The only thing I feel like I have a problem living full-time on my van is loneliness. And when I get lonely that's when I go into town and run my errands and talk to everybody by the time I'm done with that I'm ready to be alone again
I saw a video explaining just what you said. She said she would wear out the ear of the cashier The Bag Boy drive-thru person at the coffee shop. Other people in line any place she was and she was done.
Michelle, I get it as I have been away from family for 40 yrs., but I do speak to people a little throughout my day. I really feel for the people who are in broken down vehicles, etc. Soooo, I went to the library and typed up a list of approx 10 Utubers (different ages) who needed to do van/car life to exist. I stop and talk to them (trying to give them hope) give them a copy of the van dwellers, and let them know that they are not alone. Also, I would like to meet with people, locally, once a month who are struggling and have a brainstorming session (i.e., food, clothing, housing options, mechanics, job opportunities) to actually help each other. We CAN solve a lot of this when we work together!!! 👍👍👍👍👍
The rules of 3. a person can go: 3 seconds to make the correct extreme survival decisions 3 minutes without air 3 hours without shelter 3 days without water 3 weeks without food 3 months without human contact (mental)
I lived static, working a full time job in a town, for two years… after a year I hit upon an idea that worked great for me. I found a secure storage facility that had spaces on the back for storage of boats and RVs. I rented one and told them I need a place to park my work van overnight. $30 a month, got a secure place to park, in at 9:00 out by 6:00 and never got a knock or had any issue in over a year.
I'm renting a tiny off-grid place in the desert. 64 square feet. About the same amount space as a van. I have two dogs and Los Angeles rents are ridiculous. When my dogs pass i want to try van life. It will simply be a place to sleep when my dogs pass. (They're 13.) The van will basically be a place to sleep as I'll start working a lot more to put money away. Something is pulling me to do this. I have to do it.
Most are homeless who live in vans it’s not something they wanted. I did it in 1993-94 way before it was a trend or a need? After a year I went back too renting a condo it was way cheaper to rent a place and way way more convenient and comfortable. In that tyear o jad at least 4 very scary moments where I was sleeping and woke to getting broke into! That was 1993. Can’t imagine how much more danger lurks with the Fentanyl and Meth Crisis…
Great topic for further thought n discussion. Some YT channels work hard to make vanlife seem like nothing but beautiful, exciting n awesome. That causes people to think that it is magical n effortless for the most part. Thats sadly deceptive.
Personally if I am going to do something drastic such as van life, I would have spent years researching it myself. Van life UA-camrs are not responsible for any lifestyle I adopt. Accountability is personal. Happy Friday
What's Up Matty! Van Life is a Lifestyle if people do their homework and ask around they will get a clear picture. I'm an Introvert so the being alone is ok and being Semi- Social is the norm for me I have anxiety too. I plan to have a home base and do Van life part time due to medical conditions I have but I'm still excited to do Van Life . Your honesty is appreciated💕👍🚐🍺
Good message. You have to be in a really well-balanced mental health situation to boondock alone. At 65 I can do it now and I love it. But there was a time in my life when I had to be in a nice hotel at a golf resort.
This video of Matt's van life is the most honest and to the point that I have viewed. Thank you, Matt, for some of your true facts about 'van life'. I'm in Canada, so year-round van life up here is challenging as well! FJT!
I'm not a van dweller, I have a 25' class C. I like my own company but I know I would feel claustrophobic living in a van. My short class C has a slide out so my space is like a tiny studio apartment and I just love it. At 73 I hope I have another 10 years to travel; I guess I'll give it up when I feel I shouldn't drive anymore. I'm living such a great life, I'm fortunate.
Thank you for being candid about the van life, which has pros and cons. People post all the pros instead of being honest about their van life struggles. Even with the battle, you can leave some tips to benefit other newbies' van life.
City VanLife in one single city is the biggest challenge. "They will find you out ". Moving from city to city is much easier " I’m just passing thru". Doing a mix of city and country boondocks is the most interesting and is what I’m going to do. I love both nature and culture.
People that can't make sticks and brick work won't be able to handle being out in the world. I've found that it is cheaper to live in a van though. You have to move according to your budget. I boondock solely. I don't ever get lonely..I have two dogs that is all the company I need. You just have to be prepared... for anything😊 Also I'm not a worrier... If I got a knock I would just move... If I break down I either call a mechanic or a tow.... If someone tries to break in I'll... 😊
So true. I've done both as well and I much prefer traveling in my van rather than city dwelling, hands down. In fact, because my SS isn't enough and I'm now having to work part-time to supplement, I'm renting a room close to my work. I really wish I had the money to travel full time again, but unforeseen circumstances drained me of all my savings and I'm at the mercy of the system once again. But I'm making the best of things and my pets and I are content. Thankfully, I love the State, City and area I work and live in. Take care.
The wild card in the future is how hot the summers will continue to be going forward. If we have a cycle where temps are going to be extreme for several years that will push everybody into the higher elevations. Nomads, weekenders, vacationers, and summer residents will all be staking a claim on ground above 8000ft.
I’m naturally introverted. It is very draining for me to be around other ppl. I’m empathetic & it takes a lot out of me to take on everyone else’s emotions/states of mind. I love spending most of my time alone. I’m in a location where it’s peaking at around 85 to 90 degrees in the day & at night cooling to the low 60s. I’m so glad I left texas this summer where it’s well into the 100s. So far I’m doing alright. I have a fridge so I can have cold water. And it has a freezer so I can even make ice & keep frozen foods. I have enough solar for the summer but when it gets cloudy I’ll have som issues. I may need to update my power over the winter though my fridge will also be less power hungry then.
