what do you think about #vanlife

I think a lot of people really just like the "extreme" of van life or years back, tiny houses. If they like it, great!

Much of the time, though...I think they could probably have a minimalist lifestyle that is a lot more user-friendly and within societal "norms" but still benefit financially and ecologically. That's kind of what I aim for, myself.

Didn't work out so well for Gabbie Petito.

I've always dreamed of taking to the road and just going wherever the wind blows. Back when I was 21, a motorcycle was my fantasy. Now in my senior years, a camper would be my fantasy. Or an extremely rich long-lost uncle who left me millions so I could afford hotels.

There are so many places to see in America and I'd love to see them all.

I can see the appeal to a nomadic life if I were kidless and had the means to do so, but it would certainly take its toll mentally especially when you add a partner to the mix. I've read so many experiences of people that are part of the vanlife lifestyle, and they said communication is key so when an argument or disagreement comes up you need to have a plan of how to handle it. One stays in the van, one goes outside or whatever.

But I do think it's really cool that you can change the view outside your window and really see the world in a different way.

Are you asking about the actual practicalities of living in a van, or commenting about the social media phenomenon on the hashtag #vanlife.

Because there's a huge difference between living in a van and living in a van on social media.

I have been intrigued by the idea since I love travel and nature. However, I do not buy into the IG #vanlife hype where every post is perfect scenery from the van POV (usually includes a young woman in a bikini as well for some reason). Like @Butt_Snorkeler mentioned, not an easy life style at all. Probably a cool experience for a young person though.

more_oomph wrote: »

good for them?

damn hippies?

the only thing that makes me uneasy about this phenomenon is the current trend of brand new $50k sprinter vans with all the bell & whistles. It used to be that van lifers would convert old RV's or a magic school bus, there was a frugality involved. but now it seems like your van ain't sexy if the interior isn't decked out in wood panels cut from fresh cedar.

There's essentially no difference (in my opinion) between RVing everywhere and "van life". Both are about escapism to the outdoors, while maintaining some (or most) of the amenities of home life (a home on wheels essentially). Both have pretty much the same pros and cons. Plenty of (usually) older people I know gave up their homes to tool around in an RV with all the bells and whistles. The only difference between a van and an RV is the space. Van life seems to be something more younger people are interested in, but I've encountered older people who reside in decked out conversion vans, as well. I have yet to see a good "van life" van go for less than $80k though.. and that was pre-pandemic. I'm guessing it's more costly now given that so many SUVs, trucks and vans all require the same microchip manufacturer that was hit hard by Covid issues.

But both versions of free spirited living come with the same cons: small spaces, no escape from partners, children, pets, etc., lack of storage, cost of gas, finding places you can park the thing for the least amount of money (or free if you're lucky), managing to get it around in certain parts of national or state parks (RVs might have a one up on this depending on what vehicle(s) you tote around with you), etc.

It can work for anyone, BUT it takes a massive commitment and if you are traveling/living with other people, you have to be 100% comfortable with being around them 100% of the time or knowing how to go on hikes, surf, walk around, etc. for mental health breaks for them.

I think what bothers me most about either is how expensive either pastime is, even pre-pandemic before shortages. Expensive in up-front costs, anyway. It might equalize depending on how often you utilize your vehicles, how well you upkeep them, how you mitigate gas costs and the like. I think I also dislike (for van life currently) the glamorizing of it as though it's something only young people do.. even though most young people I know in the "age bracket" couldn't afford the vans the show on Instagram or in FB groups. It just feels like you're selling an ideal without mentioning any of the negative points, which just sets people up for failure if that is, in fact, their current dream.

I also kinda miss the days of them repurposing and decking out old vehicles to convert for their vans, but also.. that's not cheap anymore, either. The "sexy" van might be the cheaper option these days, sadly.

My sister isn't a social media person at all, and she and her husband spend months at a time traveling in their van.

That's why I asked if this question is about the social media culture of it or what the experience is actually like.

She would have no idea what the expectations are in the hashtag world of #vanlife, and I don't think she even knows it's a trend. Her only social media account is LinkedIn and she doesn't know how to use it.

Her husband is a carpenter, so he built their setup and it's quite nice and very functional. They're woodsy people who love mountain biking, and he lived nomadically for 15 years, so they're pretty comfortable with it.

They're starting to make noises about getting a bit old for it though. I rented a condo in the same area they were traveling recently, and they really, really loved having access to a proper shower and some sofas for a few days mid trip.

