The Positives of Van Dwelling.

[peacetara]

I wanted to talk a minute about the positives of Van Dwelling.&nbsp; We are getting into a new year, and I think there is a lot to be thankful for living this Van Dwelling lifestyle.<br><br>So often on this forum, we get hung up on bathrooms, fresh water, cooking and staying warm.&nbsp; These are all very important things, but I don't want us to forget the amazing that we also have!<br><br> This past few months of van dwelling full time, I've seen beautiful sunsets and sunrises almost every night, I've met awesome people, and had great experiences!<br><br>I always have a safe place to sleep every night, but I get to be in fabulous amazing places.&nbsp; From watching the sunset and sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, to watching wolves and deer walk by my camp in Montana, to Ostriches in Tehachapi, CA. I've had complete strangers help mount a Solar Panel (and so much more), and had beautiful conversations with people I would otherwise never have met.<br><br>My first time sleeping in the van, I realized why we build curtains.<br>My first time parking next to a semi truck at night, I realized that vibrating beds can be free!<br>My first time cooking in a Van, I got a great show from the local Fire Department!<br><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody ">The things we get to do in this lifestyle that would be nearly impossible for most people make me happy to be a van dweller.<br><br>What are your benefits to van dwelling?<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[blueberry]

I'm not out there yet so I'm really looking forward to reading more of this thread. I'm daydreaming about my vandwelling future so much, it's hard to focus on the present.<br><br>"<span style="line-height: 20px;">My first time cooking in a Van, I got a great show from the local Fire Department!"</span><br><br>This I gotta hear more about!

 

[peacetara]

Blueberry, I wrote about it on another post in this forum, back when it happened: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a9cg9te" rel="nofollow"><br></a><a rel="nofollow">https://vanlivingforum.com/post/First-cooked-meal-in-van-complete-with-fire-truck!-5985861</a><br><br>Chances are the link above won't work, but if that is the case use this one:<br><br><a href="http://tinyurl.com/a9cg9te" rel="nofollow">Direct link here.</a><br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[Niall-CorollaLiving]

Tell more about the fire department! I am finding my self really enjoying the lifestyle, today I did nothing but relax for once. I sat at the park reading by the lake without the worry of rent or being kicked out. I even stayed for sunset! Tommorow same deal, I refused to risk driving in the city on New Years night.

I cant imagine having all that room in a van, but a cooking area would be nice.

 

[cyndi]

Love this thread, Tara! I can't wait to add to it!

 

[Kimbopolo]

I'm a some-timer (and a new one at that).&nbsp; I am on my 4th trip in my van that I purchased 4 short months ago.&nbsp; One thing I love most is stopping where and when I want to have some coffee and work the crossword puzzle.&nbsp;&nbsp;It's a simple pleasure&nbsp;yet gives me a profound sense of freedom.&nbsp; &nbsp; <br><br>

 

[WanderingRain]

Like your firetruck story, Tara!<br><br>Lots of of people in this country talk about "freedom".<br>But I find that we few... we very lucky few, really know the full extent of that marvelous word.<br>And that many of our bretheren, so caught up with the hamster wheel of regular living, never even can concieve of living their lives as masters of their own ships.<br><br>This life has been a blessing to me.<br>Since 2009, I have spent half the year outside the country. I still worked, but &nbsp;I did change my locality a lot because I did structure my life around this idea that it has to be portable. I spent nearly a year in Australia --10 months. I rented a small room, explored the land, and worked my online graphics job from there. Instead of squirrels running up trees, I saw lizards sauntering at public parks... big parrots in the trees... and giant bats roosting in downtown Sydney at night. <br>It's blue mountains, tons of beaches, and wine tasting... It's been quite a fun ride. I even had a girlfriend for 6 months. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"> (the reason I moved there in the first place)<br>I probably spent more time there than most guys with vastly more incomes ever will in their entire lifetimes --bogged down with material possessions and life's anchors that keep them from traveling much.<br><br>It's true freedom, IMHO.&nbsp;<br>And from true freedom comes real contentment and happiness.<br><br>And it's all thanks to Bob, the leader (or guru) of this merry band. <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="bbc_img"><br><br>

 

[peacetara]

kimbopolo, I agree completely!&nbsp; The ability to just stop whenever, and have your whole house with you is a total positive to this lifestyle!!<br><br>Niall-CorollaLiving: look right below your post, and there is a link to the original topic on this forum about the Fire Truck story or <a href="http://tinyurl.com/a9cg9te" rel="nofollow">just click here</a>.<br><br>It's amazing how quickly you can fill up your space, no matter the size!&nbsp; I'm a tall girl at 6', so I really enjoy the added length so I can really stretch out.&nbsp; I started in a minivan, and it was a really good size, I think for me, that's the smallest size I'd want to be in full time.&nbsp; In many ways I prefer that size to this size, but I got this giant van, so that my friend can come with me when she was able. The extra space to carry stuff is really nice when out in nature away from towns for a while.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

