The hardest part about this lifestyle?

[peacetara]

Overall I don't find the life any harder really, just different. You have different stresses, instead of finding money/remembering to pay the water and trash and sewer bill, you find places to dump/bury your bodily excrements or finding/carrying fresh water.

Neither are necessarily hard, but the are different sides of the same needs (getting rid of waste and getting fresh water). Tho perhaps you have lots more options when van dwelling

You don't have to worry about making rent, but you do have to worry about gas and water levels, and finding safe places to park.

I think one could go on and on with comparisons here, but personally I don't find any of it really any harder than "standard" living, just different, so I think the hardest thing is finding and adjusting to the differences.

With Love,
Tara

 

[anm]

At the end of the 6 years of full time vandwelling I chose one of the cheapest remote places to live as possible in the U.S. I chose it because it was as much like being full time as possible. It turned out that the decision that I have made was correct. Being a vandweller since the 1970's I knew I was looking for something that I just couldn't seem to get satisfied. I have found that it is living in a city that was the problem. Living elbow to elbow with folks was what I didn't want to do. Vandwelling in the city, is like living out in the country without neighbors. It is existing with out the "strings of responsibility" that family and friends often present. When folks found out that we had moved into our moho full time they often would shun us. I was suprised at which ones would no longer talk to us and which ones were willing to keep up our relationships with them. For some it is like we became a "no longer a valued" part of their lives just because we chose not to have a subdivision house. We lost respect because of our choice.
...

Many people choose friends based on the status they will receive by association. If all of a sudden you no longer fit in then you have no status, you're no longer a 'worthy' catch. They have perverted the meaning of the word friend...

 

[jeanontheroad]

At our age, our friends envy us. Some of them would like to do it, but feel that they can't. For some, their health is not good enouigh. Some are scared of the unknown and don't trust their ability to cope. Two have elderly relatives that need someone around and, unlike us, there is no one else to pick up the slack for a while. One couple, who seem to have a very great deal more money than we do, say that finances stand in their way. Maybe their lifestyle is actually built on debt.

At any rate, we haven't had a bit of trouble with friends.

 

[caseyc]

Haters will always hate for all types of reasons. I have friends with kids and obligations, and I'm sure deep down they can't stand the fact I'm uncluttered and carefree. People will hate you for living in a van. People will hate you for having no kids. People will hate you for having more money. There is no shortage of reasons why people will dislike you. Best thing to do is steer clear of them.