What You Need to Know Before Jumping into Van Life

Take a second to imagine what life would be like if every time you looked out your bedroom window, you were somewhere completely new. Sounds awesome, right? While many of us yearn to travel, it can be a hassle to take the time off work and find a house sitter. But when your house is on wheels, you don't have to worry about all that! If you're the type that doesn't like to be tied down, maybe it's time to consider the popular nomadic lifestyle popularly referred to as "van life."

What is Van Life? 

Essentially, "van life" is a phrase used to describe a movement of people living out of a van or other large vehicle. It’s a nomadic lifestyle that has taken social media by storm over the past few years.  

The popularity around van life boomed on visual platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. People were drawn to the pictures of breathtaking landscapes and tiny homes on wheels. And while the pictures on social media paint a glamorous image, it takes hard work and dedication to get started. 

Why Choose Van Life? 

This isn’t really the lifestyle for people who like routine, stability, and structure! Living on the open road means that you’ll be constantly presented with unexpected situations. But at the same time, you’ll also be able to experience true freedom, adventure, and flexibility.  

This is a lifestyle that’s more suited toward outdoorsy types who don’t mind letting go of many of the personal possessions we often take for granted. Here are some basic pros and cons to consider before jumping into it:

Pros of Van Life 

• Adventure 
• Flexibility to travel 
• Connection to outdoors 
• Potentially cost effective 

Cons of Van Life 

• Unpredictability 
• Need to find places to shower/do laundry/etc. 
• Exposure to weather 
• Large up-front investment

Consider Testing It Out First 

As you can already tell, transitioning to van life is a huge commitment. So, before whipping out your wallet and dropping a few thousand dollars on a vehicle, consider renting a van for a few weeks and sample life as a nomad first. If it’s not for you, that’s okay! At least you figured it out before making a huge financial commitment. 

What Does it Take to Get Started? 

Well, you can’t live on the road without something to live in! Before you start making any long-term plans, make sure you have a vehicle secured first. From there, you can make decisions on how you’ll make income, where you’ll travel, and how you’ll make van life work for you. 

Finding a Van 

Obviously when you’re living in a car, you don’t have a whole lot of space to work with. But some vans make better homes than others.

For example, if you’re a tall person, you’ll need a vehicle that you can stand in comfortably. For instances like this, you’ll probably want a camper van, RV, or maybe even an old school bus!  

Or, if you love to explore uneven terrain, you’ll need a van that has 4-wheel drive and plenty of space for equipment. In that case, you may be better suited for an SUV or pickup truck camper.

You can eventually find a good deal on vehicles on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, but it may take some time. Be patient while you search. You wouldn't settle when it comes to buying a house, so don't settle for a vehicle that you don't love, either!

Can I Live Out of a U-Haul Truck? 

If you’re looking for a roomy truck to call home, you can also buy used U-Haul vehicles. From pickups to box trucks, you’ll have your pick between well-maintained and affordable vehicles. U-Haul trucks provide more space to help your vision come to life!

Better yet, you’ll always be able to purchase parts for your used U-Haul trucks as well. That way, whenever you need to repair your vehicle, U-Haul can help you secure that part quickly and at an affordable price.

Converting Your Van 

If you have the DIY gene, you’ll probably be interested in renovating a van yourself. Beware, it can be a lot of work! Depending on what you want out of your van, you could be looking at a few months’ worth of projects.  

It also isn’t cheap! Most people DIYing their own vans can anticipate spending anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 on improvements. And that’s on top of how much it costs to buy the vehicle in the first place! 

Upkeep 

Living in a van will come with more bills than just occasionally filling the gas tank. You’ll have to consider the price of insurance, registration, maintenance, and other out-of-pocket costs. 

Where Do You Park at Night? 

This is the million-dollar question, it seems! When you’re living in a van, you’re going to want a safe and legal place to rest your head at night. Campsites are a great place to set up shop, and they usually come with some beautiful views!  

But sometimes you won’t be traveling through the woods, you’ll be in the middle of a town or city. In cases like this, opt for well-lit, public parking lots that allow overnight parking. Here are some popular businesses that’ll allow you to park overnight: 

• Walmart 
• Costco 
• Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s 
• Cracker Barrel
• 24 Hour Gyms

While these businesses traditionally have the reputation of allowing folks to park overnight, never assume you can just set up shop. Always call the business ahead of time and get a manager’s approval.

Common Camping Rules to Remember 

• Try to only stay for one night: While we listed some businesses that allow overnight parking, try not to camp out in one place too long. Don’t overstay your welcome! 
• Keep it clean: Pick up after yourself, always aim to leave the campsite better than you found it. 
• Don’t get rowdy: If you’re parking next to other campers, homes, or businesses, try to keep your volume to a respectful level. Don’t blast music, yell, or talk super loudly. Essentially, be respectful! 
• Support the Business: When camping out in a parking lot for the night, try to purchase food or supplies as a thank you.  
• Be Safe: Always keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it if necessary. If you don't feel safe, it's always better to drive away and find a different place to camp out.

How to Hold Down a Job on the Road 

You may be wondering how people manage to sustain their life on the road. And the answer is: it depends! Usually, nomads are freelancers that work remotely or pick up odd jobs on the road.  

When it comes to remote and freelance work, all you really need is an internet connection. But if you’re the type that likes to work with your hands, you can take short-term work assignments to help cover the costs of living. 

Do I Really Need to Give Up Everything? 

Living in a van will require you to declutter and give up a lot of your larger belongings. This means that large furniture will need to be sold or put in storage. You may also need to downsize your wardrobe and other personal belongings. 

But like we mentioned before, you don’t have to get rid of everything. You can store it at a U-Haul center! U-Haul offers multiple storage options, including U-Box containers. With a U-Box container, you can either hitch it along with you, or keep it safe and sound at a U-Haul center. 

Whether you’re looking to convert a U-Haul box truck into your new home, or protect the items you can’t take on the road, U-Haul is here to help. Whenever you're ready to hit the road, you'll know who to call!