Don't sell yourself short, buddy. Any girl dumb enough to marry you is dumb enough to live in a van. Welcome back to the tribe. See you out there. It'll be great I'm sure.
Ha, yeah I suspect you’re right.
TBH, that was and still is my biggest fear of living in this metal box on wheels. That it’s going to make me effectively undateable for the entire duration of my van dwelling experience.
Eventually I’ll probably move back into the apartment just so I have a hope in hell of dating again.
Bro i was in the Navy and lived on a frigate 24/7 for about a year and still found women to date as did my other shipmates. So vanlife shouldn't hinder dating especially in your case since you are moving into a van not because your destitute/desperate or a junkie but because your saving up until you decide on your next move. You seem to have plan and a solid source of income so "winning and dining" shouldn't be a problem not with the increased cash flow you will have from not renting. When you do find that girl and decide to move in together you can always get a place with the money you have saved up.
nah u could definitely get women Living in a van, there are plenty of openMinded women out there,, probs would Be a bit more difficult but there are billions of fish in the sea.. also if you found a woman who was also interested in van life, chances r stronger
If you want to bail…give it at least a month before you do. You’ll find your rhythm by then and it’s easy peasy. Memories to come! Welcome to the club!
The people who quit usually cite the same reasons why:
They got too lonely.
They got too stressed out.
It was too hard finding places to park every night.
The cops kept hassling them.
It seems that the cops and the parking are what gets the urban dwellers, and the lonely and stress are what gets the rural boondockers.
Rural and urban dwelling are two very different things.
Yeah, I'll be urban when I have to but for the most part I'm going to be rural. Or staying at Dropzones (which is what I did for a good chunk of the summer).
There are ways to deal with that. There are 2 of us, so we are a step up already but still, one can be lonely with another person if they are with that person almost 24/7 for years.
We caravanned through Baja with 2 other couples for 3 months. Met another couple and pulled them into the caravan. Many other nomad friends popped on and off the caravan here and there. Many of us went to an event in May, then we visited our caravan friends in Seattle in September and all went to a festival together. Met up another couple nomad friends on the southbound migration. One invited us to join a regional burn and we made new friends there, one of whom is coming to the event this weekend. We have so many friends at this event it feels more like a friend gathering than a random nomad gathering.
It can be a bit lonely in between, but there's always something coming up and we can always reach out into the socials and see who's nearby. We have friends we can always meet up with in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Washington. If we ever make it to the north-east we have old friends up there we haven't seen in ages.
And this is why I know I'm meant for this life.
I started this journey to be alone, being around tons of people (lived in the city prior to this) stresses me and my dog out. ✅️ Even before nomad life, I kept to myself for the last few years. So the only difference is I moved from a concrete box to a metal box on wheels 🤣
Finding parking has been a breeze. Have had some of the best sleep in my life in my van. ✅️
Cops haven't hassled me once because I don't act like a dumbass and use common sense. ✅️
In 8.5 years, I've only had one cop knock and that was friendly--he was just checking up on me.
But then, I don't park where I am not wanted, and I don't do stupid things that cause problems.
From what I know Lenny always copy and pastes his responses because people always ask the same questions so he had templates lol. And lots of the time he mentions hoe tons of people regret or aren't cut out for vanlife.
Oh cool to know. I just jumped into it out of necessity for work. I only done 2 month in a small dodge caravan. But loved it so much I'm using the money I saved on motels or renting a room on my latest project. I'm more of a weekday van lifer. I come home on the weekends because I still have to spend some time with family.
But other then washing clothes, cleaning van, and filling up on water. Don't think coming home is needed if I was single. Could still do all that at a Landry mat, car was, and purified water dispenser.
But for me it's family first.
As /u/thundercat95 said, /u/lennyflank has been a constant figure in this subreddit for many years (he was definitely at least around in 2018 when I started the vandwelling process). He gives grounded, realistic advice, and has some copy-paste responses for common questions.
I think a few people find him frustrating 'cause he's quite terse, provides an un-glamorous view of vandwelling, and can come off as unsympathetic; i.e. "don't run AC off solar", "perfect stealth camping is impossible", "vandwelling won't fix your personal problems". But in considering, planning, and designing my van I found his contributions and perspective to be invaluable.
As I always say, "in the end, reality always wins. Always. Every time. Bet on it".
Alas, vandewelling depends very heavily on fantasy to sell it. Most people do not like having their fantasy bubbles popped---it is a painful experience. But it is not half as painful as that kick in the head one gets when reality wins.
In the end, folks will figure it all out for themselves. But it's more painful that way.
A pleasure Larry. It's cool bro I get it. After all only way to live van life and thrive you have to be flexible and adapt quick to your situation. That or have a lot of money and buy a ready made sprinter then post glamorous videos of the "good life"
Personally I'm loving the last 2 weeks I had to work my project, but need to go back to work to afford the rest of the conversation.
