When I told my friends and family that I wanted to live in a van, they immediately thought I had lost my mind. They wondered why I would sell most of my possessions to live in a compact space with my husband and dog. They worried I would find myself in dangerous situations and miss the comforts of a warm home.
In reality, choosing van life over house life has been one of the best decisions I have made in my adult life. Here are the top reasons I did not follow the traditional path of purchasing a home and chose a life of adventure on the road instead.
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Table of Contents
1. Travel Spontaneously
One of the biggest perks of van life is the ability to travel wherever you want to whenever you want to. Gone are the days of requesting PTO for a single 2-week vacation each year. I love spending my summertime in the Colorado mountains and heading to the warm Arizona desert in the wintertime.
2. Work with a view
I get to work my remote job with a stunning view right outside of my window, and this view constantly changes to help me stay inspired. I do not have to work in an office cubicle or from a home office every day. Whether I want to drive to a scenic overlook or hunker down in a coffee shop, van life allows me to work wherever I feel like.
- Read More: 40+ Perfect Jobs for Life on the Road
3. Spend more time in nature
Van life allows me to get outside and feel the sun on my face daily. I can slide open my van door to epic sunrises and sunsets and go on daily lunch walks with my dog. Living in my van allows me to always have my outdoor gear on me, so I am ready for hiking, backpacking, swimming, running, etc.
4. Spend more time with family
Before I started van life, I only saw my husband and dog in the evenings and on weekends. Now, we get to be together all of the time. I have learned more about my husband in 7 months of living together on the road than I did in the five years we had been married. As my dog ages, I relish every moment I spend with her and the memories we create as a family.
5. Enjoy travel while I’m healthy
A lot of people say that they will travel once they are retired. Unfortunately, not all of us are guaranteed the health or time we think we will have when we reach retirement age. I am thankful to do van life now while I still have my physical health and can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and backpacking in the parks that I visit.
6. Meet new people
Instead of being around the same coworkers and neighbors every day, van life allows me to meet new people constantly. I love connecting and swapping stories with other travelers and chatting with people who see our van and want to know more about van life. It is fun to have a community of friends across different states and even other countries.
7. Become self-reliant
Something I did not expect when I started van life is how self-reliant I would become. I used to call my parents for help or look to others for solutions when things went wrong. Now, there are times when I am camping in dispersed areas where no one else is around, and I have no cell service. When problems happen on the road, I have learned to stay calm and handle situations myself.
8. Be mortgage-free
Another perk of van life is no rent, mortgage, or utility payments. I used to pay this on top of a monthly loan for my vehicle. Now, I only pay towards my loan on the van. Depending on which type of van you purchase, you may not even have a monthly van payment and could be completely bill-free.
9. Save money
If you establish a budget, you could save a substantial amount of money by doing van life. In addition to rent, utilities, and vehicle loans, I used to pay to go out for drinks with friends each week and to go out to eat. I also paid for a TV with various streaming services. Now, I spend most of my free time in nature and cook my own meals in the van.
- Read More: How Much Does a Campervan Cost? Tips and Examples
10. Live with less
Although some may see downsizing as a con of van life, it is truly freeing to live with less. I only own things I need and know exactly where I keep everything. My life feels less cluttered and more organized, and I am not constantly buying new items since I know I do not have the space for them.
11. Do fewer chores
I used to devote hours every weekend to cleaning our apartment. I had to clean the toilet, shower, counters, and kitchen. I dusted the shelves and swept and vacuumed the floors. Since the van is such a small space, I can clean it in minutes. Instead of cleaning multiple rooms, I can quickly wipe down surfaces and sweep the floor.
12. Travel in comfort
Have you ever been on a trip and wished you had packed something you left at home? When you live in a van, you always have all of your belongings on you. If I suddenly want my warmest sweater while traveling, I can quickly grab it. Or, if I am visiting a national park and need more caffeine, I can easily make a cup of coffee in my van. Also, I no longer need to spend time or money booking hotels, Airbnbs, and rental cars to take trips since my home is on wheels.
13. Discover new places to live
Van life can also be a way to try living like a local in places to see if you might want to plant roots there someday. I enjoy staying in an area for a few weeks and visiting local parks, libraries, coffee shops, and grocery stores to experience the vibe. I think about whether or not I could picture myself living there when I am ready to get off of the road. It is a great way to test out potential home bases without committing.
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