Vanlife is almost a viral trend, or at least has the ability to go viral on the internet. With close to 10 million posts on Instagram and thousands of YouTube channels or other short form channels like Tikok.
But, what is so fascinating about people living in vans?
Living in a van isn’t a new idea. People have been living and traveling in vans for generations, so what makes it so appealing today? In fact for a long time, it was seen as an embarrassing thing, if you couldn’t afford a house, you get a smaller and more affordable home on wheels.
Yet, now, ‘Vanlifers’ share images of their journeys and are praised across social media, from making morning coffee with a sunrise or cozy campfires and warm blankets under the night sky – it can seem idyllic. But even van conversions can go viral, cutting out windows, making mistakes and fixing random problems. To final touches like colorful cushions, curtains, and tapestries, many montages don’t need a fancy camera and are filmed in short Instagram stories.
Perhaps the main attractions are the locations that vanlifers visit. Even the most populated places have hidden scenic spots, and vanlifers seem to find them all. National parks, forests, lakes, waterfalls, and seaside marinas become their garden for the night. Without the expensive hotel prices.
The attraction seems to be the freedom that a portable home gives you, waking up in a new location every morning, owning your time, and being financially independent enough to live on the road. Vanlifers can use their time however they wish, free from the daily grind. Who wouldn’t want to be on a constant adventure, immersed in nature, off-grid, and self-sufficient?
Hidden Costs of Vanife
Yet many have disputed the how budget vanlife is in the UK. A country which involves significant monthly expenses, including fuel, insurance, maintenance, and parking fees. This article examines these costs, providing insights into budgeting and managing expenses for van living.
Vanlife Hub explained the underlying cost.
Helen has lived in her converted campervan (called Manny) for two years and typically spent around £1,013 per month. She did highlight that this can be reduced to £745 by cutting non-essential expenses. Her setup includes a 2014 VW Van with various off-grid living features.
Monthly costs include:
- Food & Groceries: £220
- Fuel, Parking & Tolls: £154
- Maintenance & Fees: £196
- Laundry: £30
- Insurance: £34
- Tax: £25
- Campsite Fees: £0
- Vanlife Apps: £1
- Water: £10
- Co-work: £200
- LPG/Gas: £5
- Heating (diesel): £8
- Waste Disposal: £20
- Phone & WiFi: £37
- Gym Membership: £30
- Breakdown Cover: £13
- Miscellaneous Expenses: £30
This also excluded benefits of having a post box and address when living in a static location as well as the ability to have people over, do their own washing and use their own toiletries.
As well as this the typical cost of a van conversion is £10,000 upfront and their is debates with converting yourself or getting or converted for you. To answer this question we have to speak to the experts…
