Professionals and Cons of Full-Time Van Life – Bearfoot Concept

In case you are enthusiastic about van life, within the strategy 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 need to hand over your property and dwell indefinitely in a van full-time. 

In 2016, I acquired my first Sprinter Van, moved out of my house, and spent practically two years rent-free. It was a liberating time filled with journey, self-realization, and progress, nevertheless it additionally got here with challenges. I liked the liberty of not having hire and stuff holding me again, however there have been positively issues I didn’t think about – like what occurs when your van wants repairs or if it’s essential spend prolonged time in a metropolis the place there isn’t considerable free tenting. 

On this weblog submit, I share the professionals and cons of full-time van life that you simply’ll wish to think about earlier than you make the leap. Evaluating the advantages of van life and the difficulties that typically come up will aid you to resolve whether or not you might be prepared to surrender a standard life (at the least for a bit) for the unknown.

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My Full-Time Van Life Expertise

Again in 2016, once I acquired 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 residence, 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 nearly all 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 yr, I traveled primarily solo round Southern Utah, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, California, and the Canadian Rockies.

The highway was filled with ups and downs as I slowly acquired into my groove with van life. I liked having the ability to get up within the locations I used to be writing about on this weblog. Having so few obligations and obligations (aside 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, once I needed have been luxuries that no different type of journey had offered. 

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 exchange my photo voltaic panels, restore my bathe, and repair a bunch of different small issues. With out a residence 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.

I additionally acquired a style of what van life can be like within the winter. I used to be decided to learn to ski that winter, so I deliberate to be in a snowy local weather. After a number of December nights exterior of the mountains in Salt Lake Metropolis, I noticed what that will entail (which I’ll go into under). 

Again in 2016, working from the highway 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 may work, ship emails, or plan out my day.

In the long run, I did two years of full-time van life with no residence 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 dwell 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 lots of the advantages of dwelling in a van like the liberty to journey spontaneously and having the comforts of residence on the highway, whereas additionally having a comfortable, heat residence base the place I can get massive work initiatives finished 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 canine.

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 unsure I’ll ever really feel so free once more. 

Should you’re questioning if van life is the fitting selection for you, right here I share the professionals and cons of dwelling in a van that will help you resolve.

Professionals of Full-Time Van Life

With countless adventures and locations to discover, dwelling in a van actually has its perks. There’s nothing fairly like the reassurance of getting every thing you want with you always and the liberty of an open highway in entrance of you. Listed here are eleven advantages of dwelling in a van to contemplate.

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

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

With a house on wheels, you don’t have to fret about making resort reservations or planning out a giant itinerary. Even in widespread locations, you’ll be able to sometimes discover someplace to park in a single day. It may not be your ultimate 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 highway in your van lets you journey and journey at any time when it really works in your schedule. You too can go to widespread locations or do crowded hikes throughout much less busy occasions.

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

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

One of many largest advantages of van life is the chance to suss out locations you would possibly wish to dwell at some point. Dwelling in a van means you’ll be able to spend so long as you need in a location, which is a handy solution 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. Chances are you’ll 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.

3) You don’t pay hire or utilities

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

In a van, you do not want to pay a month-to-month price for electrical energy, warmth, air-con, or trash service. After you have your photo voltaic and electrical system put in, you’ll be able to dwell off the grid without cost indefinitely.

As hire rises and the housing market turns into much less reasonably priced, van life is an much more engaging possibility.

Slightly than paying extraordinarily excessive costs to dwell, a house on wheels lets you keep in stunning locations for much less. Even you probably have a mortgage in your van otherwise you pay for infrequent tenting, your month-to-month fee needs to be considerably cheaper than hire in a fascinating location.

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 take pleasure in the fantastic thing about states like Colorado with out paying the hefty worth.

4) Van life *can* be an reasonably priced solution 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 need to pay for lodging, and if you happen to make the most of assets to search out free campsites, tenting could be free. Additionally, with a kitchen or outside range, you’ll be able to cook dinner your personal meals. You don’t need to depend on eating places which is usually a big expense whereas touring. 

I discover that full-time van lifers usually tend to persist with a finances than part-timers who are likely to deal with van life like a short-term trip. As a full-time van lifer, I had a finances, and I caught to it. I didn’t deal with van life like a trip, as a result of it was in reality each day life. Now as a part-time van lifer on the highway for shorter stints, I’m extra more likely 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 chill out with a e-book on the finish of the day.

However what I’m actually right here is for the journey. Should you’re like me and also you like to hike, bike, or paddle, dwelling in a van lets you take pleasure in these hobbies in quite a lot of areas frequently. As a substitute of doing the identical native hikes on repeat or the identical loop round your neighborhood every morning, full-time van life lets you simply combine up the surroundings and expertise quite a lot of stunning landscapes.

