding overnight stops more difficult.

There are motorhome stopovers across the UK and Europe, but standards vary.

It’s best to research and plan ahead.

Travellers must cook, eat and sleep within the vehicle.

The UK community is well served by motorhome stopover listings.

For Europe, the Eurocamping blog is a valuable resource.

How much does it cost to live in a motorhome?

Costs vary widely depending on lifestyle, distance travelled and destinations.

• Number of people
• Travel frequency
• Location
• Length of stay
• Budget discipline

Some full‑timers report spending around £1,500 per month including fuel.

An ACSI card can significantly reduce campsite costs.

Can you live in a motorhome on your property?

You may camp on your land for up to 28 days per year without planning permission.

Permanent residential use requires planning permission unless use is incidental to an existing dwelling.

Check property covenants and Land Registry entries carefully.

Practical considerations include waste, post, insurance and council obligations.

Motorhome insurance for full-timers

Specialist insurance is essential for full‑time living.

Risks are higher than occasional travel.

Visit us and get a quote to ensure you have the right level of cover.