Three years ago, when our kids were 13, 10, and 4, we made a bold yet thrilling decision. We sold off a lot of our extra belongings, packed what we could fit into our reliable Honda Pilot, stored the rest, and embarked on an incredible year-long road trip. Surprisingly, we managed to do this for about the same cost as living at home.
Here’s how it all unfolded. I had been working from home, and my husband’s job had transitioned to a remote model, allowing us to work from anywhere. With our homeschooling setup, our kids could continue learning no matter where we were. Our lease was ending, and since our landlord wanted to sell the house we were renting in a Chicago suburb, we realized we could truly live anywhere.
Inspired by blogs of families embracing the “digital nomad” lifestyle, we decided this was the perfect moment to jump in. Our kids had no major commitments, our jobs allowed for flexibility, and we were about to be without a place to live anyway.
It’s important to note that we’re not wealthy, at least not by American standards. Our combined income doesn’t come close to six figures. We consider ourselves solidly middle-class, but we are frugal and resourceful. So, we wondered: what if we redirected the money we typically spent on rent, utilities, and extracurricular activities for the kids towards travel? Would that be feasible?
After some number-crunching, I briefly considered the RV lifestyle, but it didn’t feel right for us. While I love RVs for weekend getaways, living in one for an entire year didn’t appeal to me. A friend who had experience with nomadic living suggested looking into off-season rentals, which sparked my curiosity.
Using platforms like HomeAway, VRBO, and Airbnb, I mapped out potential routes where we could stay for about a month at a time. We planned to attend a summer camp in Washington and needed to return to Chicago in October, so those dates helped shape our itinerary. I discovered that Cape Cod had affordable rentals in the off-season, prompting us to plan a winter stay there.
Our housing budget in Chicago was around $1800 a month, which included utilities. I aimed to keep our rental costs close to that amount. As I organized our trip, I realized that we could average out rental costs effectively. Our first stop was a two-bedroom condo in Dana Point, California, costing $2400, which was stunning and just across from the beach. Our cheapest rental was a three-bedroom condo in Orlando for $1200, but our best find was a lovely four-bedroom house on Cape Cod for $1500 a month from October to January — a steal compared to its summer rate of $3500 per week! Including utilities and a storage unit for our belongings, we managed to keep our housing costs under $1800 per month.
Grocery expenses remained similar to what we spent at home. Each rental came equipped with basic cooking supplies, so we continued to shop and prepare meals as usual. Gas costs were an added expense, yet we offset these with savings from not enrolling the kids in music lessons or other ongoing activities.
We were fortunate to have friends along our journey who offered us free places to stay, enhancing our experience and allowing us to reconnect with loved ones. The few nights we spent in hotels were financed by selling items before we left.
The trip was transformative. America has a wealth of breathtaking destinations. The landscapes of southern Utah seem otherworldly, while the Oregon coast is breathtaking. Sunsets over the ocean never lose their charm, and the soft sands of South Haven, Michigan are unmatched. We immersed ourselves in the history of the Revolutionary War in Concord and Lexington, and the moss-covered trees of Savannah felt straight out of a fairy tale. Each new location brought unique experiences, and we reveled in uncovering both regional and national treasures.
To cap off our adventure, we spent a month in Orlando, just ten minutes from Disney World. With our housing costs already managed and the ability to prepare our own meals, we enjoyed a week at Disney and three days at Universal Orlando for under $3000 — our one big splurge, funded by dipping into savings. It was an absolute blast!
Of course, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. The planning and coordination were extensive, and packing up the car every month became tiresome. Our oldest experienced moments of homesickness. However, we made new friends along the way and had family visit us at various stops, sharing wonderful experiences with those we love. All in all, it was an adventure I would happily relive.
Our travels taught us many lessons, but the most important takeaway for our kids is that there’s no set way to live your life. There are no strict rules dictating that you must follow a conventional path, whether temporarily or permanently. While our circumstances were ideal for this nomadic lifestyle, I’ve encountered others who rented out their homes and negotiated their work arrangements to pursue similar journeys. You never know what possibilities await until you take that leap.
If you ever dream of doing something unconventional and extraordinary, don’t let anyone convince you it’s unfeasible. By thinking creatively, using your resources wisely, and seizing opportunities, life can take you to remarkable places. For more insights into alternative lifestyles, check out this post on at-home insemination here. And for those interested in fertility resources, be sure to visit Make A Mom. If you’re looking for reliable information about conception methods, this Wikipedia page offers a comprehensive overview.
Summary
In summary, our year-long adventure of living a nomadic lifestyle allowed us to explore diverse landscapes, reconnect with friends and family, and teach our kids valuable lessons about living outside societal norms. It was a journey filled with challenges and memories, proving that with creativity and resourcefulness, extraordinary experiences are attainable.