Van Life: Is it worth it?

Van Life: Is it worth it?

Have you ever wanted to wake up in a different place every morning? Are you a lover of travel? Do you like a spontaneous life? Van life might be an option for you. Van life is when someone renovates a van or bus to make it a home on wheels. This means they can now travel wherever they want while still being in their home, sleeping in their bed. Kriten Bor wrote an article about the pros and cons of van life as someone who has been doing it since 2016. Here are some of them:

Pros:

Freedom to travel spontaneously - When traveling in a van, there is no need to book plane tickets or a hotel. This means that you could wake up and decide to go somewhere new. It also allows you to visit popular places at times when they aren’t as busy. 

You can scope out your potential future “home base” - When you rent a van, you can stay at a place for a long as you want without having to commit to a lease or mortgage. This will allow you to get a feel of where you might want to live without any commitment. 

You don’t have to pay rent or utilities - Due to solar and electricity being already installed in the van, there is no monthly utility bill. When looking for a place to stay, such as campsites or even parking lots, they are usually free or very inexpensive. These normally have places to get fresh water and fix the van as needed. 

Chores are simpler - Due to the lower square footage, there is less area to clean. Some chores come with van life, but they are normally pretty simple, such as filling the water tank. 

Your home is always close - You don’t need to worry if you forget a raincoat, because your house is not that far away. This is easier than traveling traditionally because you always have your belongings nearby. 

Cons:

Finding a job can be challenging - Due to the constant moving, you would need to find a job where you can work remotely. Most people do freelance work, which can be unreliable. This includes social media, which, as seen this year, is not a guaranteed source of income. 

Vans lack standard amenities - Vans do not come with a washing machine or a dishwasher. They may not even come with a toilet or a shower. These things can be found on the road, but most people are used to having them at their house. 

You have to plan constantly - This includes finding a place to park, a laundromat, water hookups, a place to shower, and groceries. There is also planning in case of emergencies. Vans are not as safe as houses, meaning having a plan in case someone tries to break in is important. It is also important to plan in case the van breaks down, as that means you would be losing your car and house. 

Bor also dives into what van life costs. She states that it depends on how you want to live. Some people spend $800 a month, while some people spend between $1500 and $2000. The cost of the actual van is between $41,000 and $66,000. The registration is over $500, and the cost to revovate ranges from $10,000 to $90,000, depending on how fancy you make it. 

Overall, van life is not for everyone. You need to give up things, and it can take a toll on a person. If you are truly considering it, Bor recommends that you rent a van and try it. This would allow you to decide if you want to give up your old life for the adventure.