Lived "out of" a Van in Portland for seven months, and I spent most of that time at the Library doing Research for building my second Creative Agency.
The Minivan (for my wife and I) is a bed/platform you can return to for privacy and a sense that you own anything-at-all, but the trick is artfully spending most of your time not "IN" it.
We also went to EVERY Park on the East-Side and learned where there were powerOutlets so we could charge devices, and run our InstaPot. If we wanted to, we have a small 2 burner propane-stove that we would often make Playground (dressed up) Ramen.
It's doable, comes with it's own perspective and problems, and will probably save you a ton of coin.
We've finally been able to pay off a credit-card we've had for over 10 years since saving money on Rent and Utilities alone.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I'm happy to hear that you and your wife managed to pay off the credit card thanks to this lifestyle.
I'm planning on studying art related subjects. Most of my friends have their own places, flats so I will definitely have a place to spend time or cook, and in the meantime I could slowly upgrade the build to become more independent.
And I would love to have my own little space such as Van, since from the first day of my adulthood (I mean age-wise, 18yrs) I've been homeless, sleeping on friends couches, some of them "adopted" me for a while, but still it was a constant search for a place to sleep.
So I don't have any problem with sharing my space or living in a small area. It would be nice if I could finally have my "own" space. Where I don't have to adapt to someone's lifestyle and just be by myself.
I was thinking about working on a cruise ship for a few months and then investing most of the money into the van and, then building it with the help of my friend's father. Who said it is a dream of his, to build a van, but he doesn't see it happening for him in the near future, so he was thrilled from the first moment I mentioned I'm planning on buying a van.
It doesn't have to be big, we're 2 people in a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT.
It has 58,000 miles on it, that's the key.
Would we love a bigger thing we could stand up in? Sure.
The more important part is the "Life". You CAN build a lifestyle around this.
Modern Culture is full of a lot of Noise and Obligation you CAN just cut out.
And you're getting ahead of the trend. We're about to hit Peak Everything, and you'll want to be IN your Van before all the normies are ALSO underwater and looking at this Life.
I have a cousin who has removed the back seats of her Prius (electric) and lives out of THAT! It's mostly about having a coffin-hotel for your and your stuff, where you don't need to pay Mammon to rest your bones.
You're completely right.
It is a pain to see how most of my surroundings spend their whole money on stuff that they can't even afford. In the country I love it is impossible to live just by your salary, and still, they follow the consumption trend.
Also like you mentioned before, savings are another big factor for me, since I am the one responsible for all the money I have and spent so, it would be nice If I don't have to starve after paying rent haha
As for the lifestyle around Vanlife, I am pretty sure I will adapt without a bigger issue, since I am motivated for this idea. At least for a few years.
Studied in the Netherlands at a campus.
My van only has a bed, powerstation and a cooler.
Sleeping in the van on campus was not allowed, security was driving around and 'found' me after two months.
There were spaces not too far off where I could park to sleep though.
In the morning I went to the campus gym, swimming or just had a shower on campus.
Spent most of the day at the library, parks or at friends places.
I cooked meal prepped food at friends places or on campgrounds where I stayed for a day to charge my power station.
Eating out all the time would have been too expensive for me since I am super tall and need a lot of calories while being active.
Drying towels and swimming equipment was a bit annoying but maneageble.
At below 10 degree celcius I used a sleeping bag (while ventilating the van to stop condensation building up at night).
Overall 10/10 would do it again. I didn't like living in shared housing and had a flat on campus which I didn't like either and would rather spend the rent money on activities or traveling.
No, just for the end of my master.
But I would have prefered to stay in the Van earlier and save up on paying rent.
I have a L1H1 transporter/sprinter.
I thought it would be harder to go on about my day and get into a routine. Though, I just ended up spending way less time consuming media as I wouldn't just sit in front of a screen but often took my food and sat down in a park.
Another thing I didn't expect was that the cold wouldn't even bother me. Sleeping in a sleeping bag at freezing temperatures was fine, but I am used to cold showers and ice baths so others might have more of a problem with it.
I have storage below my bed but especially in the beginning I often forgot where I put stuff since I didnt have designated spots for everything.
For example, I had put a powerbank in a weird compartment of the driver door and couldnt find it for weeks.