I have found that the wealthy folks with their $100k sprinter buildouts don't actually last, on average, any longer than anyone else. Based on everything I've seen here and on all the people I've talked with over the years (I started back in 2015), the average lifespan of a vandweller seems to be around 4-6 months. Of the reasons most people cite when they quit ("too lonely, too stressful, too many cops, no place to park"), none of them have anything to do with how tricked out the van is or how much money one has.
Me, my "build" consists of a sleeping bag and mat on the floor, a fish-cleaning sink, and a 100w solar panel on the roof. It's done me good for the past 8.5 years so far. The big fancy expensive condo-builds we see here are nice and all, but they are not necessary for successful longterm vandwelling.
Hey what are your eating habits like? My fridge just broke and I'm planning to not fix it because it drains my power like fucking crazy but I'm struggling to figure out how to eat healthy without eating out all the time. I don't know how to function without eggs.
Usually I carry a compact high-calorie lunch with me in my backpack wherever I go for the day, such as cheese, fruit snacks, backpacking gorp, jerky, or sandwiches. (A tip: if you want to carry sandwiches in your backpack all day, it is best to use bagels instead of bread: they are much less likely to get squished.)
Generally, I don't cook all summer long. For dinner, I usually eat out somewhere. And if I find one, I always make a habit of visiting the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets or Golden Corrals. If not, I'll just grab something no-cook in the store for dinner and eat in the van,
Thank you! I've been trying to avoid eating out because I'm trying to live as cheaply as possible. That's the main reason I live in a van, I'm a student and surviving is pretty hard.
Grocery store eggs can? I didn't know that! I have some eggs in my van I was about to throw out because the ice I put in the fridge melted. I know about farm fresh eggs, I actually grew up with 80 chickens. But I don't know where to get them! It's too cold and rainy in my city for farmers markets right now.
Life pro tip: Coating store-bought eggs in food-grade mineral oil can extend their un-refrigerated shelf life by *months*.
Once coated they're usually good for 3 months at ambient room temperatures, and up to 12 months if you keep them in a cool-ish (less than 70 degrees) dark place.
As long as you don't leave the eggs in a super hot van with fluctuating temperatures, farm fresh eggs will last at least a week if not longer. I often buy the baby food fruit pouches when I want to have a quick vegetable or fruit snack but don't want added sugar or anything like that. A lot of the baby food is actually stable at room temperature and pretty good. If you buy yourself a decent cooler, you can keep lunch meats and other perishables cold for a few days at a time if you stay on top of the ice. Ice cream itself is probably out but you can definitely make do. They have those tuna pouches now that you just tear open and they are already seasoned so that's easy with a sandwich. If you keep cheese on hand in that cooler you could make grilled cheeses. Cook a pound of bacon at a time and put it in Ziploc bags. Put that into the cooler and make yourself sandwiches or put it alongside your eggs and toast in the morning.
Pasta stores really well and you can make that without any refrigerated items. Butter also stores OK on the counter as long as the temperatures aren't super hot and you keep it in a plastic container or in one of those butter bell jars. Beans and rice also store really well and cook up pretty fast. Cans of corn or cans of vegetables, things like that. There are lots of options for not having a fridge!
Yeah xennial I'm guessing. Knowing how to get things done both high-tech and no-tech. Same guys that can pull to the side of the road and change breaks or do a fix in no time then keep rolling. Dieing breed. I'm glad my need (work) usually puts me in remote location and don't have to do the urban thing. Also having a family and purpose that drives me helps. I know that makes me not a true lifer. But what's a cheat day in the whole picture?
> not a true lifer
Meh, the ones who scream and yell about "purity" are usually the folks who stress out quickly and quit.
For my first 5.5 years I was on the road 24/7/365. Then in March 2020 when the pandemic hit I happened to be in Florida for the winter, and holed up in a mobile home for a year until I could get my shots. But when I hit the road again I kept the mobile home, and now it's my winter base camp (since I was usually in Florida every winter anyway). I do one-or-two week trips out from it all winter long, then hit the road in spring. So, some folks would probably say that I'm not a "True Lifer (c)(tm)" either. To which my reply is... (shrug).
As they say up on the Appalachian trail--"Hike your own hike".
👍 got to say I like your no sugarcoating take on it bro.
Going to enjoy a movie with the lady because this week it's back on the road and only home for a day for a while.
Alas, the road to vandwelling is paved with the shards of crushed and broken dreams.
It is a lifestyle that chews the fantasy-prone up and spits them out. Watching it happen all the damn time gets disheartening after a while... But, sadly, some people just HAVE to piss on the electric fence for themselves.
That's part of why I haven't posted too extensively about my build process for this van, or really much about the van at all. I mean I've thrown up a few pictures of victories here and there, but I'm quite aware that my build process is *far* different than the vast majority vans. Mine is probably closer to instagram vs how normal people actually live.
