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In case you are occupied with van life, within the means of shopping for a camper van, or in the course of a van conversion, you is likely to be grappling with the query of whether or not you must hand over your private home and stay indefinitely in a van full-time. 

In 2016, I obtained my first Sprinter Van, moved out of my house, and spent almost two years rent-free. It was a liberating time stuffed with journey, self-realization, and progress, however it additionally got here with challenges. I beloved the liberty of not having lease and stuff holding me again, however there have been positively issues I didn’t take into account – like what occurs when your van wants repairs or if it’s worthwhile to spend prolonged time in a metropolis the place there isn’t considerable free tenting. 

On this weblog publish, I share the professionals and cons of full-time van life that you simply’ll need to take into account earlier than you make the leap. Evaluating the advantages of van life and the difficulties that typically come up will show you how to to resolve whether or not you might be prepared to surrender a standard life (not less than for a bit) for the unknown.

My Full-Time Van Life Expertise

Again in 2016, after I obtained my Sprinter Van, I used to be assured that I needed to be a full-time van lifer. I had simply gotten again to the US from three solo months in New Zealand the place I explored the nation in a camper van. Upon returning house, I needed to be bill-free, rent-free, and have the liberty that got here with that. My weblog was already two years previous and dealing remotely from my van was my final aim. I offered the vast majority of my stuff, together with my automobile, put the remainder of my belongings in a small storage unit, and moved out of my Salt Lake Metropolis house.

Once I moved into my van that summer season, I used to be thrilled for the unknown and the adventures forward of me. That first 12 months, I traveled primarily solo round Southern Utah, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, California, and the Canadian Rockies.

Tenting in Ponderosa State Park in McCall, Idaho. I took this picture utilizing my tripod as I used to be touring on my own.

The street was stuffed with ups and downs as I slowly obtained into my groove with van life. I beloved having the ability to get up within the locations I used to be writing about on this weblog. Having so few obligations and obligations (apart from my job) and minimizing the litter in my life was extremely liberating. Sleeping in my very own mattress, cooking my very own meals, and having the ability to do what I needed, after I needed have been luxuries that no different type of journey had supplied. 

On the similar time, I skilled points with my van construct that required me to remain an prolonged interval in LA the place I needed to change my photo voltaic panels, restore my bathe, and repair a bunch of different small issues. And not using a house to return to or one other automobile to drive, I ended up staying with my mother and father whereas my dad helped me tackle the problems I used to be having.

Engaged on some repairs to my bathe in my first van.

I additionally obtained a style of what van life could be like within the winter. I used to be decided to discover ways to ski that winter, so I deliberate to be in a snowy local weather. After a couple of December nights exterior of the mountains in Salt Lake Metropolis, I spotted what that might entail (which I’ll go into under). 

Again in 2016, working from the street was not as simple as I predicted. Web for van lifers has come a good distance since then, however on the time, I discovered myself planning my days round discovering Wi-Fi so I might work, ship emails, or plan out my day.

In the long run, I did two years of full-time van life with no house base earlier than I made a decision that I needed to be a part-time full-time van lifer; in different phrases, I needed to stay in my van full-time in the summertime and have a homebase to return again to within the winter. And that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

This permits me to expertise most of the advantages of dwelling in a van like the liberty to journey spontaneously and having the comforts of house on the street, whereas additionally having a comfortable, heat house base the place I can get large work initiatives completed within the colder months. I’m additionally a mother now, so we want to have the ability to take a break from touring because it will get fairly tight in there with two adults, a child, and two canines.

One of many final journeys I took in my van earlier than having my child after I was 7 months pregnant

Whereas that is the setup that works for my household and me now, I’m so grateful for the time I spent as a full-time van lifer. I’m undecided I’ll ever really feel so free once more. 

When you’re questioning if van life is the suitable alternative for you, right here I share the professionals and cons of dwelling in a van that can assist you resolve.

Execs of Full-Time Van Life

With countless adventures and locations to discover, dwelling in a van definitely has its perks. There’s nothing fairly like the peace of mind of getting all the pieces you want with you always and the liberty of an open street in entrance of you. Listed below are eleven advantages of dwelling in a van to contemplate.

