Do you think you could become a vanlifer ? Where you live in a camper van

[LovelyYellowLabrador]

The ideal of an alternative lifestyle really appeals to be

spending life traveling around
started following some of these van lifers on you tube
seems such a nice laugh

I mean, you're being pretty disrespectful to middle class culture there.

Knocking off the rough edges and making it their own is a proud MC tradition.

Not in a million years.

HTH

Yes, I would. Although I would probably need to change career to something I don't need to be in a set place for it.

Actually, I have a dream of retiring early, getting a cruising yacht and living aboard that - similar only on water.

Couldn't do it permanently. Have done extended holidays in our large campervan and it's pretty miserable trying to wash your clothes in a bucket or find a launderette. Also always looking for somewhere to fill up with water and drain off too, plus the chemical loo etc.

Also if your van needs repairs or has to be off the road for a while it's rubbish hanging around while it's fixed

I have a friend who does it on her own with two kids she's absolutely nuts but I love her. I couldn't do it. I need roots and familiarity around me. It's nice to visit new places but I like to know where I am, I'm no good with weather or insects so living so close to the elements wouldn't be for me. Give me a house any day. My mum is desperate to sell up and buy a caravan and go around the country with her cats. It would suit her.

We have a conversion, bigger though so we can stand in it. DH did the whole conversion and has put in kitchen, toilet, shower and heating. It’s lovely but I wouldn’t want to live in it full time.

DH works away in the week and lives in his VW camper to save money. He loves it. He can shower at work if he’s not at a campsite and takes his bike for a bit of exercise. Sometimes If the weathers snowing or really cold in the winter he treats himself to a travelodge but normally in his van all weathers and seasons.

No I grew up in a caravan and there is absolutely nothing appealing to me in it at all. It sounds idyllic but is far from it .

I like the idea but I don't drive so a bit silly ! Also could not do without a proper loo and a big room for my sewing stuff.Also the cat would not like it a bit.So,no.

I live in my camper for 2 months or so at a stretch, a couple of times a year, and I love it. It is not cheap, as I always stay in campsites (safety, facilities, electricity etc). I have noticed that people who do it full time are sometimes doing so at the expense of others - eg, not paying council tax but parking up in residential areas; using friends' shower facilities (or "trying out" facilities at gyms); piggybacking on other people's internet signals ... that sort of thing. That's not freedom, that's freeloading.

I think I’d find it appealing if I was a lot younger, like when I was at uni or single. I’m early 40s now and blessed with 3 kids, Dh and 2 dogs! Obviously van life couldn’t ever work for us. I like stability and a home that’s warm and snug.

I would love to do it, but wouldn't have an income, fuel is expensive so I wouldn't get very far.🤣

It's funny you ask this question, we actually had this conversation this week, we're all sick of not having enough to eat, going days without power, paying every penny we have to line richer peoples pockets and having literally nothing to look forward to at all...in a lot of ways it would take soo much pressure off and we'd be able to eat well again................

U ok hun

Very true. I've spent lots of times in my camper in villages or - best place ever - church car parks by the graveyard. Remote and always been safe for me.

Absolutely not, completely unappealing.

If I were in MibsXX situation, that would be different. The point of Nomadland to me was turning around a life destroyed by macroeconomics and transforming it into something meaningful by self reliance and meeting people honestly. Very moving.

I've done loads of caravan travelling. Longest trip was 10 months around Australia. I quite like the van lifestyle, provided the weather is good. Lots of Aussie retirees make it a way of life. DH and I will set off again at some point.

Nomadland is a very realistic film portrayal of van life for poorer nomads.

Different if you've got a bit of money behind you and your house rented for income.

I love watching van conversions.

I know a retired couple who have a motor home who spend the majority of the year in it, driving round the country. Home for the winter.

I imagine it’s very difficult to do it in the U.K., you can’t just park anywhere and seems so limiting size wise, not like you can just go to Europe all year now. I can see the appeal in the US, they seem to go to some amazing places.

I have a camper that we use for holidays, weekends away etc. and I love it, as do the kids but I wouldn't want to do it full time. Even if my work allowed.

lugeforlife have you watched Foxes afloat? Their boat was gorgeous.

@Mangar sounds so cosy. Do you have to plan where you will park at night? That would be my main worry.

Not a lot of people who know me now would ever believe I was a New Age Traveller in the '80's. There really was so much more freedom then...until there really wasn't. Had a couple of wonderfully misspent years in my teens, living in a horsebox, travelling in convoy to free festivals. Every now and then I'll reminisce and google pics of those times, the lifestyle and then the rave scene - amazing old ambulances, school buses, hearses etc, people living in benders, tipis etc.
And then I remember the mud, the hours it took to gather wood to keep warm and cook, carrying water, river swimming just to feel clean, hitching a lift to a launderette etc etc.
And shudder at the idea of spending more than a few days in camper van!

i try to have a good idea of where I’ll stay next depending on if I need shopping or time to work and not stay too long so I don’t take the mickey. I always try to spend a little in the small towns and villages to show appreciation for staying and there are some lovely campsites for £5 a night if you look around.

it is lovely though, a kind of freedom I never thought I’d get - it’s amazing how quickly you appreciate a beautiful view and peace and quiet over more material things

Yes, I spend lengthening periods in my partially converted van (I’ve mostly got everything I need, just not running water yet). I’ll be full time in it within the next year or two. It’s not always an easy option/way to live, but I’m happy with my choice.

I don’t think MN is the best place to ask this question… too many people who have an attack of the vapours at the thought of not having a shower twice a day, every day (with a fresh towel each time, natch).

People make it look amazing on Instagram because they're selling you happiness and appearance of freedom.

In actual fact it's a hard way of life. Maybe ok when you're 22 but it's not sustainable long term.