Van Life (Travel Trends)

Van life. Is it possible, practical, or smart? What about finances, work, kids, bills, and all the above?

The van life has started to become more and more popular over the past few years. The purpose for some people is they want to go on an adventure or travel more. For others, it can be because of financial reasons, or they are wanting to downsize.

You only need to spend a few minutes on social media looking at dreamy images of vans parked in incredible locations, their owners seemingly living a carefree life on deserted, sun-drenched beaches.

People have been living in vans for decades. In the 1960s, hippies began living and traveling in their vehicles and the idea has only grown in popularity since then. The simplicity of van life is what makes it so appealing to others.

A key aspect of deciding to live in a van is whether or not you can afford it. But how much money do you really need? And how much money do you save living in a van? There isn’t a stock answer to these questions because it depends on so many variables.

Do you save money by living in a van? Absolutely. But, you still have to be smart with your money and where you decide to spend it. The cost of living is drastically reduced when you are living the van lifestyle.

“When you live in a van your costs are minimal. No rent and no electricity or water bills. Your main cost will be fuel (gas) and food. It is a very cheap way to live or travel! For those on a budget, van-life is perfect!”

By living in a van, you can go where you want, when you want. You never forget anything because everything you own is always with you. You don’t have a lot of unnecessary “stuff” lying around because you don’t have enough storage for it all.

“One of the biggest problems with living in van full-time is showering. In a van, it is likely that you will not have a shower. Some vans do have portable showers, but not all (and these are not the most convenient to use.)”

“Living in a van is the ultimate way to explore. You can go wherever you want whenever you want! Having a home on wheels creates this freedom. There are no limits on where you can go and there is no timeline.”

Overall van life equals simplicity. Sure there are still struggles that come along with living the van life, but it’s what you make the most out of it that matters.