I am Obsessed with Van Life
@Kouponkaren (5497)
United States
January 8, 2023 1:55pm CST
Someday, I want to live in a van. Yep, you read that right. But actually, my goal is to do it for a year and travel around the U.S.
I have been following a few people that live in their vans full-time for a while now. They have videos on YouTube. Some do it because they want to travel and have freedom, others do it because they can't afford an apartment or house. I follow a couple of seniors who live in their vans because of that.
I told a few of them about myLot hoping they might join and we can learn more about their lifestyle and adventures, especially since a few members have said we need new members.
What do you think, could you ever live full-time in a van? Or a truck camper or an RV?
12 people like this
13 responses
@MarieCoyle (59198)
•
8 Jan 23
I think I could live in an RV for awhile. I know it sounds weird, but I want to live in a dwelling with a real bathroom, and that is generally not found in a van. But some of those RV's are just swanky(and expensive!) anyone would be happy to live in one of them, I would think.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (59198)
•
9 Jan 23
@Kouponkaren
I used to have to drive the grandparents huge RV for them during their last years in it. Yes, the water and search for a dump station and fees for it, etc. are a hassle for sure. If it's only you in the van, an RV toilet would work.
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@MarieCoyle
I certainly understand why you feel that way. When I first started thinking that I would like to do this someday, I was thinking of a small RV with a bathroom, but then I realized I would have to learn all about black water and gray water and find dumping places, and if I were to do this, I would be doing it on my own. It seemed too complicated for me. I want to simplify my life by doing this. So there are some alternatives which first and foremost would be to use a public toilet whenever possible. The second is a boat or RV portable toilet, the third is a bucket and a bag! Ha ha! I think I would like to try a composting or RV toilet if it won't smell.
2 people like this
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@CarolDM
Some van lifers bring their cats along and keep them on a leash outside. I can't imagine the van would smell very good though with a litter box inside. Yuck.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135722)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Jan 23
Maybe for a few months. But not full time
1 person likes this
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@wolfgirl569
I hear you on that. My goal is for 1 year, BUT I may only make it a few months and then decide I have had enough. We will see what happens and if it ever works out for me.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (135722)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Jan 23
@Kouponkaren I know someone doing small time. She has an RV and has just hopped in and took off for a month or 2. Like that would not be bad. A friend of hers checks on the house while she is gone
@sallypup (69176)
• Centralia, Washington
8 Jan 23
I kind of like the idea of van life IF it did not mean my having to drive in heavy traffic to get to my next spot. How do you take care of the basic necessities like using the bathroom? My hubby really wants me to drive to our old town and pick up some treasures that he left with friends. I do not want to even think about the 5 hour trip there and then back.
2 people like this
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@sallypup
I am sure there are ways to take the back roads wherever you want to go. It just may take you a long time to get places rather than taking major roads through cities.
1 person likes this
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@NJChicaa
Oh you should invite her to join us. I would love to hear about her adventures.
1 person likes this
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
8 Jan 23
With all the kids? No. But as a single or couple? Absolutely.
2 people like this
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@spiderdust
Some people do it with kids and homeschool them. I would have loved to do that but my kid's father couldn't even go camping with us for a week so he definitely would not have bren up for that.
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
9 Jan 23
@Kouponkaren With a blended family, we have a LOT of kids. They would feel too crowded with van life.
@kaylachan (84776)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Jan 23
No, I don't think so. I like solid ground under my feet. I don't mind taking a ride in our van, but that's as far as it goes for me.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
8 Jan 23
There is one myLotter here who was doing that exact thing..I forget her name Karen but they were all over the place.
I could indeed but the only problem for me would be..I can no longer drive on highways.
1 person likes this
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@RebeccasFarm
So do you mean she isn't on myLot anymore? I would love to follow her adventures. Or is she not living that way anymore?
@Fleura (35005)
• United Kingdom
9 Jan 23
@Kouponkaren Yes I lived by myself, if I had to share that space with anyone I might have killed them 
I'm sure I could live in a van but the snag is you have to have somewhere to park it, at least some of the time.
I'm sure I could live in a van but the snag is you have to have somewhere to park it, at least some of the time.@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@Fleura
Did you live on the boat by yourself? I am sure if you could live on a boat, you could live in a van.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
27 Jan 23
It doesn't really appeal to me, but I really liked the movie Nomadland with Frances McDormand. Some actual van-living people were featured in it too.
@Kouponkaren (5497)
• United States
9 Jan 23
@JudyEv
You're my kind of gal Judy!
1 person likes this
