Have you ever wondered what van life is really like? Have you dreamed of converting a van into a portable place to live and drive nationwide? According to Wikipedia, Americans living in vans, either by choice or due to poverty, began to gain popularity in the early 1900s.
Van Life Can Be Difficult
If you opt for van life because you think it will be easier than your job, you will likely be kidding yourself. When you’re on the road, you’ll be busy looking for places to park and camp for low prices. Once you find a place that will let you stay, you will then need to find water, power, and a bathroom (or dump station.) You’ll also need to find a way to prepare and cook meals.
Van Life Needs an Income
Gas costs money, and so will your food and other expenses. Unless you find a source of income, like a remote job or seasonal employment at places where you find campsites, you will discover difficulty covering your costs. Your insurance premiums and telephone costs don’t go away, nor does any debt you may have incurred before you left home. So, before you go on the road, consider what you may be willing to do to make ends meet.
Van Life Will Be Messy
It can be wonderful to drive on the roads of the USA and to stay overnight in a place that has natural beauty. But that brings all the elements of nature closer to you – including dirt, bees, bugs, and leaves. No matter how hard you try, it’s hard to leave the dirt and bugs outdoors. It’s not always easy to find a place with public showers or toilets – which can make van life messy.
Van Life Means Things Break
When any vehicle is driven long-term, it is likely to break down. You may have to be on the lookout for second-hand parts to buy for the van. Your already-strapped budget may have to include an emergency fund to pay for auto parts. It would also be helpful for you to watch some YouTube videos about auto repair.
Van Life Requires Health Maintenance
Between tracking in elements of nature and the inability to predict when you will find healthy food, you must be vigilant about your physical health. No matter how well you and your traveling companion get along, you may also see your mental health challenged by van life. Something that you should consider cutting out of your life entirely is alcohol. While it may seem like a big ask, alcohol is proven to have detrimental effects on your health. It also prevents any temptation to drive while intoxicated. One of the most common criminal law offenses is driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, and if you need to move your van unexpectedly, you don’t want to fall into a potential criminal charge.
Van Life Provides Freedom
Without a set agenda, you’re free to see- and to go – wherever you choose to go. You can visit your distant relatives, or go to all the places you’ve always wanted to see. To use one example, you may decide to visit the beautiful Peony Tree Festival in late May at Linwood Gardens, NY. After all, according to a survey by We Love Florists, over 35% of those surveyed reported peonies as their favorite flower.
Despite the struggles that come with van life, its fans will be the first to tell you it’s worth it. According to Always the Adventure, after a few months of adjustment, the joys of being on the road will outnumber the challenges. So, turn on your GPS – which, according to Globe Newswire, is an auto accessory destined to reach $5.5 billion in sales by 2028, and punch at your next destination. Now that you know the challenges of van life, you can be prepared to enjoy your time on the road.