Mobile living in a vehicle with a combustible engine has been in effect since the early 1900’s when the first RV was made available for distribution. Of course vehicle customization has been a favorite past time since they came about and this is no different when it comes to vans.

Van life Pros and Cons are widely debated and discussed amongst people with experience and without. As someone who has lived in a van for an extended period traveling freely I will give you my insight on the matter.

Van Life

Most of us can truly thank or blame Volkswagen for the Van Life movement. As with most things of this age it seems new when you just find out about it but it was cemented In the mid 1900’s with VW creating the Volkswagen van otherwise known as the microbus or “hippie van”.

Some of them even coming equipped with kitchens and beds for a life on the road. The best part about the Van Life is it was affordable. Essentially apart of a movement to counter on going culture by going another route.

The VW buses were affordable, and had more than enough space for a small living space with a part list that was widely available. During this time the buses were painted bright with peace symbols and designs that were psychedelic in nature. What a time to be alive.

This is what started the van life movement. But is it right for you. Van Life Pros and Cons should give you the insight to make that decision without a doubt.

Cons

As with all great things, there are positives and negatives. For Instance pastries are delicious but if that is all you eat without exercise you may end up diabetic or obese. Everything has a cost.

Head Space

As I’m sure you guessed it space will always be a factor. This will definitely be the the case if you choose a van that doesn’t have a hightop. For those who don’t know a high top refers to a roof the is taller allowing for you to stand up if you under 6’6″ or so with craning your neck or bending over completely.

My van at the moment has an area where I can almost stand to my full height of 6’2″ but the majority of it is lower. I got the van for less than $200 so it didn’t bother me and I took it into account. It’s also not my first build. With that being said you should check out a few vans with different heights and pick what suites you best. I personally like the shorter ones, they are cheaper and stealthier but that’s me.

Layout

Along with headspace the entirety of the van will be your home and it doesn’t much space for a layout. That means that everything will have to have a home. You have to know absolutely every item that you will have in your van before getting it/ building it if you want the layout to work.

If you get a fridge that is too tall that means you won’t be able to store perishable food items. A sink too wide may mean your bed won’t be long enough for you to lay on with your legs or head hanging over the side. If you want a bathroom, is there enough space for it? Where will the used water go? The small space makes the building and designing far more problematic.

Cleanliness

Contrary to popular belief small spaces are harder to keep clean. This will be a daily chore that needs to be done efficiently to maintain cleanliness of the space. You can’t just throw off your jacket and kick you boots off. There is no where for them to go. They must be stored away directly after removal. Sand, dirt and dust needs to be cleaned before it builds up. Wet towels need to be dried and stored.

You cannot imagine how dirty things get in almost any given instance. This increases exponentially if you are not traveling alone. Just think about how dirty a car gets without constant removal of wrappers, drinks, and personal belongings after a day or two and that is just to travel, not to live. A plan has to be set in most and executed daily to keep your space uncluttered and pristine.

Temperature

Smaller spaces do something far more rapidly the large spaces and that is heat and cool. Things can get dangerously hot and alarmingly cold very quickly. In the summer this means fans, vents and windows and in the winter this means heated blankets, sleeping bags and small heaters.

Even if you insulate your van it won’t be able to mitigate drastic weather effectively and if you don’t insulate you will be uncomfortable often. Finding yourself spending more time trying to regulate nature than enjoying the world around you.

Unknowns

There are a lot of things that you can’t prepare for. Engine failures can set you back for weeks without a place to live. A flat tire may put you out of commission during a storm. A broken serpentine belt can leave you stranded anywhere. The roof can get a leak, you can get into a car accident and literally be homeless all within a blink of an eye.

These are the unknowns and Van life brings these perils at every turn. You have to maintain that vehicle effectively. Insure it to it’s full value whenever possibly and practicing safe driving etiquette and even that may not be enough in the long run.

Pros

That was a gloomy affair. However, you need the facts before you can come to a proper conclusion and hopefully the cons help in that equation.

But, there are so many pros to Van Life. Honestly, there are far more than I can list because they are mercurial in nature, changing from person to person. With that being said here are some benefits to assuage your concerns

Unique

This is likely something that not many people you know have tried. You will not be the first but you will be one of the few. It’s good to experience new things, to live life differently. Fitting in with everyone else will only take you so far.

Van life will elevate that craving to separate yourself from the pack and start a new life where you can find meaning. Be the master of your fate and the captain of all things your life has to offer!

Cost of Living/ Financial Freedom

Van life will actively pay you back in dividends. The cost of living is far cheaper than traditional methods you won’t have to worry about a mortgage or power. Property taxes and rent hikes will be a thing of the past.

Another thing that is mentioned less is you will find yourself not needing to buy things as often. Unnecessary items will have no space in your new life. Memberships to certain services no longer required and all of this puts money in your pocket.

Freedom

Van life means you are officially of the grid.! You make your own decisions and do what you want at a pace you are comfortable with. You won’t really know how impactful this is until you experience it fully, it goes beyond just going to another state just because you want to.

Society life compels you to do many things. Consumerism is a big one. It essentially drives you to purchase more and more items for the economy to have ample resources to keep providing products. It’s a never ending circle of making money to buy more regardless of need. The things you think you need you will find that you don’t in your Van life journey. You won’t have space for everything and with downsizing comes revelation and with revelation comes freedom.

Travel/ Wanderlust

You will literally be able to see the world from end to end if you want to for the lowest price available. No need to worry about hotels, air bnbs or resorts. No need to book plane tickets although you will need a ferry get across the pond to the other continents.

You will able to see all the things you want and most importantly in the time frame you want to see it. It won’t cost you more to stay a week long, your van won’t charge you for that. You don’t have to extend your reservation. It is all up to you. Go stargazing in the desert and have breakfast the following morning looking at the small ecosystem of tide pools on the coasts. That sort of majesty of movement has no price.

Nature

I’m sure you have been cooped up for a long time. So long that the fact that you have to go to a brick and mortar store to pick up fruit, vegetables and meat doesn’t seem remotely strange to you. Going out and experiencing nature as it is meant to be is life altering.

Most people living in cities have never seen a proper nighttime sky. With pollution from gas and lights dimming the view of the old images of the stars. You can go drive through Montana and really look up and ponder. Go to the old red wood forest and camp out amongst the creatures of the night. Visit yellowstone and see the migration of the bison. I will admit, I am not a big fan of the tourists trap yellowstone has become, but it is still worth seeing as long as you respect the main attraction (the animals). Visit the hot springs and Nevada and stay at the salt flats or go to the starved rock in Illinois and catch a glimpse of the nations bird.

The key is enjoying the world that you have been kept away from. Van life allows you to do that in a cost effective and memorable fashion. There is no experience like it.

Let me know which way you are leaning, is van life for you or are the cons to much to overcome? Let me know in the comments.