Should You Join The Van Life Squad?

Imagine this: you’re scrolling through Instagram at 2 a.m. (again) and suddenly you come across another dream photo from van life. Someone is sipping coffee from their converted Sprinter with a mountain view that makes your cabin window look like a cruel joke. Your heart begins to flutter and you quickly google “how much does a van cost” than you can say “nomadic lifestyle”.

But stop, my friend! Before you quit your job and start practicing your #VanLife game, let’s talk about whether this whole mobile home situation actually suits you. Spoiler alert: it’s not all sunset selfies and endless road trip playlists.

1. You’re already obsessed with small living spaces

If you’ve ever watched a Tiny House Nation marathon and thought, “YES, THIS IS MY AESTHETIC,” van life may have been calling to you. We’re talking about an apartment of about 50-70 square feet, which is smaller than most people’s closets. If Marie Kondo’s idea of ​​transforming your entire life into a space the size of a large bathroom makes you feel dizzy rather than claustrophobic, this is a good start!

2. Your current morning routine is… flexible

Let’s be honest – if you’re the type of person who needs a 45-minute hot shower, comprehensive skin care, and perfect hair every morning, living in a van can be difficult. Your new bathroom could be a Planet Fitness, a camping facility, or (swallow) the great outdoors. If you can roll around in lukewarm water and baby wipes and become your new best friends, you’re golden!

3. You’re not afraid to get your hands dirty

Remember when Ross from Friends couldn’t even hang the TV? Yep, it won’t fly in the life of the van. YouTube tutorials on everything from electrical installations to toilet repairs will make you your best friend (yes, you’ll probably need to repair your toilet at some point – glamorous, right?). If you’re the type of person who gets excited about learning new skills and doesn’t mind solving problems at home while parked at a gas station, this could be your catch!

4. Your social faucet is based on quality, not quantity

Life in a van can be surprisingly sociable – the community is incredibly friendly and you can meet some amazing people at camping and meetups. But you will also spend it Very quality time with yourself (and your travel partner, if you have one). If you’re someone who thrives on constant social stimulation and needs your team 24/7, solitude can feel more isolating than liberating.

5. You don’t have the budgeting game anymore

Here we debunk a major myth: living in a van is not necessarily cheaper than traditional living. Sure, you can save on rent, but you’re looking at:

• Van purchase and rebuild costs ($30k – $150k+)
• Gas (lots and lots of gas)
• Maintenance and repairs
• Camping fees
• Eat out more than you planned

If you expect living in a van to solve all your financial problems, you might want to hit the brakes and crunch some numbers first.

6. Your work situation is independent of location

Unless you plan on financing your travels by becoming a seasonal campsite host (which makes perfect sense!), you’ll need some income that doesn’t require a physical office. The whole “digital nomad working in scenic locations” thing looks amazing on Instagram, but finding a strong Wi-Fi signal when parking by a lake can be… challenging.

A moment of real conversation

Look, life in a van can be absolutely amazing – the freedom, the adventures, the moments with coffee at sunrise that make your heart sing. But it also involves dealing with a tank of gray water in 90-degree heat, being stuck in a Walmart parking lot during a snowstorm, and sometimes crying in a tiny space because everything seems overwhelming.

The people who thrive in van life aren’t necessarily the most adventurous or the most minimalist – they’re the ones who can roll with the punches, find joy in the simple moments, and remember that home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.

Either way, there is no wrong answer – only the right one for your life. And hey, worst case scenario? You’ll have amazing stories and probably much better parallel parking skills! 🚐✨