AIBU to think we could happily live in a van?

[spiritofadventure]

My OH and I have been talking recently about buying a van and converting it into a self contained home to live in full time.

It started off as a joke when we had to change flats, yet again, as our landlord was selling up, but it is now something we are seriously considering.

We are in our early 30's, both work full time 50 hours a week and are still nowhere near close to saving a deposit to be able to buy in this area.

We've done the maths and think we could do this for less than £12k, including the van.

The van we would buy is a LWB Mercedes Sprinter, which would give us a living space of approx. 4.3m x 1.8m. Inside, we would have a double bed, small dining area, kitchen and a small shower/toilet room.

It would be cosy, for sure, but it would have everything we need.

We live in an area that has lots of places suitable to park up for the night so that wouldn't be an issue.

Monthly costs we think would be in the region of £3-400 excluding food costs

Obviously this wouldn't be a forever home, but we were thinking 2 or 3 years so we could build up our savings.

Are we crazy, or could this really work?

My DP and I did the very same thing as the OP suggested as we were fed up with growing costs of living, being 'on grid', paying money to a greedy landlord, etc.

We sold all our belongings, anything on wheels and lived with very little stuff.

We were also of that idealistic age - mid 20s, etc.

Suffice it to say it didn't work for many reasons. Even the most closest of couples will have challenges being in close proximity day after day.

Bear in mind the British weather. The penetrating cold and damp will lower the spirits in no time. If you park up in a field, the mud will get to you and yes, you will wonder how it gets everywhere! You will never feel very clean.

I even know people round here who live 'off grid' in remote houses in the summer, but move out after their first 'Celtic Winter' As other posters say, there are reasons why people live in well designed houses to keep out the damp, etc. Maybe OK for a season or two, but not long term.

We bought a campervan last year. Lovely in summer but awful in winter even with the heating on. The heater and cooking causes a lot of condensation in winter. We're going to leave it now until next spring. Also, even after only 3 or 4 weeks in it, we're glad to get back to our home comforts. But there again, we are in our 60's, maybe more manageable when young like yourselves. Also, don't forget you need to find somewhere to empty the toilet every day. But as I say, lovely in summer.

One of these? There is hardly any space inside. Or head room. No matter how well you get on I honestly think you’d want to kill each other very quickly. It’s also a huge amount of money to invest if your ultimate goal is to buy a house.

You seem to want to cram a lot in there, double bed, dining area, loo, shower, kitchen, clothes storage, personal effects like toiletries etc, kitchen utensils. I can’t see it would be pleasant at all.

Have a look at somewhere like this. www.convertyourvan.co.uk/

Have you considered a house boat instead?

We bought a campervan last year. Lovely in summer, but miserable in winter. Lot of condensation with heating and cooking. Need to empty toilet every day and campsite once a week to charge up, refill water tank etc. We're going to leave it this winter until spring. Were 60 though, with yourselves being younger it would be a bit easier. Also we don't work so it doesn't matter if we look a bit scruffy every day. After 3 or 4 weeks though, we're glad to get home to our home comforts. Summer is lovely, though.

You've got access to 13k but can't use it for a house deposit?

I lived in a van twice in my life, it's fun for a while but after a few months I was just desperate for a shower where I didn't have to get dressed again immediately. I was on a fairly well equipped campsite or near friends for most of it. I loved being able to go where I wanted when I wanted, though if you're working those hours that's not something you're going to have time for.

My advice to you is please don't spend 13k on a van. Get a 1500-3000 one instead.

If you're in the south, MOVE NORTH...? Check out right move see what you can get for under 100k.

Have you spoken to an independent mortgage advisor? They look at the whole of market and know all the little quirks to get your application accepted. Well worth the effort. No shame in it, we would not have got a mortgage without ours.

There are lots of groups in FB where you can receive advice and support from van dwellers. They also help to normalise the concept.

Let the adventure begin!

This sounds exciting and a really good idea. Plus holidays would be easy as you can take your home.

Get your money saved up. What do you have to lose? You have to change address anyway and would be able to sell the van and make most your money back or keep it for holidays. Always worth a shot at these things

Sorry, I've posted twice, duh!

I now presume at least one of you has dreadlocks, can play pan pipes, juggle and breathe fire. Living in a van sounds very “urban hippy”

If you want it, go for it. Myself I’d rather have a hot shower daily and a washing machine available at my convenience.