1) Residing in a van offers you the liberty to journey spontaneously

Though it could be apparent, one of many greatest perks of dwelling in a van is the means to journey wherever you need, everytime you need to go. It’s an reasonably priced and sensible strategy to see as a lot of the nation as potential.

With a house on wheels, you don’t have to fret about making resort reservations or planning out an enormous itinerary. Even in in style locations, you may sometimes discover someplace to park in a single day. It won’t be your perfect campsite, however anyplace can work for an evening, which suggests there isn’t an excessive amount of of a necessity for planning. 

As a substitute of dwelling for the weekends, dwelling on the street in your van means that you can journey and journey each time it really works in your schedule. You may also go to in style locations or do crowded hikes throughout much less busy instances.

Visiting in style locations like Moab is very easy when you may have a van

You’ll be able to even change plans on a dime with out dropping deposits on rooms, aircraft tickets, and rental vehicles. If the climate turns ugly, you may hop within the van and escape to sunnier skies. Or, should you resolve you need to attend a enjoyable occasion or pageant on the final minute, you might be able to go at a second’s discover.

2) You’ll be able to scope out a possible future house base

One of many greatest advantages of van life is the chance to suss out locations you may need to stay in the future. Residing in a van means you may spend so long as you need in a location, which is a handy strategy to get a really feel for the vibe earlier than committing to a lease or mortgage!

You’ll be able to begin to really feel like a neighborhood whereas dwelling in or close to the identical city for a few weeks. You might even have the ability to visualize your self dwelling there completely. Some locations find yourself shocking you, whereas others you’ll have the ability to rule out after spending time there.

Ryan and I’ve spent a ton of time exploring Southwest Colorado the place we dream of dwelling on day

3) You don’t pay lease or utilities

Among the best issues about dwelling in a van full-time is the lack of lease or mortgage and utilities that should be paid. These prices add up considerably every month.

In a van, you don’t want to pay a month-to-month price for electrical energy, warmth, air-con, or trash service. After getting your photo voltaic and electrical system put in, you may stay off the grid totally free indefinitely.

As lease rises and the housing market turns into much less reasonably priced, van life is an much more enticing choice.

Reasonably than paying extraordinarily excessive costs to stay, a house on wheels means that you can keep in lovely locations for much less. Even you probably have a mortgage in your van otherwise you pay for infrequent tenting, your month-to-month cost must be considerably cheaper than lease in a fascinating location.

Tenting on the seaside in California is loads cheaper than lease on the seaside in California

Whereas not each city is as welcoming to van lifers (that is very true alongside the coasts), most cities within the Mountain West have some type of free or cheap tenting close by, permitting you to get pleasure from the great thing about states like Colorado with out paying the hefty worth.

4) Van life *can* be an reasonably priced strategy to journey

Van life isn’t inherently low cost, however it may be if you’re acutely aware about your spending. First, you don’t should pay for lodging, and should you make the most of assets to search out free campsites, tenting might be free. Additionally, with a kitchen or out of doors range, you may prepare dinner your personal meals. You don’t should depend on eating places which could be a large expense whereas touring. 

Why would we pay to exit to eat when you may prepare dinner with views like this!

I discover that full-time van lifers usually tend to keep on with a price range than part-timers who are inclined to deal with van life like a short-term trip. As a full-time van lifer, I had a price range, and I caught to it. I didn’t deal with van life like a trip, as a result of it was in actual fact day by day life. Now as a part-time van lifer on the street for shorter stints, I’m extra prone to splurge.

5) Van lifers spend extra time in nature

As a lover of the outside, my favourite factor about van life is it permits me to spend a good portion of my day in nature. Relying on the climate, I can sit exterior to drink my tea, work, and loosen up with a e-book on the finish of the day.

However what I’m actually right here is for the journey. When you’re like me and also you like to hike, bike, or paddle, dwelling in a van means that you can get pleasure from these hobbies in a wide range of areas commonly. As a substitute of doing the identical native hikes on repeat or the identical loop round your neighborhood every morning, full-time van life means that you can simply combine up the surroundings and expertise a wide range of lovely landscapes.

