Intro to Nomad Life

(Don't need an intro? The next section gets into more detail, or search this wiki to find specific information.)

Curious about van life or nomadic living? This wiki has 1,486 pages and resources to help you live your best life if you want (or need) to live in a vehicle or otherwise on the go.

Learn what to expect from "the van life" you've been hearing about.
Learn how to choose and modify a vehicle to fit your unique needs.
Find tips for a great experience in an unconventional home.
Dig deeper for lots of ideas to incorporate into your own vehicle.
Read about common mistakes to avoid.

NomadLife.wiki does not allow computer-generated text. All articles are human written, but we do have some AI-generated photos in place until we have enough real ones that work well with the content.

Why live in a vehicle?

Compare the benefits and drawbacks, the advantages and disadvantages, and the pro vs. con of nomadic living:

Why would anyone live in a van?

If you need to quickly move into a vehicle for financial or other reasons (homeless, etc.) start with:

Emergency quick start
If you know someone who has had to move into a vehicle, here's how to help.

What will it be like?

Nomadic living is what you make it! But it can be a big change from conventional living and it's not right for everyone. And there's no commitment either; do it as long as you want or need to, and then switch back!

Will it be just like I've seen on Instagram? #vanlife #vandwellers
Will I like nomadic living?
Can I just park wherever I want?
Is it true that I can camp for free?
How much does it cost to live on the road?
Why a van and not an RV or something else?
How could I live in such a small space?
Is it possible to live in my car?
Is there a nomad community I can join?

What will be different?

What will be different? Switching to life on the road can be rewarding, but it comes with challenges! Without a "sticks-and-bricks" apartment or house, some of the conveniences you may take for granted require a bit more thought.

How will I use the bathroom?
How will I cook food or make coffee?
How do I refrigerate my food?
How will I stay clean?
Where will I sleep?
Can I really fit an entire bed in a vehicle?
How do I get internet access and charge my laptop?
How will I get mail, and what address do I use for my taxes and accounts?
What about doing laundry?
What about the weather? Can I be a "snowbird"?
Won't my friends and family freak out?
What core skills do I need?
How do I keep my van at a decent temperature? Can I run an air conditioner?
Is there a basic guide to solar power? What about a “solar generator”?
How can I earn money on the road?
How will I find things to see and do?
Can I just stay in one place?
What are some common regrets?
What about safety and security on the road?
Is it okay to drink alcohol in my van?

Learn from others

Learn about the lifestyle from channels on these platforms and apps:

Blogs
Discord
Facebook - Connect with groups for camping in specific vehicles and places
Forums
Instagram - Explore #vanlife for a glimpse at the photogenic side of nomadic living
Podcasts - Take a deeper dive into life on the road and listen while you work or relax
Reddit
Tiktok
Web sites
X (Twitter)
YouTube - browse 250+ curated channels, organized by subscriber count

Browse channels by feature:

Person or persons: couples, solo females, solo males, families, seniors, nomads with disabilities
Vehicle type: cargo vans, school buses, box trucks, or other vehicles, including specific makes and models.
Countries or states: See the Countries page. Individual U.S. state listings can be found on the United States page.

Getting started

Check out acronyms or the glossary if you run into an unfamiliar term.
What are some avoidable beginner mistakes?
Can I rent a van to see if this is right for me?
Where can I buy a van?
How can I build out my own van?
Should I buy a pre-built campervan or build my own?
Where can I find commercial builders or consultants to help build my dream van?
What is the best van to get?
How to I get started building out my van?
Is there a checklist for going full time?
How do I get information for the United States or other countries around the world?
What are some useful Apple apps or Android apps?

Nomad Life

Since this site is a wiki, you can help us make it better!

The Vehicle

Your most significant decision is whether to buy a pre-built camper or convert a vehicle yourself, but a lot goes into that decision!

Vehicle features to consider include: conversion difficulty if converting the vehicle yourself; amount of living space, ceiling height, passthrough between driving and living areas; number of windows desired; vehicle clearance, ground clearance, and parking difficulty; fuel type - gasoline/petrol or diesel (electric vans?); offroading capability; expected repair and maintenance costs; vehicle insurability. See some unique ideas other nomads have come up with.

Pre-built campers

Motorhomes - Class A, Class B, and Class C
Campervans
Travel trailers
Truck bed campers

Vehicles to Convert

Vans - Cargo vans and passenger vans.
Trucks - Box trucks, step vans, ambulances, buses, skoolies, and pickup trucks
Cargo trailers
Smaller vehicles - Minivans, cars, SUVs, minicargo vans and pickup trucks

Getting your own van or RV

The most common vans for vanlife in the United States are: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ram ProMaster, and Ford Transit.
How do I find a vehicle to purchase? and know if it's a good one?
How do I make my purchase?

Vehicle maintenance

Vehicle maintenance
Tools and equipment for the road
Troubleshooting - electrical, engine, leaks
Be aware of any known issues with your vehicle
Rust - The cancer that kills vans

Converting or building out your vehicle

Electrical system

Electrical systems can be a challenging part of any build, but most nomads see it as a necessity. Systems don't have to be complicated though! It all depends on your needs.