Living The Van Life | What You Need to Know

These past few years living the van life have been hectic to say the least, but they have also shown us how important time and freedom are. There has been a recent rise of people veering off the typical “life track” to experience something new and exciting. Many have transitioned into van life, but what exactly is van life? Van life is much more than a simple hashtag and it is definitely not a passing fad.

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In this post, we are going to tell you all about what Hashtag #VanLife and van life movement is, the pros and cons, how to build your van, and answer some common questions around this lifestyle. Dive into van life with us, and see if it is right for you!

What is Full-Time Van Life / Nomadic Lifestyle?

The answer to this question is a bit complex. Simply put, van life is a different style of living that focuses on exploring the world with ease in all types of different vehicles. The lifestyle can vary from person to person depending on their goals. For instance, someone may want to switch to van life to save money on housing, while others want to switch over to visit every state in the United States. Van life is really what you make it, be that full-time or part-time.

Pros and Cons of Living in a Van

The most important part of deciding whether or not you want to take the plunge into van living is whether it suits your needs and comfort level. There is a big shift in lifestyle, and it may not be for everyone. Here are a few pros and cons about van life that might help you make your decision and get on the road trip of your dreams!

PRO: Adventure and freedom

Living on the road can bring a multitude of uncertainties and adventures. Something unexpected will likely happen on a daily basis. This may sound intimidating, but it really grounds you into the present moment and will make sure there is never a dull moment. Without being tied down to a house or apartment, van lifers get the freedom to travel whenever and wherever they want. Did you find a hidden hotspot or National Park that you absolutely fell in love with? You are in complete control of your time, so if you want to stay longer, you can!

PRO: Save money and live a minimalist lifestyle

Some who choose the van life or camper van / travel trailer do so to save money. That being said, van life is not completely free of charge, but it is much cheaper in the long run when you do not have to pay rent or utility bills.
 PS. Solar Panels are a lifesaver! 
With this extra money, many choose to use that money towards paying off debts, going back to school, or even just to have some extra cushion for retirement.

Van life does not just cut down expenses, it cuts down all of the needless things in your life. You are going to be living in a much smaller space, so you can’t have too much stuff with you on the road. Decluttering your life can be a fantastic way to lessen your stress and help your mental health. This minimalist lifestyle is not only great for mental health, but it is a great help to the environment. Buying less unnecessary things and creating less waste decreases your carbon footprint on the world.

CON: The unexpected is not always exciting.

Although our first pro was about all the unexpected adventures van life brings, the unexpected is not always…a fun adventure. When you are living in a van, you will likely have to deal with car-related issues like breakdowns, tire issues, etc. Unless you are a professional mechanic, these could be difficult to deal with. You also have the issue of where you will be sleeping for the night. When you live in a house or apartment, you do not have to think about these things. But depending on where you are, finding a legal place to park overnight and sleep may be a bit tough. However, it can also lead you to places you never knew about, so do not be too scared, and keep your mind open and flexible to new experiences.

CON: It is not all fun and travel.

All over instagram and social media you will see many van lifers showing pictures of gorgeous sunsets, lush forests, and beautiful pictures of wherever they are traveling. These pictures are not lies by any means, but they definitely do not show all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. Unlike living in a house, vans do not have direct access to water and utilities. You have to be aware of how much freshwater is left, where to get stove fuel, and most importantly — how to earn money. Van life can be cheap, but it is not zero cost. Many in the van lifestyle do a bit of everything from working remote jobs to doing seasonal farming to make money. Work is a part of life, so do not let this stop you from taking on this new adventure.

Building Your Van

Now we get to the fun part — planning out and building your van! Before you get deep in the weeds, the first step is to decide what kind of van you want to use. There are various models out there that can be used, and though it is “van life,” Sprinter vans do not have to be used. Think about your needs, wants, budget, mechanical skills, and what kind of experience you want. You may decide to go with the classic Volkswagen van, or maybe a school bus! The choice is yours.

When you have chosen your van, laying everything out effectively takes a lot of careful planning. Regardless of what car model you decide, you will have a small living space. You need to consider how many people will be in the van, your height, storage space, workspaces, cooking spaces, pets, etc. With such a small space, but such a long list, it is important to have multi-functional items. For example, a work desk that can also be used as a small dining table, or a bed that can be folded into a chair could be great additions to your van. These will save space without sacrificing comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions About Van Life

Where can I use the bathroom?