Driving Fall Creek Highway in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park

6) You be taught to stay with much less

When you may have fewer possessions, there’s much less to fret about. You don’t have as a lot to wash, to look after, or to prepare.

Whereas some may even see minimizing as a con, the van lifers on my crew and I all agree there’s happiness to be discovered within the simplicity. 

All the pieces I want is true right here in my van storage

BFT Contributor Kaylin vividly remembers going by means of every room of her previous house and deciding what to maintain vs. let go when she was shifting into her van. As somebody who loves garments and footwear, she says it was not simple at first; nonetheless, over time she turned much less hooked up to every merchandise that she donated or offered. She has discovered that having fewer objects is liberating.

Keep in mind that you don’t essentially should promote or donate all the objects you don’t carry with you within the van as storage can be an choice. You will need to take into account the worth and attachment you’re feeling in direction of your possessions. In case you have quite a lot of invaluable stuff you with private that means, then storage might be the way in which to go.

In case your stuff is cheap and also you assume you’ll ultimately need to change it, then by all means, promote what you may. This provides you with a little bit further money if you find yourself beginning out, and also you gained’t be held again by your stuff that’s sitting in a storage unit in a metropolis you won’t need to come again to.

Now that I’m doing part-time van life and have a home and a storage with extra stuff than I’d wish to admit, I miss the times of dwelling in my van when my life was so clutter-free. I had all the pieces I wanted to get pleasure from life with me and nothing extra. If I purchased something new, one thing needed to go to create space for it. The dearth of accumulation meant that I by no means felt slowed down by or needed to take into account my stuff when planning for my future.

7) Chores are less complicated

Whereas van life comes with its distinctive chores, the general means of cleansing and sustaining your private home on wheels is fast and simple.

You don’t want to fret about caring for a garden, eradicating snow, or dusting and vacuuming a big dwelling house. This protects valuable time and stress, permitting you to have the choice to get exterior extra and journey.

Nevertheless, you’ll have a couple of new chores resembling refilling your water tank, emptying your pee jug or rest room waste (you probably have one), sweeping out the sand and rocks that appear to shortly accumulate on the ground, and winterizing your van as wanted. Additionally, you will have to make time to go to laundromats sometimes.

Refilling your water tanks is a chore you’ll should do not less than as soon as per week relying on the scale of your water tanks

I’ve discovered that if you perform a little little bit of fundamental cleansing and organizing of your van for a couple of minutes earlier than you go to mattress or proper once you get up, you may hold your house feeling tidy the vast majority of the time.

8) You might have the comforts of house wherever you go

Whenever you stay full-time in a van, house really turns into wherever you park it. In case you are having a campfire and all of a sudden crave the heat of your favourite blanket, you may shortly seize it out of your van. Or, if you wish to watch a film on Netflix one night whereas ingesting a scorching beverage out of your favourite mug with the heater on, that is doable in your van.

It’s handy to have the ability to benefit from the comforts of house irrespective of the place you go. You even have entry to your whole belongings always whereas touring and now not have to remorse not packing your raincoat or favourite hat once you unexpectedly want it. As a substitute, you may merely seize it out of your van and proceed along with your adventures.

Having fun with a scorching beverage with a view in Olympic Nationwide Park

9) You get to fulfill every kind of recent individuals

Among the best components of dwelling on the street is connecting with different vacationers and constructing a van life group on the street. You meet individuals from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. Since you often aren’t in a rush to get anyplace, you’re extra prone to chat with individuals on the path, your campground neighbors, or locals that you simply meet on the town.

There are additionally quite a few van festivals and gatherings all around the nation, just like the pageant I organized in Idaho in 2019 and 2022 known as Open Roads Fest. Many of those gatherings are designed round particular pursuits, serving to you join with different like-minded vacationers. It’s not unusual for van lifers to hyperlink up at these occasions and to caravan to new locations afterward.

