Could vanlife be a lifestyle choice for you?

**Bababam** (0:04)
Could van life be a lifestyle choice for me?
Thanks for asking.
The last two and a half years have caused a lot of us to reassess our priorities in life. Are we really living our lives to the full? Are there new experiences that we should be trying out? Within that context, an alternative nomadic lifestyle called van life has seen a resurgence. It has its roots in the hippie movement of the 1960s, but social media has made it trendy again, and in particular Instagram, where the van life hashtag has over 13 million posts.
Essentially, van life is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, living in a van. It's a minimalist lifestyle, which also grants the freedom to travel and be adventurous.
What are some of the coolest things about van life? There are many different reasons for why people choose van life. For some, it's simply an adventurous phase, while for others, it becomes a longer term way of living. One of the biggest advantages of the van life lifestyle is the sense of freedom, fun and adventure that comes with it. You don't have to commit to a location, you can go wherever you like, and also move on whenever you like. The rise of work from anywhere policies in certain companies may mean you don't have to quit your job either. Van life can help people appreciate a minimalist life all the while reconnecting with themselves and nature. When you live in a van, you don't have space for many non-essential things. That can be challenging at first for those who don't come from a nomadic background, but it allows for self growth and development. Aside from the deeper, more philosophical benefits, there are practical advantages too. For example, it can be easier to save up money living in a van than living in a house, especially if you come from an area where housing costs are high. How do I know if the van lifestyle is for me? The only way to really be sure is to try it out. While van life seems exciting, it's not for everyone. So if you are interested, the best thing to do would be to rent out a van and get started. Who knows, you might just find it's a perfect lifestyle for you. But be warned, many observers have said that social media posts overly glorify van life, giving a impression of reality. That includes Canadian van dweller Matt Watson, who in 2021 posted a YouTube video entitled How Hashtag Van Life is Ruining Van Life.

**SPEAKER_2** (2:33)
As much as the hashtag would lead you to believe van life has nothing to do with the posed pictures being posted or the specs of the van itself.

**Bababam** (2:44)
There's also the matter of being able to afford the initial investment of getting a pre-fitted van, or fitting one out yourself. It's important to think about fuel costs too, and be prepared by having money set aside so that you can actually afford to go on spontaneous adventures as and when you feel like it. Don't forget the practical issues too, like night time parking, internet connection, hygiene, electricity, and being able to live in a small space for a long period of time. Think things through carefully before getting started.
There you have it.
Now you know what van life is. In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts, and acronyms that are making headlines. Tune in and you will really know for sure.