6 foot wow!&nbsp; I think you are the first woman I 'know' that i could actually see <em>eye to eye</em> with <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; <br><br>When i was staying in my minivan during the week I liked how when I was hanging with the family, I could just go to sleep somewhere quiet with no kids at any time I wanted and it didn't cost me a dime in gas <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; I didn't even have to put on shoes

 

[Terry]

&nbsp; I'm fortunate enough to have the best of both lifestyles. My "shack" only costs around $100 in taxes and I don't worry too much about the upkeep. It's like 300 feet to the nearest bus stop for mass transit here in Pensacola. I can get all the way to the beach on that. <br>&nbsp; I have my van for making trips but can't make any right now because of Cathy needing me and her not being able to get out with me. I may look for a smaller van in the future . I bought this one to be able to accommodate Cathy and me needing to be able to stand up nearly straight to help her move about and I like it but with a small disability income, it kinda sucks gas. I have a decent bike for local trips and am thinking about a small enclosed trailer to take it with me for road trips. And yea, it's a Harley. My first one. <br>&nbsp; The only thing more I could ask for is for Cathy to be able to get out of bed and have fun with me.

 

[WanderingRain]

DEazar, thqat is so true! When I watched my siblings' homes, I had the option of going into my little home and shacking up there for a bit... or wherever I went, I had all my stuff with me! I treated hotel rooms like they were a house --brought in my water heater, slippers, etc. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> And when I need more clothes? I just go to my "house" and get more. heh! It really is something.<br><br>That's why next year I make my big push towards true sustained independent living/traveling/working in my future home.

 

[Suanne]

I've been thinking about this thread, off and on, since Tara posted it.&nbsp; I think what I love about living in a vehnicle is the seeking &amp; finding of new experiences.&nbsp; I actually can't explain the feeling, the freedom, the release, the fulfillment&nbsp;I feel when I'm on the road ... especially when I'm in nature.&nbsp; Even when I'm spending time&nbsp;at a specific place, living in my car, the knowledge that I can move on down the road, over the hill, on&nbsp;a whim is amazing.&nbsp; Who knows what I'll see, feel and experience there.<br><br>I feel so fortunate to have the&nbsp;opportunity to be a rubber tramp, to&nbsp;see amazing sights in my country's national parks, meet people from all over, experience many sub-cultures' humor, foods, smells, values ...&nbsp;&nbsp; The movement toward the new, the unknown, the learning opportunities are some of the&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;reasons why I'm so thankful to be a vehnicle dweller, a traveller.<br><br>Thanks for asking Tara ... being grateful is good for my soul.

 

[gp]

Vandwelling is like being a turtle. You tuck you head and feet in, and you're home. It doesn't get any cooler than that. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[VanTrekker]

Turtle... LOL... love it!<br><br>I like taking little 2 or 3 day trips and ending up wherever.&nbsp; When the campground was snowed in recently, I just went to the local Walmart, only to discover 5 bar wifi from the nearby Lowes.&nbsp; I'd take it over a four star hotel.<br><br>You can't beat that "I'm home" feeling.<br><br>One day I was in van and watched a dog follow some kids to the school bus, wait for them to board, and then turn around and trot&nbsp;away.&nbsp; That dog loved the children and watched over them to keep them safe.&nbsp; Talk about a beautiful thing!<br><br>I've seen the beauty and cried more times the last year than in the last 20.&nbsp; There is SO much natural wonder everywhere but so few of us see it.&nbsp; I recently cried and prayed while&nbsp;looking at the beautiful snow covered hills, wondering how for so many years I didn't notice or enjoy them!&nbsp; (probably when taking too many pills for&nbsp;fried&nbsp;nerves)&nbsp; The chance to de-stress and relish the amazing surroundings has enabled me to be happier and enjoy better health.&nbsp; The van is just a&nbsp;portal to a new, exciting new life...<br><br>At the moment the Express Van&nbsp;is being buffeted as&nbsp;a strong cold front is passing through.&nbsp; It is going to rock the occupant to sleep.&nbsp; They don't have that in a Hilton hotel.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>V.T.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[Guest]

The feeling of wherever I may be, I'm still home! Getting to live in "God's Living Room" as my Mom used to say.
I have often told people I'm like a turtle with my house on my back - whether in a rv or a minivan!
Getting better fuel millage than any "stics'n'brics" house will ever get (even when it was only 5mpg in the class A MH)
When travelling - knowing that I can cater to my allergies - in that I don't have to be concerned that the hotel bedding may have been washed in detergent I'm allergic to or the fumes from a newly painted room etc will kick in asthma.

 

[pawsaroundoz]

Like previous post I like the feeling that home is wherever I am!<br><br>The best thing I am starting to think is the fact that our homes are small gives us the chance to truly practice 'be here now' ie when I am cooking I cannot really get caught up doing other stuff (saves me heaps in replacing burnt saucepans) when I am computing that is all I am doing and so on and so on!<br><br>Having a small home also gives me time to think, meditate, read, practice energy healing (on my dogs) send loving thoughts out for those that are in need of such thoughts.....<br><br>annie