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?

There are guidelines on the DVLA for reclassifying a van as a motor caravan. There are also insurance companies specialising in conversions.

Go and ask the questions on forums and groups where most posters will have experience and know about heating, utilising space etc. As long as you do your research it will work. You may not enjoy it, which just means it's not for you

Watch 'George Clarkes Amazing Spaces', some of those conversions are small and people live in them.

Some vans are similar in size to a caravan, people live in those.

Would it not be cheaper to buy a camper van ?

If you're prepared for the lack of space and can do a really good conversion job I don't see why not in theory.

However, lack of official address might be an issue (it would almost certainly affect your credit rating which would affect your ability to get a mortgage later in down the line. It might also affect your ability to access other services.

Plus, there is the safety issue. People really don't like people who live in wheeled vehicles! My cousin lives in a bus and has been through 3 or 4 because people keep setting them on fire.

I would do this. But you'll need a fitness for habitation cerificate I think (I guess from the council) and parking might be an issue. You don't want to be in a noisy area and landowners wI'll object to you trespassing and seek to evict you. Personally I also wouldnt want gas in the van - having seen a picture of what happens if there is an explosion. So that would mean a lot of outdoors cooking or eating out.

I would join forums and ask questions. I know someone who lives in a van. Those who live permanently in them convert them differently to those who use camper vans for leisure use. A wood burner stove is a perfect example, not great for leisure use but much better if living there permanently. No I would not buy a camper van as they are built for leisure use.

I have never lived in a van personally. But what I have seen people do is use wood burners, have a full size oven and hob, have a permanent raised bed with storage underneath, and fit security.

Personally I would buy a cheap converted van and try it out first. £12k is a lot to spend when you don't know if you will be okay doing it. Also trying it out first will give you a better idea of what you actually need when you convert it.

I think you may struggle to get a mortgage at the end of it as they will ask for your last few years address history. Would you save that much in rent by the time you've bought the van, paid insurance and paid for storage?

If you are paying out £12000 on this project couldn't you put this towards a deposit.

Otherwise wouldn't it be better to cull down on your expenditure. Renting a room rather than a full flat, selling everything you can, getting an evening job a couple of nights per week, living off beans on toast or veggie curries.

Spending £12000 initially seems like madness.

I think it sounds adventurous and exciting but the reality may not be great...

We've just moved back in with my parents with the aim of saving £12k for a deposit in the next 12-18 months. We're in south Wales though so a £12k deposit can get us a 3 bed detached house vey easily. Is moving to a cheaper area definitely not an option?

Ok, unlike most of the previous posters I have lived in a caravan for van years, after we sold our house, and am currently living in our van conversion as DH is working here , away from where we now live.

A caravan, modern tourer, has more space than the van. We had a two berth, it had full central heating, a v nice washroom with a loo and shower (you could actually use it, I could shower and wash hair no probs. But you have to be quick!) good sized fridge, cooker plenty of space. For that sort of money you would pick up a reasonable one.
We were in ours for 5 years - pitched on a small farm site. If you are in the caravan club you get access to the CL (certified location) network of basic sites which are cheap.
We always had electric hookup. It's is much warmer and no condensation problems like with gas.

The van is much smaller, no shower but we are on a site with v nice clean (and heated) facilities.
DH did the conversion, it's top quality with everything you need except a shower. But be careful, there are some dodgy ones out there.

You have thought of the pros: now some cons.
You have to be very very tidy and organised, storage is limited you can only keep what you need.
If you don't keep it clean it gets very dirty very quickly, especially on a muddy field in winter.
Our van is very well insulated, but we have EHU and the heating is on all the time in winter, gas or diesel heating would be costing a fortune.
We have a TV, and most sites get wifi, but you are in close quarters and if you fall out there is nowhere private to go and have a sulk.
Launderettes are very expensive and the dryers eat money, drying clothes can be a problem.
Don't tell people where you are living because they will say you are a scally/traveller.
You will need to use someone address for post/ bank account/ registering with a gp.
Putting the bed up and down (seats make into dbl bed) is a faff, but fixed bed models don't have as much living space - swings and roundabouts-

Still interested? Well there are lots doing it. I wouldn't wild camp, too many security risks to do it long term and I like a shower block and ehu.