Overcrowded has a direct relationship how much is available. When I think primarily the locals trash a area they shut it down they block off the entrance. The cough shut down a lot of areas at least for a while. That was when a whole lot of people cut off the road. Many that I follow are homesteaders now. I think partly because of burnout and partly because of new content opportunities. With so many big channels doing that homesteading or at least a home base thing it's going to take a lot of attention off Van life. Thank you for another thought-out deep dive
Hi Matt . Interesting topic . I think people get into van life for many different reasons. No major responsibilities, pay no taxes , mortgages , bills, mental health issues, to travel the country, meet different people everywhere, to live a simple way of life, etc. I say each to their own . Take care . Have fun. Deborah 🇨🇦
Maybe no mortgage or rent, unless you have a storage unit. Theres still all the vehicle responsibilities, plus showers n laundry n mail box plus other responsibilities such as buying food, water, fuel for cooking, more fuel for the vehicle, medical, personal care items, cleaning items, if you have a pet, theres vet services, vaccines, registration n licensing in most places, pet food dental treatments n sometimes grooming n nail clipping plus washing n brushing. As far as taxes, theres sales tax along with federal, state n local taxes on income, so theres no escaping those. Remember that a vehicle used more often requires more maintenance more often. Vanlife can be cheaper than renting for instance, but it is not nearly as cheap as it use to be.
@@k8k9vanlifeplusLets not forget the expense of cell n Internet services. The added expenses of equipment n maintenance plus the possibility of a camp site fee.
I started in January in the city. Had a rotation of sleeping spots. I’ve been able to be on blm land since the summer started and have been part time city, part time dusty desert. Today is my first day that I’m about to make a go for one full week in a spot. I got my water, plenary of food, my plan for how I’m going to cook and everything I need for a restroom. I’m excited
I am definitely an introvert. I don’t mind being alone and am rarely lonely when I go camping. But I don’t live in my van. I think I would miss my family too much. I would never ever want to live in a city in a van. I need to be in nature. The truth is not negative or positive. It’s just the truth. I personally like the truth so thanks for that.
Actually many upon many vanlifers, part-timers, full-timers, and weekend warriors have talked about it a lot. Many over the course of their videos, but maybe not as much or to the extent you have in one video. Many have though too. I think unfortunately many fixate on the more glamorous videos that tend to want to glamorize everything.
Good talk. I'm not a full time nomad but I love an adventure in my converted minivan. Still learning lots of lessons. I do appreciate UA-camrs who mention the negatives such as heat, mice, dust, noise from ATVs, etc. None of which can't be overcome but all of which can combine to make for some bad days. It's not all like the Instagram photos of a gorgeous girlfriend laying on the bed with the rear doors open watching the sunset over a beautiful lake. LOL It's also Walmart parking lots with scary noises in the night and days at a time with no human contact and nothing worthy of an instagram glamour shot. I love that your videos don't dwell on the negatives but I do get a sense from your videos that it's not all peaches and cream. You balance the negatives and positives well. I felt for you when you were having the back issues. Sounds like it was difficult as hell to not be able to stand up straight in the van. And that time you had a camping neighbor screaming at his wife non stop. Eeek That made me cringe. I might have moved on. LOL I hate conflict or even hearing others conflict. Weird how we hit the road to escape things like that and end up encountering them more sometimes than if we stayed home.
I’ve gone on family road trips since I can remember. I love being on the road. And I never want to pay rent again. I’d like to save up to buy some land.
Great discussion! From what I’ve been hearing, the current surge of quitters are the impulse buyers in 2020 who fled the pandemic and had no idea what to expect of vanlife. There are hundreds of 2020 & 2021 vans for sale with anywhere from 2,000 to 12,000 miles on them. Prices are still unrealistically high but coming down pretty quickly. Curious as to why you stayed mostly in the Flagstaff area this summer? 7,000 to 7500’ wouldn’t be nearly high enough for me, especially considering this summer in the Southwest has been much hotter and drier than normal. I’d be sitting on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim (9,000’) or somewhere even higher in Colorado.
After 7 years of living in without water & electric, with the average temps in the upper 90s, I think I’m ready. Now to find a van that doesn’t cost more than I can sell my place for…
I have found that I have an issue with larger groups of people because I can actually hear each of the different conversations that are going on in the room. It's especially bad at a loud restaurant where everyone is sitting at a big table and having multiple conversations and then there is also music in the background. It makes me ill and I can't enjoy the people or the music or the food and I just want to leave and go home. It's a hearing thing for me. I can hear too well. It's gotten worse as I have aged. Great video! One of the best I have seen. Thank you!
I got a Klos carbon fiber guitar for Summer travel .. it's pretty much impervious to heat, cold, and dry conditions. Other times I carry a inexpensive Breedlove that has a great tone .. I'm a finger picker and am usually in 'D' tuning. Understand about the lonely times. Traveled for years on a motorcycle by myself. I will go out for a few weeks at a time but I have a home base to come back to. 🤠
It's the same feeling riding motorcycle around the world. Lot of isolation. It's tough then you meet or find a place that makes it worthwhile. I've spent a lot of time alone oretty much with work on the road. Not what people think it is.
I think as we get older our lives change. It is amazing to think about the work that I did. I have always been blessed to live within 3 miles to stores, pharmacy, 2 hospitals, etc. Worked was within 3 to 5 miles. I am very blessed to own my place. We have to count our blessings. I have been spending time In Tennessee. They have two Buc-ee’s now. One in Crossville and the other in Sevierville. I have been to both. Went to the grand opening to the one in Sevierville. Everyone was excited and hanging out there for that day. Matt, it was even broadcast on NBC Today Show the entire time segments!!!!
