Living on the Road: Why Did We Choose This Life?

In recent years, more and more people have embraced an alternative lifestyle: living in a van.

This trend, known as "Van Life," offers unparalleled freedom and a deep connection with nature. That's exactly what Francesca wanted when she decided to buy a van in March 2021 and convert it into a cozy home on wheels.

Do you also love this lifestyle and dream of leaving your ordinary life behind to live on the road?

Then this article is perfect for you!

Top 5 Benefits of Living in a Van

1. Freedom to Roam: Many people are tired of the usual home/work routine and the ordinary life tied to a specific place. Ever heard of burnout? It’s chronic work stress that, if ignored, can lead to serious breakdowns. Many are experiencing this and are choosing to break free and live an authentic life. One of the biggest advantages of van life is the freedom to move. Want to wake up and work by the ocean or with a mountain view? With a van, you can, and trust us, it greatly reduces the chance of burnout!
   
   
2. Cost Savings: Whether it’s a pre-converted van or one you convert yourself, the purchase cost is far less than that of a house. And let’s not even mention rising rent prices. Living in a van can be much cheaper than maintaining a traditional home. You can save on rent or mortgage, utility bills, and even choose to live in places with a lower cost of living to minimize expenses even further.
   
   
3. Minimalist Lifestyle: Van life forces you to minimize your belongings and focus more on what’s truly important, leading to a simpler, less stressful life. Learning to live with less can bring greater personal satisfaction.
   
   
4. Meeting Fellow VanLifers: You’re not alone in wanting this amazing adventure. There are many vanlifers out there! On your journey, you'll meet lots of people who have adopted this lifestyle and probably share similar interests. Van life is even more enjoyable with fellow travelers!
   
   
5. Connection with Nature: You can stay close to nature, parking near mountains, parks, lakes, or beaches. Living in nature boosts your mood, reduces stress, decreases anxiety, and increases creativity!
   
   

Do these reasons resonate with you? We bet they did! So, let’s move forward and talk about how to make this lifestyle affordable.

The most common question we get is what kind of work we do and how we support ourselves while traveling.

It’s simple—today, there are countless opportunities to work remotely. For example, besides being content creators, we manage social media pages for others.

Do you also want to make money from your passions through Instagram and start a digital nomad life?

Check out our consulting service.

It’s clear that these can vary greatly depending on various factors, including lifestyle, vehicle maintenance, travel frequency, and personal expenses.

But let’s break them down!

Costs of Living in a Van

Fuel: Fuel is one of the main expenses for van lifers. We all know fuel prices are high (especially in Europe), but the amount you need depends on how far and how often you travel. Our average monthly spend is between €200 and €600.

Maintenance and Repairs: Regular maintenance is crucial for safe travels. This includes oil changes, brake checks, tire replacements, and minor repairs like a broken window, which happened to us in Sardinia.

Insurance: Another important expense is van insurance. Costs vary based on coverage, age, and van model. On average, expect to pay between €50 and €70 per month.

Parking and Campsites: This is almost a non-existent cost for us. We always aim to find the best free spots to sleep, respecting local regulations. Over the years, we’ve saved a lot by avoiding sometimes expensive campsites.

Food: If you’re like us and love to eat, you might end up spending a lot! Jokes aside, we love dining out to try local specialties during our travels. However, cooking in a van isn’t much different from a traditional home. If you have gas stoves, it costs around €25 a month, and nothing if you use an induction cooktop. Grocery costs vary by country and personal eating habits.

Services and Supplies: If you always stay “off-grid,” you’ll eventually need to refill and empty your van’s services. Many free service areas exist in Italy and Europe for waste disposal and water refills. When free options aren’t available, you might need to use paid facilities or campsites. These costs range from €5 to €15.

Internet: For remote work, a good and stable internet connection is essential. Many solutions are available today, from national SIM cards to E-SIMs and even Starlink. Our monthly internet costs usually don’t exceed €70.

Personal and Miscellaneous Expenses: These include healthcare, entertainment, clothing, laundry, and other occasional costs. These can vary greatly, but an average estimate is between €100 and €300 per month.

In short, your costs will depend on your lifestyle and choices. Whatever your expenses, we believe it's worth the adventure!

Let's now look at the main drawbacks.

The Cons of Living on The Road

We don’t want to give the impression that van life is all sunshine and rainbows. Like anything, there are downsides to consider. If you’ve always wanted to take this path but have been held back by all the things you hear or read, this section is for you.

Here are the main disadvantages of life on the road, so you can clear up your doubts once and for all!

Limited Space: Living in a van means adapting to small spaces, which can become uncomfortable over time. We’ve never felt this “discomfort.” In fact, we’ve become better at managing our space as time goes on.

Parking Stress: Finding safe and legal spots to park for the night can be stressful. Many areas have specific regulations against overnight parking or free camping, especially in cities.

Maintenance and Reliability: A van, especially an older one, can require costly and complex maintenance, particularly in remote areas. A mechanical breakdown could interrupt your journey and cause logistical problems.

Connectivity Issues: It would be fantastic to park the van on a mountaintop and enjoy the peace, right? Too often, we’ve found the perfect spot only to realize there’s no signal, forcing us to move. Finding a stable connection can be difficult, complicating remote work. Like in this spot.

Can you see us? Well, we had no signal at all there!

Final Thoughts

If you still have doubts and concerns, don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal.

Choosing this lifestyle isn’t easy and takes a lot of courage. Especially in the beginning, you’ll have to battle anxieties and fears and endure criticism. But life is short, and choosing to chase your dreams is the best decision you can make.

So, are you ready to start your adventure on the road?

We can’t wait to see your adventures and maybe even meet you on the road.

That's all for today—until the next adventure!