Three years ago, when our kids were 13, 10, and 4, our family made a bold and thrilling decision. We decluttered our lives, fitting our essentials into our trusty Honda Pilot, stashed away the rest, and embarked on a year-long road trip. Surprisingly, we managed to do this for about the same cost as staying put.
Our story begins with the flexibility of remote work; I already worked from home while my husband’s company had recently adopted a work-from-anywhere policy. Homeschooling our kids meant they could learn in any environment. With our rental house in a Chicago suburb about to be sold, we realized we had the freedom to explore the country.
I had been inspired by blogs about families living a “digital nomad” lifestyle, and we figured that if there was ever a perfect time to try it out, it was now. Our kids had no major commitments, our jobs allowed for it, and we were about to be without a home anyway.
Let’s clarify that we’re not rich by any stretch of the imagination. With our combined income, we certainly don’t hit six figures. We’re solidly middle-class, but we pride ourselves on being frugal and resourceful. So, we wondered what would happen if we redirected our typical housing and utility expenses into travel. Would it be financially feasible?
After some number-crunching, I briefly considered the RV route but decided it wasn’t for us. While RVs are great for short camping trips, living in one for a year felt daunting. A friend who had experienced nomadic living suggested looking for off-season rentals, so I began exploring options.
Using platforms like HomeAway, VRBO, and AirBnB, I mapped out potential routes, planning to stay in one place for roughly a month at a time. We had a camp scheduled in Washington state during the summer and needed to return to Chicago for work in October, which helped anchor our timeline. I discovered that Cape Cod offered inexpensive off-season rates, so we decided to spend part of the winter there.
In Chicago, our family of five typically spent around $1800 a month on housing, including utilities. I aimed to keep our costs similar during our travels. Surprisingly, we could manage this by averaging our rental expenses. We expected higher costs in the summer, but lower rates in the fall and winter balanced things out.
Our first stop was a two-bedroom condo in Dana Point, California, costing $2400—a stunning location just steps from the beach. Our most budget-friendly option was a three-bedroom condo in Orlando for $1200. The biggest win was a beautiful four-bedroom house on Cape Cod from October to January for $1500 a month (a steal compared to its summer rate of $3500 per week!). With utilities included and a month spent with family in between rentals, we comfortably stayed under our housing budget, even with the $200 monthly fee for our storage unit.
Grocery bills remained similar to what we spent at home; all rentals came equipped with basic kitchen supplies, so we cooked as usual. Gas was an added expense, but the savings from not enrolling our kids in music lessons or ongoing classes helped cover the extra travel costs.
We reconnected with friends along the way, enjoying a few nights of free lodging, and the five or six nights spent in hotels were financed by the items we sold before leaving.
The journey was transformative. This country is filled with breathtaking landscapes. The drive through southern Utah felt otherworldly, the Oregon coastline was mesmerizing, and sunsets by the ocean could never grow old. We geeked out over Revolutionary War history in Concord and Lexington, while Savannah’s moss-draped trees looked like they belonged in a fairy tale. Each destination offered its own unique charm, and we loved discovering national treasures.
We wrapped up our adventure with a month in Orlando, just a short drive from Disney World. Since our housing costs were already covered, we could bring our own meals and avoid transportation fees, allowing us to enjoy a full week at Disney World and three days at Universal Orlando for under $3000—a splurge we happily dipped into our savings for. It was an absolute blast.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Planning and coordinating a nomadic lifestyle took effort. Packing up the car every month became tedious, and our oldest child felt homesick a few times. However, we made new friends along the way, and family members joined us in various locations, creating cherished memories together. All in all, it was an epic adventure we would gladly do again.
Through our travels, we learned that there’s no one-size-fits-all way to live life. There’s no rule that says you must stick to a conventional path, whether it’s temporarily or permanently. While our circumstances were ideal for this journey, I’ve met others who rented out their homes and negotiated their work schedules to embark on similar adventures. You’ll never know what’s possible until you take the leap.
If you’re considering a daring yet exciting change, don’t let anyone convince you it’s too crazy or impossible. By thinking creatively, utilizing your resources wisely, and seizing opportunities, life can lead you to extraordinary places. For more inspiration, check out this piece on home insemination kit here. And if you’re curious about the journey of infertility treatments, this guide on the IVF process is an excellent resource that can shed some light here.
In summary, our family’s year of nomadic living not only broadened our horizons but also taught us invaluable lessons about flexibility, adventure, and the importance of stepping outside the box.