So, you’re thinking about living #vanlife ey? Sweet, good for you! Just like you we spent lots of time perusing the internet looking for whatever resources we could to ensure we were making the right decision. If you’re very much like us, you already know in your heart, this lifestyle is for you.
Whether it’s a new decision or you’ve known for a while and are ready to make the leap but don’t know how- this post is for you. For many people making the leap is the hardest part so if you’re here and ready, welcome!
We put together a few starting to steps so you could start getting things into motion and turn this dream into a reality.
Here are some steps to get you started towards living the life of your dreams!
1. Assess your situation
Are you selling everything to live van life full-time or will you just minimize a little and travel part-time? Do you have to list your house, or will you be renting it out? Who will care for your property when you’re traveling? Are you selling your car too? Will you have a storage unit? How much do you have to sell? These are all things you really have to consider, so it wouldn’t hurt to grab a notepad and start writing a list.
Make sure you list everything you plan on selling so you have a clear plan and can execute the task quickly and effectively. We definitely recommended that you put deadlines on your list of when you want things sold by. By doing this it holds you accountable and takes it from being “just something to be done” to an “I must do this” ACTION. Action is what’s going to get you there, not the dreaming.
2. Which van will you buy?
There are many van manufacturers who make home-worthy vans. There’s the Sprinter Van made by Mercedes Benz, sometimes badged as a Freightliner or Dodge. Then there’s the Ford Transit, and the Promaster. Each one unique in their own ways, they all have great features! Sprinter Vans are pretty popular among van dwellers, but they have a unique curve to them that make building out just a tad bit trickier. They come in 2 different wheelbases 144” and 170” with 3 different lengths- regular, long body and extended. The Promaster comes in the 159” and 136” wheelbase and the Ford Transit comes in a 147” wheelbase in both long body and extended lengths. I can’t get into the nitty gritty details of each van; you’ll have to do research on your own but get this is to just get your wheels spinning.
3. How will you make income on the road?
Unless you have a ton of money in savings, you should really consider having some source of income on the road. Unexpected things will come up so you will want to be prepared! Not counting the fact, you will want to experience the local attractions and splurge on some locally made goodies. If you have a job where you can position yourself to work remotely, that’s great! If not, then you’ll have to get creative. Our best advice is to figure out where your talent and passions intercept and run with that. You’ll always be successful if you follow your heart. If you do a quick Google search for remote jobs, you will find there are many options. Some websites we recommend are: remote.co, weworkremotely.com and flexjobs.com. If you’re good at something, you can teach classes on skillshare.com or promote your services on fiverr.com or upwork.com.
4. Bathroom or no bathroom?
If you haven’t thought about this yet, you really should! Everyone has a different opinion on this, but you really have to sit and think about what is best for YOU. If you’re cool with using only public toilets and showers than save the space and don’t go with a bathroom. If you’re picky and can’t do the public restroom thing, consider building your van with a bathroom. You can choose to have a toilet and a shower, just a toilet or no toilet at all. For us, we wanted our van to feel as much like a home as possible. For us, a bathroom was an absolute necessity, so we were willing to sacrifice the 24” x 48” to have a full bathroom. We wanted our tiny home to feel as much like a tiny home as possible and privacy was very important to us.
5. Where do you plan on traveling to?
If you plan on traveling to all different climates you will have to consider that when you’re building out your adventure rig. A good insulation, heater for cold nights and an air conditioner for hot ones should all be on your list if you’re planning on living full time in it. Even if you’re not, consider it because it’ll be a much comfier living space when you can control the inside temp. If you plan on doing a lot of off-roading or spending time in a snowy climate, consider a 4x4 or at least get some upgraded shocks on your van installed and some good winter tires. These things do matter and should be considered as you plan your transition into this lifestyle.
6. Who will do your build?
If you’re super handy and can cut out windows, install solar panels, all electrical and plumbing then GOOD FOR YOU! That will be super helpful and save you some serious mula. If you are not super handy, you can teach yourself by watching the extensive selection of van build videos on YouTube, but of not, you will have to hire someone else to do it for you. We recommend you do your research to find the best person for the job and who will give you the results you’re looking for. Each van builder has certain styles and processes they do, so finding one in line with what you’re expecting is crucial.
7. Mailing Addresses
Obviously when you’re living on the road, you don’t have a mailbox so if you have a family member or a friend who is willing to get your mail, that will be super helpful. As for your bills and health insurance, set up electronic payments so you get it’s easier on the road. When it comes to packages, there are Amazon lockers pretty much everywhere that is insanely convenient. You could also plan ahead and call the local post office to see if they’ll accept general deliveries in which you can have your packages shipped directly there.
The transition from living house life to van life could feel a little overwhelming at first but keep your eye on the prize and hustle, it’ll all fall into place for you. Depending on how much baggage you carry and need to unload will determine how fast this process will be but don’t let your to-do list get you down. Our best advice is to simplify as much as you can so you can enjoy your time on the road. Set goals and make small steps and before you know it, you’ll be living the life of your dreams. All of the hard work will be worth it in the end, we promise!