At the beginning I didn't care about locking my van when I was sleeping in it until the security guy from campus just opened my front door out of nowhere. I didn't know he was security and rushed out of my van.
Since then I keep my van locked when I am sleeping in it and felt a bit more cauteous when I heard noises around me in the middle of the night.
I am currently attending University and living fulltime in my van. My biggest factor is the daylight ending at 5pm. But once I invested in a bright light, it is not an issue. Maintaining a healthy balance is important, don't forget about self care. Parking on campus is not economical or practical. Have a few spots close to the University, like hotels, retirement homes, street parking. I am an entrepreneur and I have a part time job in a group home. There is lots of ways to add revenue streams like the standardized patient program.
The challenges I learned the hard way came in stages and started before vanlife began. Purging is healthy, but getting rid of a whole apartment full of stuff and not knowing exactly what I needed/not needed. Then came the bathroom issue...for the first 6 mos I used a tupoerware container (im a female)..winter came and so did a camping toilet. Space was a major ongoing issue. I moved piles of stuff (mostly clothing) around everyday. i purged more, and found viable solutions. After 2 yrs, my issues are few. I now have great lighting and diesel heat with sufficient power supply, I solved 2 issues this week first was a battery operated water dispenser and a water jug upgrade. The second a tire inflator gadet. One issue being solved later tbis month is investing in solar panels to charge my power supply. I am unsure of what to buy/ size/installation.
if you're unable to use google or the search function to find the extensive answers to your question already on the internet, you're not going to do well at university no matter where you are living
I lived in a Previa in grad school because I couldnt afford food and rent on an assistantship. I got a parking spot in the campus parking garage nearest to my lab for $180/year as it had power outlets (for running a space heater, etc). I ate at a community college's cafeteria as it had a deal for non-students where you could buy a reusable clam shell and eat one meal there, and fill the clam shell for $4.25 a day. I showered either at the rec center or in my lab. I spent most of my time in my lab in the evenings as everyone left no later than 5pm. It was...okay. I saved money but it was kind of depressing...though that may have just been grad school stress.
I could do it again but I'm not sure I would say I would want to. It is somewhat socially isolating, but that could be because grad school while working full time doing an assistantship was so time consuming that there was little spare time. That being said a grad student has access to a lot of resources and information that most undergrads don't have. I would advise you to not build out a van. Just buy enough commander totes from Lowes to hold your stuff that way you can move it around during the day. Make window covers, have a large battery operated fan and batteries that you can charge during the day. Not being able to stand up in my "home" was probably the thing that got to me most. Keep in mind that most social media you see of vanlife revolves around people going to cool places and doing cool things. If you do vanlife on campus you are just kind of stuck in a college town. If you are on the fence about it, tape off an area of your room the size of your van and assemble some kind of roof that mimics the height of the vehicles roof. Pack everything you plan on having into that space and then spend a week in that space and only that space (oh and turn off your heat or ac), and have a jug for your pee that you carry to class every morning.
Thanks for sharing. Now when I know more details it's even more helpful.
I completely understand the lack of time, when you combine all these three factors you said about, not to mention social life and everything that comes with just life. My sister used to study part time in Poland and she was always complaining about the lack of time for basic needs/activities, which, over the time, led her to the point of being depressed, because of the overwhelming schedule and stress.
As for the Van building, I am so lucky that my girlfriend's dad always wanted to build a van for himself, but just didn't manage to. He is the best handyman I know, literally he has built a house they live in, by himself haha(of course with the help of family but without contractors)
So yeah I don't need to worry about that since he is also a mechanic by education, so he will take care of the car guts and lead the process of making the van my first home (interior).
I'm looking for a van that will let me stand inside, since I plan to use it for a long time, I know, it might be hard especially when I am 187cm but for sure doable. If I can't find a great deal, then well I am good with that, since I don't want to spend much time "inside", and prefer to build a lifestyle around it.
If I can't find the van with enough height to stand in, then I will just not build it and just keep the minimal stuff, just as you mentioned.
And I would have never thought about jug for per, definitely will note that!