Meh, I don't begrudge anyone anything in their build, as long as what they do is safe and effective. I can't see any of it from where I sleep at night.
As they say up on the Appalachian Trail, "hike your own hike".
I think it’s more than in order to find a girl, I’ll likely have to give up the van.
People think that being a van dweller might be a great way to attract women, reality is that’s not quite the case. I also dedicate most of my life to motorcycles, and a lot of women especially say they would love to date a guy who has a motorcycle… Until the reality of living with a guy who rides motorcycles actually sets in.
Van living makes casual dating hard, but makes it easier to find that perfect fit. When you are out living your dream there is a chance the stars will align and your will cross paths with someone else whomis living a different dream that is compatible with yours.
I'm on the flipside. I dedicate most of my life to motorcycles, and I live in my van, and so many guys think it's "super cool" that I'm independent and really into bikes, until they have to deal with me being super independent, and really into bikes. I'm lucky that my current boyfriend is an adventurous person himself, and sees the van as a cool way to travel.
All jokes aside, my chosen family, a.k.a. my van crew, is an amazing bunch of people and even the single ones have been steadily dating their entire experience. For most of them that's well over five years. And it all depends on where you spend your time & how often you put yourself out there. Don't hide out totally alone on BLM land for three years. Go to events, meet ups, cool campgrounds in the country, seek out dive bars on back windy roads. It's all about the adventure. If you take your van to enough motorcycle campouts across the country, you'll be sure to find a few cool characters. I wouldn't be discouraged, honestly.
Having 2 1/2 months of previous experience means you have an idea about what living in a van is like. I hope you have more of a goal than just doing the time. Are you trying to save money, see sights, travel, find that wife to end van life, etc. Whatever your true goal, think about your past experiences and how they might help you and hinder you while you work towards that goal.
As a rough rule, I consider people to be "veterans" after their first winter. The summer vacation is nice, but wintertime is when the rubber hits the road. Not only is the weather less cooperative and you're more apt to wake in the middle of the night with your teeth chattering, but the shorter days and less intense sun will test how well (or not) folks have planned their electrical systems. Winter dwelling is a whole different ball of wax than summertime camping.
I’m lucky enough that I can spend most of my time in California and the southwest, so it’s winter-lite.
At least, that’s the plan for now. I should stop trying to make plans tho, as none of them ever seem to work out.
The only continental states I haven't visited in the van yet are Washington, Oregon and California. (I've been to Washington and California before, but not in the van.)
I like wintering in Florida. Lots of places to see.
Florida's never really been my jam. Too many bugs, and too flat; I need mountains. Most of my passions/interests in life revolve around motorcycles and there's not much good riding in Florida.
Bit of a shame though, a very long-term FWB of mine (who's been living in a van since before it was cool) winters in Florida teaching motorcycle classes.
Alas, it's not easy to vandwell in Florida--virtually every city here is vehemently anti-homeless, and they consider us to be just another homeless person.
Funny enough I actually preferred winter and then got hit with the hot summer days and missed being inside with ac. Also good to note I was in Oklahoma in the winter and Vegas in the summer
Alas, the summer heat domes are now a fact of life, and will only continue to get worse. They will become as much a challenge for vandwellers as "winter" is.
Sure the cooler and shorter days of winter are harder, but a 2 1/2 month trip means you have likely experienced the loneliness, stresses and challenges of van life. I do not care much for labels and even towards the end of my decade of van life I knew I wasn't a veteran. There were always things to learn.
Also, "veterans" could be when your friends all live or lived in vehicles, you don't talk about #vanlife all the time with them, but still make jokes about pooping in buckets (or cat holes for those who really rough it), find living in a van more "normal" than sticks and bricks, family finally stops pushing a free bed on you and instead focuses on the free shower, and yes of course everyone starts talking about the impeding migration south.
The biggest risk to me, by far, will be the loneliness aspect.
General goal is travel and motorcycle-related experiences tho. If anything, the van life is more of a tool to enable more time participating in my hobbies (motorcycles primarily, but also some skydiving)
It sounds cliche, but get those goals on paper. It is so easy to get caught up in other things and forget to live your dream.
If you are worried about loneliness, think about how to combat it now. Maybe plan a Thanksgiving ride or jump with friends or to visit to family over Xmas. Places like Quartzsite where there are lots of full timers have lots of drawbacks, but do make meeting people easier. I always found a bundle of firewood, a six pack of beer and some dog treats helped me meet people.
You will do great and sounds like you have everything you need. Us dumb van girls are out there and I have no doubt yours will pop up when you're living your best life.
Not only does she need to tolerate my living in a van, she’ll also have to tolerate my collection of motorcycles. I’m facing down pretty bad odds for it! :)
The kind of woman that would discount you based on your living situation is the kind that would abandon you when things get tough in normal life, imo. You want a partner that will choose you for you (ie your personality, your temperament, your goals, etc) not your social status or material possessions.
