Have you ever thought about traveling around the world and visiting breathtaking places?
There are many ways you could achieve this, but what if there was a way to travel and feel at home at the same time? I have two words for you- Van Living.
WHAT IS IT? Van living is when someone turns a van into a livable environment that can be used for travel, and everyday living. The crazy thing about van life is that you can place your house anywhere on the map as long as you can drive there.
I have been following van living pages on my social media accounts since about my sophomore year in high school in 2017. The van living lifestyle has always interested me because it seems super adventurous and fun. People who van live get to see so many amazing things, but they also have to adjust and learn how to live without a permanent-structured foundation (house, apartment, townhouse, etc.) I have come up with some pros and cons that I figure would be apart of Van Living.
CONS: Being on the road, you must learn how to adapt to a new style of life. Unless your job allows you to work from home (in this case, work from van) then you want think about how to make an income on the road. You also have less space if you’re living in a van. If your van doesn’t have a fully functional shower, or (on the road) toilet, then you must plan your trips with somewhere close enough for you to shower and/or freshen up (gyms, Planet Fitness, YMCAs). Another major thing would be making sure that your van does not get broken into. Since your van would essentially be your new home, all of your belongings would be there.
PROS: Van living allows you to meet new people on the road- who also might live in a van as well. It also allows you to get away from the “9 to 5” cycle of work. It helps you save money because it allows you to cut down on any monthly bills that people might have from living in a house, apartment, or townhouse. It also allows you to create your own schedule and you decide where you want to travel to time after time. If you are a dog person, then you would never have to leave your dog at home because they would be with you where ever you go. You could be in the mountains one day, and the beach the next. I definitely believe van life is best fit for people who want to explore and travel- whether it’s around the U.S., or surrounding countries.
Here is a link to a blog about a couple who decided to try out van living in 2020 and they love it. https://www.vanlife.com.au/vanlife-diaries/2022/2/25/our-mixed-journey-a-van-life-and-5thnbspwheel-adventure
If you are interested in trying out van life, then I suggest doing your research and figuring out what would work best for you. Have fun, make memories, and safe travels.
Best wishes! 🙂
-Abigail Chabala
A Golden Studio 
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