6) You study to dwell with much less

When you’ve got fewer possessions, there may be much less to fret about. You wouldn’t have as a lot to wash, to look after, or to arrange.

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

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 sneakers, she says it was not simple at first; nevertheless, over time she grew to become much less hooked up to every merchandise that she donated or offered. She has discovered that having fewer objects is liberating.

Do not forget that you don’t essentially need to promote or donate all the objects you don’t deliver with you within the van as storage can be an possibility. It is very important think about the worth and attachment you are feeling in the direction of your possessions. When you’ve got quite a lot of useful stuff you with private which means, then storage might be the best way to go.

In case your stuff is cheap and also you assume you’ll ultimately wish to exchange it, then by all means, promote what you’ll be able to. This provides you with somewhat additional money when 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 may not wish 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 prefer to admit, I miss the times of dwelling in my van when my life was so clutter-free. I had every thing I wanted to take pleasure in 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 think about my stuff when planning for my future.

7) Chores are easier

Whereas van life comes with its distinctive chores, the total strategy of cleansing and sustaining your property 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 area. This protects valuable time and stress, permitting you to have the choice to get exterior extra and journey.

Nonetheless, you should have a number of new chores similar to 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.

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 whenever you get up, you’ll be able to hold your area feeling tidy nearly all of the time.

8) You’ve gotten the comforts of residence wherever you go

If you dwell full-time in a van, residence actually turns into wherever you park it. In case you are having a campfire and all of the sudden crave the heat of your favourite blanket, you’ll be able to shortly seize it out of your van. Or, if you wish to watch a film on Netflix one night whereas consuming a sizzling 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 residence irrespective of the place you go. You even have entry to all your belongings always whereas touring and now not have to remorse not packing your raincoat or favourite hat whenever you unexpectedly want it. As a substitute, you’ll be able to merely seize it out of your van and proceed along with your adventures.

9) You get to satisfy every kind of latest folks

Among the finest elements of dwelling on the highway is connecting with different vacationers and constructing a van life group on the highway. You meet folks from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life. Since you normally aren’t in a rush to get anyplace, you’re extra more likely to chat with folks 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.

10) You get an workplace with a view

As a substitute of spending your days in a cubicle or workplace, dwelling on the highway lets you work wherever you are 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 might need a view of the ocean, whereas others may very well be spent working among the many pine timber. Whilst you is probably not 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 are 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.

11) Van life helps you develop

In case you are on the lookout for 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 turn into an total extra assured particular person by proving to myself that I can maintain myself independently on the highway and navigate difficult conditions. Though there are occasional moments once I might really feel anxious or burdened, van life has taught me the way to depend on myself as a substitute 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 highway, there are additionally cons of full-time van life. Social media tends to painting the glamorous elements of van life, however there are necessary factors to contemplate when deciding if this life-style is sensible for you. This part addresses eight of the downfalls.

1) Discovering jobs and dealing from the highway could be difficult

Full-time van life could be very completely different relying on if you must work. Though this is probably not 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 permits them the liberty and suppleness to journey. Nonetheless, distant positions are rather 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 like being an out of doors blogger, however this implies once I’m dwelling in my van, there are quite a lot of days sitting in espresso outlets and staying in cities as a substitute of being off-the-grid. Many days I’ve to skip climbing and doing different enjoyable issues so I can get issues finished. My expertise as a full-time van lifer may be very completely different than somebody who can give up their job altogether and dwell off of their financial savings for a yr or two, utterly on their very own phrases.

Over time, my workforce members – a few of whom additionally occur to be van lifers – have come from quite a lot of backgrounds, together with educating, 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 finished if you happen to’re devoted to creating it work.

Engaged on the highway takes an entire completely different degree of diligence in comparison with working in an workplace and even from residence. When an journey is staring you within the face each morning, it takes dedication to take a seat on the pc slightly than lacing up your climbing boots. You’ll wish to think about the way you would possibly set up routines and programs to assist your self be productive on the highway.

Whereas distant jobs let you have the pliability to journey all yr lengthy, some vacationers desire to remain in a single spot for a season to make sufficient cash to final them the remainder of the yr. There are numerous methods you’ll be able to go about discovering each sorts of work, however simply know that it might take time to land the fitting place for you. I like to recommend having a plan for getting cash on the highway earlier than you begin full-time van life.

2) Van life could be troublesome on relationships

Should you plan to journey along with your romantic accomplice, you will want to study the way to dwell in a van along with your vital different. You would possibly go from spending nights and weekends collectively at residence to spending each waking second collectively within the van. This has the potential to have an effect on your relationship in each optimistic and adverse methods.

