The lure of life on the road is strong. But, is it worth it to live out of a tiny space?
Where years ago if you told people you lived in a van, it meant you were homeless and destitute. These days, people are rejecting mortgages in the most creative ways. Like living out of a van.
The lure of life on the road is strong. But, is it worth it to live out of a tiny space? Taking on this unconventional life may seem like a flawless idea, but as with anything, there are pros and cons. And always some unexpected surprises.
If you are thinking of trying out the van life, then I hope this article will give you some food for thought. It’s helpful if you know ahead of time what pitfalls you may encounter.
Read on to see if traveling in a camper van is for you!
Being judged
As I alluded to earlier, there is a certain stigma still attached to being rootless. Even though there are so many businesses that can be run remotely allowing you to live on the road, people will still look at you as a shiftless drifter.
You may find yourself having to defend yourself and let people know that you are not a hobo or unable to afford a home. Unless of course, you don’t feel the need to defend yourself and just let them think you’re a guy living in a van down by the river.
Staying clean
Some campers are equipped with small showers, but if you are in a van that doesn’t have one, then you will have to be creative when it comes to washing yourself.
You may find yourself doing a quick washup under the arms with a bowl of water at times. The best way to go about this, though, is to plan out your route with pools and gyms along the way that offer daily rates. That way you can pay a few dollars and be able to use the showers when you get there.
Most campgrounds do have showers and laundry there, too.
By far, this is going to be the most challenging part of living in a camper van. If you are a clean freak, then this might put you off the idea of living out of a van.
Spending and finances
Yes, you do not have a mortgage to pay when living in a van. But you will pay much more than normal for simple things. I mentioned buying day passes at pools and gyms to use the shower. This could end up costing you up to or over $100 a month just to stay clean and have a nice bathroom to use.
If you travel daily, then you can end up spending a few hundred dollars a month on gas. Gas prices seem to always be rising so expect to pay a lot.
Food can be cheap if you are cooking on a small stovetop. But, if you eat out a lot since you are traveling and don’t have time to cook, then that also adds to your expenses.
It’s hard to save money when operating your van and travel do cost you money.
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