Revealed: 5 Honest Reasons Why I Love Living in a Van
I’m sure you’ve wondered: is vanlife as great as it looks on social media?
Living in a van is like having a riverside cottage, a ski-in-ski-out condo, and a breezy beach house—depending on where it’s parked.
After 2+ years of living in my van, I have experienced a lot of joy and faced many obstacles. The one sure thing is that the pros outweigh the cons.
It’s time to reveal five honest reasons why I love living in a van.
Home is where you are
I am always ready for adventure. Whether at a ski resort, National Park, or Walmart parking lot, I have my whole house with me. I’ve got all types of gear, a fridge full of food, and many outfits available wherever I park.
As a vandweller, I have a slight advantage. If I need a change of clothes, a snack, or a phone charger- it’s all in the van parked outside. I can never really forget anything at home.
Sometimes my working days are so busy that having the van in the parking lot is convenient. I can take a quick break for a delicious lunch and let the dog out to pee. The level of ease I experience decreases stress and increases time. No matter what life demands of me that day, the van allows convenience and a sense of support in accomplishing it all.
Because my home was with us, I provided extra layers, gear, and water. My friends have also benefited from this van perk. There have been a few times when a friend forgot an essential item for our adventure that day.
2. Flexibility is liberating
In all honesty, I have never been a “fly by the seat of my pants” kind of person. I usually schedule the day out by the hour when making plans and travel itineraries. I allocate time to pack bags and lunches for adventures while trying to think of what else my future self may need. Now having the van, I can make plans and change the agenda at a moment’s notice. This concept can take many forms, so let me paint the picture of a few scenarios.
Scenario 1:
After a long day of work, I decided my reward was to ski at a resort a few hours away the following day. If I got tired on the way to my destination, I could park and sleep anywhere along the route. Since I have sleeping accommodations wherever I park, I decided to do the drive that night.
Scenario 2:
I had plans to meet up with friends for dinner, and we enjoyed ourselves late into the night. After socializing for hours, I was exhausted and had no interest in driving elsewhere to park for the night. Rather than sleeping on a friend’s couch, I walked to my bed on wheels parked in the driveway.
Scenario 3:
According to my summer travel itinerary, I was scheduled to leave Olympic National Park and head to the Oregon coast the next day. I was in love with the remote campsite I found near the ocean and wanted to stay. Because I had enough food and no camping reservations or plans to fulfill, I spent a few more nights.
Living in a van allows me to change my plans at a moment’s notice based on my energy levels, what I want, and what is possible. If I desire to leave the day of and venture to the next destination, I can. If I want to stay for two more nights, usually I can.
3. It’s one of the easiest ways to travel
As weather and plans change, vanlifers are known to be successfully spontaneous because of their preparedness. With the amount of storage space my van has, I can pack gear and clothing for a variety of activities. The van lets me live up to the term “wanderlust”.
Having a fridge on board is a game changer. I am never concerned about buying more ice, drinking warm drinks, or food going bad. I am able to grocery shop and store food with ease.
I don’t have to set up or break down a tent whenever I camp. If it rains, I’m not worried about my gear getting wet or things drying in time for the next adventure. If it is cold or windy, I don’t fear that my van will blow over or keep me awake as it shakes in the night, as tents do. The bed in the van is always ready and can never get wet.
The type of travel that I do requires little to no camping reservations. This is also because I prefer remote locations with more animals than humans. National forests, mountains, and small towns are my favorite places to spend time. Dispersed camping and parking at hiking trailheads are permitted in many areas across the country. It’s quiet and comfortable, and to me, it feels like home. Locations that attract tourism, such as National Parks, require campground reservations and research ahead of time. I only camp inside National Parks on special occasions.
4. Continuous change makes life feel less mundane
As humans, we can get into steady routines when we live in one place. We nest, we settle in and get into a rhythm. As life happens, suddenly, weeks have gone by, and no adventures have occurred. Although routine is not bad, this type of consistency can cause a symptom of stagnation called “boredom”. We can start to feel uneasy or a little stir-crazy. That feeling is almost like longing to get out of a locked cage. The antidote for the symptom of boredom is travel.
While living in the van, I am always stimulated by continuous external change. I don’t experience the frustrations of needing to get out of the house and breaking free of life’s sometimes mundane routines. Living in a van is like having a home where someone has changed the view every time you look out the kitchen window. I have a riverside cottage, a ski-in-ski-out condo, a beach house, and a high-rise apartment all in one. Yes, I have routines in the van, and life still happens- but living in nature is best for me.
5. Life is simplified
My perspective and day-to-day experience have changed by living in a van. The typical “first world problems” of running out of hot water or the Netflix not working- are not problems or complaints that I have. There is no TV, wifi, shower, or hot water. I have to put in the effort to obtain my utilities regularly. I must constantly monitor the water tank, propane, and black tank levels. Finding a place to shower can take time, research, and money. Discovering a coffee shop or library with reliable wifi to work is essential and is sometimes very difficult.
When visiting friends and family, I have a different level of appreciation for their resources, appliances, and more.
Living in a 50 sq foot van provides limited storage. It has forced me to simplify and pair down my “things.” I can’t store as many flannels as I’d like and have fewer hats than I ever have.
This lifestyle can humble you and reveal joy in the simple things. It can shift your perspective and cause you to live with more appreciation and gratitude.
After living in a van for 2+ years, I am still stimulated and in love with living in a 50-square-foot studio apartment on wheels.
To follow my travels you can find me on instagram @_toriwebster.
See you down the road!