Forced to live in a van.

[lovelifehope]

I’ve been watching umpteen you tube videos of women in the US (and a few in the U.K.) forced to live in vans. It’s got to the stage where the price of housing is unaffordable and also in America there’s very little benefits or social care. I must admit some of the vans are amazing in that every single bit of space is cleverly used, their possessions are very minimal.

All these women seem quite happy with their nomadic lifestyles and love the fact that they actually can save money rather than live on the breadline. (and don’t have to choose between rent or food) They also love the freedom of the open road. But their lives are far from easy imo.

I think this lifestyle is going to become a lot more common and I hope these women are given the freedom for safe parking and a few facilities etc. What are everyone’s thoughts?

I have been watching a lot of van conversions at the moment as I'm in the middle of converting one. The vast majority seem to be people who want to travel rather than because they are forced to.

Oddly enough I'm also seeing this pop up recently but from the perspective it's a choice and certain lifestyle people want to achieve.
Otoh its not ideal for those who have no choice but a roof is better than nothing.

Looks amazing for a holiday, less great if it's your last option for somewhere to live. Also addicted to van conversion videos 😳

Interesting that you see it as forced and not a choice.

The majority of van lifers I see do it because they choose to, as its a more affordable option and gives them a chance to travel.

I do watch some that do it because it was that or be homeless, but I think for most it's a choice - even if that choice is based on money.

We have a campervan and I can’t do long in it, I’m also a fair weather camper!! It is lovely though.

The one that sticks out for me as having a beautiful van and life was the wonderful woman on that c4 battersea dogs rehoming program. She went to prison for assisting her mums suicide. She rehomed a beautiful staffy who had bitten an abusive partner.
Anyway she lived in a converted old horse box with loads of land. Just her and her dog. It looked a lovely peaceful life for her and the dog after their trauma.

@ChangeThePassword same. I know a couple people who have just got tired of life. They sold their houses, quit their jobs, bought a van which they filled up with rescue dogs and travel around the world having amazing adventures. I’m sure it’s hard some of the time but they regret nothing :)

DH and I would like to do our own van conversion for travelling, so we are watching a lot of those videos, too. I cannot remember a single one where anyone was forced to live in a van. It looks like more of a lifestyle choice to me. These people could live somewhere else, but they want to save money by not paying rent or a mortgage. They don't want to stay in one place and have jobs that allow them to do that. Not to mention that a lot of those conversions are not exactly cheap!

It's maybe similar to the tiny house movement, a way to simplify their lives.

I cannot remember a single one where anyone was forced to live in a van. It looks like more of a lifestyle choice to me

I've watched loads, and can think of two. Both of whom are long term and I'm pretty sure that, by now, they could have made a different choice if they actually wanted to. I agree, the vast majority like the freedom and the low cost living.

We are renters with no way off that shit renting treadmill
You look into the future and it looks bleak, no retirement, no secure home or life, ever.

Living in a van takes back some control in that. It’s yours. You can nest, make it yours.
When it’s that or never having something of your own. I can see the attraction. It’s the same as the canal boat explosion, but that one is much more expensive.

JMoore* We must be watching different ones. I think the majority I’ve seen are because they can’t afford housing.. Sometimes the van is a progression from sleeping in a car. There’s literally loads. Even people working, (on low wages) are not earning enough to pay rents. One woman said if she paid her rent she couldn’t eat, that’s how bad it is.

OP I'm sure that's true but in which country? If it's the USA or Canada, then there may be enough land to park up on by arrangement with the municipality and/or farmers. In the UK IMHO you'd be hard pushed to find somewhere to park up for free for long enough for kids to go to school/look for jobs/be near enough a place to restock with water or safely get rid of your waste.

I know 5 people that live full time in their van. 2 are women and both say that they feel safe.
We have a van and always feel safe if traveling alone. It’s like a little community, you find out where is good to go and where to stay clear from.

My DP is a new age traveller and has lived on the road since 1982. He currently has a beautifully converted 40ft horsebox. He found it really hard living in a house with us during the lockdown, simply because he's not used to it.

Most of my friends have lived on the road, and many still do, inc single women who live on their own in vans and trucks. Would definitely do the same myself if a secure base wasnt needed to keep my DC at the school they are at.

I love the idea of it. I’m drawn to tiny homes and the like.

BUT.

I would only want to do it like the ones who spent £50k buying a top of the range Merc van and doing it up all nice. “Living in a van” shows a certain amount of choice that “living in a car” does not.

There's a campervan parked permanently in a lay by near me. Assume someone's living in it

Where do people park up though? I guess they need to own the land (or rent it?) and have permit for water supply, septic tank, etc?
Ive not seen many of these programmes, the only ones being “I’ve put it in a corner of my parents farm in the Home Counties, and have a home for only £500... really, everyone should do the same if they have any sort of work ethic...”.

@EvilPea

We are renters with no way off that shit renting treadmill You look into the future and it looks bleak, no retirement, no secure home or life, ever.

Living in a van takes back some control in that. It’s yours. You can nest, make it yours.
When it’s that or never having something of your own. I can see the attraction. It’s the same as the canal boat explosion, but that one is much more expensive.

I feel your pain, as does pretty much everyone on here I imagine. Did I leave off starting a family until 35 because I'm a career junkie?! No I just wanted to be in a position where I wasn't having to house share with strangers and move house every year. I have 2 friends who are teachers currently having to move with a 6 month old, because the landlord wants his house back. They have another 3 weeks to find somewhere they can afford. It's so shit.

Fully converted vans for full time living are not cheap. Neither are placed to park. It’s not generally a lifestyle if the desperate.

People who are forced to live in vehicles are not living in trucked our vans with all the amenities, they live in beat up cars that they hope don’t break down because they can’t afford repairs and you can’t stay parked in the same place too long.

For travelling on holiday - yes. But to live in, not really. How would you get and pay for utilities? How would you dispose of your toilet contents? You can't just chuck them in a nearby stream! Where would you park up? Or would you expect to park where you like at no cost?

Judging by the animosity towards the travelling community - I would doubt you'd be very welcome!

Living in a van” shows a certain amount of choice that “living in a car” does not.

Oh definitely, when it’s the top of the range ones. Some are very basic though and bought very cheap and got after struggling for ages in cars.