The Vanishing Freedom of Mobile Living: A Global Perspective

The American Dream of freedom on the open road is increasingly colliding with a wall of municipal ordinances and prohibitive costs. Having lived this mobile lifestyle since 2007 – in everything from sailboats to motorhomes, from tents to hotels, across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe – I’ve witnessed firsthand the steady erosion of viable options for mobile living. What many don’t realize is that we’re facing a perfect storm: cities are criminalizing vehicle dwelling through selective enforcement, “safe” parking programs are missing the point of mobile living, and RV park rates have skyrocketed to match apartment costs – without any of the amenities or stability.

A Global Perspective on a Growing Crisis

The challenges facing mobile living aren’t unique to any one region. From the Pacific Northwest to the Mexican coastline, from Canadian provinces to European cities, the story remains disturbingly similar: traditional housing becomes increasingly unaffordable, people turn to mobile living solutions, and municipalities respond with restrictions that gradually eliminate these alternatives. As a member of the Escapees RV Club since 2007 (we identify ourselves by our “class year” in the community), I’ve watched this pattern repeat itself across borders and continents.

The Forced Migration to Smaller Vehicles

The systematic push toward ever-smaller mobile living spaces isn’t just about urban aesthetics – it’s about control. Cities have effectively outlawed living in larger vehicles, pushing people toward van life – only to then criminalize that option as well. This forced downsizing ignores a crucial reality: many people can afford and would prefer the comfort and stability of a larger RV. The current approach is creating pressure in a system that will eventually have to give.

The Coming Showdown

We’re approaching a critical inflection point. What happens when the growing population of van and car dwellers – people who downsized to remain “legal” – decide they’ve had enough? When they realize they can afford the comfort of a proper motorhome and choose to assert their right to park in public spaces? The brewing conflict between mobile residents and municipal authorities isn’t just probable – it’s inevitable.

The current strategy of pushing people into increasingly smaller spaces while eliminating legal parking options is unsustainable. We’re looking at a future where well-resourced, organized communities of RV owners might simply refuse to comply with parking restrictions en masse. The question isn’t if these showdowns will occur, but when and where they’ll begin.

Beyond “Safe” Parking Programs

The fundamental disconnect between policy makers and the mobile living community becomes clear in the implementation of “safe” parking programs. These initiatives, while well-intentioned, miss the essential nature of mobile living: the freedom to move. Having experienced various living arrangements across multiple countries – from tents to Airbnbs, from sailboats to RVs – I can attest that the ability to relocate at will isn’t just a luxury, it’s often a necessity for work, weather, or personal preference.

The Economics of Exclusion

The cost structure of RV parks has become particularly perverse. What began as an affordable housing alternative has evolved into a system that often matches or exceeds traditional rental costs. This pricing isn’t just about market forces – it’s effectively creating an economic barrier to mobile living, pushing people toward even less stable alternatives.

Looking Forward: The Need for New Solutions

After nearly two decades of mobile living across multiple countries, I’ve seen both the best and worst of how communities handle alternative living arrangements. Some European cities have managed to integrate mobile communities successfully, while others have taken increasingly hostile stances. The lessons from these varied approaches suggest that solutions exist, but they require a fundamental shift in how we think about housing and community rights.

The coming years will likely see increasing tension between mobile residents and municipal authorities. As someone who’s witnessed the evolution of this lifestyle since 2007, I believe we’re approaching a tipping point where the community will need to organize and advocate for systemic change.

A Call to Action

While the path forward isn’t entirely clear, several key actions could help address these mounting pressures:

  1. Document and share our experiences – both successful and challenging – to build a comprehensive picture of the situation
  2. Form coalitions between various mobile living groups (van dwellers, RV owners, sailors) to create a unified voice
  3. Engage with local planning committees before restrictions are enacted rather than after
  4. Study and share successful models from other countries where mobile living has been better integrated into urban planning

The freedom to choose how and where we live isn’t just about RVs or vans – it’s about preserving one of the last vestiges of personal liberty in an increasingly regulated world. The perfect storm we’re facing demands a response, but that response must come from within our community first.


Lonn Holiday has been living the mobile lifestyle since 2007, experiencing various forms of alternative living across North America and Europe. From sailboats on the Salish Sea to motorhomes in the greater Seattle area, from tents in Mexico to hotels across Europe, he brings a global perspective to the challenges facing the mobile living community.

Leave a Reply