9 Shocking Issues nobody tells you!

Contemplating residing in a van full time and even for an extended journey? Fearful concerning the professionals and cons, and questioning what it is REALLY like? I give up my job to journey Europe in a motorhome a number of years in the past. On this submit, I will share a number of the most shocking issues about vanlife, together with issues with residing in a van and issues I did not anticipate.

Remember to seize your FREE van life upkeep guidelines under

*We work laborious to make this the perfect motorhome weblog and street journey web site attainable, filled with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so in case you purchase by means of hyperlinks on this web site we might earn a commission- at no further value to you. All opinions stay our personal.

For those who discover this submit helpful, you too can deal with us to a espresso on the backside of this page- we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we would even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)

Residing in a Van full time- the reality

Have you ever ever needed to promote the home, do away with your ‘stuff’, inform your boss you give up your job, pack some necessities and head off over the horizon in your van?

What’s stopped you?

Widespread sense?

I imply, come on, it’s not like common folks really DO that.

Er… Hello. I’m Kat. 4 years in the past I give up my (very well-paid and safe) job as an air-traffic controller, with the intention to tour round Europe in a motorhome long-term with my husband.

This wasn’t a ‘hole 12 months’. We did not say ‘let’s see the way it goes for just a few months.’ We bought a van, saved like loopy folks till we hit our purpose, bought most of our possessions, and headed off over the horizon.

​

That was in early 2018, and we certain have had some adventures. There have been highs and lows, like our van catching fireplace and a world pandemic, however I nonetheless say quitting my job and residing in a van has modified my life for the higher.

I do know residing in a van full time and even for a very long time is just not for everybody. But when, deep down, it feels like one thing you’d LOVE to strive, listed below are 9 issues I want I’d identified to expect- that will help you be extra ready than I used to be!

How you reside in a van is NOT how you reside in a home

We have lived on boats for 15+ years and had a home for a short while too and on each of these, we have been used to having a little bit of house to do completely different actions and spend a bit of time aside.

My husband had his workplace, and his storage/ ‘man shed’ for tinkering with the motorbikes.

I had a eating room (which was principally a craft room), our bed room and I used our spare room as a house gymnasium/ dumping floor (oh, the luxurious!)

However when residing in a van full time, you don’t have all these further areas. Relying on the structure of the van you purchase (get recommendation on how to decide on and purchase the proper van for YOU right here), one house should do EVERYTHING. For all of you. On the similar time.

We learnt (in a short time) that the 2 of us wrestle working in the identical house. It drives me NUTS having to hearken to him on the telephone for hours, and I am certain he feels the identical listening to me making an attempt to movie a YouTube video (and repeating one half again and again and OVER once more).

(Speaking of Youtube, we’re SO CLOSE to hitting our subscriber purpose. For those who aren’t already, you possibly can subscribe proper right here without spending a dime. We actually do recognize your assist.)

Over time, we realized to adapt how we dwell and work collectively from the street. I take the canine for lengthy (lengthy!) walks while he will get some work finished, and he guarantees to not fully rewire the van or begin messing with the web while I’m making an attempt to work on this motorhome weblog, movie a youtube video (or watch the F1!)

The purpose is to compromise. We have been so used to doing issues independently, in separate rooms, with out even actually fascinated about it, that it took time to discover a rhythm which labored for us once we solely had one house.

You’ll overpack for vanlife. Massively

I promise, you do NOT want as a lot stuff while you’re residing in a van as you suppose you do.

But all of us overpack once we first begin vanlife. For instance, once we began residing in a motorhome, we packed 4 heat, snuggly blankets with us. FOUR.

And yes- these have been only for the two of us!

We additionally packed a juicer, blender, hand whisk and cake tins. None of which we used.

I am not saying YOU should not pack these items. For those who juice daily or bake truffles recurrently, then they need to completely be on the listing (and might you please come and journey with me?!) however we did not use them.

