People often choose vanlife because it offers the freedom to travel whenever and wherever you want.
It's nice waking up somewhere different in the morning, from sea views and lush countryside to mountains and everything in between.
Campervans can offer cheaper and easier travel in some situations. Having your own bed and facilities with you makes it much easier and more convenient to take spontaneous trips, exploring places that can be harder to reach with a larger vehicle.
Some people choose full-time vanlife because it can be cheaper than trying to run a house or constantly paying for accommodation. Others simply want to spend some time travelling and exploring before they settle down.
There are some amazing places to visit in the UK, and even more if you want to expand your journey into Europe. There are some beautiful places to explore, such as the Dolomites in Italy, which would be an incredible place to take a campervan.
I've never been to the Dolomites, but it's definitely on my bucket list. Just the thought of waking up in the van surrounded by those mountains is enough to make me want to start planning the trip.
What types of vanlifers are there?
From what I've noticed, there are generally three types of vanlifers.
Weekend and holiday vanlifers
People who have a normal home but use their van for weekends and holidays.
Part-time vanlifers
People who spend extended periods travelling but still have a home elsewhere.
Full-time vanlifers
People who have chosen the van as their main home.
Of course, there are probably plenty of people who don't fit neatly into any of these categories, but they give you an idea of how different people enjoy vanlife.
How do people afford to travel for so long?
A lot of people ask how part-time vanlifers manage to travel for extended periods, sometimes all over the UK and Europe, while still having the funds to do it.
For some vanlifers, the answer is remote work. There are jobs that can potentially be done from almost anywhere as long as you have a laptop or computer, a phone and a reliable internet connection.
Some examples of jobs that can potentially be done remotely include:
- Content creation – creating videos for YouTube and social media platforms.
- Freelance writing and copywriting – creating blog posts, articles, newsletters and other written content.
- Software engineering and IT – full-time corporate or contract coding roles.
- Graphic design – project-based work creating logos, branding and other design work.
- Virtual assistance – managing email inboxes, calendars, data entry and other administrative tasks for businesses.
- Bookkeeping and accounting – managing financial records and other accounting work remotely.
- Customer service – handling customer enquiries and support through online systems.
- Blogging and affiliate marketing – creating travel stories, gear reviews, guides and other content that can generate income.
- Digital marketing – using websites, search engines, social media and other online channels to promote products, services and brands.
Of course, working remotely doesn't automatically mean you can travel indefinitely. You still need to earn enough to cover your living costs, fuel, insurance, maintenance, food, campsites and everything else that comes with travelling in a van.
VanLifeUK
Digital marketing is something I'm currently exploring myself, using VanLifeUK.com as a learning ground as well as building something around a personal interest of mine.
I've always liked the idea of travelling and exploring, and VanLifeUK.com is my way of combining that interest with learning more about websites, content and digital marketing.
The aim is to build VanLifeUK.com into a useful place for people who enjoy travelling by campervan and want to discover more of the UK and, eventually, further afield. Read more on our About page or say hello on the community forum.
Is vanlife right for everyone?
Well, admittedly, probably not.
Increasing fuel prices and sometimes cramped living areas with limited storage can all contribute to a more stressful environment, especially if there is more than just you in the van.
Then there are all the little things you don't necessarily think about before you start.
There's no washing machine, so you need to find a laundrette. No tumble dryer means hoping the weather is nice enough to hang your washing outside on a makeshift washing line. And trust me, wet clothes can take forever to dry inside a van.
Then there's waking up in the middle of the night feeling cold and needing to find the toilet, dealing with condensation, keeping the van tidy and finding somewhere to stay.
There are plenty of other little inconveniences as well.
Vanlife isn't always quite like the picture you see on YouTube. You see the beautiful beaches, mountain views and sunsets, but you don't always see the damp clothes, condensation, cramped storage and cold mornings.
But for every negative, there's usually a positive. That's probably one of the reasons why so many people continue to enjoy vanlife and why it has become such a big part of their lives.
For me, that's part of what makes vanlife interesting. It isn't perfect, but the freedom to travel, explore new places and wake up somewhere different can make the compromises worthwhile.
Outdoor Adventure