5 LIES of Van Life Nobody Talks About 😒 | Solo Female Living in a Van

Vehicle-dwelling or vanlife is an alternative lifestyle for nomads who live in a vehicle full or part-time.

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[rayechennault]

My Uncle was a full time Road Warrior and he was quite wealthy. He did eventually get too old and moved his $200, 000 RV into an RV Park with a manager on site who checked on him everyday. The Manager checked on him one morning and he had passed away in his RV. He was 99.

[j.f.l.]

Just before the pandemic I was searching for a small school bus to convert and live full time in it. I bid on a few and lost the bids and I'm happy I didn't win. I got wrapped up the in the romantic thoughts of living in a converted bus and travel. What I ended up doing is become a professional home and pet sitter and travel the world full time. So it satisfies my travel bug and I meet wonderful people.

[candicemonique]

I love the van life.
I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager in 90’s. I went to college, I got a few degrees, traveled the world and zigzaged the country in my van, before social media and before it became trendy. My van is a 2000 Roadtrek 170. I worked the overnight shift at Walmart before it became a 24hr superstore (they used to lock us in at night) and long enough to retire a few years ago. Even with an inheritance, a few degrees, and renting my houses for income, I continued to work at Walmart. Why not? It was extra money. Plus that gave me more reason to park in Walmarts parking lot. I transferred to a different store every few years. I worked at 10 different locations over the years.

I have an America The Beautiful Park Pass. Sometimes I’ve stayed in hotels, motels, and cabins especially when the weather is bad. It’s not for everyone no matter how much money you have. You have to know how to be independent and have a job, change tires, fix a broken radiator hose or anything else that breaks, drain and refill oil. Be mindful of your money, food, supplies, power sources. Some Walmarts are like truck stops. Instead of nail and hair salons they have showers and laundromats. When boondocking find a fresh water source like a lake or river, lather up in eco friendly soap and go for a swim. You also have to know how to be safe and protect yourself. I do mma and I believe in open carry. In 2010 I met a trucker. We got married in 2015. My man travels with me now. He was a trucker that traveled and went camping and hiking when he wasn’t working. I still love the van life. I’m on a trip right now.
💜✌🏾😷👍🏾💗🚐

[rocket]

what really pissed me off was parking in the middle of no where and some idiots parks close to me...HELL NO!

[Marty]

Lived on the road for awhile as a semi truck driver; it’s a wild ride out there. You did a great job bringing up some of the unpopular little truths. I think the biggest problem out there now is the same as it was over 20 years ago when I was truck driving across Texas and the South in general — people. People who don’t work out well in our society tend to live on the fringes — hanging out at truckstops and out-of-the-way dives that most people never know exist. It can be very scary, and very sad. Be careful out there!

[EVERYBODYLOVESRUBIA]

You're not being negative, you're being realistic & it's greatly appreciated!! Hope you have a blessed night 🙏🏻♥️

[OldEarthWisdom]

I lasted 3.5 years. I am now living in a wonderful place in Southern Mexico. I think living the vanlife as a solo woman gave me the confidence to take on living in a new country even though I don't know the language and I didn't know anyone when I arrived here 2 years ago.

[gudgo]

Hey, I am an older retired veteran with health issues and I thought about this very same thing. I realize that I need a home base that I can always go back to. So, I decided that all I really want with SUV camping is to go some place inertesting for a short time and be self sufficient without having to mess around with all the camping gear involved with the process. Your video here has cemented this conceren for me now. Plus, I have my pets at home who could not possably come with me and need stability. Thank you for talking about these issues. Be safe!

[TheKlh]

I was widowed 7 years ago and right after i
moved and bought my small condo I thought maybe I’d do van life to live “cheaper” so I binge watched tons of van life/nomadic life videos.
But after countless videos and a full year (almost 2) of watching YT people talk about it, I decided:
1. It’s not necessarily cheaper and can even be more expensive
2. I grew up in a military family so I’ve done quite a bit of traveling (not my van life goal)
3. The constant moving around to find a place to park and sleep… remote boon docking is not my thing.
So I thought I’d closed that door pretty tightly…then plandemic hit and I was back on the van life train. But as time has passed on I went back to “Nope not for me”
Your video should be a must watch for everyone wanting/planning this lifestyle!
Super great points you made!

