A lot of people are making the choice of leaving their brick and mortar houses and adopting alternative systems, such as living in a camper van or a tent full time.
What could be the reason for this?
Maybe it’s for the thrill of the challenge or a financial downturn for the worse. But whatever reason, living in a tent all year round can be a thrilling experience, and more people are buying into the idea.
People choose to live in tents full time for many reasons which may be linked to social, financial, emotional, or mental basis.
No matter you decide to live in a tent, there are several factors you need to consider before making the switch from a modern residence to living in a tent.
Things to Consider Before Deciding to Live in a Tent Full Time
Living in a tent is not an easy venture and takes a lot of thought. But if you think you have valid reasons that leave you no choice than to set up your living quarters in a tent, then here are some of the things you should consider:
Source of Food and Water
This calls for careful thoughts and is one of the most important factors to take into consideration by anyone seeking to live in a tent all year long. What are your plans for getting the food you and your family need for survival?
Water is not too difficult to find in the wild; you can always seek a spot that is not too far from a stream. But what about food? The small river may have some fishes that you can catch from time to time, but are you a skillful fisherman?
No one just takes up a fishing rod and goes fishing without taking the time to learn the art of catching and reeling in fish.
Hunting for food is another option, but how good are you with a gun or a rifle? Do you even own one or have the permit or license to carry one? Hunting and fishing cannot be learned in one day and require time and gear(like rifles or red led flashlights especially for night hunting) to learn and master.
Without these skills, you will soon be out of food and will have no choice but to buy your foodstuff from the grocery store.
But then, isn’t one of the reasons you choose to live in a tent is to save some money? You may also need to consider the laws that govern hunting and fishing so that you don’t get into trouble with the authorities and be tagged a poacher.
Location
This is another essential factor that will determine how comfortable you will be. Since you plan to live in a tent, you should know that you will be vulnerable to the weather.
It is essential to consider the country you live in as well as the number of seasons it has.
The equipment you need to thrive and survive in a country with just two seasons is not the same in countries with four seasons.
So, you need to consider the most important equipment you will need for subsistence in a tent. Additionally, it may not be possible for you to carry too much paraphernalia with you to your tent because of the weight.
Permit
Every location has its laws or statutes that guide the residents about daily living. You may have to find out whether or not it is permitted to set up camp in your locality. You may, therefore, require a permit from the local authorities before you are allowed to make camp.
If a camping ground is your base, this could be a bit easier. But then, you may not have the privacy that you seek since there is every likelihood that other individuals would love to set up camp in the same area.
Living in a preservation area, on the other hand, may require some form of a permit from the powers that be. Whether or not the permit will allow or cover living in a tent long-term is another ball game altogether.
Other things you also need to take into consideration when it comes to selecting a camping site to set up your tent are:
- Safety
- Campfire and cooking facilities
- Shade
- A plain ground without a lot of brush
- Provision for calls of nature
- Access to internet and telecommunications
Advantages
It is Extraordinarily Cheap
Once you locate the right spot to pitch a tent, you will save a lot on electricity, property taxes, rent as well as many other contemporary amenity costs.
Of course, living in a tent may seem pretty extreme and a somewhat harsh way of cutting costs. But if you think about it, you will discover that running a modern household is much more expensive during winter than running a good tent with an adequate supply of winter provisions or equipment.
Access to the internet and warm showers may appear impossible, but you can override these by signing up at a nearby gym – after confirming that they are equipped with showers – and register at a library that permits internet access to its members.
Portability
Living in a tent full time gives you the chance to be flexible with your living conditions. This means you can decide to set up camp anywhere that pleases you, meaning that you can pack up as well as unpack within minutes and at any time you choose to seek a new location. You are at liberty to live in a different state or city every night.
Your Eco-Footprint Becomes Smaller
Living in a tent gives you a smaller eco-footprint. This is a positive move towards ensuring that you leave as little negative environmental impact as possible on planet Earth. By leaving a tiny carbon footprint, you will have contributed towards the campaign set up to minimize the effects of humans on Mother Nature.
It Makes You Live a Simpler Lifestyle
Life, as we have it today, is not only complicated but rushed, no thanks to the hustle and bustle that plagues the everyday living. When you live in a tent, however, you will be able to focus only on the most important things. You will be able to adjust your lifestyle after putting it in perspective.
It can be a life-changing experience for people who have never had the opportunity of living in a tent before. You will spend less on luxury items and focus more only on essential stuff. The best part of living in a tent is that you will be able to renew your mind and body when you connect with nature.
You Will Have the Opportunity to Bath in the Forest
Spending time in the trees of the forest has been proven to be beneficial to health, according to a Japanese study.
As highlighted by the research, spending time amongst the trees gives your body the chance to absorb phytoncides released by the trees.
These chemicals help to improve the intake of air, regulates your body, and boosts up your immune system. You will feel happier and healthier for it, and no modern medicine can help you achieve this.
Disadvantages
Living in tents comes with its attendant disadvantages which you will do well to consider before opting for this way of life. The following are some of the drawbacks associated with living in tents all year round:
Facilities for Emergencies
If you decide to live in a tent, that implies that you will be living outdoors. This could be a significant disadvantage, especially if you or anyone around you gets involved in an accident or a severe illness breaks out in the family. Even if you’re packed with first-aid kits or similar survival gear, living in a tent may not prepare you for such emergencies as you may not be adequately fitted out to deal with such a crisis.
Attacks from Wild Animals
Tents are usually set up in solitary encampments that are open to attacks from wild animals. Although it is a rare occurrence for animals to attack tents, there have been occasional stories of tent dwellers getting assaulted by stray grizzly bears or wolves. If you set up your tent in wild animal territory, the possibility of animal attacks is high.
Disturbances from the Weather
There are different types of tents out there that are sturdy enough to withstand any weather. I would recommend you pick a hinged door camping tent since they’re stable and quite comfortable.
But if your tent is caught up in severe weather conditions such as twisters, storms, and blizzards, it could become a considerable challenge to overcome. The problem is magnified if such weather disturbances occur in the dead of the night which could expose you and your loved ones to the elements.
You may have to forgo or sacrifice most of the simple pleasures that make life enjoyable such as warm showers, taking careful measures to prevent predation, not having to forage for and work tirelessly as well as preserve food, etc.
Wrapping Up
Living in a tent full time is undoubtedly worth considering if you weigh the advantages against the disadvantages.
Not only will you be able to save a lot of electricity, government taxes, etc. you will also enjoy and have a taste of what life was like before the advent of modernization.
So, make a go for it if you are the adventurous type and enjoy the maximum benefits that Mother Nature has to offer!
This is amazing! We are converting a sprinter van and I thought that would be a small space, but living in a tent is even more challenging! I wonder how many people are doing this in the U.S. – super interesting topic – thank you!
Thats a good idea to live in a tent all around year