If you’ve spent any time browsing Vanlifers on Instagram, you’ll have noticed that the lifestyle has its own unique set of hashtags. From #Vanlife to #Vantastic to #Camplife, there are a lot of specialized terms used by people who live in their cars. But what do they all mean? And why would anyone want to? The answer is simple: The Van Life is awesome because it brings us closer to Nature and teaches us new skills like mechanics and carpentry. It will also give you a serious case of wanderlust! There’s just one teeny problem: living in your van for extended periods can be challenging. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide on how to live the VanLife from home to road trip with our insider tips on Campervan Living.
What is Van Life?
Van Life is a unique lifestyle that includes traveling in a vehicle such as a campervan, caravan, truck, or pickup truck camper. Van Lifers are typically mid-20s to mid-40s and are often digital nomads who use the internet to find remote work online. The Van Life is the pursuit of a simpler, more minimalist, and more mobile lifestyle. It’s a journey away from the traditional 9-to-5, “get-ahead” mentality in pursuit of a more balanced and fulfilling life. The Van Life enjoys popularity among Millennials and Gen Z, with some Van Lifers having a short-term van dwell journey and others living this way as a long-term lifestyle. Van Lifers are a diverse group of people who have different motivations for choosing this alternative lifestyle. Some people want to save money, others want to travel the world, and others want to live sustainably. No matter what your reason for living in a van is, there are a few things that all van dwellers have in common.
The Pros of Van Life
You’ll make new friends around the world. There’s a strong sense of community among Van Lifers, and you’ll likely meet other people in the same situation as you are. Many Van Lifers make friends and meet future travel partners while they’re parked at campsites or at other locations where they’ve decided to stop for a while.
You’ll be forced to connect with Nature. One of the truly great things about living in a vehicle is that you’ll be forced to get out and explore more. You won’t have the option of driving to a nearby forest or mountains to escape the city. Instead, you’ll have to find nearby hiking trails and other natural locations. This will help you appreciate the natural world more and make you more connected to the environment.
You’ll learn new skills. There are many ways to live the van life sustainably. You’ll likely have to learn some new skills as part of this process, and it will help you to become a more well-rounded person.
You’ll save money. Van Life is often a very cheap way of living. You can save money by not renting an apartment or house, and you can also save money on food and other expenses.
The Cons of Van Life
You’ll be away from loved ones. While you’ll be living a very interesting and adventurous life, you won’t have the option to spend time with loved ones as often. You’ll have to be careful to carve out time for family members, and you’ll have to make arrangements for them to visit you.
You won’t have a reliable income. It’s possible to live the van life on a part-time basis, but it can be very difficult to make a living this way. You also won’t have the security of a regular income, which can make it challenging to make long-term plans.
You’ll have to be careful to avoid overworking. It’s easy to get carried away with your online work, and you’ll have to be careful to avoid overworking.
You’ll be away from home more often. You’ll have to travel to new places a lot, and this will mean spending more time away from home. You’ll have to be careful not to overstay your welcome at the homes of friends and family who might offer you a place to stay.
You’ll have to spend time maintaining your vehicle. You won’t be able to just leave your vehicle parked for weeks or months at a time. Instead, you’ll have to check and maintain it regularly.
So, you’re thinking of living in a van…
If you’ve decided to try out the VanLife, congratulations! You’re about to embark on a life-changing journey that will help you become a more resourceful and well-rounded person. Before you start packing your bags, there are a few things you need to know about living in a campervan.
Find the right vehicle. While almost any type of vehicle can be used for the Van Life, some are better than others. If you want to live in a smaller vehicle, such as a van, you might need to bring your bed into the vehicle.
Find a place to park your vehicle. You’ll need to find an inexpensive place to park your vehicle where it’s legal and safe. You can also park your vehicle in a forest or on a friend’s property.
Plan for emergencies. You never know when something might go wrong with your vehicle, so you need to be prepared for anything. You should have a basic idea of how your vehicle works and how to fix simple problems.
Plan for the winter. If you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to prepare your home for winter. You can also use this time to work on a bigger project such as adding insulation.
Consider your finances. You’ll need to be careful with your finances while living in a vehicle because you won’t have a regular income.
How to live the Van Life: step by step
Find a legal place to park. You’ll need to find a legal place to park your vehicle and, preferably, a place with internet access. You might have to drive a bit further to get to work, but it’s worth it for a safe and legal parking spot.
Find a cheap and legal place to shower. You might have to drive a bit further again to find a cheap and legal place to shower, but it’s worth it for cleanliness and comfort.
Find a cheap and legal place to dump your sewage. You can go a long way by dumping your sewage legally and cheaply in a nearby forest or another natural area.
Make a budget. You’ll need to carefully plan your budget so that you don’t go over your spending limit.
Figure out how to make a sustainable income. This can take some time, but you’ll learn valuable skills along the way.
Start working on your projects. You’ll want to take advantage of the extra time you have by working on your projects.
How to pick the right Campervan
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a campervan. You’ll want to make sure the van is large enough for you and your partner (if you have one). You’ll also want to find a van that has a bed that can be easily folded away for day-to-day use. These are the biggest considerations when picking the right campervan.
Price. You can find a campervan for as little as $2,000. A higher price doesn’t always mean a better van. It’s best to stick to what you can afford.
Size. You’ll want to find a van that is large enough for you and your partner if you have one.
Make sure the bed is easily foldable. You’ll want to make sure you can fold away the bed easily. The bed should be easy to fold away without a lot of complicated machinery.
Unique Lifestyle
The Van Life is a unique lifestyle that includes traveling in a vehicle such as a campervan, caravan, truck, or pickup truck camper. Van Lifers are typically mid-20s to mid-40s and are often digital nomads who use the internet to find remote work online.