New to Van Life

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

Hello, I am new to this van life forum. I have always wanted to travel the country in an RV. I never considered a van until recently when I cane across Bob on his YOuTube Channel. That was about a week ago and I have been binge watching many episodes since. I have finally found my community! I'm 57 and worked as an administrative assistant for over 25 years and in 2019 left that job due to burn out. I am now a live-in caregiver which is giving me the opportunity to save a little money. My plan is to save until a little money comes through at the end of Dec 2024 from my old job and then hit the road in January of 2025 permanently. Since I have never camped and know little to nothing about RV or van living, I want to emmerse myself into this community as if I'm already living it until I can dive in full time. I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra which I'd rather not try to live in so this time will allow for me to save to hopefully sell my car and buy a suitable van. I'm looking forward to meeting many new like-minded souls along the way and who knows what life brings us. if I find myself in a position to set out sooner, then all the better!

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

I forgot to mention that I adopted a puppy on Mothers Day. His name is Bodhi. He is a 6 month old Dachshund mix.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Welcome Sharon, sounds like a good plan!

We hope you find this forum a comfortable place to hang out. We're here to help with any questions you may have.

Keep us posted!

 

[Lil Pasquale]

Hello Sharon. Hope it works out. I am still in a sticks n brinks myself but am getting closer. I just received an offer on my house. yea!! So Im getting closer. I want to go to my first RTR in January. Hope to see you'll down the road SOON!

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

Thank you

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

Hello Sharon. Hope it works out. I am still in a sticks n brinks myself but am getting closer. I just received an offer on my house. yea!! So Im getting closer. I want to go to my first RTR in January. Hope to see you'll down the road SOON!

Thank you Lil Pasquale and yes absolutely! I hope to get to one before January of 2025 but if not, I'll be at that one. Congratulations on the offer!

 

[jacqueg]

Hello, I am new to this van life forum. I have always wanted to travel the country in an RV. I never considered a van until recently when I cane across Bob on his YOuTube Channel. That was about a week ago and I have been binge watching many episodes since. I have finally found my community! I'm 57 and worked as an administrative assistant for over 25 years and in 2019 left that job due to burn out. I am now a live-in caregiver which is giving me the opportunity to save a little money. My plan is to save until a little money comes through at the end of Dec 2024 from my old job and then hit the road in January of 2025 permanently. Since I have never camped and know little to nothing about RV or van living, I want to emmerse myself into this community as if I'm already living it until I can dive in full time. I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra which I'd rather not try to live in so this time will allow for me to save to hopefully sell my car and buy a suitable van. I'm looking forward to meeting many new like-minded souls along the way and who knows what life brings us. if I find myself in a position to set out sooner, then all the better!

And here comes my standard advice -

Go camping right now in the vehicle you have with the stuff you have. Since you are apparently new to camping, this is especially important, because unless you've been camping before, you really have no basis for the many decisions you will have to make once you do get your full-time vehicle. Although I will say that having a comfortable way to sleep is the only true one-size-fits-all advice that there is when it comes to camping.

There are lots of youtube vids about living in a car and about going camping for beginners.

Wherever you live, there's bound to be some kind of campground within a few hours. Go for one or two nights, then evaluate your experience. Ask yourself what is the ONE thing you felt the most in need of, then address that ONE thing in the cheapest way possible. Rinse and repeat. And remember, you can always camp in your driveway or your backyard or in a friend's driveway or backyard.

It isn't the vehicle or the stuff that makes it fun. (Although those things can add or subtract convenience.)

And if you find you really don't like camping - and plenty of people don't - you've just saved yourself a ton of money.

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

And here comes my standard advice -

Go camping right now in the vehicle you have with the stuff you have. Since you are apparently new to camping, this is especially important, because unless you've been camping before, you really have no basis for the many decisions you will have to make once you do get your full-time vehicle. Although I will say that having a comfortable way to sleep is the only true one-size-fits-all advice that there is when it comes to camping.

There are lots of youtube vids about living in a car and about going camping for beginners.

