For some people, camping is a fun pastime that they enjoy a few times a year. But for others, it becomes a lifestyle. It’s easy to fall in love with being out in nature and the peace that comes along with spending your days next to babbling brooks, roaring rivers, and towering trees.
But if you decide to live in a tent long term, then you’re going to need to learn how to do so comfortably. You’ll need to choose the right tent, figure out how to make it comfortable long term and in every season, and have a routine that allows you to keep up with your hygiene.
Living in a tent long term may sound like heaven to those who are nomadically inclined or someone who simply wants a break from a world that constantly demands your attention.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about living in a tent long term successfully.
Choose the Right Tent
Before you can live in a tent long term, you need to pick one that’s going to be suitable for your needs. Thankfully, there’s a ton of information online about which tents are best for year-round living.
When you’re looking over that list, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help you choose the perfect tent for you.
1. Size
You’re going to be spending a lot of time in this tent, so it needs to be big enough for you to move around comfortably. You’re also going to be storing all of your belongings in this tent, so if you can find one with an entrance vestibule that can be used purely for storage, then that’s even better!
2. Durability
Heavy rainstorms in the summer and heavy snow in the winter are just two weather-related challenges that your tent is going to experience if you’re living in it long term. You want to find a tent that’s durable enough to withstand powerful storms without sustaining much damage.
Look for tents made of strong and long-lasting materials such as canvas or polyester blends. Learning how to properly stake your tent can help you keep your tent secure during storms as well.
3. Weather-Proof
The tent you choose should be able to keep out wind, rain, and debris from storms. It would be helpful for you to understand what tents are made of so you can pick one that’s made of the best material for the climate and region you plan to live in.
Find a tent that’s advertised to be all-season so you’ll stay comfortable and safe no matter what the weather throws at you.
4. Easy to Insulate
Even if you buy an all-weather tent that has all the other features listed, you’ll want to choose one that you can add extra insulation to easily. There are ways to insulate your tent for the summer and the winter.
Adding additional insulation won’t take long and will help keep you cool or warm. Choose a tent that doesn’t have too many mesh windows or pockets as these can be hard to insulate. It’s also helpful to pick one that has thick flooring because you won't have to add much to reinforce it.
"Keeping those features in mind will help you pick the perfect tent for you to live in long term."
Also Read: Best 12 Person Tent
Make Your Tent Comfortable
Once you’ve decided to live in a tent long term, it’s time to think about how you can make it as comfortable as possible. Your tent is going to be your home, your safe place, and it should provide just as much comfort as it does functionality.
You can start by getting a comfortable sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Most sleeping bags are going to provide enough comfort to get you through your average camping trip, but when you’re living in a tent long term, you’re going to want the extra comfort and back support that a sleeping pad will provide.
A good camping pillow can also be an excellent investment in this situation. It’ll provide enough head and neck support to keep you from developing knots or tension in your muscles, and most camping pillows are easy to clean.
Another way you can make your tent comfortable and create a homey atmosphere is by putting up some decorations.
Sure, you can’t nail picture frames up like you could in a traditional home, but you can use Velcro to put up pictures and posters that make you feel at home.
Organizing your gear in a way that provides you maximum space to move around is going to help your tent feel more comfortable as well.
You should have a designated space where your gear goes and a system so it’s easy for you to find what you need. There are even lightweight, collapsible storage trunks you can bring along to help keep your gear organized and out of the way.
Best Ways to Store Your Food
When you’re living in a tent long term, you’re going to need to decide on how you plan to stock up on food and where you’re going to store it. Your options for stocking up on food are pretty simple.
You can either make a trip to the store once a month or so and stock up, or you can try to find most of your food in the wilderness if you have the experience and knowledge to do so safely and legally.
Once you have your food supply, you’re going to need to store it safely so it doesn’t go bad and won’t get eaten by the wildlife in your area.
You’re going to need a cooler for anything that would normally go in the refrigerator. A good camping cooler should be durable, well-insulated, and large enough to hold your food.
"These can be expensive, but it’ll be worth it to have your food contained safely."
Non-perishables should be stored in air-tight containers. You could use something simple, like a plastic tote, but if you’re in an area with a lot of predators, then you should get a good bear-proof container.