[lizlewis]

“Van life” taught me gratitude! All the many simple things you take for granted on the daily! Toilet, shower, laundry. Much more of a hassle in a vehicle.
Yes, yes, YES! Agreed! Moving around every night is exhausting! Worrying about getting kicked out or the police called on you, because you are illegally parked or “scaring” the neighbors in that cul-du-sac.
I DO appreciate all that I learned from this lifestyle! It showed me all the things in my life I never use, that take up space or money. I was able to get rid of A-LOT when I returned home from my experience. I live much lighter now. 👌😌👌

[Angela-untx]

Lived in a bus for 3 years. It was magical and I learned so much about myself. But I freaking LOVE being settled now🥰

[vickiclark]

It's good to hear the "unromantic" side of van life. The reality of van life. I don't want to be a part of any community. I am a person who legitimately likes being alone. I work in an emergency room, so I get human interaction. So much so, I need and want absolute silence on my days off. I go days without speaking to anyone for up to 5 days at a time. My goal is to save $ and stop wasting $ on rent. It works for me and I genuinely love being alone.
I'll do car living until I decide not to.

[mirandafolland]

I've been nomadic in my van for 3 years now and I'm also getting tired. Health issues plague me now that I didn't have when I started out. Your honest assessment of daily van life resonates with me. You're good at expressing yourself and sharing good ideas. This is the first video of yours I've seen and you've made me a subscriber. Looking forward to more content. Thanks.

[ptgizmo]

Loved this video. BTW, I’m a long haul trucker. You have described a lot of what the truckers life is… outside of the job we do and the regulations we have to follow. I’ve been driving for 20 years and a lot of truckers love the lifestyle, but I just have a job and I live in my truck for 6 to 7 weeks at time. I still have to maintain my life at home and it’s just not easy. To those of you who enjoy the van life… fantastic! But it’s something that is an individual choice and we all have our own lifestyle when living it. God bless you all and stay safe out there!

[richardross]

When it is too hot, set up a silver tarp over the van to reflect heat away. When it is too cold, you can cover the van with an insulating blanket that's made for swimming pools. Good Luck, Rick

[dayzemae]

I just retired from working in a local high school for over twenty years. One day during break an eighty year old substitute had coffee with me. She gave me some wonderful advice and I took it. “Save as much money as you can, every spare penny, when you are young because you are going to need it more when you are eighty than when you are young.” I did what she said. I socked it away and never looked at it at all. I am blessed that I took that advice. Always put something away for the hard times. P.s. she just worked that day because the teacher who was sick was her friend and asked her to, she didn’t need to.

[mikebrady]

You’re so right. The older I get, the more I appreciate being able to have a home to go to when I am not driving. What I can tell you from personal experience, as well as others who have spent many years driving is that driving wears not just mentally but also physically on a person. Back problems, weight gain, muscle problems and pain, leg swelling, digestive issues etc. happen to those cumulatively after years of driving. Seriously plan for contingencies because I have seen many of these problems catch up with people and they cannot drive any longer. I am almost 60 and I plan to hang it up at 65 and pray to God that I can make it. If not, I know He’ll provide in ways that I cannot imagine… I don’t mean to frighten you or anyone else, I am sharing knowledge that anyone who drives for prolonged periods needs to realize. I look forward to your next video. I am interested in hearing what’s in your future plans. God bless you always my friend. ✝️

[DeedeeEntertainment]

Here's a tip for cooling off: peppermint oil with water in a spritz bottle behind the neck, on your feet...Total game changer. Also repels mosquitos.

[tmusa]

Not for me full-time: Safety, cramped quarters, electricity/charging issues, bathrooms, showers, heat/cold/rain/snow, internet, no place to feel like you belong, bugs, loneliness, limited cooking options. That’s a start!!

[John--]

Hey Folks. FINALLY! I have been watching a few of these van life videos but this is the first one where someone listed some of the obstacles to this particular lifestyle. I really appreciate her honestly. Stay safe out there folks because I was wondering how easy it would be to get help if someone tried to break into the van to harm her. There seems to be a lot of nice ladies who've turned to van life. Again, stay safe!!!