Why would anyone live in a van?

Or maybe not a van, but an RV, or truck camper, or some other vehicle? Some people don't want to, but it's the best of their available options. See involuntary nomads for more. If you are facing homelessness, see our emergency quick start. But there are plenty of advantages and real benefits to living nomadically.

This wiki focuses mostly on those who are able to voluntarily choose nomadic living. Some people only live in their vehicles part time, but the advantages listed on this page mostly relate to those who make it their full time home. It's a deeply personal choice, and the reasons for it vary widely. Living in a drivable home allows the nomad to quickly move that home to experience good things and to avoid bad things:

Neighborhood mobility: If you simply don't like the neighborhood or some person or situation there? Turn the key and go elsewhere.

Economic mobility: If a job opportunity in another city opens up, or your local job market sours, you aren't tied to an apartment lease or mortgage, and you don't have to worry about packing up and moving. If one area doesn't have the goods and services you desire, you can move to someplace that does.

Asset mobility: A sticks and bricks home cannot be easily/quickly moved, or even sold or rented. If you live in your vehicle, you likely have minimal possessions, so moving isn't much of a chore.

Political mobility: Nomadic living allows citizens to "vote with their feet" by spending their time and resources in places they feel most appropriate. You can escape politically unfriendly or dangerous places much more quickly and easily.

Weather and natural disaster mobility: Is the area flooding, on fire, or in the path of dangerous weather? The nomad can evacuate at a moment's notice, often well before everyone else can make arrangements.

Frugal living: Living in a vehicle can cost very little if desired. While you certainly can spend more as a nomad than you do in a house, and you will spend more on certain things, nomadic living may reduce the hours you have to work, or may increase your ability to save or pay off debt. How much does it cost? How will I earn money?

A campervan in Charmouth, UK

Reduced lodging expenses: If you frequently travel for work or other reasons, being able to bring your home with you can be a significant savings in lodging. If you can stealth camp or find parking at free or inexpensive campgrounds, you won't need to pay for expensive hotels. However, these savings are often offset by higher fuel costs due to having a larger and heavier vehicle than you might otherwise drive.

More places to sleep: Bringing your own bed means you have a place to sleep anywhere that's acceptable to park. You may be able to stay considerably closer to the places you want or need to visit.

Touch grass: Nomads typically live a much larger portion of their lives outdoors than those who live in conventional homes. Wherever they are, nomads typically see and experience more of the "real world" and have a closer connection with what's happening around them: sunrises and sunsets, weather, witnessing more events (both usual and unusal), etc.

Get away from it all: Mobility also offers the opportunity to "bug out" or get away from society. Introverts and the introspective can be soothed by quiet solitude. People with mental health concerns sometimes find that a nomadic lifestyle (temporary or long term) can offer healing and growth.

Avoiding homelessness: For some, living in a vehicle is a hedge against houselessness. It is safer than being exposed out on the streets and offers protection from rain and wind.

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Some or all of the content on this page was originally sourced from RVWiki