If you are thinking about getting a motorhome or campervan, and have started looking into it, you’ll likely have come across the phrase Van Life on the internet and the hashtag #vanlife. There are groups dedicated to it on Facebook and other sites, and it’s popularity is growing.
So what is VanLIfe?
Vanlife is a lifestyle choice where people live, travel and spend extended time in a campervan or motorhome. It ranges from weekend adventures to full-time living for some
What’s involved?
- Normally a converted van made into a camper(like a Sprinter, Transit, or older campervan) rather than a coach built motorhome. It will be fitted out with a bed, storage, and often a small kitchen setup. Cost effectively living is a big part of it, hence the converted vans being the norm.
- A sense of minimalism and living with fewer items, making efficient use of space as part of the process.
- General mobility and the freedom to travel and wake up in new places—mountains, beaches, forests, cities. There is often a large amount of off grid living involved with those dedicated to their vanlife
- Off grid living. Many of the vans will have solar panels, water tanks, and sometimes toilets or showers built in.
Why do people chose #vanlife?
Some of the common responses to this question are often
- A desire for freedom and travel coming from a sense of wanderlust
- A perceived lower cost of living compared to traditional housing (though not always cheap) once the initial van conversion costs are covered.
- A closer connection to nature due to the ability to camp “off grid”
- The option and ability to work from wherever their van and journey takes them
What are the challenges of vanlife?
It’s not for everyone thats for sure. Some people will be too attached to creature comforts. Some, will lack the skills and aptitude required for it. Others will just hate the idea outright
- Finding safe places to park overnight is one of the biggest challenges you will face. Many full time vanlifers will be parking up with everything they own so you need to be careful and selective.
- Limited space and privacy – as big as a long wheel base campervan may look from the outside, let’s be honest it’s still a lot smaller than even most studio flats.
- Managing the utilities. Solar is only good for charging the leisure batteries when it is bright and sunny. On a grey and overcast day you have a problem unless you have a petrol or diesel generator. Equally if you are not in a touristy area you may well ahve issues obtaining a fresh supply of clean water to top up the water tanks. Equally, also you may run into challenges with disposal of waste.
- Mechanical issues and maintenance. Unfortunately vans break down. Vanlife only really works if you have some element of mechanical inclination. Otherwise you run the risk of getting stranded and spending an age awaiting a recovery truck
- Social isolation or instability if traveling alone. Whilst the hermit life away from it all will appeal to some, others will have big challenges with it. Some people sadly do struggle with just their own company and thoughts. If this is you then you will will likely struggle with #vanlife unless you have a travel buddy.