Nomadic living is a term for the lifestyle lived by nomads. It is a major focus of this wiki.
The term nomad refers to anyone who sleeps or lives in a vehicle (either part time or full time) either by choice or out of necessity. Regular travel from place to place is very common among nomads, since their homes are mobile, but some live in the same location for long periods. Nomads may also be called van dwellers, van lifers, car dwellers, travelers, vehicle nomads, houseless, or any of a number of other terms. It may include snowbirds, who typically choose one place to live during the summer and another place to live during the winter.
Someone who is not a nomad typically lives in a conventional sticks and bricks residence like a house or apartment.
Will I like nomadic living?
You won't know for sure unless you try it, but there are things to consider that may predict "success" at the nomadic living lifestyle. Also, there is no "right" way to live nomadically, so an approach you see others taking may not be the approach that works for you.
Do you enjoy camping? If yes, you have a decent chance to also like van life, since it's a bit like camping but with more conveniences of home and less exposure to the weather. If you don't enjoy camping, van life can still be enjoyable, but take extra time to see if it will be right for you before diving in.
Try it for a week. See if you can rent a van, or borrow one from a family member or friend. The experience will give you some firsthand insight, but be prepared to have a bad time since you may not be prepared for things that come up, or systems you're not familiar with. Once you get used to the change, and maybe learn some core skills, your experience will probably improve.
Full time or part time? If you have a conventional home and a vehicle you can sleep in, going part time is a great way to experience van life. Ideally, you can test out this lifestyle part time before you switch to full time, to see if you like it.
How much can you spend? If you have more money to put into this life (as with any kind of life!), things are probably going to be more enjoyable, or at least easier. That said, the van life can be very frugal; if you are a frugal or minimalist person, this can be a great way to live. How much does it cost? If you have lots of money, you can buy a van (new or used) or do your own luxury build with most of the comforts of home. If you have less money, you can try a minimal build or removable build vehicle.
What will others think? If what other people think of you is very important to you, the way other people see nomads may dissuade you from nomadic living.
Personal attributes
If these descriptors match you, they might help you learn if you will like nomadic living:
More likely to enjoy nomadic living |
Less likely to enjoy nomadic living |
|
|---|---|---|
| Likes tent camping | Dislikes tent camping | A more luxurious build will make this less important, since you'll have more comforts of home. Nomadic living means more time spent outdoors virtually every day, with whatever the weather brings. |
| Okay with using public amenities and spaces | Needs private amenities and space | If you don't have a shower or even a toilet in your vehicle, are you okay with using public ones? |
| Experience fixing things | Pays others to fix things | When things break on the road, getting help may be a long wait or expensive. Being able to diagnose and fix many things yourself is a big benefit. |
| Likes a simple kitchen and basic foods | Needs a big kitchen or complex meals | Limited space for preparing meals and storing ingredients means fewer options. A full size oven and fridge is only possible in the largest vehicles. |
| Good at planning and making decisions | Prefers predictability and routine | Being on the move means more new situations and requires more decision-making. Adaptability and "rolling with the punches" is valuable. |
| Introverted, okay being alone | Extroverted, needs friends nearby | With fewer familiar faces nearby, it can be hard to make new lasting friendships on the road. It may be months or years before you get back to see someone who lives in a certain city. |
| Has money saved for unexpected expenses | Has little to no extra money | As with most things in life, it's easier if you have more money to spend. Not having enough money for a vehicle repair, for example, will be very stressful. |
| Okay with fewer possessions | Owns lots of clothing, stuff, etc. | Nomadic living means you have less space to keep things with you. If you own a lot (boxes of decorations?), you'll have to store it somewhere or get rid of it. |
| Okay being offline sometimes | Needs 24/7 internet | Unless you stick to populated areas or can afford satellite/Starlink internet, there will be times where you can't connect to the internet or even text/call. |
| Enjoys driving | Dislikes driving | When your home and vehicle are the same thing, you'll probably be doing more driving. With a much smaller living space, you'll have to make more trips to the store for groceries and supplies. |
Next
What will be different? Things that are good to know, beginner mistakes, and common regrets.
Resources
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "nomadic living" | |
| Search related sites | Search van life sites for "nomadic living" | |
| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "nomadic living" |
Downsizing for nomadic living
Wikipedia: Nomad