Pros and Cons of Full-Time Van Life – Bearfoot Theory

If you might be serious about van life, within the means of shopping for a camper van, or in the course of a van conversion, you may be grappling with the query of whether or not you need to hand over your private home and dwell indefinitely in a van full-time. 

In 2016, I acquired my first Sprinter Van, moved out of my condominium, and spent practically two years rent-free. It was a liberating time stuffed with journey, self-realization, and progress, nevertheless it additionally got here with challenges. I beloved 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 you want to spend prolonged time in a metropolis the place there isn’t plentiful free tenting. 

In this weblog publish, I share the professionals and cons of full-time van life that you simply’ll need to think about 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 traditional life (not less than for a bit) for the unknown.

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My Full-Time Van Life Experience

Back in 2016, after 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 objective. 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 City condominium.

When I moved into my van that summer time, 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.

The street was stuffed with ups and downs as I slowly acquired into my groove with van life. I beloved with 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 muddle in my life was extremely releasing. Sleeping in my very own mattress, cooking my very own meals, and with the ability to do what I needed, after I needed had been luxuries that no different type of journey had offered. 

At the identical 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. Without 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.

I additionally acquired 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 just a few December nights outdoors of the mountains in Salt Lake City, I spotted what that might entail (which I’ll go into beneath). 

Back in 2016, working from the street was not as straightforward as I predicted. Internet 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 top, 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 come back 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 residence on the street, whereas additionally having a comfy, heat residence base the place I can get large work initiatives achieved within the colder months. I’m additionally a mother now, so we’d like 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.

While 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. 

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

Pros of Full-Time Van Life

With countless adventures and locations to discover, dwelling in a van actually has its perks. There is nothing fairly like the peace of mind of getting every thing you want with you always and the liberty of an open street in entrance of you. Here are eleven advantages of dwelling in a van to think about.

1) Living in a van provides you the liberty to journey spontaneously

Although it might be apparent, one of many greatest perks of dwelling in a van is the capability to journey wherever you need, everytime you need to go. It is an inexpensive and sensible solution to see as a lot of the nation as attainable.

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

Instead 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 can even go to common locations or do crowded hikes throughout much less busy occasions.

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

2) You can scope out a possible future residence base

One of the most important advantages of van life is the chance to suss out locations you may need to dwell at some point. Living in a van means you possibly can 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 can begin to really feel like a neighborhood whereas dwelling in or close to the identical city for a few weeks. You could even have the ability to visualize your self dwelling there completely. Some locations find yourself stunning you, whereas others you’ll have the ability to rule out after spending time there.

3) You don’t pay hire or utilities

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

In a van, you do not want to pay a month-to-month payment for electrical energy, warmth, air con, or trash service. Once you’ve gotten your photo voltaic and electrical system put in, you possibly can dwell off the grid totally free indefinitely.

As hire rises and the housing market turns into much less inexpensive, van life is an much more enticing choice.

Rather than paying extraordinarily excessive costs to dwell, a house on wheels means that you can keep in lovely locations for much less. Even when you’ve got 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.

While 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 great thing about states like Colorado with out paying the hefty worth.

4) Van life *can* be an inexpensive solution to journey

Van life isn’t inherently low cost, however it may be in case you are acutely aware about your spending. First, you don’t need to pay for lodging, and if you happen to make the most of sources to seek out free campsites, tenting may be free. Also, with a kitchen or outside range, you possibly can cook dinner your individual 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 keep on 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 actually every 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. Depending on the climate, I can sit outdoors to drink my tea, work, and calm down with a ebook on the finish of the day.

But what I’m actually right here is for the journey. If you’re like me and also you like to hike, bike, or paddle, dwelling in a van means that you can take pleasure in these hobbies in a wide range of places frequently. Instead 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.

6) You study to dwell with much less

When you’ve gotten fewer possessions, there may be much less to fret about. You do not need as a lot to wash, to look after, or to arrange.

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

BFT Contributor Kaylin vividly remembers going by way of every room of her previous condominium 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 straightforward 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 gadgets is releasing.

Remember that you don’t essentially need to promote or donate the entire gadgets you don’t carry with you within the van as storage can be an choice. It is vital to think about the worth and attachment you’re feeling in the direction of your possessions. If you’ve gotten loads of invaluable stuff you with private which means, then storage might be the best way to go.

