Could you live in a VW camper van?
Imagine this… it’s Monday morning. You’re up early because you have to get to work. A hand full of bills has dropped through your letterbox prompting a deep sigh. You step outside, it’s raining. All you want is the day to be over, drink wine on the sofa and be back in the refuge of your cosy bed. That’s a day gone. Wasted.
Now imagine this… you’re on the Cornish coast waking up to the sound of the ocean. The sun is warming your face. You open your camper van door and let the warm air in. You put the kettle on, take a deep breath and let out a deep, satisfying sigh. You have a bit of brekkie, then get out your laptop and start work because you have a job that allows you to work remotely. In the evening you’re going to drive to the next village, meet friends and hang out around a pit fire and bbq some fish. Life is good.
Fancy a bit of that? Here’s a list of pro’s and con’s to consider if you fancy a life living in your camper van.
Pros and cons of living in a camper van.
Freedom: Go wherever you want, whenever you want. The open road is yours for as long as you want it.
Experience: Visit amazing places. Wake up looking out onto a new view every day. Cornwall. Scotland. It’s all yours to be had.
Your choice: Stay as long as you want and leave when you want. No time restrictions means you can wander to your heart’s content.
Cheaper: Living in a camper van is cheaper than buying a home or renting. Plus, if you’re trying to get onto the housing market, you can save bundles – if you can work remotely. With so many businesses now accepting remote working, it’s a real possibility.
Insurance: If you’re living in your van full time your insurance will go up. Plus, having ‘no fixed address’ will mean you’ll have problems with insurance companies, banks and all things Big Brother – Orwell not C4.
Voting: If you have no fixed address, then you can’t vote. Therefore, having a permanent address is crucial if you wish to have your say and receive traditional mail.
Bathing: Having a hook-on shower is a great way to bath in nature. Alternately, popping to the local swimming baths is a great way to scrub up. Camp sites are also a great spot to pitch up and use the amenities. Plus, they’re cheap.
Doctors. Luckily, thanks to the wonderful NHS you can you can receive emergency treatment from any GP surgery for up to 14 days.
Laundry: With a fistful of pound coins, you can enjoy the company of a launderette and watch the busy world you used to be a part of go by.
Space: Camper vans aren’t known for being tardis’s, so space will be in short supply. A zen like attitude to minimalism will help avoid clutter.
Fuel: Depending on how much you travel, fuel costs can be very low, meaning more dosh for local eateries.
Winter: Living in a camper van in the summer is great fun but in the cold winter months it becomes a different beast. That’s the time to clear off to southern Spain and bathe in a warmer climate.