How to try van life without buying a van

It’s tempting, isn’t it? Scrolling through social media videos of “van lifers” might make you think about throwing it all away to live the vagabond dream on the open road. Whether you’ve started looking for a used cargo van or you’ve managed to stop the impulse, it’s hard to shake the thought: “Maybe I’ll just go for it.”

My own van-life dreams were almost entirely fueled by covid claustrophobia, the inability to purchase a regular house in the city I’d lived in for 10 years and, yes, social media. I decided to go all in and buy a used passenger van, tore out all of the original seats and lining, and built out my dream van — or, at least, as close as I could get as a DIYer using mostly YouTube videos.

After almost two years on the road, I have a much better sense of what else could scratch that itch without having to make the full lifestyle leap.

Depending on what’s fueling your interest, there are many ways to test out life on the road. Asking yourself why this lifestyle is so appealing can help give you a sense of the scale, price and commitment level that might be right for you.

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