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

Going from solo van life to being with somebody 24/7 was a giant adjustment. Total, I’d say van life has helped us develop collectively and strengthened our relationship. Dwelling in such a small area is a chance to find out about your accomplice and join extra deeply, nevertheless it requires quite a lot of work, too. 

With the each day selections of what to do, the place to camp, what to cook dinner, and whether or not the van is degree for sleeping (our most typical argument), you must choose your battles and study 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 response to plan. Should you can’t do these items, your relationship will certainly endure. 

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 pc. I make the mattress each morning, whereas Ryan takes the canine out. With clear expectations, it seems like each of us are contributing equally to our life on the highway.

3) Van lifers have an absence of fundamental facilities

You don’t notice what number of elements of each day life you’re taking as a right till you now not have them. A con of van life is your van certainly gained’t have a washer, dishwasher, or countless sizzling water. It might not also have a van rest room, bathe, or ample electrical energy.

On the flip facet, van life teaches you to make due. You begin to see issues just like the occasional sizzling bathe as a luxurious. You learn to cook dinner a meal utilizing fewer dishes so that you don’t need to 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 turn into an knowledgeable on the 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. 

4) You need to continuously plan

That is most likely my least favourite factor about van life. Whereas some might 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 should discover locations to park every night time (and infrequently make backup plans), locations to bathe, laundromats, grocery shops, and water hookups. 

Earlier than visiting vacationer points of interest and climbing 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 would possibly anticipate.

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

Studying van life blogs similar to this one will help prevent time and stress in your planning. I additionally counsel reaching out to pals for his or her suggestions in areas you might be much less acquainted with and utilizing apps that will help you discover free campsites.

5) Winter could be robust

If you wish to do van life in winter and go to completely different ski resorts, crucial factor is that your van is constructed for 4-seasons. Which means your water programs should be utterly contained in the van, it’s essential have good insulation and a high quality heater that may 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 a lot of 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 if you happen to plan to do van life in winter. The truth is you’ll be spending as much as 15 hours a day inside your automobile on account of 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 a way you’ll entertain your self at night time. Going to bars and eating places to replenish your time will get costly shortly, so that you’ll have to embrace a passion 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 area. There’s additionally Netflix or getting work finished within the evenings if you happen to’re working remotely. 

The challenges are compounded by the truth that a majority of ski areas should not very van-friendly. Many have no-overnight parking guidelines on account of snow plows, avalanche hazard, or attempting to pressure folks to pay for lodges. After all, there are some exceptions, however it’s essential do your homework. In any other case, you’ll be pressured to stealth camp, which could 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 need to take into consideration your security extra usually

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

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

If worse involves worse, be ready to defend your self. Have a plan for a way you’ll self-protect within the face of hazard. Above all, belief your intestine. When you’ve got a nasty feeling, comply with 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 wish to think about defending your valuables. Since you’ve got all your belongings on you always, dwelling full-time in a van presents its distinctive set of dangers. Take into account investing in protecting lock packing containers for costly objects or safety cameras.

All of those precautions are particularly necessary to contemplate whenever you’re staying in areas with out mobile phone reception. Ensure you have a plan for a 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 probably want repairs in your time of proudly owning it. Since your automobile can be your property, 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 pals or household if they’re dwelling in an space the place they’ve this selection. Others might 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. Generally insurance coverage will cowl this relying in your coverage.

Sadly, you don’t have whole management over what occurs to your van. Should you go into this life-style figuring out that the day might (and sure will) come that you will want to make different preparations, it gained’t be as traumatic or shocking when a breakdown or accident occurs to you.

8) Chances are you’ll really feel judged or stigmatized

Though van life is rising in popularity and acceptable, there may be nonetheless a stigma related to dwelling in your automobile and never working a standard 9-5 workplace job. Some folks will likely be excited for you whenever you inform them the information, and others will assume you might be loopy and probably decide you.

My workforce and I all keep in mind telling our household and pals about our selections to do full-time van life. It appears all of us acquired a really comparable response. A number of folks shared our pleasure, despatched journey suggestions, and wished us one of the best. Others didn’t know the way to reply and puzzled how we’d make it work. Then there are the involved ones who ship you articles in regards to the risks of journey and why you need to rethink your choice to dwell on the highway full-time.

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

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 residence altogether, take time to mirror and consider if full-time van life is best for you. In case you are planning to dwell in your van along with your accomplice, it would be best to be sure you talk about these factors collectively. Do not forget that part-time van life can be an possibility, so if you happen to aren’t able to take a everlasting dive, you’ll be able to all the time 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 highway journey so you’ll be able to attempt it out first. That means you’ll be able to 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 think about full-time van life? What questions do you’ve got? Let me know within the remark part under!

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