So we should not be carrying them. Downsizing is tough, nevertheless it’s vital to not go over your payload and residing with litter has its personal challenges. Be ruthless!

TOP TIP: It will possibly assist to place some issues into storage if you are going to be residing in a van full time, after which see in case you want something. However, actually, my guess is you most likely will not!

Full time vanlife won’t make you more healthy

I actually thought that when I lived in a van full time, I might stand up earlier, meditate each morning, go for a run every day, eat fruit and carrot sticks for breakfast and inside every week I’d be a stick skinny mannequin.

Oh, and I’d lastly have the time to study to surf and be a scorching surfer chick with blonde hair.

Shockingly sufficient, it did not occur.

I do really get up early most days, however that is as a result of we journey with a canine and strolling within the morning is one in all my favorite issues.

However we journey in Europe and have spent quite a lot of time motorhoming in France. The place they’ve croissants on each nook. And freshly baked crusty baguettes. And scrumptious truffles. So no, funnily sufficient, I’ve not misplaced 2 stone.

And I’ve tried browsing. A number of instances. I am RUBBISH at it. Extra beached whale than seaside babe sadly. I am additionally not blonde…

Simply keep in mind, residing in a van will not change who YOU are (this is applicable to the folks you journey with too!) You’ll nonetheless be the identical individual, with the identical likes, dislikes and habits.

You’ll attempt to pack an excessive amount of in

We learnt in a short time that the way you journey whereas on vacation is just not how it’s best to journey while you’re residing in a van full time.

We had the tendency to plan in an excessive amount of driving – and never sufficient sightseeing or exploring time. Inside just a few weeks, we have been exhausted from travelling virtually daily and in peril of burning out.

Now, we attempt to plan one or possibly two driving days after which one or two exploring days the place we keep put or at the least keep within the native space. My husband prefers to drive, however he is been in poor health just lately and an excessive amount of driving tires him out. So residing on the street is much more of a balancing act.

We have additionally learnt that issues run smoother between us if we plan particular working days and enjoyable days. And it is important to plan some downtime, the place you possibly can learn a ebook, do upkeep jobs on the van (get your FREE motorhome upkeep guidelines right here) or simply sunbathe on a seaside.

Additionally, keep in mind that it is OK to not transfer anyplace for every week. Or two. Or three. Journey slowly, at your individual tempo. Nobody is retaining rating. Listed here are some ideas for planning street journeys in case you want them.​

Chores should nonetheless be finished (and so they take longer!)

I am sorry to say, residing in a van doesn’t take away the necessity to do chores, like cleansing or washing garments on the street. And, much more sadly, some issues take a LOT longer- like when that you must go discover a laundrette.
​

On the plus aspect, the van is (most likely) a a lot smaller house than your own home, so issues get clear in a 3rd of the time!

The van additionally wants common upkeep to maintain it in good condition. Don’t ignore this- it’s vital to keep away from breakdowns. You’ll be able to seize your FREE motorhome upkeep guidelines right here.

​

Household and pals might not get your want to dwell in a van and journey

There are two sorts of folks on the planet. Those that can’t fathom the concept of residing in a van or a ship… and people of us for whom residing alternatively is the last word dream.

To say my household and most of my pals have been shocked by my option to give up my job and journey in a van is an understatement. Most of them tried to speak me out of it.

I spent ages making an attempt to elucidate my feelings- how I needed to discover the world while I used to be younger sufficient to take pleasure in it; how having a giant home wasn’t that vital to me and the way trapped I felt by the ‘9-5′ (I used to be an air-traffic controller, and we labored shifts… however you get the concept.

Finally, I remembered that this was MY life and it was completely okay for me to have completely different desires and life targets than they do. They get much more confused after I sometimes make a journey on my own to expertise solo feminine vanlife.

To them, it made no sense to depart a well-paid and safe job seeking freedom and journey. To me, it made no sense to remain. When you have kinfolk like that, anticipate some heated debates for some time!

