Nice writeup.<p>I also live in a vehicle. I have a 25ft (7.6m) former airport shuttle bus I've converted to my home. It took me over six months of full time work and it's still not complete.<p>I've lived in it for a bit over four months. Overall it has been good but not without challenges. I'm currently busy working which has led to neglecting stuff I need to finish on the bus. I can't travel far until I finish these things.<p>Here are some recommendations and tips if you're considering this life:<p>* If you haven't spent time camping in a vehicle rent one for at least a week and try that first. It's not exactly the same but similar.<p>* Don't jump in blindly. Do significant research into what others have done, what works and what doesn't, etc.<p>* If you decide to build something yourself expect it to take at least twice as long and cost 50% more than you plan.<p>* Evaluate if it makes sense to do the build yourself. I wanted to build something physical instead of just writing code. Financially it would have made more sense for me to continue working full time and have a place like Sportsmobile do the build. I wouldn't have learned the skills and had the experience though.<p>I have a lot of build photos on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/driverdan/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/driverdan/</a><p>I'm happy to answer questions.
I am doing something somewhat related.<p>I built a Jeep Wrangler into a house on wheels [1], and am driving around Africa for two years.<p>I am freelancing for Magazines, and earning money through my website and social presence. I have not done any coding on this trip, mostly becuase I find it hard to get remote work that meets my flexibility needs - i.e. weeks off-grid and only occasional checkins/calls.<p>Last time I drove Alaska to Argentina, doing more-or-less the same thing.<p>[1] <a href="http://theroadchoseme.com/the-jeep" rel="nofollow">http://theroadchoseme.com/the-jeep</a>
> The amount of water that I used in Berlin to brush my teeth is probably enough for a whole day in my van. Maybe 80% of the water just flowed from the tap right into the drain without even touching my body.<p>I hear things like that time and time again, and I can literally not understand it. Why would any sane person leave the water running while brushing their teeth? When I brush my teeth, the water runs for one second to wet the brush, then for another second to draw water into a glass for rising my mouth with, then for another five seconds (on a low setting) to clean the brush. That's maybe 100 ml. I literally drink 15-20 times as much per day.
I'm curious - don't people miss big monitors when coding on a laptop? I've done a fair amount of coding on laptops while travelling and it's okay, but I feel like a big monitor is optimal for most work and wouldn't want a permanent situation with just laptop.<p>I like to have logs, command line, and editor all visible, and ideally a browser too. The editor alone is much more useful in a big window where you can see a file tree and multiple files.
Good for him... I would totally hate the lack of space and comfort. I'd sleep really poorly at night when it's super hot in summer and cold in winter. I'd hate it to have to look for a good internet to work. I'd miss my friends all the time. I'd dislike having to socialize with random van neighbors every time I want to not dine alone. I wouldn't last a month of this...
I've met a few people living in vans/converted trucks when I've been in France. There's quite a few countries around with great regulations that let you park up in lots of places, e.g. in France there are regular places you can stay along the major roads for free, usually with decent facilities. I met a girl there this year who had converted a truck into a mobile home. It even had window boxes for her plants!<p>Unfortunately it's much more awkward in the UK. So much of this country is private land and everyone's so afraid of gypsies that you're basically prevented from setting up a van nearly anywhere.<p>I work remotely and I've started experiencing leg problems from sitting too much. So I'm now trying to set the trend of "wood-working"; where I go for a walk to the woods nearby, sit on a rock by the river, and do some coding. It might catch on ;)
It would appear that “van” has a different definition in Europe. In the U. S. I think most would consider that a Class C RV. I’m not just being pedantic, as there is loads more room in the authors rig than our VW Westfalia, or even a Chevy conversion. I’d live full-time in what’s pictured (and plenty of U. S. retirees do just that), no problem, but I’d have to have a genuine need before I’d consider more than a month or two in the VW.<p>EDIT: now I’m genuinely curious, so please help me out Europeans. Scroll to the bottom and relieve my ignorance: is this considered to be a “van” in Europe? <a href="https://ruby-on-wheels.github.io/blog/the-first-ride/" rel="nofollow">https://ruby-on-wheels.github.io/blog/the-first-ride/</a> Because I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone in the U. S. that would call that a camper van.
Hey everyone! I'm the author of that article. I just started the blog and still have a ton of things to write about. I like all the (critical) feedback. That inspires me for further blog posts. Thanks for reading!