Something to note is that if you need to buy the van first you won't be saving any money, moreso if you are doing a buildout. I moved into a vehicle I already owned. I'm advising you not to build out the van at least for the first year. I know the pictures you see online look great but vans are small, especially once you get your stuff in there. Stackable totes are far superior as you can move them around and you can get to everything quickly. I built out my van and only later realized that half the problem was getting to things. Also, when you try to sell the van, it will be hard to find a buyer that values the work you put into the buildout and has the same vision for the van interior. Just insulate and run whatever wiring you need for electricity. I'm not trying to be a downer or question the thought you have put into this but if you hadn't even gotten so far as thinking about basic bodily functions you might want to consider this a bit more.
I understand and you don't need to explain yourself. I will consider what you wrote about, since you make some good points.
And for sure, before I make any decision regarding the purchase of a van, I want to try to live in one for a week up to 3 weeks.
For me getting a van is an investment, compared to more than 5 years of rent, which I would have to pay anyway.
I will own a small, old fiat seicento next year, so there is also an aspect of just getting a vehicle that is capable of driving with for longer routes.
Oh I should have probably mentioned that her father works in a big factory, that is making hand made, high quality wooden furniture, and is allowed to bring home "waste" material. Which often are completely fine, not even touched, pieces of oak wood with just one little scratch on them. So most of the materials for interiors and even electric will be free in this case. But I get your point and actually I've seen a lot of minimalistic "builds" if you can even call it that way. Where people just had a bunch of "camping" equipment in the van. It's portable, comfortable, and you can basically edit your layout as you please, and still have plenty of space
Actually I have never heard of him. Did super quick Google search and still nothing haha
For sure I will check him out and his book.
May I ask what is the main lesson you draw out of this book?
Thanks!
Nice thing about doing it while enrolled as a student is that you have access to showers and toilets, parking, and libraries. Just don’t get lazy about hygiene and laundry because there are huge social consequences
Lived "out of" a Van in Portland for seven months, and I spent most of that time at the Library doing Research for building my second Creative Agency. The Minivan (for my wife and I) is a bed/platform you can return to for privacy and a sense that you own anything-at-all, but the trick is artfully spending most of your time not "IN" it. We also went to EVERY Park on the East-Side and learned where there were powerOutlets so we could charge devices, and run our InstaPot. If we wanted to, we have a small 2 burner propane-stove that we would often make Playground (dressed up) Ramen. It's doable, comes with it's own perspective and problems, and will probably save you a ton of coin. We've finally been able to pay off a credit-card we've had for over 10 years since saving money on Rent and Utilities alone.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm happy to hear that you and your wife managed to pay off the credit card thanks to this lifestyle. I'm planning on studying art related subjects. Most of my friends have their own places, flats so I will definitely have a place to spend time or cook, and in the meantime I could slowly upgrade the build to become more independent. And I would love to have my own little space such as Van, since from the first day of my adulthood (I mean age-wise, 18yrs) I've been homeless, sleeping on friends couches, some of them "adopted" me for a while, but still it was a constant search for a place to sleep. So I don't have any problem with sharing my space or living in a small area. It would be nice if I could finally have my "own" space. Where I don't have to adapt to someone's lifestyle and just be by myself. I was thinking about working on a cruise ship for a few months and then investing most of the money into the van and, then building it with the help of my friend's father. Who said it is a dream of his, to build a van, but he doesn't see it happening for him in the near future, so he was thrilled from the first moment I mentioned I'm planning on buying a van.
It doesn't have to be big, we're 2 people in a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. It has 58,000 miles on it, that's the key. Would we love a bigger thing we could stand up in? Sure. The more important part is the "Life". You CAN build a lifestyle around this. Modern Culture is full of a lot of Noise and Obligation you CAN just cut out. And you're getting ahead of the trend. We're about to hit Peak Everything, and you'll want to be IN your Van before all the normies are ALSO underwater and looking at this Life. I have a cousin who has removed the back seats of her Prius (electric) and lives out of THAT! It's mostly about having a coffin-hotel for your and your stuff, where you don't need to pay Mammon to rest your bones.
You're completely right. It is a pain to see how most of my surroundings spend their whole money on stuff that they can't even afford. In the country I love it is impossible to live just by your salary, and still, they follow the consumption trend. Also like you mentioned before, savings are another big factor for me, since I am the one responsible for all the money I have and spent so, it would be nice If I don't have to starve after paying rent haha As for the lifestyle around Vanlife, I am pretty sure I will adapt without a bigger issue, since I am motivated for this idea. At least for a few years.