Residing in a van makes folks interested by your funds

Within the ‘actual’ world, you’re unlikely to ask full strangers about how a lot their life-style prices them. Or their retirement plans. Or how they earn cash. Or what occurs in the event that they get sick.

However, for some cause, residing in a van full time or long run, particularly in case you’re not working a ‘actual’ job, makes folks interested by how a lot it prices to dwell in a van.

Like most Brits, I used to be purchased up to not discuss cash. Even now, years later, it will probably really feel odd to have folks ask how a lot we spend every month.

In reality, I attempt to be way more open with anybody contemplating altering their very own life; I keep in mind how daunted I felt by the cash facet of residing in a van and leaving my job and being scared we would not be capable of make the financials work.
​

The opposite factor which shocked me about leaving my job to dwell and journey in a van is the query ‘what do you do?’

Earlier than I left work, I by no means realised how usually we ask that query once we first meet somebody, and the way a lot of our social identification relies on our jobs. This was one of many largest issues for me about residing in a van- I struggled for a very long time to seek out a solution which labored for me.
​

It’s additionally been fascinating to see how folks work together in numerous social teams and the completely different questions vanlifers ask one another while you meet on the street. Those that have been residing of their vans full time for some time are more likely to ask about the place you’ve been and what modifications you’ve made to your car, as a substitute of what you do for work.

Residing in a van full time can really feel overwhelming

One of many largest classes we realized is that an excessive amount of freedom will be daunting. If you’re a clean map and might go ANYWHERE… the place do you go?

Since we began fulltime vanlife, I’ve found that ‘wandering and winging it’ doesn’t at all times work for me. As ex-military, I choose having strong targets and a plan. Issues to tick off a listing. Locations to go to and issues to do.

After all, there are huge benefits to that freedom too.

Having the ability to keep in a spot for so long as we like, or having the ability to detour if we’re invited to an occasion or uncover a pageant going down, is among the finest issues about not having to be again at work on Monday morning!

It’s positively a stability between over-planning and permitting time to take pleasure in what life brings us.

Need to create a life you LOVE?

Whether or not it is quitting your job to journey, downsizing, or residing in a van full-time, altering your life and residing ‘outdoors the norm’ will be scary. To assist, obtain our FREE 5 steps to Freedom mini-guide on the right way to create a life you LOVE

The folks you meet on the street will change your life

Speaking of different vanlifers, when you begin residing in a van full time or on an extended journey, you’ll uncover an unimaginable neighborhood of people that suppose alongside related strains to you by way of priorities and looking out on the world.

They may get your determination to alter your life, or give up your job or take life by each arms and LIVE it.

We’ve had some great nights round campfires, sharing beers and tales with whole strangers. We’ve chatted with folks from all around the world, even when they don’t communicate the identical language.

These are the individuals who encourage us to go to locations we’ve by no means heard of and the folks we love to remain in contact with and comply with their adventures.

Closing Ideas about residing in a van

Altering your life is hard. There are one million causes NOT to go for it- most of which revolve across the unknown being scary and the various (many!) ‘what ifs’.

We did quite a lot of analysis earlier than we lastly took the plunge and resolve to downsize and dwell in our van. We had already spent 15 years residing on a ship, and we realized the right way to funds and the right way to dwell in a small house collectively.

Nevertheless, even with all that, the issues above nonetheless took me abruptly. Some are good, some much less so, however all contributed to this unimaginable journey we’re on. I wouldn’t change our determination for something, even with the troubles we confronted in 2020.

I encourage anybody fascinated about altering their life to suppose it by means of however do not let worry maintain you again. In any case, you solely get this one life and van residing might be the perfect determination you ever make.

If you would like to get some encouragement or have questions, be happy to seek out me on Instagram or be a part of our Fb group– I LOVE listening to from folks courageous sufficient to dwell outdoors the norm.

And, after all, be a part of our tribe and get our weekly e-newsletter the place we share loads of tips on vanlife and street tripping. Join kind is under.

Good luck!

Kat x

Sharing is caring!