Could you do "van life"?
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (120122)
United States
August 1, 2021 10:00am CST
I passed some time early this morning reading about van life. It has been a thing for a long time but its popularity has really increased thanks to Instagram influencers. What is van life? People convert vans into living spaces and take their show on the road. Some travel from coast to coast while others tend to stay more in a region or even just a city. They eat, sleep, and live in and around their vans. Some people have their "builds" include a toilet or even a shower but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Some of the challenges of van living include finding a bathroom, getting a shower, getting health insurance, having a mailing address, finding cell service, finding a place to park overnight, etc.
A friend of mine from the gym adopted this lifestyle several months ago. She sold her house and car, bought a van, outfitted it, and she was on her way out west. Apparently she made a killing on her house so she has the freedom to travel around the country seeing what there is to see without having to worry about working. I don't know how long she plans to do "van life".
I definitely couldn't swing that lifestyle. It would be too stressful for me to have to constantly figure out where to park, how to get a shower, etc. Plus I like my stuff! I am no minimalist (see: cookbook collection) and the people who live this way have to sell, give away, or otherwise dispose of most of their belongings. Nope. Not for me.
What do you think of van life?
7 people like this
9 responses
@FourWalls (69010)
• United States
1 Aug 21
I think it’s GREAT in lieu of an RV. Most RVs that I’ve seen (and pre-pandemic I’d go to the RV/boat/vacation show every year) are too….I don’t know, “compiled.” They have to try to take into account everything that everyone would want. With the self-builds, a person/couple/family can make everything exactly how they want it, instead of how some “expert” at Winnebago thinks “the average family” wants.
As for full-time living, it may be okay out west. I’ve watched a lot of videos of people who talk about the down side of it (especially in the east, where it’s more difficult to find “wide open spaces” to park). At the end of the day, although I love going out (and I do even have my car set up so I can sleep in it), I like coming home to my house. I guess James Taylor said it best: “I need four walls around me.” 
But I do LOVE watching videos of the van builds (and skoolies [old school buses converted to “tiny houses”])!! Some incredibly innovative people out there!
But I do LOVE watching videos of the van builds (and skoolies [old school buses converted to “tiny houses”])!! Some incredibly innovative people out there!1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69010)
• United States
1 Aug 21
@NJChicaa — I know. I’ve seen big families in tiny houses. My house is perfect for one person (about 850 square feet), but it was HORRIBLE when four people were living here.
I think those vans are great for one, MAYBE two. Five people (and a dog or cat)? No. Heck no!!!!!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181671)
• United States
2 Aug 21
Not for me either. I have to have a CLEAN bathroom to use and I like my stuff.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49723)
• Mojave, California
1 Aug 21
It sounds fun for like a year, I am more of a minimalist, at least to everyone I know. I barely have anything compared to what they have, I actually want to be a tiny house dude but cities and governments really do not like it, unless go out in middle of nowhere, which does not appeal to me.
I really do not even want a car. Cars are expensive, so I want to be somewhat close to a town to get food and what not but not sure that will ever happen. Will just have to except the lifestyle they want us to live.
I mean they keep talking about climate change you think they would encourage people to do that to help fight climate change since it uses a lot less resources and leaves less of a carbon footprint..
1 person likes this
@Vikingswest1 (6304)
• United States
1 Aug 21
I spent an entire summer traveling in my motorhome. It had everything needed to make life comfortable. Except space.
There wasn't enough room in the motorhome, a van would be even worse for me.
I loved the trips but sure was glad to get home after just a few weeks on the road.
I couldn't live in a van for long.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (108144)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Aug 21
I could do it for a vacation. But I dont think I would like it full time
1 person likes this
@choijungeun (2629)
• Hangzhou, China
2 Aug 21
i can't buy a van,because i'm too poor.If i can,i wouldn't choose a van life.It's like a scavenger in the apocalypse.I'd rather to live in the nature as a hermit
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
1 Aug 21
I think it would be better for retirees than anyone else. A person(s) who could travel this way until they are unable and then rent a small apartment. I'd wonder how easy it would be to transition back into working life after a year or more on the road etc.
1 person likes this
