The brutal truth about VAN LIFE \\ watch this before you start

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Thanks for being here everyone! It's crazy to think of where my van life began... 4 years ago with the purchase of my van in Las Vegas, NV. After a 8 month long DIY van build, I am back in the desert fixing things up! We are now all ready to head back to Colorado, for even more projects on our off-grid, homestead-in-the-making!

#bluetti #ac240

[sreece]

I sold my house, quit my job..career of 20+ years that no longer makes me happy, bought rural property 5 states away. I leave in June. I'll be living in my travel trailer until I figure out the next move. Mid life crisis or finally doing what I want... we shall see

[kathyhays]

I’m a 72 year old grandma and I want to have a van just to have everything I need is with me. My sons say I’m to old !!!! lol I watch my grand children everyday . I want it for me and my cat BraveHeart. I go away for the day but I won’t leave him alone at night. That way we can go away for the week end and he will always be with me. I have a house now and that takes a lot of work. My social security will go father. Love you videos. ❤️❤️

[whiteraven]

Husband died a year ago..bought a Camper Van been living for 7 months, and now going home to Alaska to spread his ashes . Life is journey, none of us have no guarantees and now is the time if you are considering Van life.

[southerngal]

I just turned 75 in April and bought a used minivan last Monday. Yep, I'm a little scared because I have health problems but think I'll be better off outside. Thinking I'm getting too old but have wanted to do this for years.
Safe travels 🙏✝️❤

[shesoutthere]

I am a 65 yr old woman in a truck camper full time 7 years. I'm having one of "those days" today, and this video really lifted my spirits and reminded me that the sun will come out again. Thank you❤❤❤

[michellearceneaux]

I will turn 54 in a month and a half. My last day in a house was March 31st. I am now living in my (pre converted) shuttlebus. About 2 hours after leaving the house, I broke down. Luckily, I made it into a gas station. Because it was Easter Sunday, I spent a day and a half at that gas station. Finally got back on the road, for about an hour and a half, and broke down, again. Luckily, I was able to coast into another gas station, where I spent another 2 days, waiting for the mobile mechanic to get me a new alternator...that actually fit.
Because of something you said, in a previous video, I never got upset. I just did what I needed to do, and made the best of it. You said that if you can't handle challenges, this lifestyle may not be for you. I took that to heart. I didn't expect challenges so quickly, but I laughed and said here we go! My new life is already showing me I CAN do hard things, and genuinely smile through them!
Thank you, so very much! 😊

[sduljye]

Sold my 3000 sqft home of 22 years and now suburban van living in a 60sqft cargo van. Fantastic decision for an extra early retirement.

[dasomtrujillo]

My mami died last month now i am living in the car with my 3 year old Min Pin. broken heart broken spirit. I have suffered non stop for 2 months. No place for both of us no help But my puppy is worth this and more. We are all we got and we will stay together. Thank you for your video. 🫰🎃

[grampof]

Thanks for this video. At 76, I'm still considering this lifestyle. I'm in good health, which makes a difference.

[RomanLambert]

I just started vanlife myself in south Florida and it’s very tough! It’s already 90 degrees some days! You can’t park in a lot of places, and there’s alot of homelessness and crime here.
But the positives still outweigh the negatives for me. I get to be by the water everyday, move home goes where I go, and your life feels longer because there’s alot more stimulation

[dididothat]

I admire you for being so full of life and being yourself and not afraid to show that. I wish you happiness and joy in your journey.

[SherylKatz]

Solo, older female w younger puppy having my van built. Did this as a teenager but more for trips here and there weeks at a time. This time I go against all who warn me not to due to age!! If not now, when? Am I too old for adventure my way? I say no!! Do it your way!! I will have a few more comforts in my build because I think it will help me enjoy the road in my situation. We are indeed all different. I think the 1 tie that connects us all is the thirst for LIFE!! I hope to meet someday!!

[UncleDavesKitchen]

I lived in a Class C working as a travel RN. I used the money saved to buy a house and rented it out. The tenants have totally paid the house off plus some. Now that I'm older I LOVE having a paid off house, AC/heat, full bathroom and kitchen, chest freezer, washer/dryer, garage, high speed internet, a real address. Looking at the photos I collected in my travels they leave me cold. Who are they, where was this, why am I there, who cares? I had some enjoyment, saw places, did things, met people, but the best of all those times are the memories of the patients I cared for and the contacts I still keep with past co-workers in the hospitals. I've never kept up with anyone I met in campgrounds.