Open Roads Fest 2022

10) You get an workplace with a view

As a substitute of spending your days in a cubicle or workplace, dwelling on the street means that you can work wherever you’re feeling like. You’ll be able to work from a cute espresso store or select to have an inspiring view of nature exterior of your window every day.

Some days you may need a view of the ocean, whereas others could possibly be spent working among the many pine bushes. When you might not be parked in an epic location all the time, one of many joys of van life is having the ability to combine it up relying on how you’re feeling.

There’s nothing fairly like working to the sound of a close-by creek. Maybe not surprisingly, I’ve discovered that working from my van usually fuels extra inspiration and creativity than working in a standard workplace setting ever did.

Working from our campground in Tofino on Vancouver Island is much better than working from a dice

11) Van life helps you develop

In case you are in search of methods to push your self out of your consolation zone and develop as an individual, full-time van life is a superb alternative for this.

I’ve change into an general extra assured particular person by proving to myself that I can deal with myself independently on the street and navigate difficult conditions. Though there are occasional moments after I could really feel anxious or harassed, van life has taught me the right way to rely on myself as an alternative of relying on another person to assist or rescue me.

Cons of Full-Time Van Life

Simply as there are quite a few benefits to dwelling on the street, there are additionally cons of full-time van life. Social media tends to painting the glamorous components of van life, however there are essential factors to contemplate when deciding if this way of life is sensible for you. This part addresses eight of the downfalls.

1) Discovering jobs and dealing from the street might be difficult

Full-time van life might be very totally different relying on if it’s a must to work. Though this might not be a con for some who have already got a distant place or seasonal job, it may be troublesome for others to discover a distant job that enables them the liberty and suppleness to journey. Nevertheless, distant positions are far more frequent these days.

This weblog has been my full-time job since 2014. I’ve three contractors who assist me behind the scenes, and it’s not unusual for me to place in 60-hour work weeks. Dependable Wi-Fi for van lifers who’re working remotely is essential.

Fortunately I really like being an out of doors blogger, however this implies after I’m dwelling in my van, there are quite a lot of days sitting in espresso outlets and staying in cities as an alternative of being off-the-grid. Many days I’ve to skip mountaineering and doing different enjoyable issues so I can get issues completed. My expertise as a full-time van lifer could be very totally different than somebody who can stop their job altogether and stay off of their financial savings for a 12 months or two, utterly on their very own phrases.

Working at Crater Lake Nationwide Park

Through the years, my crew members – a few of whom additionally occur to be van lifers – have come from a wide range of backgrounds, together with instructing, therapeutic massage remedy, and e-commerce. All of them used van life as a chance to pursue a brand new profession path as freelancers. So whereas I gained’t sugarcoat the difficulties that include freelancing, it may be completed should you’re devoted to creating it work.

Engaged on the street takes an entire totally different degree of diligence in comparison with working in an workplace and even from house. When an journey is staring you within the face each morning, it takes dedication to sit down on the laptop fairly than lacing up your mountaineering boots. You’ll need to take into account the way you may set up routines and techniques to assist your self be productive on the street.

Whereas distant jobs let you have the pliability to journey all 12 months lengthy, some vacationers favor to remain in a single spot for a season to make sufficient cash to final them the remainder of the 12 months. There are lots of methods you may go about discovering each forms of work, however simply know that it could take time to land the suitable place for you. I like to recommend having a plan for creating wealth on the street earlier than you begin full-time van life.

2) Van life might be troublesome on relationships

When you plan to journey along with your romantic associate, you’ll need to be taught the right way to stay in a van along with your vital different. You may go from spending nights and weekends collectively at house to spending each waking second collectively within the van. This has the potential to have an effect on your relationship in each optimistic and unfavourable methods.

For the primary two years of van life, I used to be largely solo. My associate Ryan and I have been courting, however he couldn’t include me for longer than fast journeys resulting from his work. Finally, I used to be making sufficient from my weblog to assist each of us on the street, so he took six months off from work so he might journey with me. 

Going from solo van life to being with somebody 24/7 was an enormous adjustment. Total, I’d say van life has helped us develop collectively and strengthened our relationship. Residing in such a small house is a chance to study your associate and join extra deeply, however it requires quite a lot of work, too. 