I know I'm personally WAY too soft for that kind of travel. My sister loves it, but I like proper plumbing in the middle of the night.

Xellercin wrote: »

My sister isn't a social media person at all, and she and her husband spend months at a time traveling in their van.

That's why I asked if this question is about the social media culture of it or what the experience is actually like.

She would have no idea what the expectations are in the hashtag world of #vanlife, and I don't think she even knows it's a trend. Her only social media account is LinkedIn and she doesn't know how to use it.

Her husband is a carpenter, so he built their setup and it's quite nice and very functional. They're woodsy people who love mountain biking, and he lived nomadically for 15 years, so they're pretty comfortable with it.

They're starting to make noises about getting a bit old for it though. I rented a condo in the same area they were traveling recently, and they really, really loved having access to a proper shower and some sofas for a few days mid trip.

I know I'm personally WAY too soft for that kind of travel. My sister loves it, but I like proper plumbing in the middle of the night.

They honestly sound like *the* quintessential people nomadic living would work for. Which is cool; happy to see people doing what they want and getting along while doing it for so long. I can imagine that at some point, as you get older, living in your van all the time might see you waking up with more aches and pains than maybe you'd want... and that's fine, too if they decide to trade in for something else.

But it also sounds like your sister and her partner knew what to maybe expect with living in a van (as a choice, that is). Similar in a lot of ways to camping in tents for extended periods of time, but with slightly better options (as far as the elements are concerned) and that they've somehow managed reasonably well for all that time. It also sounds like they came to the conclusion on their own (without any influence of social media... 15 years seems like so long ago! Instagram definitely wasn't around then!). Have they ever expressed where the idea came to them? As others have mentioned, living out of a van isn't a *new* concept, although the kinds of vans you see these days are definitely shinier, upscale models of the old ones they used to use/convert.

I also wonder if part of the semi-resurgence (again, pre-pandemic) of van life/nomadic living is related at all to more people valuing "tiny homes" and semi-portable homes that started up in the mid 2010s?

KosmosKitten wrote: »

Xellercin wrote: »

My sister isn't a social media person at all, and she and her husband spend months at a time traveling in their van.

That's why I asked if this question is about the social media culture of it or what the experience is actually like.

She would have no idea what the expectations are in the hashtag world of #vanlife, and I don't think she even knows it's a trend. Her only social media account is LinkedIn and she doesn't know how to use it.

Her husband is a carpenter, so he built their setup and it's quite nice and very functional. They're woodsy people who love mountain biking, and he lived nomadically for 15 years, so they're pretty comfortable with it.

They're starting to make noises about getting a bit old for it though. I rented a condo in the same area they were traveling recently, and they really, really loved having access to a proper shower and some sofas for a few days mid trip.

I know I'm personally WAY too soft for that kind of travel. My sister loves it, but I like proper plumbing in the middle of the night.

They honestly sound like *the* quintessential people nomadic living would work for. Which is cool; happy to see people doing what they want and getting along while doing it for so long. I can imagine that at some point, as you get older, living in your van all the time might see you waking up with more aches and pains than maybe you'd want... and that's fine, too if they decide to trade in for something else.

But it also sounds like your sister and her partner knew what to maybe expect with living in a van (as a choice, that is). Similar in a lot of ways to camping in tents for extended periods of time, but with slightly better options (as far as the elements are concerned) and that they've somehow managed reasonably well for all that time. It also sounds like they came to the conclusion on their own (without any influence of social media... 15 years seems like so long ago! Instagram definitely wasn't around then!). Have they ever expressed where the idea came to them? As others have mentioned, living out of a van isn't a *new* concept, although the kinds of vans you see these days are definitely shinier, upscale models of the old ones they used to use/convert.

I also wonder if part of the semi-resurgence (again, pre-pandemic) of van life/nomadic living is related at all to more people valuing "tiny homes" and semi-portable homes that started up in the mid 2010s?

They don't live in their van, they have a nice big beautiful house in the country that he built, so they're not tiny house people at all. But they do travel for months at a time in their van, and they are generally minimalists.

He lived nomadically around the world for years because of his work, he settled down when he married her. Before that, she had backpacked for 6 months at a time herself in her 20s. So I don't think there was so much an idea of #vanlife for them so much as just a natural progression.

They used to really be into harsher tent camping that required a lot of hiking, but they got really into mountain biking, so the van is a major step up in terms of comfort and luxury.