If your stuff is cheap and also you suppose you’ll ultimately need to change it, then by all means, promote what you possibly can. This provides you with somewhat additional money if you end up beginning out, and also you received’t be held again by your stuff that’s sitting in a storage unit in a metropolis you may not 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 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 lack 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

While van life comes with its distinctive chores, the total means of cleansing and sustaining your private home on wheels is fast and straightforward.

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

However, you should have just a few new chores corresponding to refilling your water tank, emptying your pee jug or bathroom waste (when you’ve got one), sweeping out the sand and rocks that appear to rapidly accumulate on the ground, and winterizing your van as wanted. You may even have to make time to go to laundromats now and again.

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 possibly can maintain your house feeling tidy nearly all of the time.

8) You have the comforts of residence wherever you go

When you reside full-time in a van, residence really turns into wherever you park it. If you might be having a campfire and instantly crave the heat of your favourite blanket, you possibly can rapidly seize it out of your van. Or, if you wish to watch a film on Netflix one night whereas consuming a scorching beverage out of your favourite mug with the heater on, that is doable in your van.

It is handy to have the ability to benefit from the comforts of residence regardless 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 once you unexpectedly want it. Instead, you possibly can merely seize it out of your van and proceed together with your adventures.

9) You get to satisfy every kind of recent individuals

One of the very 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. Because 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 referred to 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

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

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

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

11) Van life helps you develop

If you might be searching 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 develop into an total extra assured particular person by proving to myself that I can maintain myself independently on the street and navigate difficult conditions. Although there are occasional moments after I could really feel anxious or careworn, van life has taught me how you can rely on myself as an alternative of relying on another person to assist or rescue me.

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Cons of Full-Time Van Life

Just 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 vital factors to think about when deciding if this life-style is sensible for you. This part addresses eight of the downfalls.

1) Finding jobs and dealing from the street may be difficult

Full-time van life may be very totally different relying on if it’s important to work. Although 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 permits them the liberty and suppleness to journey. However, 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. Reliable Wi-Fi for van lifers who’re working remotely is essential.

Luckily I really like being an outside blogger, however this implies after I’m dwelling in my van, there are loads of days sitting in espresso outlets and staying in cities as an alternative of being off-the-grid. Many days I’ve to skip mountain climbing and doing different enjoyable issues so I can get issues achieved. My expertise as a full-time van lifer could be very totally different than somebody who can give up their job altogether and dwell off of their financial savings for a 12 months or two, fully on their very own phrases.

Over 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 received’t sugarcoat the difficulties that include freelancing, it may be achieved if you happen to’re devoted to creating it work.

Working on the street takes an entire totally 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 sit down on the laptop reasonably than lacing up your mountain climbing boots. You’ll need to think about the way you may set up routines and programs to assist your self be productive on the street.

While distant jobs will let you have the flexibleness to journey all 12 months lengthy, some vacationers want to remain in a single spot for a season to make sufficient cash to final them the remainder of the 12 months. There are some ways you possibly can go about discovering each forms of work, however simply know that it might take time to land the appropriate place for you. I like to recommend having a plan for being profitable on the street earlier than you begin full-time van life.

2) Van life may be troublesome on relationships

If you propose to journey together with your romantic accomplice, you will have to study how you can dwell in a van together with your vital different. You may 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 unfavorable methods.

For the primary two years of van life, I used to be largely solo. My accomplice Ryan and I had been relationship, however he couldn’t include me for longer than fast journeys resulting from his work. Eventually, 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 may journey with me. 

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

With the every 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 commonest argument), it’s important to decide your battles and study to compromise. You’ll additionally have to forgive and overlook rapidly after arguments and keep away from blaming one another when issues don’t go in line with plan. If you possibly can’t do these items, your relationship will certainly endure. 

For Ryan and I, it has additionally been useful to break up up chores and set up routines so there’s no arguing about who has to do what. When we’re getting the van able to drive, Ryan takes care of packing up the gear within the storage, whereas I take care of 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 notice what number of facets of every day life you are taking with no consideration till you now not have them. A con of van life is your van certainly received’t have a washer, dishwasher, or countless scorching water. It could not also have a van bathroom, 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 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 ensure to show off the lights and different electronics so that you don’t waste your treasured electrical energy. You’ll develop into an knowledgeable on how you can discover public facilities like dump stations, showers, and extra.

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

4) You need to consistently plan

This might be my least favourite factor about van life. While 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 will need to discover locations to park every evening (and infrequently make backup plans), locations to bathe, laundromats, grocery shops, and water hookups. 