Van Life has introduced Ryan and I nearer collectively as a pair

With the day by day selections of what to do, the place to camp, what to prepare dinner, and whether or not the van is degree for sleeping (our commonest argument), it’s a must to choose your battles and be taught to compromise. You’ll additionally have to forgive and neglect shortly after arguments and keep away from blaming one another when issues don’t go in accordance with plan. When you can’t do this stuff, your relationship will certainly undergo. 

For Ryan and I, it has additionally been useful to cut up up chores and set up routines so there’s no arguing about who has to do what. After we’re getting the van able to drive, Ryan takes care of packing up the gear within the storage, whereas I cope with tidying up the within of the van. Ryan cooks whereas I work on my laptop. I make the mattress each morning, whereas Ryan takes the canines out. With clear expectations, it appears like each of us are contributing equally to our life on the street.

3) Van lifers have an absence of fundamental facilities

You don’t understand what number of elements of day by day life you are taking with no consideration till you now not have them. A con of van life is your van certainly gained’t have a washer, dishwasher, or countless scorching water. It could not actually have a van rest room, bathe, or ample electrical energy.

On the flip aspect, van life teaches you to make due. You begin to see issues just like the occasional scorching bathe as a luxurious. You discover ways to prepare dinner a meal utilizing fewer dishes so that you don’t should waste water. You make your garments final a number of weeks earlier than you suck it up and go to a laundromat. You be certain that to show off the lights and different electronics so that you don’t waste your valuable electrical energy. You’ll change into an skilled on the right way to discover public facilities like dump stations, showers, and extra.

If these sacrifices sound depressing, van life might be not for you. You’ll be able to work round a few of them by designing your van construct round your particular wants, besides, there are some stuff you simply can’t have in a van. 

That is my bathe in my van. There’s no such factor as limitless scorching water!

4) You must continually plan

That is in all probability my least favourite factor about van life. Whereas some could thrive on the method of planning journeys and creating itineraries, it may be exhausting to do that for therefore many little selections each single day. As a full-time van lifer, you need to discover locations to park every night time (and infrequently make backup plans), locations to bathe, laundromats, grocery shops, and water hookups. 

Van life requires countless planning and choice making, each single day

Earlier than visiting vacationer points of interest and mountaineering areas, you additionally have to analysis these locations forward of time and buy the required tickets and permits. This implies you’ll be spending much more time in your cellphone than you may count on.

Even with all the campsite finder apps, discovering locations to park every night time might be one of the disturbing components of van life. Locations could also be closed, full, or tougher to entry than the outline leads you to consider.

Studying van life blogs resembling this one might help prevent time and stress in your planning. I additionally recommend reaching out to associates for his or her suggestions in areas you might be much less conversant in and utilizing apps that can assist you discover free campsites.

5) Winter might be robust

If you wish to do van life in winter and go to totally different ski resorts, crucial factor is that your van is constructed for 4-seasons. Which means your water techniques must be utterly contained in the van, it’s worthwhile to have good insulation and a top quality heater that can forestall you (and your pipes) from freezing, and {an electrical} system that may sustain with winter’s calls for. You’ll additionally want heat blankets and numerous heat layers, particularly if one thing goes fallacious along with your heater. 

Even when your van is able to cope with the local weather, there are some issues to remember should you plan to do van life in winter. The truth is you’ll be spending as much as 15 hours a day inside your automobile resulting from it getting darkish and chilly so early. This may be particularly robust you probably have pets in your van that thrive on getting exterior. 

You’ll have to make a plan for the way you’ll entertain your self at night time. Going to bars and eating places to refill your time will get costly shortly, so that you’ll have to embrace a pastime and be okay with sitting contained in the van for prolonged hours within the evenings. Take into account cooking, studying, journaling, enjoying video games, or knitting – the sorts of hobbies that don’t take up quite a lot of house. There’s additionally Netflix or getting work completed within the evenings should you’re working remotely. 

