I am planning traveling a few months to go to some spots I've never been and also to check out potential places to live. I also thought about sailing and RVing but the economics don't seem to be very mustachian. Would be interested to get anyone's opinion on that...
Step into my office...
I've given a great deal of thought to what you are proposing. I'm not FI but have put myself in a position where I can travel for work while I build my stash and find a "perfect place" to settle down in later. I did much research on RV's and even boats for awhile and here is what I came up with:
I like creature comforts (like long, hot showers and full cooking/bathroom facilities) which are not really conducive to RV's/Trailers/boats etc. Plus all of these require a big upfront cost (one I didn't want to spend not knowing if I would like it) and more maintenance than I wanted to put into them given I'm still working full time (although more intermittent). My end decision was to buy a van like
this for only a few thousand. It's AWD and gets decent gas milage with a ton of room. I ditched all the rear seating.
I paired down my possessions to only what would fit in the van for transport. Furniture includes a
bed that is easily condensed with a
foam mattress that bends for storage, a chair, small couch, small table. A couple of
containers of personal items, a few pictures/decorations/lamp/curtains. Also things I use all the time like kitchen stuff, bedding, a few free weights, toiletries, minimized wardrobe (I leave folded stuff in two duffel bags which are my dressers, even when settled, a shower rod in the van to transfer hanger stuff so they dont get all wrinkled), a
gas grill (I love grilling) and of course a laptop and small speakers for an entertainment system. Now, I do not live in the van, although even packed I am capable of crashing on the couch for a few days (tight squeeze, but doable). This allows me to travel without paying for expensive hotels. When unpacked I can rearrange the van for longer term camping, or for regular vehicle use if required (multiuse).
Before I arrive in my chosen new location, I have already searched CL for sublease advertisements and narrow it down to a few studio apartments to view. Usually people are pretty desperate to get out of their leases and offer a free security deposit or even reduced rent. I usually look for 2-5 mos left on a lease, I can always extend it later if I want. Move into apartment soon after. It takes about 2-3 hours unassisted for me to move in and be fully "set up", call for utilities, etc. I use my phone hotspot for internet to minimize the constant changing there, if I need more data I use a library or see if a neighbor wants to share Wifi. Then I work my contract and get to know the city, make friends, live life, etc. Afterwards, it usually take 2-3 hours to "pack up", a couple more to clean if I think I can get that security deposit "back". Rinse and repeat to your heart's desire.
It's not for everyone, but it is a good middle ground between being totally nomadic and having a home base. My apartments look & feel homey enough once unpacked; no one I have over ever guesses how mobile my lifestyle is. Total buy in cost for me was less than 5K. Living costs are completely variable based on how much you want to pay for rent, but having such a small amount of stuff, more than 3-500 square feet is not really needed.