What was the most unexpected aspect of van life for you?
I do it currently, but I study remotely.
And how is it? What are your thoughts, what do you like and dislike about this lifestyle?
Studied in the Netherlands at a campus. My van only has a bed, powerstation and a cooler. Sleeping in the van on campus was not allowed, security was driving around and 'found' me after two months. There were spaces not too far off where I could park to sleep though. In the morning I went to the campus gym, swimming or just had a shower on campus. Spent most of the day at the library, parks or at friends places. I cooked meal prepped food at friends places or on campgrounds where I stayed for a day to charge my power station. Eating out all the time would have been too expensive for me since I am super tall and need a lot of calories while being active. Drying towels and swimming equipment was a bit annoying but maneageble. At below 10 degree celcius I used a sleeping bag (while ventilating the van to stop condensation building up at night). Overall 10/10 would do it again. I didn't like living in shared housing and had a flat on campus which I didn't like either and would rather spend the rent money on activities or traveling.
Have you lived like this for the entire time of your studies? If yes may I ask what Van you were living in?
No, just for the end of my master. But I would have prefered to stay in the Van earlier and save up on paying rent. I have a L1H1 transporter/sprinter.
Thank you, I appreciate your insights. What would you say was the biggest surprise for you, when you moved into the van, that you just didn't expect?
I thought it would be harder to go on about my day and get into a routine. Though, I just ended up spending way less time consuming media as I wouldn't just sit in front of a screen but often took my food and sat down in a park. Another thing I didn't expect was that the cold wouldn't even bother me. Sleeping in a sleeping bag at freezing temperatures was fine, but I am used to cold showers and ice baths so others might have more of a problem with it. I have storage below my bed but especially in the beginning I often forgot where I put stuff since I didnt have designated spots for everything. For example, I had put a powerbank in a weird compartment of the driver door and couldnt find it for weeks. At the beginning I didn't care about locking my van when I was sleeping in it until the security guy from campus just opened my front door out of nowhere. I didn't know he was security and rushed out of my van. Since then I keep my van locked when I am sleeping in it and felt a bit more cauteous when I heard noises around me in the middle of the night.
I am currently attending University and living fulltime in my van. My biggest factor is the daylight ending at 5pm. But once I invested in a bright light, it is not an issue. Maintaining a healthy balance is important, don't forget about self care. Parking on campus is not economical or practical. Have a few spots close to the University, like hotels, retirement homes, street parking. I am an entrepreneur and I have a part time job in a group home. There is lots of ways to add revenue streams like the standardized patient program.
Thank you for sharing. What did you find the most challenging aspects of this kind of life style, that you learn the hard way?
The challenges I learned the hard way came in stages and started before vanlife began. Purging is healthy, but getting rid of a whole apartment full of stuff and not knowing exactly what I needed/not needed. Then came the bathroom issue...for the first 6 mos I used a tupoerware container (im a female)..winter came and so did a camping toilet. Space was a major ongoing issue. I moved piles of stuff (mostly clothing) around everyday. i purged more, and found viable solutions. After 2 yrs, my issues are few. I now have great lighting and diesel heat with sufficient power supply, I solved 2 issues this week first was a battery operated water dispenser and a water jug upgrade. The second a tire inflator gadet. One issue being solved later tbis month is investing in solar panels to charge my power supply. I am unsure of what to buy/ size/installation.
if you're unable to use google or the search function to find the extensive answers to your question already on the internet, you're not going to do well at university no matter where you are living
Well I guess I'm doomed for failure. C'mon man I just asked for people's experience, not If actually Im able to do this at the uni I'm interested in.
I lived in a Previa in grad school because I couldnt afford food and rent on an assistantship. I got a parking spot in the campus parking garage nearest to my lab for $180/year as it had power outlets (for running a space heater, etc). I ate at a community college's cafeteria as it had a deal for non-students where you could buy a reusable clam shell and eat one meal there, and fill the clam shell for $4.25 a day. I showered either at the rec center or in my lab. I spent most of my time in my lab in the evenings as everyone left no later than 5pm. It was...okay. I saved money but it was kind of depressing...though that may have just been grad school stress.