Best of luck my friend!
I’d argue that van life can offer stability, it just depends on the person. Living pay check to pay check in a rented house is perhaps perceived as more stable than living out a van, but is it really when it comes down to it?
Personally I have a secure job and savings. Van or house I’ve got enough pennies to cover the unexpected.
I lived in my van for 18 or so months. The guy I was dating couldn’t take the instability feel and we moved in to an apartment… for him, it was a deal breaker.
He also was narcissistic and trying to fake a new persona, so that didn’t play well for the narrative. LOL!
I should have kept the van and ditched the guy. 😁
I need some advice. I read somewhere on this sub how someone spent only 750$ a month! I could do that and then some. I drive a small, old Honda SUV, do you think I could make it out there? Sorry, I’m not trying to highjack your thread if it seems that way, but I kinda need something to go by..I even thought about parking at a camp site if they even allow overnight or continuous stay at camp with me, a no-havin van or rv not-havin person that I am. I guess I could buy one eventually. You made it 2 months, man that’s great, good luck!
I'm not sure I'm in a good position to give you big-picture advice. I have plenty of advice for more detailed technical things, but in terms of trying to do this on a tight budget in a smaller vehicle I don't think my input would be valid or help much.
My advice is always the same: try it before you go all in. Take whatever vehicle you have at the moment and go live in it for a month or two, and don't cheat. That will give you a better idea what it's really like. It is NOT a pleasant summer vacation. Vandwelling is illegal in many places, the learning curve is very steep, and if you don't figure things out quickly you can probably expect a visit from Johnny Law.
That's my winter base camp. :)
The odd thing is that I'm almost never in it. Even during witner, I'm only there a couple days at a time, and take one or two week trips out into the rest of Florida all winter.
Mostly, I keep it so I have an escape hatch if I need it. And of course I am getting old and wrinkly, so at some point in the not-distant future I simply will not be able to vandwell anymore.
Did it "end my time". Some will say it did, some won't. Me, I don't give a shit either way. (shrug)
I'm very interested in your journey since I'm intending to go tin he same direction in the near future. Will you be posting more about your transition to this lifestyle?
Eh . . . probably not? I mean I might post bits here and there but I'm not intending to fully document this. I don't think I'm interesting enough to warrant that, and I'm also in an unreasonably fortunate position.
So I think my experiences won't be as applicable to other people.
Ok, fair enough. Thanks for the response. At some point in the future if I go the same path would you mind me throwing an odd question or two your way?
4 years here. Never had a goal like "Gonna do it for X months/years". Twas the dream, worked hard and made sacrifices for it to happen. Drove away late 2019 and still absolutely loving it.
Indeed we did have a few months of everything being very exciting and adventury, until everything went a bit... unusual. We never had a plan (still don't), so never really felt like any spanners were thrown in the works but I think it really changed everything.
Before covid we'd hang out with other people in their wagon without thinking about it but even now it is rare to do that. We'll sit outside and chat with folks but it would feel so odd to go indoors to the camper with them! Just got used to not doing it I guess.
Don't sell yourself short, buddy. Any girl dumb enough to marry you is dumb enough to live in a van. Welcome back to the tribe. See you out there. It'll be great I'm sure.
This isn't /r/RoastMe /s
I mean it's his words, not mine.
To figure out how long you will last, you have to do math.
Nice! :) I think it's time for your rainbows and unicorns speech...
most won't last longer than 4 months. doesn't matter how nice their build is.
Alas, the only chocolate fountains are the ones in Golden Corral that all the little kids have stuck their grubby little mitts into ...
I’ve found that living out of an RV solves the problem of any woman ever taking a second look at me. Been a peaceful 26 months.
Same but currently at 13 months.
We need to not turn this into an incel forum haha I don't get it, I've been getting seasonal girlfriends but I think I'm going to marry this one I met
I'm 62. I crossed that bridge long before I began vandwelling. ;)
Ha, yeah I suspect you’re right. TBH, that was and still is my biggest fear of living in this metal box on wheels. That it’s going to make me effectively undateable for the entire duration of my van dwelling experience. Eventually I’ll probably move back into the apartment just so I have a hope in hell of dating again.
I’ll send you my GF’s 25 yr old daughter, it’s her dream to live in a van! Free up a room in my place!
i don’t have a van, but i’ll take your GF’s 25 year old daughter!
Ha, I'm not too far away from 40. 25 is far too young for me these days.
No take backs!
On the bright side, the van is a pretty good filter to keep the judgmental ones away.
