In recent years, many who want to be financially free and travel the world have embraced this unique lifestyle. 

All over the globe, people are switching their 9-5 office jobs for a life on the road. The rise of remote working means you can be anywhere with a reliable internet connection and earn a decent living. This blog discusses what Van Life is and its benefits, so read on and see if this life is for you!

Benefits of Van Life

Whether this is the first time you have come across the term ‘Van Life’ or looking to see if living on the road is a life for you, there are many benefits to consider when living in a van full-time.

Freedom and Adventure

People choose to live in vans for freedom and adventure. Are you also hungry for your next trip? Consider choosing van life, and the world is your oyster! Waking up to a new destination every other day or week is exciting and gives you a reason to explore. Van life allows for extensive travel without the constraints of traditional holiday schedules and accommodation. 

Why limit yourself to UK travel? Van life means you can travel all over the world! Popular YouTube digital nomads like Craig and Aimee from the channel ‘Kinging It’ have done just that. Documenting their travels since 2014, they bought a old school bus converted it for travels across the UK and Europe. Feeling inspired? Check out their YouTube channel here.

Connection to Nature

Living in a van means reconnecting with nature by discovering national parks, botanical gardens, coastal areas, and rural landscapes worldwide. Unlike in England, wild camping is legal in Scotland, and countries like the USA and Canada also allow it but check local advice before doing so.

Environmental Impact

Many people opt for Van Life over traditional living in a building because of the potential environmental impact. Living in a van encourages a more sustainable way of living. Vans are small, and you will need to downsize your personal belongings. The lack of space means you can’t just buy new furniture or clothing; you have to be conscious of your spending and what items you need.

Living in a van also reduces energy consumption. Whether you are solo or in a pair, you are likely to use far fewer electrical items and heat appliances. Vans often have LED lights, which consume less energy than traditional bulbs. The appliances in a van are designed to run on 12 V power, which is more efficient than standard household appliances.

You may also consider adding Solar panels to the exterior of your vehicle. These panels will harness energy to power lights and electricals as well as charge batteries, even when your stationery. Solar Generators and Batteries also store energy during the day for use at night.

Off-Grid Living

Living in a van full time can benefit you, which is a massive draw for some. Using renewable energy sources and compostable toilets reduces your consumption of external utilities, allowing you to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Mental Health

The simplicity of living in a van can lead to less stress and a greater sense of freedom. Your connection to nature and control over your destination will improve your mood. If you're used to big cities, stepping back from polluted areas and urban noise will affect your mental well-being. A whole host of people are choosing to switch to living in a van full-time, and they are very supportive on social media. We offer support, tips, and tricks if you're new to this lifestyle. 

You may also find that living in a van increases your work/life balance. Having the freedom to choose where you stay can be inspiring, help job satisfaction, and reduce burnout. Prioritizing your personal growth and experiences encourages a better work/life balance and is a massive benefit to Van Life.

Types of Vans

Cargo Vans - When researching Van Life, we found a few types of vans to consider. Cargo vans are often transformed into full-time living vans because they offer head space and length. It’s the most customizable van style and popular for DIY campers. Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit are the two most popular makes of vehicle great for van life. Tall and Long, they can comfortably fit beds, a kitchen, a table and a bathroom for extra comfort.

New Campervan—Looking for something to get in and go? Many websites, like Quirkycampers and Campers4Sale, offer new and used campervans for sale. This will remove the stress and money from converting your van, allowing more time to enjoy it!

Passenger Vans—Passenger vans can also be converted to full-time vans. The exterior will have more windows and a reduced head height. One thing to consider is that passenger vehicles are used for ferrying people around, so they are likely to have high mileage and require a lot more work to convert compared to cargo vans.

Pop-Top Campervan—You can also consider a pop-top campervan. They are great for head height and storage; they lack width but make up for height! Pop-top camper vans come in various layouts, sizes, and prices and are a great option for budget buyers. Some have kitchens just behind the driver's seat, and others use that space for sleeping. If you're travelling as a trio, a pop-top campervan is perfect.

VW Campervan - The most traditional van of all is the VW campervan. What is lacks in space it makes up for in style. Often having one living/sleeping area and kitchen stored under the bed accessible from the rear door.

Things to consider

Like living in a house, there are certain things to consider when switching to van life full-time. This is not just about choosing the right style of van but also about everyday factors that will affect your van life experience.

Security

This unique lifestyle comes with safety challenges. Ensure you have locks on your windows and doors to stop unwanted intruders day and night. Your van becomes your home, so you should take precautions similar to those in a normal house. Installing an alarm in your van is also key, and staying in recognised sites overnight or well-lit areas is less likely to attract thieves. 

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Using propane heaters inside your van can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure you install detectors to help alert you of potential danger. 

Fire Safety

Take caution when cooking in your van and ensure you have a fire extinguisher fitted inside in case of any cooking accidents. It would also be useful to have a fire blanket not just for inside your van but for campsite fires. Always make sure it's fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the area.

Emergency Back-up

Although we like everything to run smoothly, occasional emergencies do happen, so it's important to have a plan ready. Keep a notebook in the front of your van with emergency numbers, including Insurance, Breakdown cover, and medical assistance, for when problems arise. If you're planning an overseas trip, make sure you know which services are available to you before you set off on your journey.

A final note from us

So that completes our latest Blog about ‘What is Van Life?’ We hope you have been inspired to delve a little further into the world of full-time van living. Embarking on a van life journey is an exhilarating way to explore the world, offering freedom on a minimalistic lifestyle. 

Our camping shop is filled with furniture and accessories to make your van life experience perfect. Come into the store to view our range, located in Gloucestershire, just off the M5 at junction 13.