Most cars usually do not come with bathrooms, so this is a common question. Luckily, most places in North America have public restrooms. Whether they be in gas stations, coffee shops, or big stores like Walmart, you will easily find a free restroom. Some people do include a type of toilet in their vans, but it depends on how you want to use your space. If you want that convenience, it could be a good option for you.

• SHEWEE — is the Original female urinating device. Use your Shewee to urinate whilst standing, without removing any of your clothing. IT’S A LIFE SAVER.
• Flush — Toilet Finder & Map — Search through 200,000 public bathrooms all around the world! Google Play, iTunes
• Bathroom Scout — Bathroom Scout has over 1,800,000 bathrooms listed worldwide, including public toilets, or restrooms in restaurants and other facilities. Download the app: Google Play, iTunes
• Sit Or Squat — Sit Or Squat was developed by Charmin to help you find a public restroom near you, wherever you may be (even traveling outside the US). Boasting 100,000 listings, this app has you covered, and is easy and free to use. Download the app: Sit or Squat

As for showering, it is a relatively similar situation. You can set up a shower-type system in your van, but it will take up space and use more water. However, many van lifers purchase a gym membership and use the gym’s showers wherever they go. Some campgrounds have showers you can use, but if you are in the middle of the woods without shower access, baby wipes can help in a cleansing emergency.

• Pilot & Flying J: Are both gas stations that are all over the USA and have clean showers. It’s roughly $10 per private shower room. ( A lot of locations have laundry and free WIFI)
• Solar Showers: You have two options here. REI has a DIY guide for a DIY Car-Top Solar Camp Shower. If you want an out of the box option or you’re not feeling handy we recommend the YAKIMA, RoadShower 7G or the budget friendly Coleman 5-Gallon Solar Shower.
• Showering at the Gym: Buying a membership to a gym, you will be able to use the showers, saunas and workout facilities at any of the locations
  Here are some low cost gym options in the USA:
• Fit4Less — $10/month
• Planet Fitness — $22/month
• Snap Fitness — $8.95/month
• Anytime Fitness — $19/Month
• Blink Fitness — $9/Month
• Dry Shampoo: Its perfect in a pinch to refresh oily or dirty hair. We love Lulu Organics Dry Shampoo. Its organic and smells great!
• Wet Wipes: Perfect for cleaning messy hands, face and body after a hike or when a shower is handy. Tree-Free Bamboo Wipes, They are Eco-Friendly and Naturally Derived from bamboo.

Where do I park at night?

Living the van life in North America is fantastic, because there are plenty of options for parking at night — and free spots, too! The options you have depend on you and what you want out of your van life. There is a lot of public land out there to enjoy for free, but they may not have amenities you want. If you want to stay in nature, but with nicer amenities, there are private lots or camping grounds you can pay to park in. When van-lifing in an urban area, big stores like Target may allow overnight parking, but it is best to call ahead of time to see if it is allowed.

• Ioverlander App: This crowd sourced app will help you find free camping, RV and paid campsites, dumpsites and more! Did we mention, it’s free?!
• Boondocking on Public Lands (National Forest, BLM, etc.)
• Walmart Parking Lots.
• Other Store Parking Lots (Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, Cracker Barrel, etc.)
• Flying J (and other truck stops)
• Highway Rest Areas.
• Casino Parking Lots.
• Stealth Camping in Urban Areas.

How do I receive mail?

The easiest option for receiving mail is likely to send it to a friend or family member. But if this is not feasible for you, no worries! Many USPS post offices accept general delivery mail and will hold onto your mail (for free) until you can pick it up. Some van lifers receive mail at the campgrounds they stay at, but if you go this route make sure to ask the campsite if they do this. Some may charge a fee, so choose which option fits your needs the best.

Receiving Mail on the Road While Living the Van Life

• USPS General Delivery.
• Amazon Lockers (Amazon orders only)
• Ship to Local Businesses or Mailbox Services.
• Friends and Family.
• Campgrounds and RV Parks.
• Walmart Ship-to-Store.
• Other Retailer Ship-to-Store.

Van life is not a fad, but a different way of living. It is full of ups and downs, but it is an incredible journey of personal growth and adventure. Many who join the van life absolutely love it, but it is not for everyone — and that is okay! If after reading this article, you are still unsure whether or not this lifestyle is for you, try renting a van and taking a trip in it. It may give you a better picture of van life, and help you decide what you want. There is no wrong answer, so enjoy life however you want to!

FAQ – Living the van life