What comes to mind when you think of living in a van, or the people that live in their vehicles full-time? Probably not a life of luxury and financial freedom, right? More often than not, we associate living in the back of a vehicle as a sign of financial destitution, the last resort when the money runs out and you haven’t got a roof over your head. Well, not anymore. As rent continues to increase in major cities all over the world and buying a home as a millennial woman seems like an ever-distant fantasy, more and more people are turning to so-called ‘van-life’ as the answer to their prayers. These pioneers typically buy a large transit van and kit it out with insulation, ventilation, solar panels, a water system, lighting – the whole nine-yards – in order to create a comfortable and indeed, desirable living space.
Why Choose Van Life?
But why van life, surely there must be other ways to beat the ever-increasing cost of housing? Well, the answer to that completely depends on you as a person. Although van-life isn’t for everyone, many people take to this vehicle-based lifestyle in order to reduce their monthly out-goings and have more time and money to travel. Literally having your entire home on wheels makes traveling a whole lot more enjoyable, and there are entire blogs and YouTube channels devoted to this lifestyle. However, the driving factor behind many people’s choice to convert their van into a livable home is money. It’s become a popular choice amongst students needing a place to call their own that doesn’t have to be shared with three other roommates.
How To Convert A Van
Converting a van can seem like a huge hurdle to overcome. If you’ve got little to no building experience other than the occasional origami project like most of us, the idea of fully converting a van into a comfortable living space can be overwhelming, and enough to deter many people entirely. However, if you’re intent on avoiding ridiculous house prices and begin a more nomadic lifestyle, then it is by no means insurmountable. Depending on your budget, you may even be able to hire people to help you out with the more technical aspects of the project, such as wiring and carpentry. However, for many of your mechanical and accessory needs, having a look around sites such as speedfinal.com can give you a lot of information, and there are even whole websites dedicated to how to convert a van. Ultimately, it’s up to how much time, money and determination you have.
Van-life certainly isn’t for everyone, and a life of depending on the sun for power, not having a shower and, in many cases, a toilet, doesn’t appeal to everyone. However, if you are one of the many modern women out there today feeling frustrated at the amount of money you’re spending on rent and bills, then maybe it’s time to start downsizing and keep an eye out for a suitable van to build out.