These Are The Reasons We Should Sell Up And Live In A Van

By Juliet Smith 9 months ago

Once the work is done, they look pretty cool

Image Source/ Reddit
When you own your own van, the options are endless for how you decorate it. A trip to Home Depot will allow you to put your stamp on the van and make it your own. There's so many ideas online too if you are looking for some inspiration before putting the paint on the sides. Living in a van gives you a small place to make your own any way you want to do it.

House prices are on the rise

Image Source/ Reddit
With the rising cost of houses in the market, it's never been a better time to sell up and buy a van. By doing this, you are able to avoid costs like mortgages and you can forget all about interest rates. With a higher renting market too, it also means you will make more on the house you already own if you want to rent it out while you’re gone. This frees up money to allow you to buy the van you have always dreamed of.

You will have a lot more cash

Image Source/ Reddit
Like the last point, higher house prices mean that buying a van allows you to avoid them. However, it also means you won't have to buy another one, so this gives you a bit more autonomy on what to do with all of your cash. Rather than having the cash stuck in a house, you can look at that traveling trip you have always dreamed about; the van can help with that too.

The views you can set up camp near are breathtaking

Image Source/ Reddit
You literally have the option of going anywhere when it comes to van life, and that means that you can explore the most amazing views. It doesn't matter where it is; with van life, you can set up and just admire the view. You aren't stuck with just one view too because when that gets boring you just move on to the next stop. Imagine the number of views you will be able to take in.

You can work from your van

Image Source/ Reddit
Van life does not mean that normal life has to stop. Many people who live in a van still work either by driving to their work each day or setting up their working from home desk in the van. Many vans have cool workspaces that allow you to keep work life separate from your down time. It's all about making the perfect setup that works for you and your job. It’s not hard to get WiFi installed, plus, you can sponge off business WiFi!

You won’t need to pay for a vacation again

Image Source/ Reddit
Many people compare van life to being on a permanent vacation and that is exactly what it can be. By having no permanent home you can literally travel wherever you want to be. If you don't feel like staying in your hometown, the world is literally your oyster when it comes to van life. You might feel at first like you are on vacation, maybe for at least a few months.

They aren’t as small inside as you think

Image Source/ Reddit
Living in a van doesn't always have to be about cramping up into a small space. Vans can be found in all sizes and shapes that work for you. If you are worried about the space, you have to be sure to find a van with a bigger back end to help. They can also be kitted out in a tidy way to make use of all the space available for you. This way, it will feel a lot more roomy.

There are less bills to pay

Image Source/ Reddit
You don't need to worry about your mortgage when you have a van, which is one of your main bills every month. Also, you will begin to save so much money on utility bills. This is simply because you won't be using as much as you used before, when you had a whole house to pay for! You obviously won’t need as much electricity to power a van compared to a house. You just have to be aware of how much gas you need.

It’s the cheapest way to see the world

Image Source/ Reddit
Having a van allows you to travel on your own schedule and is the most cost effective way of doing it. You won't have to worry about booking flights across the world, because the van will be coming along with! This means cutting down on airline fees and not having to worry about baggage costs. Also, you won't even need to ever worry about any accommodation when traveling since you live in the van.

Moving just got so much easier

Image Source/ Reddit
If you're someone who loves to move around the states then van life might just be for you. Because you have all of your belongings in a van, it makes it so simple to move base and set up somewhere else. This is why most people in vans never stay in a set location and continue to travel the world. So rather than continuously selling homes, maybe get yourself a van.

It will bring you closer to nature

Image Source/ Reddit
There's no better way of getting yourself in touch with nature than having a van. As you have so much choice in where you set up your van, you can literally be in the peaceful countryside all the time. This will allow you to interact with nature and become at peace with it. It's important to respect wildlife peace too, and pick a place that does this in the right way.

There’s no issue with restrooms if you kit it out

Image Source/ Reddit
You might be worried about the bathroom situation when in a van but if this is something that worries you it can be made a priority. Many installations of living vans have built restrooms to ensure you have the privacy you want and also the convenience of having it right inside your home. It's just something that has to be thought about at the design stage.

You don’t need to have a basic setup

Image Source/ Reddit
A van you live in really doesn't have to be basic, so you can kit it out exactly like you would your home. If you want your gaming setup inside or other hobbies inside, there's really no reason why this can't be done. It's all part of having the autonomy in making it your own place to live in. So why not get your hobbies included in your home setup?

The van life is always fun

Image Source/ Reddit
Being in a van means you can see the amazing things that the world has to offer at any point in your life. There's so much fun to be had in all parts of the world. Van life allows you to experience all of these at your own speed and exactly what interests you. This is exactly why so many people choose to do it and end up doing it for life. The memories last a lifetime.

You can meet so many more people

Image Source/ Reddit
People opting for van life are increasing more and more each year, which makes it so much easier to meet new like minded people. You are sure to meet some amazing people as you explore the world in your van. This gives you the chance to learn new cultures and become more aware of the world you live in. You might end up driving with the new people you meet! You never know.