Wherever you live, there's bound to be some kind of campground within a few hours. Go for one or two nights, then evaluate your experience. Ask yourself what is the ONE thing you felt the most in need of, then address that ONE thing in the cheapest way possible. And remember, you can always camp in your driveway or your backyard or in a friend's driveway or backyard.

It isn't the vehicle or the stuff that makes it fun. (Although those things can add or subtract convenience.)

And if you find you really don't like camping - and plenty of people don't - you've just saved yourself a ton of money.

That's a great idea, thank you. It's something I've wanted to do for years but I do know there will be adjustments. I've been looking at Tiny homes online for a couple of years now and kept wishing there was a way to have a mobile tiny home. I think I will love it and I have plenty of family and friends to visit around the country for the climates that are too hot. I'm on the east coast and despise the humidity yet all of my family is here on the east side of the country. so I'm already working out in my head that I'd be doing a lot of visiting family during the hottest months and spending the winters in the sw desert areas.

 

[thebarefootbadger]

And here comes my standard advice -

Go camping right now in the vehicle you have with the stuff you have. Since you are apparently new to camping, this is especially important, because unless you've been camping before, you really have no basis for the many decisions you will have to make once you do get your full-time vehicle. Although I will say that having a comfortable way to sleep is the only true one-size-fits-all advice that there is when it comes to camping.

I must agree with this. I had a great situation in which I could camp in my own enclosed yard, with the car. I lived in my car for a month with the ultimate safety net of my house right there so I could go in and get what was missing, discover just how much I didn't like trying to shower outside of a bathroom, but how easy it was to pee into a designated "water" bottle that could be easily taken into a restroom and dumped without attracting attention, tweak the window coverings with all my tools etc. right there with me and set up, truly know how many powered items I needed and what sort of power supply was appropriate ... a thousand things. Having a plan for how to manage my needs and preferences that was based on personal experience was priceless.

 

[Tony's Dream]

I'm not a full time van dweller, I only use my van to take travel trips of 12-14 days. I took a 5400 mile trip to the north west in June. I am planning on a trip from NE to VA and back next month. I found this lifestyle very comforting and relaxing. I travel alone while my wife watches our grandson, which I help with when I am not traveling. I agree with a lot of the comments here, many people with good wisdom. It took me several short trips to discover what I wanted and needed in my van and change things after almost every trip. I hope you will also enjoy the van life.

 

[Hexy65]

Hello, I am new to this van life forum. I have always wanted to travel the country in an RV. I never considered a van until recently when I cane across Bob on his YOuTube Channel. That was about a week ago and I have been binge watching many episodes since. I have finally found my community! I'm 57 and worked as an administrative assistant for over 25 years and in 2019 left that job due to burn out. I am now a live-in caregiver which is giving me the opportunity to save a little money. My plan is to save until a little money comes through at the end of Dec 2024 from my old job and then hit the road in January of 2025 permanently. Since I have never camped and know little to nothing about RV or van living, I want to emmerse myself into this community as if I'm already living it until I can dive in full time. I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra which I'd rather not try to live in so this time will allow for me to save to hopefully sell my car and buy a suitable van. I'm looking forward to meeting many new like-minded souls along the way and who knows what life brings us. if I find myself in a position to set out sooner, then all the better!

I’ about 20 min from you-North Garden is gorgeous!

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the Van Living Forum ! A Van may be just the thing for you to get started in and begin to learn what you don't know in small steps. There are two links below in my signature line that I've put together to help new folks get into this affordable manner of travel & living.

In the Van Conversion site, there is a link at the top to "My Own Story" which explains how I got into this and combined it with my working career. Nomad life doesn't have to be an all or nothing lifestyle. You could combine it with what you are doing now.

This link from April 2020 may be handy too.

Education & Skills needed to work online from your rig

https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/education-skills-needed-to-work-online-from-your-rig.40960/
All the best !

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

I’ about 20 min from you-North Garden is gorgeous!

Oh wow, how crazy is that? It is beautiful here.