I don’t know why some people take to this lifestyle so easily and others don’t. You and I started at the same time and are of the same mindset. 5 yrs..went so fast. I still love being this free. Now every summer, I head the other way..up to the NY, NH, Maine area of the US…wonderful weather and not crowded…shhh..don’t tell anybody! Luv ya Maddie. See you soon in Quartzsite. ,
Thank you for being real. I've never been a city person. I wouldn't want to even think about city van life for more than a night or two even when younger. I love camping, but I don't think I could have done it younger. Mentally & physically, I think I could have, but I didn't want to give up my critters. Then I had kids, horses and/or other animals. As I got older, I've become less tolerant of weather extremes. The arthritis in my knees is more reliable than any meteorologist. Now, with my birds and physical limitations I couldn't do van life. Even a full RV would be difficult, though I'd love to travel. If I had it to do over, I think I might have tried it to travel and see more of the country. There are many things I would have changed. Some things I wouldn't have. I don't think hindsight is 20/20, but if I'd known back then what I know now....
This video is VERY appreciated. Heat ran me into a rental last month, i was so miserable mostly because my dog was so unhappy. After. Weeks we left moved back into the van and started to figure out where we could beat some of the heat. Your videos are important.one year in here mistakes galore this first year.
It definitely takes a unique person with skills to be able to van life. Y’all would be laughing if I was out there because I would have way too much stuff lol. Arizona is the place I would definitely try. This was a good video thanks.
Hey Matty - just got through watching the replay of Brian's livestream from last night, and you got a couple of great shoutouts. Hopefully, you'll get some new subscribers from it. Cheers!
It would be pure hell to have to go back to the vity for any extended length of time. A matter of a few days is enough. I lived and worked the biggest. No more. Good vid. People need to know and understand what it's like. Good job
What about getting you a generator and a little portable air conditioner that don't cost too much to run to keep your house cool there so it'd be nice and cool in your van the only need a generator big enough to run your air conditioner
I think I'll always want a home base, but I do want to build an adventure vehicle and spend some quality time exploring the country. I've spent most of my life on the East Coast, and I really want to explore the Midwest and the West. I will play the cards I'm dealt, as Rusty says.
Great topic with this current heat. I am a newbie. Just 4 months in and I just follow the weather. I prefer to be with others but have spent a lot of time alone. #vanliferules
Everyone does things based on their own experiences. True it's not as glamorous as it seams. Kind of like people coming to America. Its not always what its cracked up to be.
The thing I will miss if I get a van will be flush toilets, showers and washing machine for clothes. lol I am former military so I can live out of duffle bag/backpack but I like my own toilet. lol
On my Van life journey, after being married for 35 years and being a responsible adult, my goal was to be a child and to deal with no responsibilities other than my job. Kind of worked for a while while healing.
I’m a quitter 😂 but it’s because of my daughter and her struggles as a single Mom and my role as a grandparent and the only living family she has (besides her kids). My hubby rigged a ProMaster with 1005watts of solar and lithium and a mini spilt. He doesn’t need propane, he has the microwave and induction burner. Mini split and Webasto. I traveled in my Prius with 100% climate control and never turned it off. But now I’m a quitter. 😂 but when he gets back after his 4 month journey out west, I’m gonna do my own Journey. I might go to Walmart and spend the night 🤣 I miss the life 🥰
Find a way to ventilate and sleep in whatever car you already have and take some camping trips. If you hate it then all you've probably spent money on is a rollout cot and some rechargeable fans.
I'm not worried either because it is a fad and people will get over it quickly. Looking for a place to park that is warm enough or cool enough is difficult and some people just will not want to deal with it. Vehicle repairs will devastate some people living on budgets. I've been out 1 year and absolutely love it! It is a little difficult at times, but won't change it any time soon! See ya down the road!!
@@valeriehancotte-galan4790 yeah thats kinda what I was getting at!! I really almost can't even afford living in my van but if I had known back in the day what I know now I would have been doing this along time ago its really for me a great way of living
I think it is laughable anyone would call Vanlife a “fad”. Tell that to someone who cannot afford rent. It’s the car/van or the street. Not everyone is doing it for fun and games. Many are doing it just to live.
My experience is that honestly I didn't see much of a difference. I am 5 years full time now myself and during the pandemic I luckily had friends helping me out in the complete lock down months period by letting me use their bathrooms and park in their driveways. But I was back on the road around May 2020 when gyms started to re-open in some states and out in the field it looked the same to me. Certainly van prices exploded and some more interest in people messaging me on IG asking about the lifestyle. I also noticed an increase in new UA-cam channels and folks trying to establish a business with it. And now lots of them quit because the general interest is going down of people watching that content who can't have the lifestyle as things are back to normal. For a lot is just not sustainable.
