It's true ...

[Joep]

Hello all you good ppl,

I'm new here, I live in Europe, the Netherlands (Holland). I think it's fair to say that van dwelling or living in a camper is even more rare here, than in the states. Anyway, I have given the landlord notice a few weeks ago that I will leave the place at the end of the month. So really busy now with downsizing, selling stuff, giving away stuff etc.. So much stuff, it's amazing. The whole place is a mess, I'm constantly busy answering phone calls and emails from people bidding on things I offer for sale.
Need to get busy on the van as well (a VW T4 Dehler Maxivan). Need to install my solar panel and reorganize the interior so I can sort of live in it. So far I have only done camping in it. For camping the interior is ok, for living not so much.
But, that's the fun stuff.
What I have been putting of is telling people about my plans. I have read many of Bob's blog entries on this website, and it's true. The few people I have started sharing my plan with all think I have gone crazy. They tell me that they're worried about my radical plan to live in the van. Only one out of five people I have told now was not skeptical but was asking practical questions and offering help.
People calling me crazy was my worst fear. I don't like it, but better to be honest about that. And it does have an effect on me. In my heart I am really looking forward to moving into my van, but people doubting the idea put doubt in my head as well.
It's subtle ... The one supportive person asking me where I will park for example, and a skeptical person asking the same thing ... is different somehow.
Anyway, I'm gonna do it. I want it. I look forward to it.
Pic is me and my daughter camping in the VW

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Joep
Don't worry about what people say that don't/won't understand what and why you are doing this..
Maybe once they see you actually doing it they will become infected by the cheap living disease......
I'm sure I speak for all here when I say we'll be looking forward to reading about your adventures.
Post pictures of your new home as you redesign it. We LOVE pictures!
Lots of luck to ya!

 

[Konaexpress]

I think dwelling takes a certain kind of nuts, a good kind. You will find lots of people here to talk to and probably a bunch of people going through or did go through the same thing.

Hang in there,

John

 

[USExplorer]

Most everyone (back when I lived in New Jersey) thought I was crazy when I first said that I would sleep in my SUV on road trips. Now when I tell them of my adventures they are congratulatory and even jealous. There is a stigma attached to "living in a van down by the river" (e.g. too poor to afford gasoline or a house), but not to traveling around and seeing the continent.

It is important that the skeptics realize that this is a choice and not a necessity. But also realize that nomadism in Europe is generally frowned upon unlike in much of North America where it is celebrated.

Looking at the climate of your country, winters will be tough to live out in a van. Damp cold, with barely a wink of sun for days. The high population density will also be a challenge. Have a Plan B in case it doesn't work out.

 

[SoulRaven]

I just can't imagine there would be so many folks (in Holland) would have issues with mobile living when there are thousands of people living on boats, barges in the canals.

 

[akblack10]

Joep, I think your plans are great! I lived in The Netherlands from 1991 to 1994 and really loved it! What city do you call home?
-AK

 

[WriterMs]

Welcome! It's hard to see detail with the lighting of your pic, but it seems that your van is fairly well kitted out -- bunks and is that a sink??

You'll want to meet one of our fairly frequent posters, Wagoneer, who is living here but from the Netherlands I believe.

 

[GotSmart]

Pictures!  

Only a few people thought I was nuts.  It is in how you word it.  I am seeing the country, and visiting friends.  I am off on an adventure.  

 

[bcbullet]

"If you get it I don't have to explain it. If you don't get it, I won't be able to explain it".

Welcome Joep....there are a lot of nuggets of wisdom on here if you dig a bit!

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Welcome. If it helps any, most great people and ideas were originally called crazy. Follow your bliss.

 

[wagoneer]

HEY HELLO I was born in Rotterdam and moved to San Francisco in 1956 I say good for you. do it. Welcome

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[nobodyG17]

Hi and welcome.  Need more pictures of your interesting looking rig!

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Joep! I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventures across the pond!

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Joep]

So ... I'm in. What a crazy month. The stress of getting rid of most of my stuff. But that's behind me now. Still some stuff in storage to sort out, but I can take my time doing that.

First night I didn't have any supplies yet apart from some water, coffee and some crackers. But oh man, did it feel great.

Tonight it's my second night in the VW van. It's a "Dehler Maxivan". They are semi hightop, part of the roof I can pop up so I can stand up. I have added some more storage (not in pics yet). Normally the maxivan has two seats that can be made into a bed. I have removed one so I have room to move around. A VW T4, a Eurovan it's called in the US is smaller than a 'standard US van', I guess you'd call it a minivan. It's higher than a minivan though.

The standard 2 burner stove can be removed so I can cook outside if I want to. I still haven't decided if I'm going to keep it.

Part of the roof can be popped up so I can stand when I cook or shower. Unfortunately the shower drain pump doesn't work. Also the pressure of the shower pump is very low, so that's a few things that need attention.

Still have too much stuff in the van, going to get rid of some more. Need loads more of adjusting and getting used to. Yesterday slept in a parking lot, felt quite 'exposed', slept like a baby though. Now staying at a city camping ground for two nights I think. Feels more comfortable getting my stuff out and reorganizing. Going to do that tomorrow.

Got my 4G wifi hotspot installed, woohoo! Inverter keeps beeping when trying to charge the laptop, going to rewire that tomorrow, straight to the battery.

I'll post some more pics later of my current setup.

 

[ascii_man]

Welcome!

I ran this through Google Translate:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehler_Mobilbau

Regarding social perception, sometimes terminology matters. Although your Dehler is based on a "van" rather than being a huge Class A behemoth, try saying "camper" or "motorhome".

 

[Joep]

3rd night in the campervan.

Hooked up inverter straight to battery, laptop now charges. Got rid of a bag full of stuff. Too much stuff. Too much of the wrong stuff, not enough of what I need. Misc little tweaks. It was a good day.

Today was awesome. Long walks with the dog alongside the river. Conversation with a guy who full time's in a Yurt here at the campground. Yurts look bigger from the inside than from the outside.

Some more pics ...

 

[Joep]

few more

 

[akrvbob]

Very cool!!!
Bob

 

[Joep]

Thanks Bob! FWIW, I'm a fan of you blog and videos. Welcome to the best days of your life ... It works so far