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

I'm not a full time van dweller, I only use my van to take travel trips of 12-14 days. I took a 5400 mile trip to the north west in June. I am planning on a trip from NE to VA and back next month. I found this lifestyle very comforting and relaxing. I travel alone while my wife watches our grandson, which I help with when I am not traveling. I agree with a lot of the comments here, many people with good wisdom. It took me several short trips to discover what I wanted and needed in my van and change things after almost every trip. I hope you will also enjoy the van life.

Thank you

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

Welcome to the Van Living Forum ! A Van may be just the thing for you to get started in and begin to learn what you don't know in small steps. There are two links below in my signature line that I've put together to help new folks get into this affordable manner of travel & living.

In the Van Conversion site, there is a link at the top to "My Own Story" which explains how I got into this and combined it with my working career. Nomad life doesn't have to be an all or nothing lifestyle. You could combine it with what you are doing now.

This link from April 2020 may be handy too.

Education & Skills needed to work online from your rig

https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/education-skills-needed-to-work-online-from-your-rig.40960/
All the best !

Thank you!

 

[barefootrebel]

I’ about 20 min from you-North Garden is gorgeous!

Hexy65, I'm also not far from you, in Bealeton.

 

[INTJohn]

Go camping with your Sentra - get a tent till when ever & figure it out 4 yourself. There is no shortage of people who can’t wait to impart to you their “wisdom”.
Research & experiment then go your way & live your life.
My only advice, and I shudder in fear to give any1 advice, contrary to someone’s advice above:
Don’t necessarily get the “cheapest possible”
Rather purchase the highest quality you can afford. Ideally, hopefully you can afford The Best…..
3 thing to Never skrimp on:
Tires for your vehicle
Footwear for your feet
Mattress to sleep on.
Get The Best. Always.
99% of one’s life is spent on those 3 things
INTJohn

 

[5D Highway (Sharon)]

Go camping with your Sentra - get a tent till when ever & figure it out 4 yourself. There is no shortage of people who can’t wait to impart to you their “wisdom”.
Research & experiment then go your way & live your life.
My only advice, and I shudder in fear to give any1 advice, contrary to someone’s advice above:
Don’t necessarily get the “cheapest possible”
Rather purchase the highest quality you can afford. Ideally, hopefully you can afford The Best…..
3 thing to Never skrimp on:
Tires for your vehicle
Footwear for your feet
Mattress to sleep on.
Get The Best. Always.
99% of one’s life is spent on those 3 things
INTJohn

Great advice, thank you!

 

[Perridox]

Welcome! We are new to van living too, but had spent many years tent camping. I echo what others have said-- try it out first. Even with years of tent and backpacking experience, it took us some time to figure out how to organize and live in a van (still learning this...) but having the basics of camping down really helps. Also, would advise giving yourself some outside space options if you have room-- a portable screen tent or awning, camp chair/table so that you have more space that feels like home.

 

[Debrajoy54]

Hello, I am new to this van life forum. I have always wanted to travel the country in an RV. I never considered a van until recently when I cane across Bob on his YOuTube Channel. That was about a week ago and I have been binge watching many episodes since. I have finally found my community! I'm 57 and worked as an administrative assistant for over 25 years and in 2019 left that job due to burn out. I am now a live-in caregiver which is giving me the opportunity to save a little money. My plan is to save until a little money comes through at the end of Dec 2024 from my old job and then hit the road in January of 2025 permanently. Since I have never camped and know little to nothing about RV or van living, I want to emmerse myself into this community as if I'm already living it until I can dive in full time. I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra which I'd rather not try to live in so this time will allow for me to save to hopefully sell my car and buy a suitable van. I'm looking forward to meeting many new like-minded souls along the way and who knows what life brings us. if I find myself in a position to set out sooner, then all the better!

Welcome sweetie! I lived in my camper van for 2 and 1/2 years and my minivan for 6 months and before all of that my car for 6 months! My camper van was by far, the most comfortable. I sold my camper van and moved into a little trailer which I have loved, but now I would like to go back to living on Wheels! I'll be 68 in November! Your puppy looks adorable! I bet you will find a way sooner than you think! Let us know!