Is Vandwelling Really For You?
Vandwelling or Tiny Home living seems to be a lifestyle that people either love or hate. While some people love McMansions and space and decorating their homes and entertaining, other people prefer a simpler way of life, or at least many people think they'd enjoy a simpler way of life.
I recently heard a stat that about half of people who buy or live in tiny homes are not living in them a year later. This leads me to believe many people who think they will enjoy this lifestyle may not really enjoy it in reality. That said I think it depends alot on your values and your lifestyle as well.
What Type of Person will Truly Enjoy Vandwelling?
While the idea of vandwelling is romantic, and while the idea of being minimal and not having a ton of stuff or a ton of space to take care of may seem very appealing, you really have to look at all aspects of your life to determine if Vandwelling truly is for you.
I think climate is a huge determining factor. In warmer climates people tend to utilize a lot of outdoor space. If you live in a climate like the midwest with a cold winter your going to be stuck in your van or small house for a vast majority of the year. That said if you live in a warmer climate with no winter or a very temperate winter you can enjoy your outdoor space most of the year. While people do live in vans in cold climates, just watch Youtube, the ideal location will be a warmer climate.
If you like entertaining, Vandwelling may not be for you. I know on the Tiny House shows we see how furniture folds out of all types of crazy places and we see them entertaining half a dozen friends. In reality most people aren't going to want to hang out in a cramped van, and just the size limits how many people you can have over at a time. If you enjoy throwing dinner parties, entertaining family, etc Vandwelling may not be for you.
If you're a homebody Vandwelling may not be for you. I notice many Vandwellers, and many of the people who enjoy the lifestyle the most are people who are either travelers traveling the country or people who are into rockclimbing or other outdoor activities. They spend most of their time outside of the van either doing physical activity, hiking, camping, etc.
If you're someone who enjoys chilling around the house reading, playing with your dogs, watching movies, having friends over, etc. Vandwelling may not be for you as while you may feel like you spend the vast majority of your time in one room at home, a lot of people find they need some space to move around and change locations even if just within the house.
Lastly, if your someone who likes stability and routine Vandwelling may or may not be your cup of tea. While some people have friends or family who's property who they can live on, many Vandwellers are going to be constantly moving around from campground to campground, from friends house to friends house or from stealth parking spot to stealth parking spot. If your someone who likes a routine and consistancy Vandwelling may not be for you as one of the big draws of the lifestyle is the lack there of.
What Type of Person will Enjoy Vandwelling?
If you're someone who enjoys traveling and wants to spend time traveling the country Vandwelling is an excellent way to do it. You can travel for a fraction of the cost of hotels, you can park right near the landmarks you want to see and in the State and National Parks you want to visit.
If you're someone who's a minimalist and someone who enjoys not having a lot of stuff to maintain you may enjoy vandwelling.
I especially think people who spend a lot of time out of the house may enjoy vandwelling. If your someone who only comes home to sleep and spend most of your time either hiking, biking, out and about at the library or wherever and spend very little time in your house or apartment the transition to vandwelling while still a challenge logistics wise with internet and laundry and showering, it will be a lot easier as your not someone cooped up in a van for hours per day.
Wrapping Up
To wrap up, the cost of trying out Vandwelling is going to be a lot less than buying a tiny house. For a couple thousand bucks you can either buy a van already outfitted, or do the work yourself. If you don't like it after a few months you should be able to recoup most of your money and go back to living in an apartment or house but if the above sounds like you it may be worth giving it a try.