Before visiting vacationer sights and mountain climbing places, you additionally have to analysis these locations forward of time and buy the required tickets and permits. This means you’ll be spending much more time in your cellphone than you may count on.

Even with the entire campsite finder apps, discovering locations to park every evening may be one of the hectic components of van life. Places could also be closed, full, or harder to entry than the outline leads you to imagine.

Reading van life blogs corresponding 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 may be powerful

If you need to do van life in winter and go to totally different ski resorts, an important factor is that your van is constructed for 4-seasons. That means your water programs have to be fully contained in the van, you want to have good insulation and a top 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 number of heat layers, particularly if one thing goes mistaken together with your heater. 

Even in case your van is able to take care of the local weather, there are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to plan to do van life in winter. The actuality is you’ll be spending as much as 15 hours a day inside your car resulting from it getting darkish and chilly so early. This may be particularly powerful when you’ve got pets in your van that thrive on getting outdoors. 

You’ll have to make a plan for a way you’ll entertain your self at evening. Going to bars and eating places to replenish your time will get costly rapidly, so that you’ll have to embrace a passion and be okay with sitting contained in the van for prolonged hours within the evenings. Consider cooking, studying, journaling, taking part in video games, or knitting – the sorts of hobbies that don’t take up loads of house. There’s additionally Netflix or getting work achieved within the evenings if you happen to’re working remotely. 

The challenges are compounded by the truth that a majority of ski areas are usually not very van-friendly. Many have no-overnight parking guidelines resulting from snow plows, avalanche hazard, or making an attempt to power individuals to pay for accommodations. Of course, there are some exceptions, however you want to do your homework. Otherwise, you’ll be compelled to stealth camp, which may 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 have to consider your security extra typically

Although 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 you might be touring with a accomplice or solo as a feminine van lifer, you possibly can take steps to really feel assured in stopping your self from stepping into weak conditions. 

Some precautions I take are selecting my campsites rigorously, retaining my doorways locked after I’m contained in the van, and utilizing privateness curtains to maintain individuals from seeing inside my van. I additionally maintain 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. If you’ve gotten a nasty feeling, observe your instinct. If I get a nasty vibe in a spot or don’t really feel comfy leaving my van parked someplace, I modify course and create a brand new plan.

In addition to defending your self, you additionally need to think about defending your valuables. Since you’ve gotten all your belongings on you always, dwelling full-time in a van presents its distinctive set of dangers. Consider investing in protecting lock packing containers for costly gadgets or safety cameras.

All of those precautions are particularly vital to think about once you’re staying in areas with out mobile phone reception. Make positive you’ve gotten 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 car like a van is accepting that it’s going to probably want repairs in your time of proudly owning it. Since your car can be your private home, you will need to 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 feature. Others could have to get a lodge on the final minute. I like to recommend having cash reserved for this in your emergency fund simply in case. Sometimes insurance coverage will cowl this relying in your coverage.

Unfortunately, you don’t have complete management over what occurs to your van. If you go into this life-style realizing that the day could (and certain will) come that you’ll want to make different preparations, it received’t be as hectic or stunning when a breakdown or accident occurs to you.

8) You could really feel judged or stigmatized

Although van life is gaining popularity and acceptable, there may be nonetheless a stigma related to dwelling in your car and never working a standard 9-5 workplace job. Some individuals will probably be excited for you once you inform them the information, and others will suppose you might be loopy and presumably decide you.

My crew 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 related response. A number of individuals shared our pleasure, despatched journey suggestions, and wished us the very best. Others didn’t know how you can reply and puzzled how we might make it work. Then there are the involved ones who ship you articles concerning the risks of journey and why you need to rethink your determination to dwell on the street full-time.

Be ready to know your “why” behind van life and really feel assured in explaining your determination to others. While 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.

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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 condominium or residence altogether, take time to mirror and consider if full-time van life is best for you. If you might be planning to dwell in your van together with your accomplice, you’ll want to you’ll want to focus on these factors collectively. Remember that part-time van life can be an choice, so if you happen to aren’t able to take a everlasting dive, you possibly can all the time use the van as an escape on the weekends and for trip.

Before diving into van life, I extremely advocate renting a van for a street journey so you possibly can strive it out first. That means you possibly can 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 making ready for as you think about full-time van life? What questions do you’ve gotten? Let me know within the remark part beneath!

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