If you’ve ever lived the RV life, you know it’s a unique blend of freedom, adventure, and occasional chaos. But what happens when you decide to park your rig for good?

While settling down has its perks, there are definitely things about the nomadic lifestyle that’ll tug at your heartstrings.

In the video below, former full-time RVers Dustin and Lesley share what they miss most about life on the road.

1. The Excitement of New Places

“I miss getting to the next place, the excitement of a new place, exploring the local area, seeing stuff that we’ve never seen before.”

There’s nothing like rolling into a brand-new town, scoping out the best local diner, and finding that hidden hiking trail everyone else misses. Once you’re back in a house, the thrill of discovery gets replaced by… well, the same grocery store every week.

Pro tip: If you start pretending your backyard is an undiscovered national park, you might recapture some of that magic. (Or your neighbors will call the cops.)

2. The RV Community

“The people, man—we miss you guys. People is the big one. When you pull into a campground, immediately you meet new people.”

RV parks are like adult summer camp—instant friends, shared meals, and campfire stories. Back in a traditional neighborhood, people might wave… if you’re lucky.

Fun fact: The only “community” you’ll find in suburbia is the Nextdoor app, and that’s mostly people arguing about trash cans.

3. Constant Adventure (Even When It’s Stressful)

“We miss traveling… but we don’t miss travel days. Traffic, planning, mechanical issues—that was stressful.”

Sure, breakdowns and bad weather were the worst, but they also made for the best stories later. Now, your biggest adventure is trying to assemble IKEA furniture without a meltdown.

Bonus: At least your house doesn’t randomly spring a leak while driving down the highway.

4. The Simplicity of Tiny Living

“I don’t miss RV issues… but I do miss how simple life felt sometimes.”

Living in an RV forces you to declutter and prioritize. Now that you’re in a house, you’ve somehow accumulated three spatulas and a drawer full of mystery cords.

Question: Why do we own so many things when we only use 10% of them?

5. The Freedom to Roam

“We miss being able to just pick up and go whenever we wanted.”

No mortgage, no yard work—just you and the open road. Now, leaving town requires a packing list longer than the Constitution.

Reality check: The only “roaming” you do now is when your Wi-Fi cuts out.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re still on the road or have settled down, there’s no denying the RV life leaves a mark.