The Good and Not So Good of Van Life

Van life is not the perfect answer for happiness. But it's worth exploring anyway.

woman lounging inside a camper van reading a book

Here it is almost mid-year 2024. The summer is upon us soon and we often think about traveling to national parks, visiting friends and relatives. Using our vacation time.

And there are others like me, who travel in a Camper Van to get away and enjoy the sights and live the simple life. I love camping and getting back to nature and live the quiet life, so I can write and relax.

What is Happiness to Me?

Now that I’m well into my 70’s, I love taking time out to reflect on my past and look toward my future. I love meeting new people and socializing and I love talking with people I’ve known for a long time.

But I also like my alone time. Since I’m a writer, solitude and quietness are very much appreciated. I don’t like any distractions once I get in my flow. I like to drift away to another world, where my fictious characters become real to me.

Outside of writing, I like the outdoors to explore nature, walk and enjoy the rain and sunshine. And of course, my favorite classic country music.

I enjoy outdoor cooking, reading novels and listening to audible books.

I like arts and crafts, doing things that require using my hands often. There are a lot of choices we have to choose from in this modern day. We are blessed.

But living in the fast lane takes away a lot of our pleasure. I have vowed to slow down and let the world sail on by, while I create my own world of contentment and peace.

My family bring me happiness and joy, but being alone is pleasurable for me. There aer so many things I want to do before I die. Now is the time. I’m going for it!

Photo by Ivana Cajina on Unsplash

The Good Part of Van Life

I have a Dodge Promaster 2500 that I purchased back in February 2020. I’ve traveled over 40,000 miles since I decked it out with a comfortable sleeping area, refrigerator, solar, water etc.

The van is easy to drive, gets good gas mileage, and it has a lot of pluses for me. I travel and stay for days at a time, then get tired of the road and go back home and live my other life.

Then I get tired of living in a house repeating the same thing over and over, so I pack up and go camping. I like to alternate both lifestyles. This strategy works for me.

I usually drive solo. I’m not afraid of anything and feel very comfortable. However, I’m aware of unsafe people, but I don’t let that stop me. Accidents can happen anywhere or any place.

Now I’m so used to traveling in a van, I prefer it. I have the convivence of a toilet, refrigerator and a place to rest when I need it.

But if you decide to travel by a van, you need to do a little planning in advance. I would stock my food and decide what it is that you would like to do. Is there a specific place you would like to visit? Do you want to fish and hunt? Swim? Or just relax and enjoy the scenery.

Photo by Ashley Owen on Unsplash

Not So Good of A Van Life

I see a lot of women talking about their glamours van life on You-tube. Some like dry-camping and some like staying on BLM (Bureau of Land Mangement) lands and move around a lot.

I would soon get tired of that lifestyle, moving from town to town. But if you don’t have a homebase to check in once and awhile, I would definitely choose the van life over living in an apartment complex.

It gets hard traveling around after a while, it can get old. You need to go to the laundry mat to wash your clothes, take care of your personal business, see a doctor once in a while. It can get complicated sometimes.

Then you’ve got to think about shopping for food, taking care of your mail, and your banking business. It’s all simpler to take care of if you live in a stick-based home.

Gas prices are high now and so is vehicle maintenance. We need to think of all this beforehand. But I think the pleasure of van life out weights all the negatives. It’s still worth the chance to take.

I hope you consider traveling in a camper van and see if you enjoy it. There are a few things to consider before going out on the road. But at the end of the day, I think it’s very worth it.

Please comment and let me know what your experiences are regarding traveling and camping out.

Kindly,

Carol