I'm doing the same in Israel for almost two years now! The photos-haiku-blog is in Hebrew, but well photos are universal. <a href="http://bus.house/" rel="nofollow">http://bus.house/</a>
This is cool, but honestly I think there's a bigger problem that people don't seem to want to address: Housing affordability.<p>Why do we allow home prices to be so expensive? Simply no one from my (millenial) generation can afford to buy a house. Home prices are so beyond insane, and it's crippling my generation.<p>I make $200k a year and I'm unable to buy a house where I live. That's how fucked it is.
This is written in October. He's been living in the van since the middle of May. Basically late spring, summer and early autumn.<p>How is he going to feel after another 150 days? Camping in winter can be fun, but it's not warm. At all. Trying to work in a van when it's below freezing outside will be pretty hard work. I can't even type when the room drops below 15 degrees. Vans like the one he has are basically uninsulated steel boxes - they get cold pretty fast.
Are there any women here who have done something like this and would be willing to comment on it? Theoretically it sounds cool, but I'd be a bit anxious about personal safety.
Nice man that looks awesome, pretty jelly. I can work remote and have been thinking about leaving for a while. How much was the initial cost of the van? How did you maintain your internet connection? What would you say is the biggest struggle?
This is exactly what I'm planning to do, but instead of a van, use a sailing 'yacht' big enough to live on.<p>As soon as I have enough funding to get the gear, I'm off!
This is awesome. So much so, I'm going to borrow his idea and kick this off next Spring.<p>If the author is reading this, some questions:<p>- How do you deal with solitude? Most can handle it but seeing as everyday is a new day in a new place there must be an urge to share that with somebody.<p>- This mode of living must have an impact on the ol' love life. What do the ladies say - if you meet many at all - when you suggest going back to your van/office/home?<p>- What are your plans for the Winter? I imagine just go as south-west as possible to chase the sun.
This reminds me of those tiny houses you've seen where people can live very well on a low budget but with the benefit of being mobile. I've thought about it but it becomes impractical quickly with a family.<p>When I'd go on week long + backcountry hiking or canoe trips I always felt like all the other stuff you have just don't matter. Time away from stuff doesn't make you miss it, it makes you realize you don't need any of it.
I tried this around SF Bay Area. Unfortunately SF isn't as van-friendly as I would have liked, and the high crime rate and high rate of break-ins left me less than desiring to stay in SF. Had a friend successfully camp out in East Bay, but got sick of it.<p>I moved down to Redwood City but the cops basically harassed me, and treated me like a criminal. I finally would park in my van outside of Social Capital in Palo Alto.<p>Palo Alto remains a legal place to live the van life. You'll also meet a bunch of other van dwellers from tech companies around there. There is even a couple of secret facebook groups for nerds working/living out of their van in and around SF/BA.
Oh, I think I attended one of your talks last year (about Mikado method). Nice to learn that you live this van life now, keep updating the blog, it's very interesting!
I like the ideas behind the writer of this post. However I have worked remote for over a year and I have to comment.<p>First of all working in a van for a long haul will probably be painful for your back. No standing desk no office chair and desk set up will not be comfortable to code for more then a few hours.<p>Most of time working remote you need power and wifi. There is an expectation that you will be online during similar hours as your co-workers as peers. Maybe not exactly but similarly. So you gotta have a pocket wifi if doing this.<p>Working in a van most days alone can be isolating. Trust me you will feel it. Even when you go to an office and don't speak much to people it still helps with social aspect. Being online and talking to co workers does too. If you have a pocket WiFi and are not totally off grid able to engage with famile or friends and colleagues online then it will be helpful.<p>With climate change worsening sometimes it's hot really hot. It will be difficult to be outside for long stretches of time in a wide variety of places due to worsening climate change. When you are in the office you will not notice how bad it's getting less. Reading the news daily and seeing all the issues connecting to climate changes helps but working outside you really feel it directly. Historically a town might have had temperatures of 23 C now it's 28 C to 30 C on the bad days. However during working at an office you are usually in an AC building from 9 to 18 missing the hottest parts of day. When you work remotely to you will know how bad things are and it will trouble you more if you try to work in a van connected to nature. It's gonna be hot.<p>Working remote is great but there are some drawbacks like everything in life. Those you need to be mindful of before onsetting on that path.
I drove around Australia whilst still maintaining several django projects for a web hosting company back in 2011. Started with an old 15 inch Dell and a Samsung Galaxy tab but got a 11 inch Mac Air later.<p>Great fun! You really learn to optimise your setup around current draw and avoiding overheat :) My biggest lessons were combining mosh and tmux It'd be more of a struggle as a front end developer.