Have a look on FB for "camper van and motor home overnight stops" lots of people on there living in their vans. There is quite a community.

Spending 12k on this is madness.

You would be much better off renting a cheap static or a cheap caravan in a semi-legal arrangement with a farmer.

There are some really interesting videos about this on YouTube. Mostly American and Canadian couples but well worth a watch.

I'm afraid I reached my campervan limit at 9 days in Devon.

it’s a different mot class as well, i seem to recall.

what about a daily driver, OP? you really don’t want to be nailing everything down every morning to drive your home to work...

There are lots of cheap converted vans/old campervans on gumtree. They are not pretty, but you could spend £2k and actually try it out first.

Wild camping is illegal in england and wales. You need to get landowner permission or pay site fees.

This is utter bollocks. Provided you have tax/insurance/MOT then you can park just the same as anyone else. There is no law to prevent you from sleeping in your vehicle, however some local councils do put up signs, saying no sleeping. The problem comes when they try and prove you were asleep.

Some councils are now providing spaces for motorhomes/campervans, which is a great step forward. For example in Canterbury you can park on their park and ride overnight for about £4. There is toilet emptying, grey waste emptying and fresh water.

In Matlock you can park overnight for a £1 in one of their car parks.

I agree with others who say renting/buying a caravan or narrowboat would be cheaper, nicer and easier. I have several friends who've lived on narrowboats and have loved it - there's a great community in boatyards, lots of barbecues and friendly "Can anyone mind the baby for ten minutes while I pop to the shops?" WhatsApp messages. Though narrowboats do get VERY cold in winter.

For me the other question would be how much will it keep its value? If you're spending £12,000 on something you can sell for similar or more at the end of a couple of years, that's a much more appealing prospect.

Personally, I would absolutely hate it. But you aren't me!

You could buy a 26' boat for about 4k. It would have a loo & galley. Somewhere to sit outside, security, parking, showers nearby and electricity & internet.
My marina allows live aboards - with permission from manager & some have been there for many years! There are 4 live aboard on my pontoon.
Fees are not cheap, but there are cheaper marinas. Mine works out at £10 per day, including internet, fabulous showers & can access electricity & water. Much better than a van & still worth 4 k when you sell!!

Have you thought that after 2 years, if you last that long, you wont have the money from the van to put towards the deposit for your home as you will still need the van to live in.

Also the depreciation on the van would be significant as you would have altered the van significantly. You could end up losing £6-8000 over 2 years. That's £250-£300+ per month.

I think you would be better to cut your expenditure to the bare minimum.

I did read about a couple who were in a similar position as yourselves who moved into a Travelodge and were paying £20 per night.
£140 per week with only food to buy.

No gas, electric, council tax, water rates, insurance or any other bills.

I have a lwb T5 too & would rather live full time on the boat than in the van.
Have a look on Apollo Duck for a Westerly Centaur or Griffon. Centaurs start at about 3k and were known as the floating caravan....

Camper vans do not depreciate by much, no idea for converted fans though.

I think it's a great idea and completely achievable.

Before buying/converting the van, it might be an idea to rent a caravan & pitch for 6 months, preferably including a winter. It will help be certain that you want to go full-time, and you might be surprised what your final list of must-haves looks like by the end of month 6... useful info for your own van conversion

Mooring fees for boats can be expensive. Have a friend in London who moves about and lives on a boat and works full time. She says it is hard work, but keeps her healthy as when she lived in a house she spent most evenings sitting on the sofa watching TV. She is now much more active. But you have to like the lifestyle. She has to deal with engine breaking down, storms affecting things, etc.

wild camping is still illegal, MN screams don't change the law.

The issue is the mess. While the OP is a tidy type, the reason for this law is that many or not and you get the area festooned with excrement and toilet paper.

feel free to set up on 'camp in my garden' if you want someone on your property.

How does a shower/toilet work in a van? You’d have to empty your own shit and scummy shower water and dispose of it somewhere? . For that reason alone, I think you’re mad.

With £12k abs help to buy you could easily buy a house!