I know the feeling I have a friend who is in the land down under and just starting his build of a can life from scratch and he's having issues with spots to part, places to use facilities like bathroom shower, etc and then there's the wtf costs of the build, now I've been in construction and building things all my life and currently doing a tiny house build for the wife and not just tiny house but it has some unique features, and running into my own tissues, but anyhow you touched on alot of honest truths and looking forward to looking at your videos, and for now if anybody ended up my way, I have a lo g driveway that I can squeeze to vehicles in and hydro hooked up outside and more than welcome to any that is in my area and need a spot to park and yes will post when we are leaving this house but for now any in Windsor ont can or passing through message me and will do what we can to help out at no charge. I thank you for posting this and if you can message me I am also currently restoring an electric guitar and once done if you want it by all means it's yours sorry I don't send things out via mail sorry boss but of you road trip this way come on over. Anyhow shutting up now and thanks for posting truth
Carolyn just put out a video with her theory of why people are quitting. She thinks it's not that it's challenging or hard or the weather. She thinks it's that after you master all the details like finding places to boondock, how to stealth park, how to handle all the practical matters including mechanical breakdowns, it's less of a challenge and more of a routine you're comfortable/confident doing. Like a job you've mastered, showing up every day to face only the same challenges you've had the previous 1000 days, it gets boring. Same stuff, even if in a different forest or desert. Just another beautiful sunset, another beautiful mountain, after you've seen a lifetime's quota of them. But of course, many people get weeded out by the workload of living on the road, before reaching the point of mastery and boredom. Personally, I think it's often just people mistaking an adventure phase of life, for a permanent change in lifestyle. Someone who craves a major change in lifestyle once, is pretty sure to crave another change at some point also. And then there's the swinging pendulum of bringing people into your life, and often finding it's not a permanent thing with most of them. Seeing old friends might recharge you, or might prove you've drifted apart for a reason.
If you only watch Bob Wells videos', you might get the illusion it never rains, gets windy or blazing hot in the desert. He normally shoots videos when the weather is nice and the outdoors can be downright uncomfortable, that's why most people live in houses where you can control the climate year round for comfort. Take care Matty.
I have watched Bob wells's videos for years. He never gave me that impression. He talked about the difficulties, it's going to get hot, you'll have to pack your water. He talks about all the things.
@@notanomad9320 Your original point was that he sells a lifestyle that is perfect, and he doesn't. He talks about the hard stuff all the time. I just watched a video of him talking about how Vans get hot. 🤷♀️ He talks about the hard stuff, it tries to give solutions on how to cope with them. So I don't know what you're talking about.
@@jazziered142 yep I’ve seen him talk about it but never really showed how uncomfortable it is at times. I want to see the rain pouring down, the wind blowing so bad you can’t hear and the heat making him sweat trying make a video. Bob says we should all be Hunter/gathers instead of everyday ants so yes he has a product to sell and that’s the nomadic lifestyle. Couple years ago, a lady got a free van from HOWA, left her husband and then lasted maybe a month where she admitted this lifestyle is a lot harder then she thought. Nomadland was a more honest description of this lifestyle. Like Marty said, it ain’t so easy. If money was no object, most people would chose to live in a house.
I've been mostly "Eaat Bay Vanlife" with the exception of the trips to Quartzite and Oregon. I need to find a new Road Service connection. For now I have regular gigs weekends.
Hello Matty thanks for sharing the cons of vanlife it's really a important subject. Question if someone was forced to live in their vehicle and had to work in the city and couldn't afford to rent a sticks in bricks what would you recommend doing I do believe the city vanlife would be very difficult. I guessing talking to the boss is a good idea as long as they didn't fire you. ps Eastern city's would be to tougher than city out west to vanlife? Thanks for you sharing your advice. Take care out there!
3+4 chords gets ya the blues..I've bought and sold 45 rpm records.most via le are soul, northern Soul (genre) and Lps, blues, jazz, soul, 60's psych..great ... vlog Ssss
I'm into Vanlife, no turning back
The only thing I feel like I have a problem living full-time on my van is loneliness. And when I get lonely that's when I go into town and run my errands and talk to everybody by the time I'm done with that I'm ready to be alone again
I saw a video explaining just what you said. She said she would wear out the ear of the cashier The Bag Boy drive-thru person at the coffee shop. Other people in line any place she was and she was done.
Michelle, I get it as I have been away from family for 40 yrs., but I do speak to people a little throughout my day. I really feel for the people who are in broken down vehicles, etc. Soooo, I went to the library and typed up a list of approx 10 Utubers (different ages) who needed to do van/car life to exist. I stop and talk to them (trying to give them hope) give them a copy of the van dwellers, and let them know that they are not alone. Also, I would like to meet with people, locally, once a month who are struggling and have a brainstorming session (i.e., food, clothing, housing options, mechanics, job opportunities) to actually help each other. We CAN solve a lot of this when we work together!!! 👍👍👍👍👍
It's better than roommates I think. And especially when you have to share a bathroom.
Good video. Nomads need to to tell the good, the bad and the ugly. I like you don’t glorify van life.
Where ever you go...there you are.
♥️ this!
♥️ This!
I split the difference...built a tiny, very tiny house and got a van for trips. Gotta do something until we croak 😊
Right on!
The rules of 3. a person can go:
3 seconds to make the correct extreme survival decisions
3 minutes without air
3 hours without shelter
3 days without water
3 weeks without food
3 months without human contact (mental)
I lived static, working a full time job in a town, for two years… after a year I hit upon an idea that worked great for me. I found a secure storage facility that had spaces on the back for storage of boats and RVs. I rented one and told them I need a place to park my work van overnight. $30 a month, got a secure place to park, in at 9:00 out by 6:00 and never got a knock or had any issue in over a year.
Did they know that you were in the van?
That is not allowed at storage places here.
I would rather hear the truth than for you to sugar coat it by avoiding the harder issues! Thank you!
1 thing I miss about your city van life is the horses you’d visit on sundays.
With weather/temperature being such an important aspect, please give weather/temperature updates for each of your videos!
