My husband and I couldn't afford to buy a home in Nashville, so we moved into an RV instead. We've been able to upgrade our vehicle, but haven't made the leap to homeownership.

• Kirsten and Devin Trout wanted to live in Nashville but couldn't afford to rent or buy a home.
• In 2017, they bought their first RV for $18,000 and relocated it to a campground north of the city.
• RV life has given them financial freedom, and Kirsten's even monetized their lifestyle on TikTok.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kirsten Trout, 29, who, along with her husband, Devin, live in an RV to avoid paying high housing costs in Nashville, Tennessee. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

My husband, Devin, and I were born and raised in Delaware. We both grew up in normal households and never pictured ourselves getting into RV living.