I think @sycaamore has pretty much nailed it.
Sounds like a hell of a lot of money to lay out for a shit standard of living, total false economy.
You are aware by the way that your “house” could be stolen??
I’m all for doing something different but this sounds like an horrendous idea

Ed Reardon has been doing this on Radio 4. It’s a comedy show about a man in his 50s. Listen to a few of the episodes (on BBC iRadio app) & see whether it still appeals to you. Letting down tyres to get under height controls etc.

I would look into a static caravan instead

If you have 12k and you're both in full time work then surely there must be some type of property you can buy, even if it's a one bed hole, at least it'll be warmer and have more space than a van. And a toilet.

You should join "Girly van life UK" on Facebook, lots of full timers on there including ones much older than you guys and some small families too.

I'd love to get a van at least for holidays, possibly to go full time for a bit to save for a deposit. I think you can do it!

We have a campervan and love it but couldn’t live in it permanently in the U.K. it’s ok abroad in summer when you can spill out and it’s dry and warm but in the wet and cold it’s quite constricting.
I’d only consider it if parked on private land with permission and secluded so you could sit outside or have the door open with privacy.
Not having a permanent address will be your biggest issue, particularly if you want to apply for a mortgage - your credit history will be stuffed if you disappear off grid for 2-3 years.

Also if you get a sprinter without windows you can park incognito. So I wouldn't be too worried about overnight parking. Many full timers invest in gym memberships too to get access to showers/toilets/swimming pool/time apart/etc and you can often park in their car parks.

It will be cold. You'll be on top of each other. Your friends may be happy to have you over a few times but what if they move or have a/another baby? Selling the van on and you'll lose money.
I can why aspects of it would be attractive and it would doable for six months but for 2-3 years I think it would end up being very hard.

Wouldn't it be easier to buy a static caravan if your near the coast?

It might be doable during the week, but what about the weekend, you would literally be sat on each other knees.

Would you get insurance if your living in it?

I know lots of men who live in vans for months at a time. The vans are all well converted, so have insulation, heating, storage, cooking and washing etc. After the project is over, they go home though.

Another man lived permanently in his small lorry.

Why not give it ago?

We spend a of time in our motorhome, but I don't think I could live in it full-time.

They're very cramped, and storage space is very limited. The tiny shower is fine for a couple of weeks, but it gets very frustrating after a while. Space for food storage is tiny, so you can't keep big packets of stuff or anything like the range of spices etc I have at home. There's also very little space to cook, dish up etc and, while I've heard of people who go away for Christmas and cook their Christmas dinner in the van, I frankly have no idea how they manage it.

Even a well insulated van gets cold very quickly once the heating is off. Although ours is well insulated, the floor gets very cold and you have to have low-level vents in the floor to prevent build up of carbon monoxide.

I'm surprised at the £12k estimate. Does that include the double-glazed plastic windows that you'll need to stay warm, blinds, all the cabinetry etc? I know a couple of people that have converted vans and they both found it cost twice what they thought and they could have bought a decent second hand one for the money they spent.

The electrics of vans are hideously complex, and even professional coach-built vans like ours have very weird wiring. You also need to be absolutely rigorous about ventilation. I'd strongly recommend getting a habitation certificate from a motorhome specialist before using a DIY converted van, just to be sure everything is safe.

On the plus side, we've never needed hook-up, as everyday driving about keeps the battery charged, and we fill up with water at petrol stations if we run out when we're not at sites. DP has also been known to empty the toilet cassette down a conveniently discreet drain if it's full and we're not staying at sites (no solids - the chemicals used reduce the contents to liquid!).

There's a good motorhome forum on ukcampsite.co.uk, you could ask about other people's experiences on there. And check out Britstops - places where you can stay for free.

My old area had loads of people doing this
I'm sorry but I think it's vile
What about council tax? Pay rent or mortgage like the rest of us...
Will you be parking is residential areas? Near parks and schools?
These vans are an eyesore and one of the reasons we moved areas...

Just don't do it

I'm guessing you've been looking on Pinterest at loads of gorgeous van conversions, which are mainly American and therefore in warmer climes most of the year?
I saw in the news just yesterday a lady that had had her mobile home stolen, and was now homeless

I was coming onto the thread to say go for it! But actually, I don't think it's that realistic in such a small van. A motorhome maybe, with a proper bathroom, but not a sprinter. It is doable but I don't think I'd want to.

We're actually planning on living in our converted 7.5 ton lorry for 2 or 3 months a year once the kids have left home, as I can't bear winter and want to head south, but I don't think I could do even that in such a small van. That's just me though, obviously, so go for it if you think you can cope.