When Garret and I purchased our first RV, we had big travel plans. We went on a couple of short trips and then decided to leave our jobs in Orlando and try out seasonal work for a year to travel.
We knew seasonal work didn’t pay that well, so we made it our mission to find Budget RV Living in the Florida Keys—and just like that, we did it!
We are sharing our story and tips and tricks for Budget RV Living in the Florida Keys. Garret got a job at an RV park, and we secured a discounted site.
We would have never dreamed of living full-time here because it just wasn’t in our budget. This may not work for everyone, but it did for us. Here’s how we did it!
We canceled our plans for our summer season in upstate NY just before the pandemic hit. We had a lot of opportunities there and loved our jobs. We planned on being in the Keys from October until April for the winter season but ended up staying for two years.
The cost of housing in the Keys is high, but if you can find a way to work there and park your rig at a discounted rate, you can live in paradise without breaking the bank.
Seasonal Stays: Consider staying during off-peak seasons (summer) when rates may be lower, though you must be prepared for hotter weather and potential storms.
New As of 2024:There's also a new program offered through Sun Outdoors, one of the popular RV campgrounds and vacation rentals in the U.S., called Park and Play.
You can stay at a discounted rate, usually during the off-season. The best part is you can keep your RV parked on your site, even if you're not there. However, I'm not sure who would want to leave the Keys.
Membership Discounts: Certain memberships, such as Passport America, Good Sam, or Thousand Trails, can offer discounts at affiliated parks.
Long-Term Agreements: Negotiate for long-term stays, sometimes with lower monthly rates than short-term rentals.
Workamping: Some parks offer reduced or free site rent in exchange for part-time work at the park. Also, you can check the website, Coolworks for seasonal jobs around the US and the Florida Keys.
thousand trails has 2 campground in the Florida Keys. With a TT membership, you can stay for as little as $20 a night for up to 14 nights. For more info-see our post, HOW WE LIVE FOR ALMOST FREE FULL-TIME ON THE ROAD