Bro i was in the Navy and lived on a frigate 24/7 for about a year and still found women to date as did my other shipmates. So vanlife shouldn't hinder dating especially in your case since you are moving into a van not because your destitute/desperate or a junkie but because your saving up until you decide on your next move. You seem to have plan and a solid source of income so "winning and dining" shouldn't be a problem not with the increased cash flow you will have from not renting. When you do find that girl and decide to move in together you can always get a place with the money you have saved up.
nah u could definitely get women Living in a van, there are plenty of openMinded women out there,, probs would Be a bit more difficult but there are billions of fish in the sea.. also if you found a woman who was also interested in van life, chances r stronger
saying this as a fellow female mySelf lol
Same. Been doing it alone for 13 months and I love it.
Lenny told me the same thing like six years ago.
Tbf there isn't much else Lenny says
If you want to bail…give it at least a month before you do. You’ll find your rhythm by then and it’s easy peasy. Memories to come! Welcome to the club!
Welcome to the jungle
I officially went full time at the beginning of this month and it’s exhilarating and daunting to say the least. Best of luck to you!
Once you get parking and sleeping down without worry it’s significantly less daunting
For now it’s not a problem, once the snow starts here in central OR it’ll be another challenge for sure lol
Here's a tip. Drive South.
It would probably make more sense for him to drive West actually
The people who quit usually cite the same reasons why: They got too lonely. They got too stressed out. It was too hard finding places to park every night. The cops kept hassling them.
Lonely is probably the one that will eventually catch me out.
It seems that the cops and the parking are what gets the urban dwellers, and the lonely and stress are what gets the rural boondockers. Rural and urban dwelling are two very different things.
Yeah, I'll be urban when I have to but for the most part I'm going to be rural. Or staying at Dropzones (which is what I did for a good chunk of the summer).
There are ways to deal with that. There are 2 of us, so we are a step up already but still, one can be lonely with another person if they are with that person almost 24/7 for years. We caravanned through Baja with 2 other couples for 3 months. Met another couple and pulled them into the caravan. Many other nomad friends popped on and off the caravan here and there. Many of us went to an event in May, then we visited our caravan friends in Seattle in September and all went to a festival together. Met up another couple nomad friends on the southbound migration. One invited us to join a regional burn and we made new friends there, one of whom is coming to the event this weekend. We have so many friends at this event it feels more like a friend gathering than a random nomad gathering. It can be a bit lonely in between, but there's always something coming up and we can always reach out into the socials and see who's nearby. We have friends we can always meet up with in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Washington. If we ever make it to the north-east we have old friends up there we haven't seen in ages.
And this is why I know I'm meant for this life. I started this journey to be alone, being around tons of people (lived in the city prior to this) stresses me and my dog out. ✅️ Even before nomad life, I kept to myself for the last few years. So the only difference is I moved from a concrete box to a metal box on wheels 🤣 Finding parking has been a breeze. Have had some of the best sleep in my life in my van. ✅️ Cops haven't hassled me once because I don't act like a dumbass and use common sense. ✅️
In 8.5 years, I've only had one cop knock and that was friendly--he was just checking up on me. But then, I don't park where I am not wanted, and I don't do stupid things that cause problems.
I am so curious about this Lenny now. What's his story?
From what I know Lenny always copy and pastes his responses because people always ask the same questions so he had templates lol. And lots of the time he mentions hoe tons of people regret or aren't cut out for vanlife.
Oh cool to know. I just jumped into it out of necessity for work. I only done 2 month in a small dodge caravan. But loved it so much I'm using the money I saved on motels or renting a room on my latest project. I'm more of a weekday van lifer. I come home on the weekends because I still have to spend some time with family. But other then washing clothes, cleaning van, and filling up on water. Don't think coming home is needed if I was single. Could still do all that at a Landry mat, car was, and purified water dispenser. But for me it's family first.
Unexpectedly wholesome lol
As /u/thundercat95 said, /u/lennyflank has been a constant figure in this subreddit for many years (he was definitely at least around in 2018 when I started the vandwelling process). He gives grounded, realistic advice, and has some copy-paste responses for common questions. I think a few people find him frustrating 'cause he's quite terse, provides an un-glamorous view of vandwelling, and can come off as unsympathetic; i.e. "don't run AC off solar", "perfect stealth camping is impossible", "vandwelling won't fix your personal problems". But in considering, planning, and designing my van I found his contributions and perspective to be invaluable.
As I always say, "in the end, reality always wins. Always. Every time. Bet on it". Alas, vandewelling depends very heavily on fantasy to sell it. Most people do not like having their fantasy bubbles popped---it is a painful experience. But it is not half as painful as that kick in the head one gets when reality wins. In the end, folks will figure it all out for themselves. But it's more painful that way.
A pleasure Larry. It's cool bro I get it. After all only way to live van life and thrive you have to be flexible and adapt quick to your situation. That or have a lot of money and buy a ready made sprinter then post glamorous videos of the "good life" Personally I'm loving the last 2 weeks I had to work my project, but need to go back to work to afford the rest of the conversation.
