"Van Life": Does it make sense in current times?

[Mark7]

I have looked into the 'van life' craze. It's not really a craze; it's what some people have to do to survive these days. It makes a lot of sense. By living in a van, you cut a lot of unnecessary stuff. The inherent constraints force a minimalist take on life. I lived in a camper myself for a few months, it's not that bad with a little mental discipline... What do you really need? Considering the available surface area, current solar cells on top of a van could deliver about 400 watts of continuous power... which could be stored in batteries, 2 state-of-the-art solar arrays can produce about 400 watts of continuous power during sunny or a little less during partially sunny days, which is not anything to sneeze at. Think of 2 incandescent bulbs burning brightly - that's a lot of energy. Store that energy with a couple of high-capacity batteries that could deliver enough energy to provide for lighting, some cooking, and computers. Add a propane stove for cooking most of the time. A powerful roof fan. A bed. What else does one need? They have portable showers and cassette toilets. Internet options are available. Many people are already working online and living in a van. If one doesnt do online stuff there are plenty of other opportunities for earning a living/making money for expenses. Van Life is a cheap way to live.

Minimalist living is cheap, with the ability to travel if the current local environment gets rough. "Van Life" is becoming hugely popular out of necessity. Is it a viable alternative for some members of the forum? Who's interested?

This veteran of van life seems to have a good take:

 

[gdpetti]

It is cheap depending upon how you like to live etc. If you're near the beach, lake, river, then most of those spots charge rates per night like a campground. Watching the vids gets you ready, but like most things, until you do it, it doesn't sink in. Once you learn the basics like watching your battery meter, especially with a DIY, or keeping the solar panels clean enough to work, what size frig you want etc, then the rest gets rather easy. Things break, wear out like in any home/rental situation, but overall, much cheaper especially if you're boondocking in the West... trying to stay in the 70s to avoid the cold in winter and heat in summer. You get used to the visuals out the windows, which is usually nice. You have to choose windows or not, type of power for cooking etc. The whole thing makes you learn a little about most aspects in any house setup from plumbing to electrical etc. You have to learn what you like or prefer, and if doing a self-build, it's usually better to figure out what you want and where and setup the electrical first. So sound insulation isn't really necessary as you won't hear much after you install counters etc., and with the radio on while driving, you won't hear much else... so that was a waste, which is why most do a second build... after figuring out what they want.

Temps here are set to rise 30 to 38 degrees above normal, so time to head north tomorrow for a week. If you're thinking of A/C, you're looking at a rig that will probably spend time in RV lots, which is like paying rent. It all depends upon you're wants/needs etc. The lots are like parking lots essentially, while boondocking means you have to watch your water levels mostly depending upon what size water tank you get. Lot of little variables like that. It's different, but everything becomes the norm after a while.

 

[Mark7]

It is cheap depending upon how you like to live etc. If you're near the beach, lake, river, then most of those spots charge rates per night like a campground. Watching the vids gets you ready, but like most things, until you do it, it doesn't sink in. Once you learn the basics like watching your battery meter, especially with a DIY, or keeping the solar panels clean enough to work, what size frig you want etc, then the rest gets rather easy. Things break, wear out like in any home/rental situation, but overall, much cheaper especially if you're boondocking in the West... trying to stay in the 70s to avoid the cold in winter and heat in summer. You get used to the visuals out the windows, which is usually nice. You have to choose windows or not, type of power for cooking etc. The whole thing makes you learn a little about most aspects in any house setup from plumbing to electrical etc. You have to learn what you like or prefer, and if doing a self-build, it's usually better to figure out what you want and where and setup the electrical first. So sound insulation isn't really necessary as you won't hear much after you install counters etc., and with the radio on while driving, you won't hear much else... so that was a waste, which is why most do a second build... after figuring out what they want.

Temps here are set to rise 30 to 38 degrees above normal, so time to head north tomorrow for a week. If you're thinking of A/C, you're looking at a rig that will probably spend time in RV lots, which is like paying rent. It all depends upon you're wants/needs etc. The lots are like parking lots essentially, while boondocking means you have to watch your water levels mostly depending upon what size water tank you get. Lot of little variables like that. It's different, but everything becomes the norm after a while.

Wow, sounds like you are living the life already, or at least been there, done that. Thanks!

 

[KTC]

I'm not sure if it's a new thing. I've lived in a van a few times over my life back in the (dare I say) 90's and early 2000's. I started out in a Toyota Hiace pop top that my grandma handed over when she upgraded to a caravan. Then my partner at the time inherited some $$ and bought a beautiful fitted out VW Combi and which called it home for a couple of years. So many fond memories of feeling truly free and following seasonal work.

Back in the day you could park pretty much anywhere and wake up to the most beautiful beaches or forests without anyone ever knocking on the window. There used to be so many free camping places, many with showers and water tanks to fill up and have a wash. You'd often bump into familiar faces along the way, share things, trade things and watch the sun go down together over a yarn. Now days in my country you need a permit to camp most places including National Parks and all the beach front spaces are paid parking and controlled by parking inspectors who are angry and hate their job.

I personally wouldn't choose to live in a van unless it was because it gave me freedom so maybe it depends where you live as to how much they're regulated things and what you're looking for.

 

[KristinLynne]

Another factor to consider is getting older and health issues that would require a way to access doctors if needed and mail pick up locations if ever ordering anything such as supplements and what not. Also as we get older things seem more difficult to do at least in my experience and I think about the 5th wheel camper I bought way back in 2012 and I have a hard time imagining me being able to do all the work now alone. I have seen in videos that many people pay for a gym membership to be able to use the showers and find creative ways to solve other things that may come up but maybe it is worth it in the end.

 

[axj]

Another factor to consider is getting older and health issues that would require a way to access doctors if needed and mail pick up locations if ever ordering anything such as supplements and what not.

Unless it is something like a broken arm, I would not trust doctors on almost anything by now. Mail pickup locations is a good point though and I guess some kind of address is also necessary for banking. Getting a post office box is pretty simple though in many places.

 

[Ca.]

Some prudent advice from a YouTuber regarding the challenges and successes encountered during her van life journeys, highlighting her experiences of failures and achievements.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Camper Van (7 Vans Later)

Feb 15, 2026 #vanconversion #campervan #vanlife
If you're thinking about buying your first camper van, building a van conversion, or starting van life full-time, this video is for you. Over the last five years, I’ve owned seven different vans, including multiple Winnebago Solis models, a Thor Scope, a self-converted Ford Econoline, and custom camper vans built with a van builder. After owning, building, and maintaining seven vans, I’ve learned what actually matters when buying your first van and what doesn’t. I am now focused on van life travels in my Geotrek van and traveling around the country.