Low-Cost Living in a TINY Camper for 3 Years

Karen has been living this 21-foot caravan full-time for over 3 years and she's currently in the process of renovating an even smaller vintage trailer to call home! This RV lifestyle allows her the freedom to explore New Zealand, and it also gives her more financial flexibility with her graphic design contracts since her cost of living in a camper is lower than it would be in an apartment or owning a home. In this video she gives us a full tour of her tiny home, she tells us about the pros and cons of her minimalist nomadic lifestyle, and she shares her favourite places to park!

You can follow Karen's adventures on all the platforms:

Thanks for watching!

Mat & Danielle

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CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.

Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives

Filming Credits:
Karen from Travelling K

Thumbnail Photo:
Karen from Travelling K

[diver]

It seems like a trailer is a better idea than a van. If the vehicle pulling it dies for some reason, you can replace it without replacing your home.

[TarTelperienNumenor]

Love that you're featuring someone who has been in their setup for a few years! Sometimes channels feature someone who has only been living this way for a few months. While it's nice to see those spaces, I believe that experience really helps to know what works, what doesn't work, and what you really need to make tiny living enjoyable 💙

[theWZZA]

Exploring Alternatives has the most sensible alternative living videos on Youtube. Thanks for the great content!

[therovingwriter]

Been living in a similar caravan for 6, 5 years, and still loving it, before that 3, 5 years in a Lakota style tipi which was great weren't it not for the cold and wet weather in the Netherlands, Best tip for caravan living is going full electric, (heating, cooking) you don't have to haul gas tanks all the time and you're never running out when you're halfway done cooking, and go LED for lighting, it saves quite a bit on bills.

[-wdy]

Sounds like this girl has her life
organised. Nothing to tie her down. Enjoyed this. Thanks.

[TheMcNeillsonWheels]

We were lucky enough to meet Karen last year, during her UK tour. We can confirm that she is as lovely in real life as she comes across in this video. It was a shame that we weren’t able to spend more time with her, as she had lovely stories to share and is great company. Looking forward to seeing her again in New Zealand some time soon.
Best wishes, Karen.
Jamie & Stacey

[starbelt]

Thank you for this, I have just bought a caravan almost the same model but with no back bedroom, I was a graphic designer too so I am pleased you can do all that on the move The same problem, no funds to buy a house, looked at tiny homes but the caravan has all you need except space. Much of the technology is out there to update the caravan as you have done power wise. Very encouraging to watch. Best wishes

[IZS]

I live in a thirty foot Airstream. I recently bought a 1949 vintage travel trailer that I LOVE, it is in perfect condition and has everything you need ....It is the cutest thing ever...

[chasingsimpledreams]

So glad you guys interviewed her! I saw an older interview of hers and she seems like such a cool lady.

[johnshares]

Wife and I, spent 5 years around Australia, in a caravan mainly free camping. When ever we felt the campsite was a “ Bit dodgy” we left the car attached. So the van was level and from memory we only had to leave in a rush twice ! Marvellous adventure.

[lbermdz]

A caravan with toilet and shower. Perfect. ✨

[jbhann]

Did a double take when she mentioned the temps in Fahrenheit, as I was expecting to hear temps in celsius.

[ElsaRhae]

You’ve got the best videos, nomad stories and tours! I love this space.

[Daemiex]

nice too see someone doing what THEY want for a change, genuine inspiration

[SoumyaChowdhuri]

This lady has such a buoyant character and it looks great how sorted her life is. It feels great to see how big her life is even in this tiny camper van.

[LutorKF]

Karen, I admire your intelligence in the choices you made regarding your caravan, if I could go back in time I would do the same as you did.
God bless you, hugs from Brazil.

[SrSrk]

she seems like a cool person...great small home...miss seeing Matt and Danielle at the start of the video....such lovely people...God bless good souls everywhere:)

[rapunzeleh]

maybe a positive thing to come out of this COVID pandemic, is that people will rediscover the joys of 'home' - big or small...

[katz]

I've followed Karen's channel for over a year now and she's awesome! She's a very brave lady who isn't afraid to tackle new projects and travel to new places. Her travels in New Zealand have been amazing as well as her caravanning trip to the UK last summer. Her restoration of the vintage caravan has been very interesting to watch, can't wait to see the end result! 👍🏼

[Woodenarrows]

Good for you. I really like all the windows and light of your unit, nice setup...