We've been doing the same for a few years now. Funny.. these days I just want to go to Berlin and stay for a while! That's because I have wound up missing the buzz of a tech scene.<p>I lived 5 years in SF & then the Hacker Dojo was born just as I was leaving. Since then, while sitting in my van, I just dream of sitting at the hacker dojo!<p>Some of it is a great lifestyle. Tips on cheap data: Morocco, Portugal, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Spain (not as cheap). ($1/GB) Somehow almost everyone else is ridiculously expensive. More like $10-20 / GB.<p>The US now has Verizon unlimited. Something like 80 a month for unlimited data!? It's tempting to put the camper on a boat & go back.<p>Also, if you are going to work out of a van, you are going to need consistent power. Please do not use a generator! Stick about 4 flexible solar panels on the roof. They can be attached with good 3m zip tie mounts & zip ties. One hole drilled through the roof. Get a lithium (lifepo4) battery & a controller from electrodacus.
Living in a van might also be part of the answer to the skyrocketing rents wherever there are jobs worth their salt.
Which -housing- is one of the real big markets that desperately needs to be disrupted as it siphons money out of the productive sector into the rentiers' black holes.<p>Disclaimer: Living/renting in Dublin/Ireland.
I think it's really sad and pathetic that someone can enjoy such a simple, non consumerist based life. How are you supporting the global economy? How are you proving that you are worthy? This sounds like homelessness to me. Without a home, are you really a worthwhile human being deserving of a mate? I don't think so. Unless you shop and own, man, you don't really exist.
#Vanlife, the Bohemian Social-Media Movement<p><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/04/24/vanlife-the-bohemian-social-media-movement" rel="nofollow">https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/04/24/vanlife-the-bo...</a><p>Five Harsh Truths You Need To Consider Before You Start Living The #Vanlife<p><a href="http://uproxx.com/life/harsh-truths-vanlife/3/" rel="nofollow">http://uproxx.com/life/harsh-truths-vanlife/3/</a>
I live and work to travel and go on adventures and what I don't live for is work. Why would someone want to mix the two?<p>I work full time remote out of a home office, but I couldn't think of much worse of an idea going on a "working holiday". I've done it and it just distracts me from enjoying my time.<p>I mean, is the author really productive or just having fun and doing much less work?<p>I'm not judging anyone for working less, I'm all for it, but this taking your work with you everywhere sounds horrible.
I'm in the process of converting a van to a camper to make weekly commuting cheaper. Lifestyle will be slightly different to this as I will still be running a factory and in the UK winter, however, I am hoping that one day I can do some extended periods somewhere warm and outdoorsy using.
Sounds cool, main concerns are bathroom and internet connection. What about security and parking?<p>The photo of laptop side of caravan in front of the beach looks nice though unsure in practice (smell) can you focus sort of thing, regardless cool, like the mobility idea it's what I strive for some day.
I'm going on 2+ years in a van myself and I even started a side project showcasing others doing the same: <a href="https://vanvaya.com" rel="nofollow">https://vanvaya.com</a><p>Being young and looking to save on expenses, living in a van is one of the best decisions I've made.
My friend Tynan wrote a very indepth guide on working from a van, some years before it was cool: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006XLK2LW/" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006XLK2LW/</a>
Very inspiring, I wish I could try something like that for a while. Question: do you still declare your income in your home country (Germany, I assume) or have you found a different solution?
This is nice. However I need two monitors - I'm not in my 20s anymore, my brain can cache less and I need the second monitor as the look-aside buffer, quite literally :P
Is it really more environmentally 'sustainable' to live in a van than in an apartment in a dense city? Don't we get economies of scale in cities?
All I can think about is how I wouldn't be able to do this because I love my cats and rabbit too much. Wouldn't be possible.<p>Very cool though!
a solar powered one <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGZ1zbqAGA0" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGZ1zbqAGA0</a> ?
I lived, coded in van. No money.. Apple laptop eat battery in 2 hours. Cannot recharge, no money for gasoline. Parking next to library to have internet..... never again. I hated it everyday. I do not recommend this to anybody.
Slightly OT: Living in a capital/big city is tough:<p>- High rents, even in Berlin nowadays<p>- There are more options but also much more competition for finding the right accommodation, job and spouse<p>- In particular, finding your long-term partner can be a huge struggle in a big city in times of Tinder where nobody is committed anymore<p>For some the solution is just to escape, avoid the challenge and call it nomad life (this is my feeling when I read such stories, maybe I am wrong).<p>However, once they have kids, they have to settle and are back to square one.