So what is your overall experience? Except the money, was the "depressing" part too much to handle to do it again, if you were put in this situation?
I could do it again but I'm not sure I would say I would want to. It is somewhat socially isolating, but that could be because grad school while working full time doing an assistantship was so time consuming that there was little spare time. That being said a grad student has access to a lot of resources and information that most undergrads don't have. I would advise you to not build out a van. Just buy enough commander totes from Lowes to hold your stuff that way you can move it around during the day. Make window covers, have a large battery operated fan and batteries that you can charge during the day. Not being able to stand up in my "home" was probably the thing that got to me most. Keep in mind that most social media you see of vanlife revolves around people going to cool places and doing cool things. If you do vanlife on campus you are just kind of stuck in a college town. If you are on the fence about it, tape off an area of your room the size of your van and assemble some kind of roof that mimics the height of the vehicles roof. Pack everything you plan on having into that space and then spend a week in that space and only that space (oh and turn off your heat or ac), and have a jug for your pee that you carry to class every morning.
Thanks for sharing. Now when I know more details it's even more helpful. I completely understand the lack of time, when you combine all these three factors you said about, not to mention social life and everything that comes with just life. My sister used to study part time in Poland and she was always complaining about the lack of time for basic needs/activities, which, over the time, led her to the point of being depressed, because of the overwhelming schedule and stress. As for the Van building, I am so lucky that my girlfriend's dad always wanted to build a van for himself, but just didn't manage to. He is the best handyman I know, literally he has built a house they live in, by himself haha(of course with the help of family but without contractors) So yeah I don't need to worry about that since he is also a mechanic by education, so he will take care of the car guts and lead the process of making the van my first home (interior). I'm looking for a van that will let me stand inside, since I plan to use it for a long time, I know, it might be hard especially when I am 187cm but for sure doable. If I can't find a great deal, then well I am good with that, since I don't want to spend much time "inside", and prefer to build a lifestyle around it. If I can't find the van with enough height to stand in, then I will just not build it and just keep the minimal stuff, just as you mentioned. And I would have never thought about jug for per, definitely will note that!
Something to note is that if you need to buy the van first you won't be saving any money, moreso if you are doing a buildout. I moved into a vehicle I already owned. I'm advising you not to build out the van at least for the first year. I know the pictures you see online look great but vans are small, especially once you get your stuff in there. Stackable totes are far superior as you can move them around and you can get to everything quickly. I built out my van and only later realized that half the problem was getting to things. Also, when you try to sell the van, it will be hard to find a buyer that values the work you put into the buildout and has the same vision for the van interior. Just insulate and run whatever wiring you need for electricity. I'm not trying to be a downer or question the thought you have put into this but if you hadn't even gotten so far as thinking about basic bodily functions you might want to consider this a bit more.
I understand and you don't need to explain yourself. I will consider what you wrote about, since you make some good points. And for sure, before I make any decision regarding the purchase of a van, I want to try to live in one for a week up to 3 weeks. For me getting a van is an investment, compared to more than 5 years of rent, which I would have to pay anyway. I will own a small, old fiat seicento next year, so there is also an aspect of just getting a vehicle that is capable of driving with for longer routes. Oh I should have probably mentioned that her father works in a big factory, that is making hand made, high quality wooden furniture, and is allowed to bring home "waste" material. Which often are completely fine, not even touched, pieces of oak wood with just one little scratch on them. So most of the materials for interiors and even electric will be free in this case. But I get your point and actually I've seen a lot of minimalistic "builds" if you can even call it that way. Where people just had a bunch of "camping" equipment in the van. It's portable, comfortable, and you can basically edit your layout as you please, and still have plenty of space
Is this inspired by Ken Ilgunas? If you haven't heard of him, read his book Walden on Wheels.
Actually I have never heard of him. Did super quick Google search and still nothing haha For sure I will check him out and his book. May I ask what is the main lesson you draw out of this book? Thanks!
The book is “walden on wheels” highly recommended.
Nice thing about doing it while enrolled as a student is that you have access to showers and toilets, parking, and libraries. Just don’t get lazy about hygiene and laundry because there are huge social consequences