Are you considering the switch from 9-5 to full-time travel? This blog covers the pros and cons of camping in a van and whether it's right for you. 
What is Van Life?

Increasing in popularity, the term ‘Van Life’ refers to people who convert and live in a van full time while travelling. The rise of remote working after the COVID-19 pandemic meant that as long as you can access the internet, you can live and work in a van successfully. Thousands of people are switching to Van Life, saving money, reconnecting with nature, and reducing their carbon footprint at the same time.

Pros of Van Life Full Time

Freedom - Living in a van gives you the freedom to travel spontaneously. Working and living in your van is one of the biggest perks. Finish work at 4 pm? You can be in a completely different county by the following morning. That sounds exciting, right?

You no longer need to worry about booking hotels, tours or where to eat. Living and sleeping in your van is all you need. Driving through countries instead of flying allows you to see the place you're travelling to and not just the picture-perfect places you see on postcards.

Adventure - When exploring in your van, you can be as little or as big on adventure as you want. Unlike traditional holidays, you can allow for spontaneous trips and do not have to worry about schedules and tours. Take your travels at your own pace and enjoy them stress-free!

Save Money - One of the biggest aspects of living in a van full-time is the money you save! As rents and mortgages rise, affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce, and Van life becomes a more viable option for many households. 

You will no longer need to pay council tax as you have no fixed address, and your heating and electric bills will be reduced. Consider using Solar panels to harness energy to live off. Fixing these to the exterior of your van will help charge batteries and power electricals. 

If you're still working full-time remotely, then you can use the money you save on travel! It's much easier to keep track of your spending habits when you have little outgoings

Reconnect with Nature - If you're an outdoor lover like us, then spending more time in nature can only be a bonus! Biking, hiking, kayaking or simply just relaxing and reading a book can be enjoyed all over the world, and living in a van full-time allows you to do this with ease. 

Simple Living - Living in a van also involves some changes necessary to make van life full-time work. You will need to reduce your personal items to enjoy life on the road. Lack of space means you must revaluate what items are important to you and declutter. You can be savvy with storage inside your van, so make sure you choose a design that suits you and your needs. 

Home comforts— You might be thinking, what is homely about a tin can on wheels? But home is really where your heart is, and vans can feel like just like a regular home. Decorate your van’s interior just like your house with all your favourite things! Living in a van full-time means you have access to all your belongings all the time, so if you're out on an adventure, you can easily grab the item you need! 

Affordable Travel - For many people, going abroad is a once or twice occurrence over a year, but for van lifers, travelling is part of your daily routine. Staying in a van is an affordable way to travel the world. Let's be honest; tourist destinations are pricey and fall for good reason, so travelling and staying in your van gives you a huge advantage. Campsites have basic and electric hook-up pitches at a fraction of the price of flights and hotels. You can cook in your van and save the pounds on restaurants – it's a win-win!

Cons of Van Life Full-Time

Finding work—If you’re taking the plunge into a nomadic lifestyle, make sure you have the funds to back it up. Finding a job on the road can be tricky, especially if you cannot stay with your existing employer. If you’ve quit your job to travel and want some extra money, consider looking at freelancing work. Teaching, Digital marketing, and Customer service can all be done remotely; it just may take you a little time to find the perfect role. 

Relationships—Building relationships on the road can be difficult for some. As you no longer have a fixed abode and are always on the move, creating long-lasting relationships with people can be hard. If you're travelling with your partner, living, eating, and sleeping together in one small space may also strain your relationship. It's important to have your own hobbies to make van life successful. 

Basic Amenities—Life on the road means going back to basics for some. Even if you have a shower in your van, it's unlikely you will use it every day. You will become an expert in public amenities, using the showers, filling the water tanks, and dumping your excrement—sounds luxurious, right? Using public laundromats and showers is all part of the fun and what makes van life so interesting!

Safety— One big thing to consider is how to be safe when living in a van full-time. If you're a solo traveller, you may need to take precautions to keep yourself safe. Parking in well-lit campsites, installing door alarms and window locks, and protecting your valuables by installing a safe in your van for your passport, ID, money, or other important documents are some ways to do this. Vans are more accessible than houses, so don’t share personal information with other campers, as it may come back to bite you. 

Repairs—As your van is your home, it's important to have a backup plan when it needs repairs. Lots of campers stay with friends or family, but if this is not an option for you, then this can be tricky if you are outside of your home country. Inevitably, vehicles break down and require maintenance. This can be expensive depending on the problem and something to remember when owning a van. 

Weather - Living in a van in winter is not as desirable as summer. Remember you're working, living, eating and sleeping in your van so in the cold winter months ensure you have some sort of heating to keep you warm. Unlike houses, Vans have all their components inside the van so you will need to stop the pipes from freezing and electricals to keep up with demand.

Stigma—Be prepared for questions when deciding to live full-time in a van. Although the popularity of van life has increased in recent years, it still has a stigma associated with living a different lifestyle not favoured in our society. People will have opinions and make judgements about your life and that's ok, as long as you're happy!

A final note from us

Embracing full-time Van-Life is a bold step towards adventure and freedom. Van life is not just about the destination but also the journey itself, which involves several pros and cons. Understanding the practicalities of mobile living will enable you to decide if Van life is for you. 

We hope you have found this blog helpful. You can read our other blogs, including ‘ What is Van Life,’ in our Camp Life blog section of the website and shop all caravan and motorhome accessories here.

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