The dream of trading in the security of a traditional family life for the adventure of full-time travel was once thought of as a thrill for the select few; today, it is becoming more mainstream.Full time travel is no longer about feeling free. It is about creating a lifestyle that combines exploration, learning, and earning income at any point during your travels.
From Dreamers to Digital Nomads
Remote work has been growing since the early 2010s; the original pioneers were primarily freelancers and solo travelers testing the waters. As remote work and digital communication platforms (i.e., Skype, Zoom, Google Meet) grew to include the ability to communicate with teams and clients from anywhere in the world, the barriers to entry decreased significantly for families to consider full-time travel.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend. During the pandemic, remote work became a normal part of business, and schools continued using various forms of online schooling. Tools like Zoom allowed parents to conduct meetings with clients from their laptop while their children attended virtual classes from a hotel room, or while traveling through National Parks.
Mobile Living Communities
Finding a safe and comfortable place to park an RV or campervan was a common challenge ten years ago. With the emergence of dedicated RV sites and mobile living communities across the world, this challenge is rapidly disappearing. These communities offer everything from family-friendly recreational activities to coworking spaces and reliable internet. Families can now work from shaded picnic tables while their children attend swimming lessons, go for a bike ride, or enjoy this lifestyle with other children in the community.
While RV sites and mobile living communities may still lack some of the comforts of home, they offer something much more valuable than amenities. They create a connection. Families who felt disconnected from others now find their tribe while traveling. Social media and travel forums have enhanced this sense of community among mobile families. It is now easy to share information regarding routes, schooling options, and stories of the joys of traveling with a family.
Sustainability and Simplicity
The mindset of having a mobile family is changing dramatically. Ten years ago, families traveled because they wanted to have adventures. Many families still do want to have adventures, today they also want to travel sustainably and intentionally. Many families are choosing to downsize and adopt minimalist ways of living. As a result, solar panels, composting toilets, and other environmentally conscious technologies are now becoming the norm rather than the exception.
Learning Outside the Classroom
For many years, schooling on the road has been viewed as a major obstacle. With the rapid development of online education, schooling on the road is now viewed as an opportunity. Children are able to learn geography by visiting and exploring National Parks, History by visiting actual historical landmarks, and Math by managing their own budgets and planning their own trips. Parents are beginning to realize that education is not limited to a classroom and can happen anywhere that there is an environment that fosters curiosity.
The Future of Full-Time Travel
As the technology and infrastructure supporting full-time travel continue to grow, it will become even more possible for families to pursue this type of lifestyle. Electric RVs are on the horizon, Global Nomad Visas are expanding, and more and more countries are welcoming long-term travelers with open arms. Families who take advantage of this type of lifestyle are demonstrating that adventures and routines can co-exist if they are both guided by curiosity and courage.
A Wild Idea Becomes a Movement
When families first began considering full-time travel as an option, it was viewed as a very far off idea. Over the past decade, that wild idea has evolved into a movement. This movement is centered on connection, learning, and freedom. To those families who choose this path, the world is no longer just a map. The world is their home.