My nursing assignments included decent pay plus housing, which I saved and rented space in an RV campground for the 13 week assignments I got as a travel RN. I'd work overtime if I could, bank up the money and take a month or so off in-between the three month hospital assignments. How quickly the adventure changed into routine. I bought a nice home in Sedona, Az and rented it out. The tenant paid the entire mortgage, downpayment and then some over the 18 years he lived there. After he left I remodeled the place and moved in mortgage free. I downsized to a van for some camping, but have no desire to live the 'RV lifestyle' at all. My advice to those getting into it: have a well thought out exit plan if it doesn't work out or if you're older. Selling your house to do this might limit your option to buying another down the road. Knees start to go, and your back. Being too hot and too cold in an RV is normal. Breathing fumes constantly, haul out poop and haul in water gets old. These videos make it look so exciting, none show the true side. Yes, you can have great adventures, but there is also something to be said for a community that stays around you, not love bombs you then moves on in a few days. No one talks about that. When I was young in the RV there were so many older RVers that struggled getting in and out of the rig, finding a doctor, etc. I wonder what all happened to them. I never kept up with them, as an RVer we move on, and on, and on.

[komalzemmin]

Thank you, Linnea for those encouraging words. I’m an older woman in her 50’s and have wanted to be a nomadic traveler for some time. I’m one of those that chooses comfort over new and scary activities. But I’m not happy. Waited for some sign, some encouragement to step out of my comfort zone. Your encouragement just may help this older lady live the life I believe I was meant to live. Haven’t stepped out of my comfort zone yet, but I’m willing to take a step towards it. Just wanted to thank you for your wonderful videos. It means to so many of us.

[melissaandjason]

When we sold everything and left the house… the first night in the van everything went wrong. Our brand new screen tent broke in the crazy storm we had to endure. It was freezing cold ( may15) and we couldn’t leave the van. Got a flat tire… no tire iron to change it…We looked at each other wondering if we had made the biggest mistake of our lives. But we made it work, we moved, it got warmer and we learned a ton in the first few weeks. Narrowly missing a divorce in the process hahaha. It made us stronger.
After 4 months in the van and a tent we saved enough cash to buy our RV outright….and the real adventure began there.
Thanks for another great video😘

[thelastwildflower]

Something I never expected but somehow became the biggest hardship in vanlife for me was life on the road with the WRONG person. Your travel partner can really make or break the whole thing.
After getting my own rig and literally building what I still consider to be my first home, it’s shocking how much homesickness you can have for your van and the lifestyle. I know that my chapter in vanlife is over, married and a first child on the way, homeowner with my 2 seater van old van just collecting dust in the driveway waiting for its new home. Moving on is bittersweet and probably the biggest shock about vanlife. How much you might miss it when it’s over.

[kimsnow]

Im about to be 50. My 3kids r grown only 1(30yrs). Im putting my 3bdrm up for sale next spring.Lived here 27yrs. Hopefully will be able to make 500k off it. I am gonna do van life. I want to travel so bad. Ive nvr been outside Canada.

[jbusley]

Starting year 5 in my self built Promaster. Could not be happier. Thank you so much for this video. I also run a BLUETTI ac300 with two batteries. Runs my gaming system with ease

[paullavender-pcuz]

One of the best videos I have ever seen. Blessings for truth.🙏🍀☀️
I picked up some property in Colorado . Off grid. Had a detached retina winter came and I had to leave.
Came back to California truck broke down I’ve been living in it .
Depressed? No.
When life knocks you down…
Get back up and dust yourself off .
Because it won’t be the first time and it won’t be the last time it happens .
We are pioneers we are explorers .
To live off grid, to live life is a dream .
I will purchase a van, and I will build it myself .
I’m working full-time to make this dream a reality.
I will have cataract surgery in the meantime, so that I can see while flyfishing the mountain streams in Colorado and spearfishing the ocean in California .
Dream big, plan small, live life.
And follow your instincts.
If you are in a rut, put it in four-wheel-drive.
Don’t worry be happy.
I will go back to Colorado and build my house .
I will travel in my van from California to Colorado off grid, rent free .
Dream becomes reality if you put in effort and believe in yourself .
Live large like you’re in charge . 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[embr]

You are so fortunate to have discovered this lifestyle so young. I want freedom and to just go. But my life is over half gone. I hope to make the best of what is left!