I'm renting a tiny off-grid place in the desert. 64 square feet. About the same amount space as a van. I have two dogs and Los Angeles rents are ridiculous. When my dogs pass i want to try van life. It will simply be a place to sleep when my dogs pass. (They're 13.) The van will basically be a place to sleep as I'll start working a lot more to put money away. Something is pulling me to do this. I have to do it.
Most are homeless who live in vans it’s not something they wanted. I did it in 1993-94 way before it was a trend or a need? After a year I went back too renting a condo it was way cheaper to rent a place and way way more convenient and comfortable. In that tyear o jad at least 4 very scary moments where I was sleeping and woke to getting broke into! That was 1993. Can’t imagine how much more danger lurks with the Fentanyl and Meth Crisis…
I spend my summer 100% in 70° weather by going to the mountains
That is my idea 💡 also for when I get to travel in my van 🚐
No shame in trying and deciding it’s not for you. Or just another life experience.
Great topic for further thought n discussion.
Some YT channels work hard to make vanlife seem like nothing but beautiful, exciting n awesome. That causes people to think that it is magical n effortless for the most part. Thats sadly deceptive.
Personally if I am going to do something drastic such as van life, I would have spent years researching it myself. Van life UA-camrs are not responsible for any lifestyle I adopt. Accountability is personal. Happy Friday
👏👏👏
What's Up Matty!
Van Life is a Lifestyle if people do their homework and ask around they will get a clear picture.
I'm an Introvert so the being alone is ok and being Semi- Social is the norm for me I have anxiety too.
I plan to have a home base and do Van life part time due to medical conditions I have but I'm still excited to do Van Life .
Your honesty is appreciated💕👍🚐🍺
Good message. You have to be in a really well-balanced mental health situation to boondock alone. At 65 I can do it now and I love it. But there was a time in my life when I had to be in a nice hotel at a golf resort.
Sharing the truth about Van life is vital. Thank for having an honest conversation 👍🏼
I tried for three years to outrun the heat. Can't be done. Now I have an apt and a job stocking a cooler in the heat. Way better.
This video of Matt's van life is the most honest and to the point that I have viewed. Thank you, Matt, for some of your true facts about 'van life'. I'm in Canada, so year-round van life up here is challenging as well! FJT!
Move with the weather. Here on the Oregon coast it seldom gets over 70 degrees in the summer. In the winter head to the desert SW.
I'm not a van dweller, I have a 25' class C. I like my own company but I know I would feel claustrophobic living in a van. My short class C has a slide out so my space is like a tiny studio apartment and I just love it. At 73 I hope I have another 10 years to travel; I guess I'll give it up when I feel I shouldn't drive anymore. I'm living such a great life, I'm fortunate.
Ive been in van at -28° not horrid, gets old after few weeks..mattyvantruth...I deal in truth..only..no deception. Ty MVHalen 🙂
Thank you for being candid about the van life, which has pros and cons. People post all the pros instead of being honest about their van life struggles. Even with the battle, you can leave some tips to benefit other newbies' van life.
3rd summer in van full time in florida. I still work. The summer's suck but the good days outweigh the bad days ✌️🚐
I love my van/cocoon/shell as a place to introvert. Extroverting into nature is all the balance I need❤
City VanLife in one single city is the biggest challenge. "They will find you out ". Moving from city to city is much easier " I’m just passing thru". Doing a mix of city and country boondocks is the most interesting and is what I’m going to do. I love both nature and culture.
People that can't make sticks and brick work won't be able to handle being out in the world.
I've found that it is cheaper to live in a van though. You have to move according to your budget. I boondock solely. I don't ever get lonely..I have two dogs that is all the company I need.
You just have to be prepared... for anything😊
Also I'm not a worrier... If I got a knock I would just move... If I break down I either call a mechanic or a tow.... If someone tries to break in I'll... 😊
So true. I've done both as well and I much prefer traveling in my van rather than city dwelling, hands down. In fact, because my SS isn't enough and I'm now having to work part-time to supplement, I'm renting a room close to my work. I really wish I had the money to travel full time again, but unforeseen circumstances drained me of all my savings and I'm at the mercy of the system once again. But I'm making the best of things and my pets and I are content. Thankfully, I love the State, City and area I work and live in. Take care.
The wild card in the future is how hot the summers will continue to be going forward. If we have a cycle where temps are going to be extreme for several years that will push everybody into the higher elevations. Nomads, weekenders, vacationers, and summer residents will all be staking a claim on ground above 8000ft.
I’m naturally introverted. It is very draining for me to be around other ppl. I’m empathetic & it takes a lot out of me to take on everyone else’s emotions/states of mind. I love spending most of my time alone.
I’m in a location where it’s peaking at around 85 to 90 degrees in the day & at night cooling to the low 60s. I’m so glad I left texas this summer where it’s well into the 100s.
So far I’m doing alright. I have a fridge so I can have cold water. And it has a freezer so I can even make ice & keep frozen foods.
I have enough solar for the summer but when it gets cloudy I’ll have som issues. I may need to update my power over the winter though my fridge will also be less power hungry then.