"The last thing you want is to attract a bear into your new home!"
Cooking Your Food
When you’re living out of your tent long term, there are a couple of options for how you can cook your food. The first option is to use primitive methods such as cooking over the fire.
If you really wanted to connect with primitive cooking methods, then you could bake certain foods in the ground. Using ground or earth oven takes knowledge and practice to do so effectively, so make sure you only try this method if you have experience with it or research it thoroughly.
Another option is to bring along a camping stove. Camp stoves are inexpensive, easily portable, and can be a great option for you to cook a variety of meals while living in a tent long term.
"You will also need to have a supply of fuel for your camp stove and a safe place to store it."
Also Read: Best Campfire Cooking Kits
Keep Up On Hygiene
Keeping up on your hygiene can seem like a daunting task while living in a tent long term. If you’re not staying at a campsite with access to showers, then how are you going to stay clean?
Here are some tips to help you stay healthy and feel fresh while living in the great outdoors.
Personal Hygiene
Your personal hygiene needs to be a priority regardless of where you’re living. Keeping up on your hygiene will help you feel your best and stay healthy. When you’re living in a tent long term, there are several ways you can take care of yourself without having to leave your campsite.
Sponge Bath
If you’re camping near a water source, then you can use that for a quick sponge bath. Fill up a pot with some water and heat it up over your campfire. Then you can take a cloth with some soap and give yourself a nice sponge bath. You can use this same method to wash your hair as well.
Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are inexpensive, convenient, and easy to use. You can pull these out any time of the day and give your face, hands, and any area of your body that needs it a quick wipe down. This will help to remove any dirt, grime, or sweat that builds up during the day.
Dry Shampoo
Whether you have hair down your back or a short, cropped style dry shampoo can be a lifesaver. All you need to do is separate your hair, spray the shampoo down towards your roots, and rub it in. This will help keep your hair clean and refreshed.
Travel Toothbrushes
The amount of water that you use to brush your teeth can be hard to keep up with when you’re living in a tent long term. A great alternative to the traditional toothbrush and toothpaste routine is to bring along a few packs of travel toothbrushes.
Tent Hygiene
Your tent’s hygiene is just as important as your own. Don’t let garbage build up in your tent. Make sure that you’re regularly putting any garbage you may have into a plastic bag or a wildlife-proof container.
Keeping everything organized inside your tent will help you keep it clean. You can wash the inside and outside of your tent with warm water and soap regularly to keep bacteria from building up.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re keeping the flooring as clean as possible. Taking your shoes off before you enter your tent will stop you from tracking in dirt and anything else you’ve stepped in.
You may want to bring along a small broom so you can sweep out anything that gets tracked in.
Also Read: Tent Security: 12 Tips to Stay Safe While Camping
Stay Warm Or Cool
When you live in a tent long-term, you’re going to need to stay comfortable in every season. Buying an all-season tent is a good start, but there are other things you can do to keep yourself comfortable despite the temperature.
You can learn how to insulate your tent for summer and winter. Insulation will help keep the air outside from coming into your tent and trap the air that’s inside your tent to maintain its temperature.
In the summer, this means keeping the heat out and the cool in. In the winter, having proper insulation will keep the cold out and the heat in.
There are also camping fans you could bring along to provide some extra airflow during the warmer months. During the winter, learn how to layer up to stay warm in and outside of your tent.
Make sure you’re setting your tent up near a natural windbreak because this will help you keep the temperature comfortable in every season.
If you can’t find a natural windbreak, then you should put up a tarp or build a pile of shrubbery to create one.
Final Thoughts
For those who desire a nomadic, all-natural lifestyle, living in a tent long term can be the perfect solution. Immersing yourself in nature can be a beautiful experience, and doing it long term can be an exciting adventure.
Before you decide to live in a tent long term, you need to do the research. Learn how to keep up with your hygiene, stay comfortable in every season, and pick the right tent for this experience.
Once you’ve done your research and accumulated all your gear, there’s nothing to stop you from setting out and finding the perfect campsite to call home.
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About the Author
Hussain is a passionate hiker and traveler that love the outdoor and enjoys what nature has to give, whenever he can he love to write and give tips & honest reviews to help others get out there and just seek more unforgettable experiences.