The challenges are compounded by the truth that a majority of ski areas aren’t very van-friendly. Many have no-overnight parking guidelines resulting from snow plows, avalanche hazard, or attempting to pressure individuals to pay for inns. After all, there are some exceptions, however it’s worthwhile to do your homework. In any other case, you’ll be pressured to stealth camp, which might be troublesome in small mountain cities with strict guidelines. 

For that purpose, many van lifers flock south within the winter to locations like Southern California, Arizona, Baja, and Florida.

6) You must take into consideration your security extra usually

Though I not often really feel unsafe in my van, it’s one thing that’s at all times on the forefront of my thoughts. Whether or not you might be touring with a associate or solo as a feminine van lifer, you may take steps to really feel assured in stopping your self from entering into weak conditions. 

Some precautions I take are selecting my campsites fastidiously, conserving my doorways locked after I’m contained in the van, and utilizing privateness curtains to maintain individuals from seeing inside my van. I additionally hold my driver’s seat clear and know the place my keys are always.

Security is consistently on my thoughts after I’m selecting campsites and leaving my van locations in a single day

If worse involves worse, be ready to defend your self. Have a plan for the way you’ll self-protect within the face of hazard. Above all, belief your intestine. In case you have a nasty feeling, observe your instinct. If I get a nasty vibe in a spot or don’t really feel snug leaving my van parked someplace, I modify course and create a brand new plan.

Along with defending your self, you additionally need to take into account defending your valuables. Since you may have your whole belongings on you always, dwelling full-time in a van presents its distinctive set of dangers. Take into account investing in protecting lock bins for costly objects or safety cameras.

All of those precautions are particularly essential to contemplate once you’re staying in areas with out cellular phone reception. Ensure you have a plan for the way you’ll deal with an emergency or security scenario wherever you go.

7) You want a backup plan in case one thing occurs to your van

An inevitable a part of proudly owning a automobile like a van is accepting that it’s going to possible want repairs in your time of proudly owning it. Since your automobile can be your private home, it is very important have a backup plan of the place you’ll go in case your van finally ends up needing repairs otherwise you get into an accident.

Some full-time van lifers stick with associates or household if they’re dwelling in an space the place they’ve this feature. Others could have to get a resort on the final minute. I like to recommend having cash reserved for this in your emergency fund simply in case. Typically insurance coverage will cowl this relying in your coverage.

Sadly, you don’t have complete management over what occurs to your van. When you go into this way of life figuring out that the day could (and certain will) come that you’ll want to make different preparations, it gained’t be as disturbing or shocking when a breakdown or accident occurs to you.

8) You might really feel judged or stigmatized

Though van life is gaining popularity and acceptable, there’s nonetheless a stigma related to dwelling in your automobile and never working a standard 9-5 workplace job. Some individuals shall be excited for you once you inform them the information, and others will assume you might be loopy and presumably decide you.

My crew and I all keep in mind telling our household and associates about our selections to do full-time van life. It appears all of us obtained a really related response. Just a few individuals shared our pleasure, despatched journey suggestions, and wished us one of the best. Others didn’t know the right way to reply and questioned how we’d make it work. Then there are the involved ones who ship you articles concerning the risks of journey and why you must rethink your choice to stay on the street full-time.

Be ready to know your “why” behind van life and really feel assured in explaining your choice to others. Whereas the vast majority of individuals are curious and imply effectively, some additionally are inclined to push again or really feel threatened by a nontraditional way of life.

Introducing my child to van life…you may’t let what different individuals assume hassle you!

Is full-time van life best for you?

When contemplating the professionals and cons of dwelling in a van and whether or not you might be prepared to surrender your house or house altogether, take time to replicate and consider if full-time van life is best for you. In case you are planning to stay in your van along with your associate, you’ll want to remember to talk about these factors collectively. Keep in mind that part-time van life can be an choice, so should you aren’t able to take a everlasting dive, you may at all times use the van as an escape on the weekends and for trip.

Earlier than diving into van life, I extremely suggest renting a van for a street journey so you may strive it out first. That approach you may expertise the professionals and cons of dwelling in a van earlier than going all in.

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What advantages and challenges are you getting ready for as you take into account full-time van life? What questions do you may have? Let me know within the remark part under!

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