It’s a simple way to live

Image Source/ Reddit
In a van there's really not as much to worry about due to your belongings being a lot smaller and the cost being so much lower too. This is why many people opting for van life feel more at peace with the world they live in. The setup is also pretty simple, so there are fewer things that can go wrong along the way. Obviously this is as long as you pick a reliable van to start in.

So many people already live in vans

Image Source/ Reddit
Deciding to opt for van life really isn't a new thing. So many people are already enjoying life on the road and you will be joining a community. There are lots of people to gain advice from and also some tips to help your transition to van life go alot smoother. This can put your mind at ease if you have any questions before making the jump. There are also community pages online to help with that transition.

You don’t need to worry about not having internet whilst in a van

Image Source/ Reddit
Just because you are in a van doesn't mean you have to be cut off from the online world. Many people on the road ensure they have WiFi on a dongle so they can connect anywhere. The only thing stopping this is if you decide to go somewhere very remote, but this can be planned for those off-the-grid days. There's nothing stopping you from working with WiFi too.

You can make it as private as you like

Image Source/ Reddit
Some people are worried about their privacy when it comes to living in a van. Firstly, the windows - we don’t want to be on show all the time! Secondly, they’re a little less unsafe than living in a house, which you can equip with CCTV and a burglar alarm. But not to worry, there’s loads of fun gadgets out there these days that you can use to stay safe. Also, you can always cover up the windows with some Amazon finds!

A van is cheaper than an RV

Image Source/ Reddit
Some people believe that an RV is a way to go. Don’t get me wrong, RVs can look pretty rad when they’re fully done up and equipped with all your needs. But, vans are much cheaper to come across and buy! An RV isn’t for everyone, and is definitely out of a lot of people’s budget. Instead, get your hands dirty and give your cheap van a little glamorous makeover.

You don’t need to follow social norms

Image Source/ Reddit
Living in a van is not what society expects an adult to do, so making this jump can be daunting. However, once you take the plunge, there are really no social norms that you have to follow anymore. Being in a van means you can follow your own schedule and give yourself time to enjoy the day. Many people say van life is a peaceful way to live because of the community it creates.

You won’t need as many possessions

Image Source/ Reddit
Being in a van is a lot smaller than being in a house. Because of this, the amount of possessions you can have is limited, simply because the size of the van cannot hold everything you own in a house. This allows for a minimalist way of living and can be quite refreshing to opt for. It’s good to reflect on your materialistic nature and ask yourself: do I really need this? You could also make some cash on what you don't need.

Although, you have much more space when travelling

Image Source/ Reddit
Although you don't have as much space for everything you own in a van, you do have more space when traveling. Usually, if you go traveling, you would go with a backpack full of belongings. However, with van life, you can take as much as you please in your van and have way more space for this. This can allow you to save so much money by not having to buy items when you get there.

If you live with someone you can create unique memories together

Image Source/ Reddit
Van life can be fun on your own but it could be made even better if you do it with someone else. Experiencing van life together allows you to see the world and make some unique memories, with someone you love by your side. It's not something that everyone can say they have done so why not experience that with someone close to you. It also allows you to go through the highs and lows together.

It can make a relationship blossom

Image Source/ Reddit
Relationships blossom from being in a van together, and this is because of the lack of space you have. You really do get to know someone personally when sharing a tight space. It allows you to spend quality time together too! It's also important to know that it will allow you to really get to know your partner and could make you realize they aren't the one for you. It's all part of the experience.

It’s great for the environment

Image Source/ Reddit
There are lots of ways a van is better for the environment, and this starts with the low water and energy usage that comes with them. It doesn't take much electricity to power a van setup, and this is why it is so good for this reason. Many people also opt to have solar panels on their van, which creates a renewable power source and also brings down costs.

You can move around as fast as you like

Image Source/ Reddit
Just because you are in a van does not mean you have to travel the whole world tomorrow. If you want to take it steady, there's really no reason why you can't do that. Van life allows you to control your own schedule. As you don't have to book accommodation, there's really no rush to get to your next destination at all. It's a slow way of living, for sure.

You’ll learn more skills

Image Source/ Reddit
When you are in a van, there are so many ways you can learn more skills. By traveling around, you can pick up different hobbies and learn more that way. You will also meet new people who can teach you about the way they live and be taught skills from them. You will also have to keep your van maintained and need skills to be able to do this without anyone else.

You will have to become more self reliant

Image Source/ Reddit
Following on from the last point, when in a van, you have to be able to look after yourself. Many times, you might be driving in areas that are not that populated, so the call for help will not be available. You will need to be able to service the van and look after it in the best way possible. This will make you much more independent and help you understand what you can do better.

There’s a chance you’ll never want to return to a house

Image Source/ Reddit
With van life having so many reasons why it is a good way to go for a peaceful life, you might struggle to ever move back into a house. Many people who say they will do van life for a few months but never return. This is something to be optimistic about and know that there really is no reason this can't be you. After all, with all the positives, why not do it for life?

What To Read Next

Load More