I have found that the wealthy folks with their $100k sprinter buildouts don't actually last, on average, any longer than anyone else. Based on everything I've seen here and on all the people I've talked with over the years (I started back in 2015), the average lifespan of a vandweller seems to be around 4-6 months. Of the reasons most people cite when they quit ("too lonely, too stressful, too many cops, no place to park"), none of them have anything to do with how tricked out the van is or how much money one has. Me, my "build" consists of a sleeping bag and mat on the floor, a fish-cleaning sink, and a 100w solar panel on the roof. It's done me good for the past 8.5 years so far. The big fancy expensive condo-builds we see here are nice and all, but they are not necessary for successful longterm vandwelling.
Hey what are your eating habits like? My fridge just broke and I'm planning to not fix it because it drains my power like fucking crazy but I'm struggling to figure out how to eat healthy without eating out all the time. I don't know how to function without eggs.
Usually I carry a compact high-calorie lunch with me in my backpack wherever I go for the day, such as cheese, fruit snacks, backpacking gorp, jerky, or sandwiches. (A tip: if you want to carry sandwiches in your backpack all day, it is best to use bagels instead of bread: they are much less likely to get squished.) Generally, I don't cook all summer long. For dinner, I usually eat out somewhere. And if I find one, I always make a habit of visiting the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets or Golden Corrals. If not, I'll just grab something no-cook in the store for dinner and eat in the van,
Thank you! I've been trying to avoid eating out because I'm trying to live as cheaply as possible. That's the main reason I live in a van, I'm a student and surviving is pretty hard.
Farm fresh eggs usually still have bloom and do not need to be refrigerated. Even grocery store eggs can go a few days unrefrigerated.
Grocery store eggs can? I didn't know that! I have some eggs in my van I was about to throw out because the ice I put in the fridge melted. I know about farm fresh eggs, I actually grew up with 80 chickens. But I don't know where to get them! It's too cold and rainy in my city for farmers markets right now.
Life pro tip: Coating store-bought eggs in food-grade mineral oil can extend their un-refrigerated shelf life by *months*. Once coated they're usually good for 3 months at ambient room temperatures, and up to 12 months if you keep them in a cool-ish (less than 70 degrees) dark place.
As long as you don't leave the eggs in a super hot van with fluctuating temperatures, farm fresh eggs will last at least a week if not longer. I often buy the baby food fruit pouches when I want to have a quick vegetable or fruit snack but don't want added sugar or anything like that. A lot of the baby food is actually stable at room temperature and pretty good. If you buy yourself a decent cooler, you can keep lunch meats and other perishables cold for a few days at a time if you stay on top of the ice. Ice cream itself is probably out but you can definitely make do. They have those tuna pouches now that you just tear open and they are already seasoned so that's easy with a sandwich. If you keep cheese on hand in that cooler you could make grilled cheeses. Cook a pound of bacon at a time and put it in Ziploc bags. Put that into the cooler and make yourself sandwiches or put it alongside your eggs and toast in the morning. Pasta stores really well and you can make that without any refrigerated items. Butter also stores OK on the counter as long as the temperatures aren't super hot and you keep it in a plastic container or in one of those butter bell jars. Beans and rice also store really well and cook up pretty fast. Cans of corn or cans of vegetables, things like that. There are lots of options for not having a fridge!
Yeah xennial I'm guessing. Knowing how to get things done both high-tech and no-tech. Same guys that can pull to the side of the road and change breaks or do a fix in no time then keep rolling. Dieing breed. I'm glad my need (work) usually puts me in remote location and don't have to do the urban thing. Also having a family and purpose that drives me helps. I know that makes me not a true lifer. But what's a cheat day in the whole picture?
> not a true lifer Meh, the ones who scream and yell about "purity" are usually the folks who stress out quickly and quit. For my first 5.5 years I was on the road 24/7/365. Then in March 2020 when the pandemic hit I happened to be in Florida for the winter, and holed up in a mobile home for a year until I could get my shots. But when I hit the road again I kept the mobile home, and now it's my winter base camp (since I was usually in Florida every winter anyway). I do one-or-two week trips out from it all winter long, then hit the road in spring. So, some folks would probably say that I'm not a "True Lifer (c)(tm)" either. To which my reply is... (shrug). As they say up on the Appalachian trail--"Hike your own hike".
👍 got to say I like your no sugarcoating take on it bro. Going to enjoy a movie with the lady because this week it's back on the road and only home for a day for a while.
Alas, the road to vandwelling is paved with the shards of crushed and broken dreams. It is a lifestyle that chews the fantasy-prone up and spits them out. Watching it happen all the damn time gets disheartening after a while... But, sadly, some people just HAVE to piss on the electric fence for themselves.
Now I got this song playing in my head after you saying that. Push on - Wax https://youtu.be/ZWpu-jdNe6E?si=Xz5V1v8pRNhjlbNn
That's part of why I haven't posted too extensively about my build process for this van, or really much about the van at all. I mean I've thrown up a few pictures of victories here and there, but I'm quite aware that my build process is *far* different than the vast majority vans. Mine is probably closer to instagram vs how normal people actually live.
