Ever thought about running away to travel the world in a van?
- Apr 17, 2022
- 1 min read
What? It's just a question! But I bet I can convince you :)
'Van life' has become exceedingly popular since 2019 with more and more young adults dropping their conventional lives and taking up the risk and excitment of travelling in a van. Most Boomers today can't even imagine it (with the exception of my own Grandparents) our need to have something more in life can seem so daunting and unnessessarily dangerous, but is that way of thinking actually just kind of... ancient?
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”
This earth is so beautiful and vast, can you imagine going your entire life only seeing like 2% of it with your own eyes? We definetly could not.
Why choose Van life?
Freedom is a dream sought by many, what would it feel like to hold it?
The Ultimate Freedom
While living in an apartment, getting a full-time job and settling down might seem appealing to some, to others, the idea is about as enthusing as a brown banana. Van life is never knowing where you might fall asleep the next night, or what scenary may surround you next week. Fancy going to the beach? Okay! Fancy going mountain climbing? Easy. How long has it been since you've seen snow? Not anymore! It is an easy-going life, without rent-stress or repitition, how much more free can you be?
A Cheaper Way To See It All
We've discussed the freedoms of driving anywhere, anytime, but what about cost? When compared to plane tickets and hotels, Van life has many pros. There are many oppertunites for free parking all over the world, you could stay as long as you like in one area (providing on the rules) and only need to pay food and laundry costs. Although you have to give up some familiarities, like regular access to showers, a cheap gym membership goes a long way on this front. If you're crafty and okay with giving up some creature comforts, this life is definetly one to consider.
Financial Freedom
Now I'm not saying you won't ever worry about money, but expenses just aren't the same on the road. Other than where to park and what to eat, there is very little else to worry about, unlike home life, the costs of living on the road are very flexible depending on where you are, and, there are always more options. Get ready to learn how to cook on a camping stove though, because those eating out bills add up quickly, and you can always explore the local cuisine using an online recipe and a grocery store, what's the difference?
Independence
Having no one to turn to out in the world can be a scary thought, but with the right buddies, you won't feel alone. You learn to trust your instincts and learn more about who you are as a person as each experience thrusts you into something entirely new, sometimes daily... but it is enoumously gratifying to know that if the fan looks like it's going to explode, you won't be looking around for the nearest adult, you'll be putting on your badass boots and stomping out some fires.
Learn things that never would've crossed your path
A wise human once said "you never stop learning". Travelling means seeing first hand the mumified remains of pompey, and understanding the magnitude of that erruption, exploring deep forests and maybe evening foraging mushrooms for dinner, like soo many people did before 'Just Eat'!
The oppertunity to learn is behind every collasal banana leaf, and under ever beatle, you could learn a langauge, a new hobby, everything is your oyster, and if you too think those things look like bogeys, maybe... start with a string instrument...? Explore everything.
The Community
Van life has become a community, it's not a bunch of crazy people in trailer parks with beer bottles, it's travellers and explorers just like you and you'll never meet a better group of people. The comradary shared is beautiful, and its not uncommen to share tips around the fire, or to talk about the idea of aliens instead, all the possibilities are just out there.
Oh the Repatoire of Skills
It's probably not surprising to hear that you'll pick up a bunch of skills on the road. Learning how to change your own tire, fix the little problems with your van, maybe even delve into a little bit of plumbing and electrain work if the motorhome is a fixer-upper. You could learn how to make your own herbal medicines using the great outdoors, learn to ski, surf, it doesn't matter! Are you starting to see why so many people are doing this yet?
Are your fingers tingling with the excitement of a thousand searches? Are you bewildered by the thousands of realities this life can bring? Hmm, we'll see.
Things to think about
Van life might not be the one of luxary, but it is the life of adventure.
Which Van is Best
Picking your van can be fun, but also really stressful, especially if you're not familar with what you're looking for.
Here's a quick handy guide I found that helps you to weigh up your options.
https://www.findawayabroad.com/post/around-the-world-in-a-camper-van
https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/how-to-live-in-a-van-and-travel/
Where Will You Go?
It's important to start your trip with a plan of where you're headed. That way you can get an idea of what you need to start your research, such as Visas and whatnot, it's best to start with somewhere afforable, and generally safe, theres no point pushing the boat out and ending up moping home all dripping wet.
Heres a site that recommends some cheap destinations in 2022.
Finances
How much money are you leaving with? How far will that take you? If you're planning on working whilst on the road, maybe you should also think about starting some extra investments/ income revenue streams. You could consider documenting your jurney on social media, however, of course this option isn't exactly reliable. Most work from home jobs are great for travelling; translaiting jobs, online tutoring, there are so many ways to boost your bank a little before you move on to the next place. There's busking, street art, so many things to think about!
Insurance
You're going to want to cover your van, and your stuff in-case of mishaps and bad circumstances, and you need to figure out which one is right for you. This means you need to think about your lengh of travel time estimate, which van you buy, and sometimes there are even added expendetures for where you're going. Make sure to do plenty of research before deciding which place is best for you.
This is a link to a company that TheBrokeBackpacker recommends:
https://www.worldnomads.com/uk/travel-insurance/activities/camping-travel-insurance
And some useful information for beginners:
Visas
It's super important to look up a countries Visa policy before trying to enter that place, I mean, theres no bigger party pooper than being turned away at the door. You should also figure out which type of Visa it is that you are looking for. There are 4 types: work, pleasure, travel, student. You will likely want a travel or work visa, and unfortunatly work visas are notouriously more difficult to obtain.
Just make sure to know what you need before hand.
Here is a great website that shows you the visa policy of almost everywhere:
What do you need?
There are some items that, if you are a first time #vanlifer, you definitly will not think about.
A portable washing machine or luandry kit for example, a portable toilet, an all-in-one cookwhere set with pots and frying pans all in one stock pot... an array or possible useful items. I suggest following some experienced Vaners and seeing what they suggest.
Jobs
As aforementioned, online jobs can be extremely useful in saving up some extra cash, however, finding a few flexible, full-time jobs before you move is ideal. That little extra bit of security can also be the differnce in how you experience the city too, as stressing about where to work and what to eat does not make for relaxing dinner chat. Try finding some well-used apps where people post employment oppertunites, having any job is sometimes better than none.
Here are some apps to looks at:
Fiverr
Coople
Overall, if squatting over a bucket some nights, using a shower cutain for privacy, and the ocean as a bath doesn't sound appealing to you, maybe I couldn't convince you after all, and I wish you the best of luck in your four walls; but to all my Vaners; explore everything and enjoy.
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