What do you picture life on four wheels to be like? Good weather all the time, fantastic spots, great spirits and the freedom to do whatever you please?

Well… it's not quite that simple. When it comes to this, we tend to have a rather romanticized idea that doesn't have much in common with the reality of vanlife.

Here at VanSite you'll find out:

• what obligations and challenges vanlife brings with it

• how the monthly costs add up

• why you shouldn't always believe Instagram pictures

Are you ready for the truth? Then let's get started!

Why you should learn about the reality of vanlife in advance

Living in a van is hugely popular. More and more people are deciding to give up their fixed home (at least for a while), quit their job and simply set off into the unknown.

Behind it lies the desire for freedom, self-determination and adventure.

Maybe you also have the feeling that your everyday life is somehow monotonous and dull and so you're toying with the idea of doing something fundamentally different?

Before you break away from your old life completely (or in part), you should know what you're getting into. By the time your job, your relationship and your home are all on the line at the latest, a vanlife reality check really in order!

If you follow the romanticized idea of life on the road, you're otherwise setting yourself up for disappointment and a bitter aftertaste.

Short-term vanlife now and then

The vanlife movement has many faces. Whether you take a weekend trip, move into your camper for good or just go on holiday in a motorhome: it's all a form of VANLIFE.

And one thing is certain: the idea that you'll always land the nicest spot, the friendliest travel acquaintances and the best weather is an illusion!

So before you set off on weekend or holiday vanlife, you should give some thought to this:

• Can I manage without a toilet?

• Have I booked a pitch where I'm allowed to park legally?

• Am I also prepared for camping in the rain and every kind of miserable weather?

• Do I know where I can dispose of wastewater and rubbish?

• Do I know the local rules of each country I travel to in Europe on wild camping?

Foto von Florida Guidebook auf Unsplash |

Vanlife reality: little privacy and not much security

The first truth about vanlife: the world is your new home! And that's not meant metaphorically, because you live more or less permanently without a safe place to retreat to.

If a thief tampers with your van or even steals it, all your belongings are suddenly gone.

What's more, vanlifers have an enormous magnetic pull!

Other people will want to know an incredible amount about you and your lifestyle, will marvel at your camper and would of course love nothing more than to make themselves comfortable inside it.

That's why your privacy is rather limited, especially when you're travelling in cities and densely populated areas. Alternatively, you can now and then retreat into nature when you want a bit of peace and quiet.

Living in a camper: the vanlife reality

If you want to move into your van for good, then freedom and a certain amount of risk go hand in hand.

Of course it's a wonderful feeling to part with old stuff and to quit the job that was never fun anyway. But what about your relationship?

Does your favourite person long for life in a bus just as much as you, or are they coming along for your sake?

One thing is certain: without a working strategy for resolving conflicts, you won't get far. Least of all in a vehicle with only a tiny fraction of the living space of a home.

These questions might therefore help you get on track:

• Am I strong enough to deal with fears and conflicts (within myself / in the relationship)?

• Do I have the right camping mindset for life in a van?

• What exactly do I hope to get out of vanlife (self-knowledge, relaxation, experiences)?

• How do I picture everyday life and which camping routines give me structure?

• Where will I live and work when I no longer want to live in a camper?

• What monthly costs should I expect (insurance, fuel, repairs)?

• Can I store my personal belongings somewhere, e.g. with parents or friends?

• Is there a plan B to fall back on if my vanlife reality turns out to be rough and hard (savings, somewhere to stay at short notice)?

• Can my power supply cover all my needs?

• Am I well informed about doing laundry, eco-friendly hygiene, and so on?

Expectations versus vanlife reality: social media is a poor adviser!

The vanlife movement has truly made the rounds. On Instagram accounts, YouTube and other channels, you see (almost) nothing but fantastic landscapes and happy faces.

Of course that's a wonderful side of vanlife, one you'll surely come across on your travels. BUT there are also downsides that you should be aware of in your plans.

That way you won't land so hard on the ground of vanlife reality, but already have good tools to cope with financial, interpersonal and weather-related problems.

You should also make a real effort to keep a structured daily routine, with a healthy balance between work and free time.

Otherwise it can easily happen that you end up, in a way, „getting stuck in a rut“.

What does Vanlife actually cost?

The answer is always individual. Even so, you'll still have a few costs while you travel.

You need something to eat, for example, your van needs fuel and the odd repair. On top of that come monthly insurance (e.g. health insurance), phone costs, pitch fees and maybe the rent for your sublet flat.

Now and then you'll surely also want to go out to eat, buy yourself something new to wear or take a ferry over to new regions.

Depending on the lifestyle you keep, you'll have to reckon with around 600 to 1,000 € per month.

You should also always put a little aside to be prepared for emergencies.

Foto von Chris Lawton auf Unsplash |

7 ideas: how to finance your Vanlife!

Wondering how to cover your monthly costs?

These ideas might help you finance your Vanlife:

• Before you start your adventure, you set aside a large part of your salary for a year so you can then survive a few months without a job.

• You look for seasonal work during Vanlife (e.g. as a harvest worker).

• Since you have a knack for online business, you go self-employed as a social media expert, copywriter or web designer and work from the VanOffice.

• Maybe you own a house or a flat? As a landlord you could earn some extra money.

• You start a blog and earn a bit of cash from advertising revenue.

• Ask your boss whether you can do your work remotely. Maybe together you'll find a compromise that gives you the freedom you need.

• Search the web specifically for small jobs you can do on the road.

Conclusion: the dream and the reality of Vanlife are two different things

Still, there's one thing we want to send you on your way with: Living in a van is a wonderful thing! The experiences will enrich you and now and then prove a real help.

Even so, you really should know what you're getting into.

The pictures of dreamy pitches in the most beautiful places in the world, perfect weather and cosy togetherness often have little in common with reality.

Just as easily you could be sitting broke in a crowded city car park that's packed, it's pouring down, and the noise of a thousand cars and people is roaring in your ears.

So stay optimistic, but realistic!

Then your Vanlife will become a very special enrichment to your life.

Here you'll find hundreds of nature-based pitches all across Europe for your Vanlife!