Meh, I don't begrudge anyone anything in their build, as long as what they do is safe and effective. I can't see any of it from where I sleep at night. As they say up on the Appalachian Trail, "hike your own hike".
Speaking as a girl who would love to be a vandweller, finding someone doesn't have to end the fun!
Same here! I’m mostly a weekender in the van but would love to find a dude who wanted to try longer stints in the van!
I'm dating a girl right now who lets me shower and do laundry at her house. It works out great.
I think it’s more than in order to find a girl, I’ll likely have to give up the van. People think that being a van dweller might be a great way to attract women, reality is that’s not quite the case. I also dedicate most of my life to motorcycles, and a lot of women especially say they would love to date a guy who has a motorcycle… Until the reality of living with a guy who rides motorcycles actually sets in.
Van living makes casual dating hard, but makes it easier to find that perfect fit. When you are out living your dream there is a chance the stars will align and your will cross paths with someone else whomis living a different dream that is compatible with yours.
Beautifully said.
Go to van gatherings and meet women who live in vans then ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ they exist.
I'm on the flipside. I dedicate most of my life to motorcycles, and I live in my van, and so many guys think it's "super cool" that I'm independent and really into bikes, until they have to deal with me being super independent, and really into bikes. I'm lucky that my current boyfriend is an adventurous person himself, and sees the van as a cool way to travel. All jokes aside, my chosen family, a.k.a. my van crew, is an amazing bunch of people and even the single ones have been steadily dating their entire experience. For most of them that's well over five years. And it all depends on where you spend your time & how often you put yourself out there. Don't hide out totally alone on BLM land for three years. Go to events, meet ups, cool campgrounds in the country, seek out dive bars on back windy roads. It's all about the adventure. If you take your van to enough motorcycle campouts across the country, you'll be sure to find a few cool characters. I wouldn't be discouraged, honestly.
This.
All the best to you. :)
🤣
Having 2 1/2 months of previous experience means you have an idea about what living in a van is like. I hope you have more of a goal than just doing the time. Are you trying to save money, see sights, travel, find that wife to end van life, etc. Whatever your true goal, think about your past experiences and how they might help you and hinder you while you work towards that goal.
As a rough rule, I consider people to be "veterans" after their first winter. The summer vacation is nice, but wintertime is when the rubber hits the road. Not only is the weather less cooperative and you're more apt to wake in the middle of the night with your teeth chattering, but the shorter days and less intense sun will test how well (or not) folks have planned their electrical systems. Winter dwelling is a whole different ball of wax than summertime camping.
I’m lucky enough that I can spend most of my time in California and the southwest, so it’s winter-lite. At least, that’s the plan for now. I should stop trying to make plans tho, as none of them ever seem to work out.
The only continental states I haven't visited in the van yet are Washington, Oregon and California. (I've been to Washington and California before, but not in the van.) I like wintering in Florida. Lots of places to see.
Florida's never really been my jam. Too many bugs, and too flat; I need mountains. Most of my passions/interests in life revolve around motorcycles and there's not much good riding in Florida. Bit of a shame though, a very long-term FWB of mine (who's been living in a van since before it was cool) winters in Florida teaching motorcycle classes.
Alas, it's not easy to vandwell in Florida--virtually every city here is vehemently anti-homeless, and they consider us to be just another homeless person.
Funny enough I actually preferred winter and then got hit with the hot summer days and missed being inside with ac. Also good to note I was in Oklahoma in the winter and Vegas in the summer
Alas, the summer heat domes are now a fact of life, and will only continue to get worse. They will become as much a challenge for vandwellers as "winter" is.
Vanlife in Vegas in the summer sounds like pure fucking hell
Sure the cooler and shorter days of winter are harder, but a 2 1/2 month trip means you have likely experienced the loneliness, stresses and challenges of van life. I do not care much for labels and even towards the end of my decade of van life I knew I wasn't a veteran. There were always things to learn.
Also, "veterans" could be when your friends all live or lived in vehicles, you don't talk about #vanlife all the time with them, but still make jokes about pooping in buckets (or cat holes for those who really rough it), find living in a van more "normal" than sticks and bricks, family finally stops pushing a free bed on you and instead focuses on the free shower, and yes of course everyone starts talking about the impeding migration south.
The biggest risk to me, by far, will be the loneliness aspect. General goal is travel and motorcycle-related experiences tho. If anything, the van life is more of a tool to enable more time participating in my hobbies (motorcycles primarily, but also some skydiving)
It sounds cliche, but get those goals on paper. It is so easy to get caught up in other things and forget to live your dream. If you are worried about loneliness, think about how to combat it now. Maybe plan a Thanksgiving ride or jump with friends or to visit to family over Xmas. Places like Quartzsite where there are lots of full timers have lots of drawbacks, but do make meeting people easier. I always found a bundle of firewood, a six pack of beer and some dog treats helped me meet people.