Overcrowded has a direct relationship how much is available. When I think primarily the locals trash a area they shut it down they block off the entrance. The cough shut down a lot of areas at least for a while. That was when a whole lot of people cut off the road. Many that I follow are homesteaders now. I think partly because of burnout and partly because of new content opportunities. With so many big channels doing that homesteading or at least a home base thing it's going to take a lot of attention off Van life. Thank you for another thought-out deep dive
Hi Matt . Interesting topic . I think people get into van life for many different reasons. No major responsibilities, pay no taxes , mortgages , bills, mental health issues, to travel the country, meet different people everywhere, to live a simple way of life, etc. I say each to their own . Take care . Have fun. Deborah 🇨🇦
Maybe no mortgage or rent, unless you have a storage unit. Theres still all the vehicle responsibilities, plus showers n laundry n mail box plus other responsibilities such as buying food, water, fuel for cooking, more fuel for the vehicle, medical, personal care items, cleaning items, if you have a pet, theres vet services, vaccines, registration n licensing in most places, pet food dental treatments n sometimes grooming n nail clipping plus washing n brushing. As far as taxes, theres sales tax along with federal, state n local taxes on income, so theres no escaping those. Remember that a vehicle used more often requires more maintenance more often. Vanlife can be cheaper than renting for instance, but it is not nearly as cheap as it use to be.
@@k8k9vanlifeplusLets not forget the expense of cell n Internet services. The added expenses of equipment n maintenance plus the possibility of a camp site fee.
I started in January in the city. Had a rotation of sleeping spots. I’ve been able to be on blm land since the summer started and have been part time city, part time dusty desert. Today is my first day that I’m about to make a go for one full week in a spot. I got my water, plenary of food, my plan for how I’m going to cook and everything I need for a restroom. I’m excited
You go Tim! 🚐
I am definitely an introvert. I don’t mind being alone and am rarely lonely when I go camping. But I don’t live in my van. I think I would miss my family too much. I would never ever want to live in a city in a van. I need to be in nature. The truth is not negative or positive. It’s just the truth. I personally like the truth so thanks for that.
Actually many upon many vanlifers, part-timers, full-timers, and weekend warriors have talked about it a lot. Many over the course of their videos, but maybe not as much or to the extent you have in one video. Many have though too. I think unfortunately many fixate on the more glamorous videos that tend to want to glamorize everything.
Good talk. I'm not a full time nomad but I love an adventure in my converted minivan. Still learning lots of lessons. I do appreciate UA-camrs who mention the negatives such as heat, mice, dust, noise from ATVs, etc. None of which can't be overcome but all of which can combine to make for some bad days. It's not all like the Instagram photos of a gorgeous girlfriend laying on the bed with the rear doors open watching the sunset over a beautiful lake. LOL It's also Walmart parking lots with scary noises in the night and days at a time with no human contact and nothing worthy of an instagram glamour shot. I love that your videos don't dwell on the negatives but I do get a sense from your videos that it's not all peaches and cream. You balance the negatives and positives well. I felt for you when you were having the back issues. Sounds like it was difficult as hell to not be able to stand up straight in the van. And that time you had a camping neighbor screaming at his wife non stop. Eeek That made me cringe. I might have moved on. LOL I hate conflict or even hearing others conflict. Weird how we hit the road to escape things like that and end up encountering them more sometimes than if we stayed home.
I’ve gone on family road trips since I can remember. I love being on the road.
And I never want to pay rent again. I’d like to save up to buy some land.
Great discussion! From what I’ve been hearing, the current surge of quitters are the impulse buyers in 2020 who fled the pandemic and had no idea what to expect of vanlife. There are hundreds of 2020 & 2021 vans for sale with anywhere from 2,000 to 12,000 miles on them. Prices are still unrealistically high but coming down pretty quickly.
Curious as to why you stayed mostly in the Flagstaff area this summer? 7,000 to 7500’ wouldn’t be nearly high enough for me, especially considering this summer in the Southwest has been much hotter and drier than normal. I’d be sitting on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim (9,000’) or somewhere even higher in Colorado.
Average low temperatures this week appears to be in the mid 50s, which doesn't sound that bad.
After 7 years of living in without water & electric, with the average temps in the upper 90s, I think I’m ready.
Now to find a van that doesn’t cost more than I can sell my place for…
Thank you for this video God bless
Matty, You're a Happy Camper - not a "Negative Ned," and not a mad nomad. That's why I'm subscribed.
I have found that I have an issue with larger groups of people because I can actually hear each of the different conversations that are going on in the room. It's especially bad at a loud restaurant where everyone is sitting at a big table and having multiple conversations and then there is also music in the background. It makes me ill and I can't enjoy the people or the music or the food and I just want to leave and go home. It's a hearing thing for me. I can hear too well. It's gotten worse as I have aged. Great video! One of the best I have seen. Thank you!
reality is the ups and downs>> just like the mountains❤
Life is what you make of it no matter what you live in. No thanks to city life. Give me the middle of nowhere.
I absolutely love to hear you Play the guitar, I have been subscribed for two year.
I got a Klos carbon fiber guitar for Summer travel .. it's pretty much impervious to heat, cold, and dry conditions. Other times I carry a inexpensive Breedlove that has a great tone .. I'm a finger picker and am usually in 'D' tuning. Understand about the lonely times. Traveled for years on a motorcycle by myself. I will go out for a few weeks at a time but I have a home base to come back to. 🤠
I can't believe it's already been 5 years!! Dude... where does the time go!! Lol....
Thank you Matt
It's the same feeling riding motorcycle around the world. Lot of isolation. It's tough then you meet or find a place that makes it worthwhile. I've spent a lot of time alone oretty much with work on the road. Not what people think it is.
Loving the hat…take it easy!
