For the past couple of years, we have had terrifying
wildfires in northern California. Thousands of people either lost their homes
in the fires or were evacuated to safe areas temporarily. Fairgrounds, casinos,
church parking lots, and other places were converted overnight into
campground-like shelters. Many of them advertised free electrical and water
hookups.
Many of the evacuees arrived in their RVs. Bad as it was for
them to leave their homes, they must have found the familiar RV surroundings
very comforting. Staying where they had a few clothes, a galley, and even an
entertainment system must have made an
enormous difference to them.
In a time of terrorism, we cannot predict what the future
will hold, or what may happen in our immediate environments. Having an RV might
mean escaping from great danger.
RVs can be useful in other non-recreational ways. Young
people are usually quite mobile, and may move far from home for jobs or school.
Searching for a decent and affordable
apartment can be a nightmare, wasting time and money that might be better spent
in other ways, but someone with an RV doesn’t have to go through it. Cities or college towns with large
unused spaces (such as torn down shopping malls) might even benefit
from creating pleasant motorhome parks
where people could easily move for a short
time. Once there, they might decide to stay and become part of the permanent community.
The tiny-home trend shows how little many people value
large, expensive homes. During the
dot-com boom, especially, McMansions were very popular; now, except for the filthy
rich one percent of the population, people have turned away from them. For a
reasonable cost, anyone can buy a cute, tiny home with all the basic
necessities. Even tiny homes, though,
are usually difficult or impossible to move if that becomes necessary. An RV
can provide the same amenities plus the enormous advantage of being a vehicle.
The many drawbacks of RV life are undeniable: most motorhomes are less comfortable than
even a small home, there are no
permanent hookups for water or electricity, and they depreciate in value rather quickly. Anyone
considering living in one for more than a few months would do well to think
about the disadvantages carefully before making a commitment. Though I am very
attached to our 24’ Winnebago View, if I were going to live in a motorhome for
a long period, I would want a large vehicle with a queen-sized bed and closet
space.
For many of us, the American dream still includes owning a
brick-and-mortar home, but it does not have to be an extraordinarily expensive
one that makes travel impossible. We might consider having it all: Perhaps a modest home plus a motorhome is the home of
the future.
