Is Everyone Quitting Van Life? (It’s harder than it looks)

Welcome! We are Nnyji and Santi. Just a bean and a bug looking for adventure! Join us as we travel the world; from small wonders to large journeys with our two incredible kitties 🌿

Creators mentioned 🌿

Winterisblu | Has since rejoined vanlife with a new vehicle
Alyssavanilla | Taking a long break due to being sick
Maddie Taylor | Quit and is moving abroad
Julia Brooke | Quit and is living in a cottage

Equipment 🌿
iPhone 13 Pro
Drone | DJI Mini 3

Social Media and Shop 🌿

#vanlife #vantour #vanbuild

[strawberryroad]

I think the 3 main reasons, are burnout, breakdown and breakins..

I had my first big journey out of country this winter.
At first, I was high strung, always on the alert, hardly sleeping.
Then I became more relaxed, and actually slept better than ever.
I remember the moment I suddenly realised that I could kinda slow down and stay for more days, even put out my chair and table.

Back home now, and I miss the freedom.

My tip is to watch all the "regret" videos that are out there, helped me get a realistic view of the whole thing.

[joanndavis]

Thank you for such a thoughtful and sensitive video. Back in the late sixties and the seventies, there were van lifers, too. They were called hippies. There was no working remotely, online businesses, or grubhubs to work for to make money. They still had breakdowns, but repairs were cheap. They did it as a form of rebellion from the status quo and for the freedom, too. Living in a van down by the river was possible back then. Unfortunately, not anymore. And now it took over 54 years to come around again. And that's wonderful! Even if it ends for a lot of van lifers tomorrow, you still have the memories of places you went and people you met. But the main thing is that you did it. You became part of a modern-day movement that continues to inspire others and makes us people of a certain age remember how it was/is to have the world at your beck and call. And the funny thing about all this is that now there are whole groups of senior women on the road again, or maybe for the first time. The sisterhood of caravans and meet-ups affects them like fountains of youth. Whatever you decide to do, just know that the road is always there. And it's always up to you when to take it again.

[kristic.whitfield]

Phew! So glad you're not leaving Van Life! I love living vicariously through your travels!!!

[deborah]

I really love how you did this video! Yay!

[simplelifestylewithavin-ehyl]

Your beautiful channel is artistic, specialized and relaxing, beautiful music and the choice of shots of the owner of style, your creativity has created a very beautiful and valuable collection, I congratulate you on your skill and ability. Dear friend.
I support your channel
May God bless you and your beautiful channel, my dear colleague

[elkhornstagbeetle]

Great video! I loved the footage. I gave up on my 1995 van for the same reasons you mentioned. The cost of repairs meant I was actually spending more money than in a house! I saved up for the last few years in order to afford a new-er van that I just got recently. Of course thats not an option for everyone and i couldve used all that money for travelling too. Its all about trade offs.

[DarlinAkaDarlene]

You seem to offer something new with each video. This particular one should be helpful to those who're thinking of getting into van life as you mention extremely valid points. I'm glad you're hanging in there for now though. Another great video as well as informative. And it was nice hearing more of Santi's voice - both of yours!

[hollyexley]

I feel very lucky that I haven't felt the burnout yet, although I can definitely understand the reasons why it happens. I think money is our biggest issue too - running out of savings for maintenance would mean we'd have to stop. Plus! Our dogs are soon to be elderly, and if they develop any health problems we would move back into a house to care for them. Great video!

[urbannomadslife]

This is a very helpful and useful video for new van/RV/car life people!

[jcardosa]

it’s nice to hear you guys voice i hope you feel comfortable to do this more often ❤

[heidiperry]

Glad you aren’t quitting. We are half timers, on the road six months a year. We are in a 16 foot travel trailer with our 73 pound dog. We are retired so it makes the finances easier with that said it’s still work it’s just a different kind of work. You really have to want to do it. Love your channel

[amstarkey]

❤Loved the way you presented this story, I so appreciate your creativity and narratives.😊

[Juju-lo]

I can only imagine the burn out, nomads only show the good in living out of the car but not the rough side of it, there are car lifer’s that actually show themselves eating out all the time and living the life when in reality that’s not the case.

[roseklinger]

Thanks for these sobering comments about realities that us armchair nomads may not consider. I loved the scene with Santi and your pretty black cat in the lightly falling snow.

[cadence]

“Everyone” isn’t doing anything! Some people are doing something. Those who settle deeply into a nomadic lifestyle often do it a long time. Choosing to be static is just as valid. I miss having a garden and one day I will again. But not yet. I’m reveling in my mobility and freedom of movement. 🎉

[smookins]

It’s probably cause they’re stuffing their children in the vans aswell.

Sometimes we should wait until waiting for the children to grow up before forcing your 2-4 0-11 year old children in a van with you.

[serenityjewel]

Just FYI, 3 of the 4 vanlifers shown in pictures at the beginning of this video haven't quit. Those titles were just click bait. They're still doing vanlife. That being said, vanlife is really challenging, especially in a car, minivan, or SUV, and that's not talked about enough. One lady commented that she had never heard anything bad about vanlife. People like that are selling their homes as a fast escape to utopia and they're shocked when they meet decision fatigue, social rejection, vanlife anxiety, overwhelm, heat, cold, claustrophobia, no electricity from days of rain or cloud cover, overwhelm, bad health, and everything else that goes into living publicly in a metal box on wheels. It's not an easy life.

[ladydebrablessedbe]

Theu are kids
]]
lol What you expect.. lol Baby brains, , lol Put older people up//

[DanielBoone-fr]

I think its funny as hell. A bunch of pansy ass youtubers finding out life is hard. Well for those of us who have no choice but to live their vehicles, im laughing my ass off.