I think as we get older our lives change. It is amazing to think about the work that I did. I have always been blessed to live within 3 miles to stores, pharmacy, 2 hospitals, etc. Worked was within 3 to 5 miles. I am very blessed to own my place. We have to count our blessings. I have been spending time In Tennessee. They have two Buc-ee’s now. One in Crossville and the other in Sevierville. I have been to both. Went to the grand opening to the one in Sevierville. Everyone was excited and hanging out there for that day. Matt, it was even broadcast on NBC Today Show the entire time segments!!!!
$30-$40 a night?? What about city parks or COE parks … lots less we paid from $0 to $15/ a night
I don’t know why some people take to this lifestyle so easily and others don’t. You and I started at the same time and are of the same mindset. 5 yrs..went so fast. I still love being this free. Now every summer, I head the other way..up to the NY, NH, Maine area of the US…wonderful weather and not crowded…shhh..don’t tell anybody! Luv ya Maddie. See you soon in Quartzsite.
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damnnn my van was totaled which made me quit living in my van. i'm looking for a new van now..
Thank you for being real. I've never been a city person. I wouldn't want to even think about city van life for more than a night or two even when younger. I love camping, but I don't think I could have done it younger. Mentally & physically, I think I could have, but I didn't want to give up my critters. Then I had kids, horses and/or other animals. As I got older, I've become less tolerant of weather extremes. The arthritis in my knees is more reliable than any meteorologist. Now, with my birds and physical limitations I couldn't do van life. Even a full RV would be difficult, though I'd love to travel.
If I had it to do over, I think I might have tried it to travel and see more of the country. There are many things I would have changed. Some things I wouldn't have. I don't think hindsight is 20/20, but if I'd known back then what I know now....
Thanks for the honest, heart to heart. Not all sunshine and roses so evaluating all these factors you mentioned will help.
Have a safe weekend, Matty.
Enjoyed again MATTY, earplugs😂
This video is VERY appreciated. Heat ran me into a rental last month, i was so miserable mostly because my dog was so unhappy. After. Weeks we left moved back into the van and started to figure out where we could beat some of the heat. Your videos are important.one year in here mistakes galore this first year.
It definitely takes a unique person with skills to be able to van life. Y’all would be laughing if I was out there because I would have way too much stuff lol. Arizona is the place I would definitely try. This was a good video thanks.
Thanks for telling it like it is!
Hey Matty - just got through watching the replay of Brian's livestream from last night, and you got a couple of great shoutouts. Hopefully, you'll get some new subscribers from it. Cheers!
It would be pure hell to have to go back to the vity for any extended length of time. A matter of a few days is enough. I lived and worked the biggest. No more. Good vid. People need to know and understand what it's like. Good job
Visit my nephew and it's outside of Houston TX. Plenty of noise pollution there. The aircraft traffic was pretty thick.
Great Convo about the good , bad and ugly of Van life.
Thanks Matty. Very good video.
Thank you. I really do appreciate those where to camp videos. Making notes for places to go when it’s super hot summertime and I need a break.
What about getting you a generator and a little portable air conditioner that don't cost too much to run to keep your house cool there so it'd be nice and cool in your van the only need a generator big enough to run your air conditioner
I appreciate the truth Matty
We need to know the full story. I don’t think its negative at all .
Important Information
Thanks
Great honest video matty loved it thanks for your honesty ❤❤ ❤
I think I'll always want a home base, but I do want to build an adventure vehicle and spend some quality time exploring the country. I've spent most of my life on the East Coast, and I really want to explore the Midwest and the West. I will play the cards I'm dealt, as Rusty says.
When I travel from home, I stay in my van versus a motel. Don’t have to worry about bedbugs!
Great, informative video!
Thank you for your honesty 🙋🏼♀️
Great topic with this current heat. I am a newbie. Just 4 months in and I just follow the weather. I prefer to be with others but have spent a lot of time alone. #vanliferules
Everyone does things based on their own experiences. True it's not as glamorous as it seams. Kind of like people coming to America. Its not always what its cracked up to be.
Well, I like your personality.No matter where you live. ✌️
Honest and not too long! Thanks Matt.
White Van man and Warren, I saw you here and just subscribed to your channels! 😊👍👍
Have a good weekend 😊
The thing I will miss if I get a van will be flush toilets, showers and washing machine for clothes. lol I am former military so I can live out of duffle bag/backpack but I like my own toilet. lol
On my Van life journey, after being married for 35 years and being a responsible adult, my goal was to be a child and to deal with no responsibilities other than my job. Kind of worked for a while while healing.
I’m a quitter 😂 but it’s because of my daughter and her struggles as a single Mom and my role as a grandparent and the only living family she has (besides her kids). My hubby rigged a ProMaster with 1005watts of solar and lithium and a mini spilt. He doesn’t need propane, he has the microwave and induction burner. Mini split and Webasto. I traveled in my Prius with 100% climate control and never turned it off. But now I’m a quitter. 😂 but when he gets back after his 4 month journey out west, I’m gonna do my own Journey. I might go to Walmart and spend the night 🤣 I miss the life 🥰
Find a way to ventilate and sleep in whatever car you already have and take some camping trips. If you hate it then all you've probably spent money on is a rollout cot and some rechargeable fans.
I'm not worried either because it is a fad and people will get over it quickly. Looking for a place to park that is warm enough or cool enough is difficult and some people just will not want to deal with it. Vehicle repairs will devastate some people living on budgets. I've been out 1 year and absolutely love it! It is a little difficult at times, but won't change it any time soon! See ya down the road!!
what kind of van life are you doing? In town dessert workamping with a tribe loner
@@carolmaplesden916 minivan
It's not a fad, it's a necessity for most!