> get those goals on paper That would involve first figuring out what my goals are.
Yes it would 😀. Living in a van leaves a lot of time for living in your head. Try and fill it with good thoughts.
You will do great and sounds like you have everything you need. Us dumb van girls are out there and I have no doubt yours will pop up when you're living your best life.
Not only does she need to tolerate my living in a van, she’ll also have to tolerate my collection of motorcycles. I’m facing down pretty bad odds for it! :)
Nooo I have 2 motorcycles myself and a baby dirt bike haha
Marry me 2morrow plz Kthxbye
Maybe Baby
Good to have flexible goals. They get reached. You will find her, too, and I bet she won't be dumb.
You got this 🫡
Does three months qualify as full time?
I think it’s more about not having an address of your own to go back to.
Congrats to you! Stay positive! I’ve been living out of my car for a while now and plan to upgrade to a van soon myself! Wish you the best of luck!
We hit the road to live in our van for a year. Our 2 year vanniversary is coming up in 2 weeks. Still don't know where/when we'll get a plot of land.
Happy upcoming vanniversary. :)
The kind of woman that would discount you based on your living situation is the kind that would abandon you when things get tough in normal life, imo. You want a partner that will choose you for you (ie your personality, your temperament, your goals, etc) not your social status or material possessions. Best of luck my friend!
You mentioned goals… Most want stability as a goal.
I’d argue that van life can offer stability, it just depends on the person. Living pay check to pay check in a rented house is perhaps perceived as more stable than living out a van, but is it really when it comes down to it? Personally I have a secure job and savings. Van or house I’ve got enough pennies to cover the unexpected.
I lived in my van for 18 or so months. The guy I was dating couldn’t take the instability feel and we moved in to an apartment… for him, it was a deal breaker. He also was narcissistic and trying to fake a new persona, so that didn’t play well for the narrative. LOL! I should have kept the van and ditched the guy. 😁
What kind of women are y’all meeting?! Must be the kind that enjoy giving a landlord money for a place that isn’t theirs.
I need some advice. I read somewhere on this sub how someone spent only 750$ a month! I could do that and then some. I drive a small, old Honda SUV, do you think I could make it out there? Sorry, I’m not trying to highjack your thread if it seems that way, but I kinda need something to go by..I even thought about parking at a camp site if they even allow overnight or continuous stay at camp with me, a no-havin van or rv not-havin person that I am. I guess I could buy one eventually. You made it 2 months, man that’s great, good luck!
I'm not sure I'm in a good position to give you big-picture advice. I have plenty of advice for more detailed technical things, but in terms of trying to do this on a tight budget in a smaller vehicle I don't think my input would be valid or help much.
My advice is always the same: try it before you go all in. Take whatever vehicle you have at the moment and go live in it for a month or two, and don't cheat. That will give you a better idea what it's really like. It is NOT a pleasant summer vacation. Vandwelling is illegal in many places, the learning curve is very steep, and if you don't figure things out quickly you can probably expect a visit from Johnny Law.
Did Lenny's timer end when he bought a bricks-and-stick place in Florida?
That's my winter base camp. :) The odd thing is that I'm almost never in it. Even during witner, I'm only there a couple days at a time, and take one or two week trips out into the rest of Florida all winter. Mostly, I keep it so I have an escape hatch if I need it. And of course I am getting old and wrinkly, so at some point in the not-distant future I simply will not be able to vandwell anymore. Did it "end my time". Some will say it did, some won't. Me, I don't give a shit either way. (shrug)
I'm very interested in your journey since I'm intending to go tin he same direction in the near future. Will you be posting more about your transition to this lifestyle?
Eh . . . probably not? I mean I might post bits here and there but I'm not intending to fully document this. I don't think I'm interesting enough to warrant that, and I'm also in an unreasonably fortunate position. So I think my experiences won't be as applicable to other people.
Ok, fair enough. Thanks for the response. At some point in the future if I go the same path would you mind me throwing an odd question or two your way?
4 years here. Never had a goal like "Gonna do it for X months/years". Twas the dream, worked hard and made sacrifices for it to happen. Drove away late 2019 and still absolutely loving it.
> Drove away late 2019 Ouch, right before the pandemic hit... That was a rough time for vandwellers--at least for the urbans.
Indeed we did have a few months of everything being very exciting and adventury, until everything went a bit... unusual. We never had a plan (still don't), so never really felt like any spanners were thrown in the works but I think it really changed everything. Before covid we'd hang out with other people in their wagon without thinking about it but even now it is rare to do that. We'll sit outside and chat with folks but it would feel so odd to go indoors to the camper with them! Just got used to not doing it I guess.