Why We Chose a Smaller House After Full-Time Travel

After seven years of full-time travel, living in a 400 sq. ft. RV with our family of four, we’re doing something we never thought we’d be ready for: we’re settling down.

But here’s the twist—our new home is still small. Just 1,250 sq. ft. A choice, not a compromise. Because even after all this time on the road, or maybe because of it, we’ve learned what truly matters—and that has nothing to do with square footage.

What RV Life Taught Us

Life on the road changed us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Traveling full-time stretched us, shaped us, and opened our minds. From the wide-open spaces of the American West to the colorful chaos of Mexican mercados and the quiet beauty of European villages—we were students of the world.

We learned to adapt, to simplify, to rely on each other. We grew to understand and respect other cultures deeply. We created friendships and memories across borders and time zones. That life gave our kids a global lens and gave us a renewed sense of what we value most: time, presence, and connection.

Why We're Settling Down (But Still Keeping It Simple)

So why are we choosing to put down roots now?

Because we’re ready. Our kids are excited to be part of a local community—joining school sports teams, building friendships that don’t disappear when the wheels start rolling again. We're craving consistency too—neighbors, routines, and friendships that can grow deeper with time.

We don’t need a big house. We just need a space that fits the rhythm of who we are now. Our 1,250 sq. ft. home may be three times bigger than our RV, but it still reflects our commitment to living simply and intentionally. Every item will have a purpose or bring us joy. Every room will hold space for togetherness.

And yes, we’re planning to still travel—just differently. With a home base, we’ll take trips around the kids' school schedules, and every summer, we plan to return to one of our favorite places in the world: Cerritos Beach in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

A little piece of our hearts will always be there, as we own property there and plan to build a house there in the future, which will serve as our home base once the kids are out of school! We will be moving to the SoCal desert and will be close to family, which is invaluable to us.

Moving Forward With Intention

This new chapter isn’t a departure from our journey, it’s a continuation, with different scenery.

We’ll be sharing our home renovation as we make this space our own—bringing in the lessons from tiny living, the global touches we picked up along the way, and the same spirit of curiosity and creativity that shaped our travels.

We’re still choosing adventure. Still choosing presence. Still choosing to live larger with less, so we can make room for more of what matters most.

We’d Love to Hear From You

Have you ever transitioned from one lifestyle to another? What lessons did you bring with you, and what did you choose to leave behind?

Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your story. 💛