So I f9nd an van .. then what ?

[Karlamaria]

All my life I have taken care of family, until they died and even raised 2 grand kids. So I see this on van life, and I can’t tell you how excited I am. But... first off I a, only now saving up for the van life, spent every dime on caring for everyone else there is nothing left for me. So my question is.... so I get a van, what next ? Liv9ng in a small town, and literally being locked in for many years caring for my mom and my nephew, both bed bound, I don’t know anyone who can convert my van, the cost to do so, and the cost of all that need to go into insulating the van. If I do a meet up, are there people who will do the job of insulating, at a fair price ? This is over whelming for a woman who dreams of the van life, but don’t know where to start.

 

[bullfrog]

Don't worry about a van right off. Find out what will work or if it will work for you first. Do you drive or have a vehicle now ? If so try doing some weekend camping or sight seeing trips that you can take a nap in the car or on a picnic table. If no vehicle just backpack and try some basic camping most of the gear you obtain can be used in the van if you decied to go that route. Research, experiment and learn about using public restrooms, finding water, dealing with food and all aspects of living on the road. Several people live out of their cars, tents, trucks, and RV's. If you think a van will work for you then try throwing a sleeping pad, bucket toliet and maybe a camp stove in and camp in your driveway. This may be all you need to get started. Mean time save money for an emergency fund and make sure your finances will support you while on the road, maybe you can save money by just staying put living in your van untill all needs are met.

 

[ckelly78z]

Perhaps a small class B motorhome would serve you better. It already has all of the living features in place that you would try to build, or have built into a van. It would still drive like a van, but have more headroom, and have more comfort.

 

[Beeps and eats]

Just try camping with the vehicle you have already. If possible borrow a mini van or full size van and give it a try. Do it in all the conditions that you can. Rain, heat, etc.
Do it as often as possible and see how it goes. It's far better to know how you are going to feel about living on the road while you still have a place to stay. I have met three people who tried vanlife and within two months decided to go back to the four wall life. Nothing wrong with it but had they experimented with it first they might be on the road still. In conversation with them it seemed like culture shock. Too much change at once. May have been different for them.

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[Karlamaria]

I live on montana, it’s so cold right now that I could not even go out to try it yet. I do drive, and I have extensive gear to camp, just have not been able to camp in many many years. Being bound to caring for s0 many people I have not had freedom in almost 15 years to just go out of town. My mom passed last December and I cared for her for many years, I still have my severely handicapped nephew, and my dad’s 91 , also I have my grandsons who are 17 and 16.. im planning on the van life when they reach work age, either they can travel with me and take tents, or get them selves a home and I will put my handicapped nephew I cared for now 24 years into a home. I’m not getting any younger. My life was about family, caring for them, and being single for 24 years it’s been hard. I’m thinking , get the van, find someone to work on it, keep saving, and with in the next two years, I will retire and van life it. I’ll be 60 in March, car9ng for everyone has taken a toll on my body and my back, shoulders from lifting has really become a problem. I’m hopign to be free from all this and live the rest of my life relaxing, seeing something other then my little town, and meeting other folks. It’s been years since I even got to just leave and go to the store. I have to have it all planned out one day a month on a Saturday as my daughter works and leaving my nephew with her. Unfortunately I have no other help with my nephew.

 

[Beeps and eats]

It sounds like you are going to blossom once you are able to go where and when you wish.

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[Karlamaria]

Thanks Beeps, I know I will ! I watch van life all day long ! ????

 

[Beeps and eats]

Well we are here so you can always get a hold of one of the folks in the forum and ask anything you like. That's what makes this community work so well.

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[bullfrog]

Something you might consider to get going a little sooner is seasonal work for you and your grandchildren. Most concessioneers will hire as young as 16 years old and several offer housing. Also some good government programs like America Corps and Comservation Corps. My mom is almost 91 and my children live/ help with her so I could "retire" and work seasonally. Might want to look at Coolworks.com in their jobs.