Ditching 9-to-5 living in favor of a nomadic lifestyle on-the-road has never seemed more appealing for homeowners growing resentful of the white picket fences hampering travel plans and once-in-a-lifetime global adventures. As the prospect of owning property inches its way father out of reach for millennials in light of rising home costs, student loan debt, and tighter lending standards, many folks are considering other options in lieu of digging roots and diving headfirst into homeownership.
Besides skyrocketing housing prices, trends in the workplace suggest that a shift to a more outdoor-friendly lifestyle may be attainable for individuals who work in industries that permit their employees to work remotely. In the epicenter of the novel Coronavirus pandemic, offices around the country are emptying as folks continue to work from home. Studies suggest that this workplace trend is here for the long haul and bound to outlast the COVID-19 pandemic’s peak.
If you’re ready to squirm yourself free from the grip of archaic gold standards of success, aka property ownership, three kids, and a freshly-mowed lawn, consider van living. Dubbed the perfect solution for millennials who find themselves growing tired of forking over rent payments and spending endless hours cubicle-bound, van life might be your opportunity to break free and challenge the status quo.
Those individuals who’ve pursued this unconventional path have been able to save money, cut back on unnecessary possessions, experience personal growth, and of course, travel as far as their tires can take them. Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Declutter your life and start your van-life adventure.
Before you hit the road, here are a few essentials you will need to maintain your optimal comfort, hygiene, and safety while leading a nomadic lifestyle.
Fire-starting materials
Investing in a portable fire-pit is something you will thank yourself for as a van-lifer. A portable fire pit is handy for lighting and heat on the fly, should you find yourself with a dead car battery. More often than not, this portable fire-pit will present opportunities aplenty to spend much-needed quality time with friends and fellow van-lifers. Aside from the cost-savings and minimalist lifestyle, one of the biggest perks of van life is the social scene that exists out on the road. Unlike cubicles packed full of familiar faces, cruising from city and city will allow you to meet up with other travelers.
In addition to your portable fire pit, you will need a reliable fire-starter. One of the most sure-fire and eco-friendly options is a small flint and steel. Additionally, matches, liquid fire starter, lighters, fire sticks, and even fire starter cubes are critical ingredients for building a solid campfire after a long day on the road.
Camping cookware
It’s safe to assume that you will be doing a fair amount of cooking during your time in the van, especially if you plan to live roadside long-term. As such, camping-friendly cookware designed will be your new best friend. Camping cookware typically consists of durable and easy-to-clean materials like metal or plastic, making them perfect for life on the road where any bump in the road could send your dishes tumbling.
Bungee cords
On the topic of tumbling dishes, bungee cords can keep the possibility of that potential disaster occurring to a minimum. When you are buying your van or building it yourself, check if the interior is drive ready. Do all the drawers, doors and hatches have latches or some other locking mechanism that prevents them from opening while you are driving? If this is not the case then bungee cords can help secure your belongings during drive time. They also come handy for securing your luggage inside your main storage compartment, usually under your bed. If you can manage to find some shock cord in bulk, you can use rings and hooks to craft your own makeshift and permanent bungee cords, keeping your wallet in tip-top shape.
Water storage containers
To be really independent you will need water and electricity in your van. If you run out, you can produce electricity by driving but when it comes to water, you have what you have. This is why purchasing large water storage containers is a good idea. I would say the bigger the better, but there is also the space and weight issue, so go for something that fits your van. It also depends on how much water do you use daily, especially if you have a shower inside your van and how efficient are you when washing the dishes. These are two main water users. It also depends on where you are going. Occasionally you may run into difficulties accessing clean water if you’re off the grid.
Camp stove
Though most of the van-lifers out there have stoves built into their vans. Buy when you are just starting out with an ordinary van and some DIY furniture usually van building beginners find themselves intimidated by the stove-in-van installation process. For those folks (and those who may want a backup just in case, or people that use a van only for shorter trips, not for living) have found solace in the camp stove. For van-lifers in-training, purchasing a camp stove is no brainer. There are loads of makes and models of camp stoves on the market in varying sizes and weights. That way, you can be sure to find the one that meets your needs. I suggest you go for one that can be hooked up to a regular natural gas container and not to those special smaller gas cans that you can only buy in camping stores. This way buying gas on the road will be easier and also much cheaper.
Stackable storage bins
Anyone who has taken on the van life knows that you can never have enough storage space in your van. But even with lots of storage space, you will found out that a well organized storage is equally important to how much storage do you have. Good organization is key to a clean van and to finding what you need in a second vs. constantly searching for things. So invest in a few stackable storage bins to help you organize your storage space. Look for bins with grooved lids that interlock with other compartments. Containers that won’t slide around during travel are also a plus, and they’ll be able to keep the clutter in your van to a minimum.
Before you hit the road
This list only begins to scratch the surface of all the little things you might need to live the best van life possible. Lots of research can be done online so you get a good idea of all the things that you need. On the other hand, every person is different and has different needs so the last tip would be to wait with any major investments and spend some time on the road first. You will quickly realize what you need to make your van truly your home.