@@valeriehancotte-galan4790 yeah thats kinda what I was getting at!! I really almost can't even afford living in my van but if I had known back in the day what I know now I would have been doing this along time ago its really for me a great way of living
I think it is laughable anyone would call Vanlife a “fad”.
Tell that to someone who cannot afford rent. It’s the car/van or the street.
Not everyone is doing it for fun and games. Many are doing it just to live.
My experience is that honestly I didn't see much of a difference. I am 5 years full time now myself and during the pandemic I luckily had friends helping me out in the complete lock down months period by letting me use their bathrooms and park in their driveways. But I was back on the road around May 2020 when gyms started to re-open in some states and out in the field it looked the same to me. Certainly van prices exploded and some more interest in people messaging me on IG asking about the lifestyle. I also noticed an increase in new UA-cam channels and folks trying to establish a business with it. And now lots of them quit because the general interest is going down of people watching that content who can't have the lifestyle as things are back to normal. For a lot is just not sustainable.
Thanks for the honesty.
Hi Matty! You’re awesome. Gave you a shoutout on my first video! I’ll let you know when it’s up 😎
North country in summer. Mexico. Bug Bend in winter the coasts
Cant wait to get my van live in a car now. Would be a step up after living in a car for 7 years. Save about of usd enough to staight up fully pay it.
I know the feeling I have a friend who is in the land down under and just starting his build of a can life from scratch and he's having issues with spots to part, places to use facilities like bathroom shower, etc and then there's the wtf costs of the build, now I've been in construction and building things all my life and currently doing a tiny house build for the wife and not just tiny house but it has some unique features, and running into my own tissues, but anyhow you touched on alot of honest truths and looking forward to looking at your videos, and for now if anybody ended up my way, I have a lo g driveway that I can squeeze to vehicles in and hydro hooked up outside and more than welcome to any that is in my area and need a spot to park and yes will post when we are leaving this house but for now any in Windsor ont can or passing through message me and will do what we can to help out at no charge. I thank you for posting this and if you can message me I am also currently restoring an electric guitar and once done if you want it by all means it's yours sorry I don't send things out via mail sorry boss but of you road trip this way come on over. Anyhow shutting up now and thanks for posting truth
Carolyn just put out a video with her theory of why people are quitting. She thinks it's not that it's challenging or hard or the weather. She thinks it's that after you master all the details like finding places to boondock, how to stealth park, how to handle all the practical matters including mechanical breakdowns, it's less of a challenge and more of a routine you're comfortable/confident doing. Like a job you've mastered, showing up every day to face only the same challenges you've had the previous 1000 days, it gets boring. Same stuff, even if in a different forest or desert. Just another beautiful sunset, another beautiful mountain, after you've seen a lifetime's quota of them.
But of course, many people get weeded out by the workload of living on the road, before reaching the point of mastery and boredom.
Personally, I think it's often just people mistaking an adventure phase of life, for a permanent change in lifestyle. Someone who craves a major change in lifestyle once, is pretty sure to crave another change at some point also.
And then there's the swinging pendulum of bringing people into your life, and often finding it's not a permanent thing with most of them. Seeing old friends might recharge you, or might prove you've drifted apart for a reason.
If you only watch Bob Wells videos', you might get the illusion it never rains, gets windy or blazing hot in the desert. He normally shoots videos when the weather is nice and the outdoors can be downright uncomfortable, that's why most people live in houses where you can control the climate year round for comfort. Take care Matty.
I have watched Bob wells's videos for years. He never gave me that impression. He talked about the difficulties, it's going to get hot, you'll have to pack your water. He talks about all the things.
@@jazziered142 Bob Wells sells the Nomadic lifestyle, that's how he makes his money.
@@notanomad9320 Your original point was that he sells a lifestyle that is perfect, and he doesn't. He talks about the hard stuff all the time. I just watched a video of him talking about how Vans get hot. 🤷♀️ He talks about the hard stuff, it tries to give solutions on how to cope with them. So I don't know what you're talking about.
@@jazziered142 yep I’ve seen him talk about it but never really showed how uncomfortable it is at times. I want to see the rain pouring down, the wind blowing so bad you can’t hear and the heat making him sweat trying make a video. Bob says we should all be Hunter/gathers instead of everyday ants so yes he has a product to sell and that’s the nomadic lifestyle. Couple years ago, a lady got a free van from HOWA, left her husband and then lasted maybe a month where she admitted this lifestyle is a lot harder then she thought. Nomadland was a more honest description of this lifestyle. Like Marty said, it ain’t so easy. If money was no object, most people would chose to live in a house.
I've been mostly "Eaat Bay Vanlife" with the exception of the trips to Quartzite and Oregon.
I need to find a new Road Service connection. For now I have regular gigs weekends.
I wanted a "Music Equipment Truck" before I considered Vanlife.
Adventure van man referee me over. Really appreciate you. Ty
Hello Matty thanks for sharing the cons of vanlife it's really a important subject. Question if someone was forced to live in their vehicle and had to work in the city and couldn't afford to rent a sticks in bricks what would you recommend doing I do believe the city vanlife would be very difficult. I guessing talking to the boss is a good idea as long as they didn't fire you. ps Eastern city's would be to tougher than city out west to vanlife? Thanks for you sharing your advice. Take care out there!
For some it’s a fad, that will send them running back home, but for more than half, it’s out of necessity.
3+4 chords gets ya the blues..I've bought and sold 45 rpm records.most via le are soul, northern Soul (genre) and Lps, blues, jazz, soul, 60's psych..great ... vlog
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