How to Embrace Van Life

More and more people are deciding to live out of vans, whether it’s due to rising rents or the absolute freedom that such a choice can bring. If it is something that interests you, then you should have a look at the cost of a van as well as the ways that you will be able to successfully make that life a reality.

If you are interested in learning more, then you are in the right place as this guide has been created in order to outline the ways in which you can definitely embrace your van life. Read on now in order to get the full overview. 

Buy a Portable Generator 

If you are looking to live out of your van full-time, the ways in which you make sure you have enough energy is going to be quite different from living in a traditional home. This means that you will probably need to have your own standalone power source, such as a generator. Why don’t you take a look at EcoFlow for the best portable power station UK, such as the EcoFlow DELTA model, and you will be sure to find something that fits within your price range. 

Be Prepared for Hardship

Like the movie, Nomadland has shown, living out of a van is not all sunny Instagram posts and amazing sunsets. In fact, you should be preparing for quite a difficult life where you will need to be very self-sustainable. Nonetheless, it is doable as long as you are prepared for what it is to come. It might be worth reading about how it works and watching videos on YouTube about it before you start so that you will be definitely ready once you hit the road. 

Be Pandemic Safe

Nomads were put in a blind spot by coronavirus restrictions over the past couple of years, meaning that if you are planning to move across countries in your vans, you should definitely be aware of all the different restrictions.

One way to make life easier is to make sure that all of your vaccines are up-to-date, as well as bring some self-tests so you can cross borders with ease. Additionally, research the coronavirus restrictions before you travel somewhere, so you know you will not be in any trouble.

Have Plenty of Spare Food

When driving in more remote areas, you don’t want to suddenly end up in a food desert, as this can truly cause you pain and even affect your driving ability. Instead, it is a good idea to make sure that you have plenty of spare food to get you through these moments. You should be focusing on non-perishable items that have real longevity so you can always rely on them in a time of crisis. 

Know Where You Are Going 

As the tragic case of Chris McCandless has shown, venturing out into the wilderness can be fraught with all kinds of danger. That’s why you should always have a clear idea of where you are going and where the local amenities are. This is because if your van breaks down, for example, you will be able to have a plan in place to make sure that you are as safe as possible. 

Be Financially Sustainable 

Living in a van might be cheaper than renting a flat or paying a mortgage, but it is not without its costs. The last event that you want to happen is to see this life have a proper impact on your financial well-being. This is why you should make sure that you have a solid amount of money squirreled away before you start as well as a great plan to make sure that you are financially sustainable.

You will definitely meet people along the road who will be able to tell you where the part-time labor is, but it might also be worth finding a job that you can work on remotely, whether it’s in a deep wood or by a sunny beach, giving you full flexibility of where to go when you want to do it. 

Be Prepared to Be Alone

As well as being physically tough to weather the challenges of van life, you must make sure that you are mentally tough as well. If you don’t have anybody to come along on the ride with you, you will have to face yourself and your own thoughts every day. There are many mental health risks to being alone, so make sure that you have a good plan to manage your mental health as a result. With that said, you will be sure to: 

Make Friends Along the Way

The amazing part about being a nomad is the variety of people from all walks of life that you will meet that you would never normally come across in a city or a suburb. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself when you come across like-minded people at a campsite, as these are the types of bonds that could definitely help you later on further down the road.

There are also all kinds of van life conventions that you should be aware of as an easy way to meet people, make friends, and simply have a good time. After all, this is why you have chosen this life in the first place.

Create Your Own Power Sources Through Renewable Energy

As well as having a generator, you should be thinking about whether or not you can generate your own power. One of the simplest ways to do this is by installing a solar roof on your car, meaning that you will be able to generate your own electricity in your van. This is even better if you have an electric vehicle, potentially meaning that it basically pays for itself. 

Conclusion

This guide has been created to give you just a small overview of what to think about when it comes to hitting the open road in a van. If you ever find yourself needing more inspiration further along down the road, please feel free to revisit this guide to refresh your memory.

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