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lifestyle:foreknowledge [2020/01/05 16:49]
frater_secessus [stealth is overrated]
lifestyle:foreknowledge [2024/02/05 19:01] (current)
princess_fluffypants [Summer and winter can be tough]
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 No matter how much one researches and prepares, some things are only learned by doing.  Here are some things 'dwellers wish they knew earlier. No matter how much one researches and prepares, some things are only learned by doing.  Here are some things 'dwellers wish they knew earlier.
 +
 +Related:  [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|what secessus wishes others knew earlier]] :-)
  
  
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-===== van life is not #vanlife =====+===== Van life is not #vanlife =====
  
   * "...it’s not as glamorous as all the hipsters instagrams make it seem." -- albinodinowino((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/a8g9ea/what_do_you_wish_you_wouldve_known_about_van/ecafe78/))   * "...it’s not as glamorous as all the hipsters instagrams make it seem." -- albinodinowino((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/a8g9ea/what_do_you_wish_you_wouldve_known_about_van/ecafe78/))
 +  * "...Honestly, it just sucks. Constant electrical issues, not being able to cook real food anymore, crammed with multiple pets, drawers always breaking, driving 30 min out of the way just to take a shit or shower, dirty laundry piles up so fast. Everything takes twice as long (dishes, cleaning, changing clothes, making the bed, making food) and I'm out of patience. It's been 6 months and it keeps getting worse." -- bashalash((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/scs7xh/advice_on_leaving_vanlife/))
 +  * ” Living in a van is tough and it’s not as glamorous as social media makes it seem. Like any lifestyle, there are a lot of pros and cons. Sure I get to travel anywhere I want and take my house with me. But living out of vehicle, you’re basically living among the elements. Winters are COLD and summers are HOT. And not having a place you can always count on to go back to can get really hard sometimes.” ((https://reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/v7244z/_/ibiiq0m/?context=1))
 +  * "The last thing I want to do when I return “home” from a 10 day hitch in the backcountry is have to run to the gym for a shower, grab my belongings from a storage unit, go to the store for food, water, and ice, and then find a safe and comfortable place to sleep every single night. I’m sick of having to go on a hike and dig a hole every time I need to take a shit. I’m sick of having to drive into town every time I need supplies or socialization. I’m sick of going into isolation every time I go “home.”"((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/16m3i23/not_sure_if_this_lifestyle_is_right_for_me_rant/))
 +  * "I wanted a simpler life, and I found that this wasn't the path. I ended up living on friends and families yards, and while it was a great way to deepen some of my relationships and get out of my comfort zone, it ended up being more work and a much less comfortable life. I just moved back into my condo, and boy am I happy to be back. Having a nice place that's always set up, not having to deal with finding water, power, sewage and internet is a huge blessing." - Warm_Water_5480((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/18mzs8g/vandwelling_was_not_for_me_but_im_happy_i_tried_it/))
  
 The pretty vans you see on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube are [[lifestyle:faq_instagram|not how most vandwellers live]].  Most of us have practical, simple, builds that meet our needs. The pretty vans you see on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube are [[lifestyle:faq_instagram|not how most vandwellers live]].  Most of us have practical, simple, builds that meet our needs.
  
  
-===== van life will not solve all your problems =====+===== Van life will not solve all your problems =====
  
 If vandwelling appeals because you want to run away, it may be an expensive and frustrating exercise.  After all, "no matter where you go, there you are..." If vandwelling appeals because you want to run away, it may be an expensive and frustrating exercise.  After all, "no matter where you go, there you are..."
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 Vandwelling can also provide emergency shelter for folks faced with homelessness, and can help others save money for other purposes.  Vandwelling can also provide emergency shelter for folks faced with homelessness, and can help others save money for other purposes. 
-===== summer and winter can be tough ===== 
  
-Mild winter isn't too bad, because it is possible to [[hvac:heating|heat]] cheaply and easily with propane.+===== Summer and winter can be tough =====
  
-Summer can be terrible, particularly in humid areas.  [[hvac:solar_ac|Vans aren't practical to run off solar power]].  Some get by with [[electrical:generator|generators]], who have their own set of tradeoffs. +Mild winter isn't too bad, because it is possible to [[hvac:heating|heat]] cheaply and easily with propane or diesel heaters. 
 + 
 +Summer can be terrible, particularly in humid areas.  [[hvac:solar_ac|Air conditioning isn't practical to run off solar power]].  Some get by with [[electrical:generator|generators]], who have their own set of tradeoffs. 
 Folks who live in the desert may be able to use [[hvac:swamp_cooler|evaporative cooling]] to good effect. Folks who live in the desert may be able to use [[hvac:swamp_cooler|evaporative cooling]] to good effect.
  
 For this reason, folks who aren't tied down tend to [[camping:snowbirding|follow good weather]]. For this reason, folks who aren't tied down tend to [[camping:snowbirding|follow good weather]].
  
-===== stealth is overrated =====+===== Stealth is overrated =====
  
 > "Stealth is a lie..." -- bkrassn((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/a8g9ea/what_do_you_wish_you_wouldve_known_about_van/ecagbji/)) > "Stealth is a lie..." -- bkrassn((https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/a8g9ea/what_do_you_wish_you_wouldve_known_about_van/ecagbji/))
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-===== space and stuff =====+===== Space and stuff ===== 
 + 
 +Almost everyone brings too much crap at first.  Take as little as you dare.  Commit to not having self-storage anywhere. Be brave. 
  
   * "more cooking space... less accumulated stuff" -- DRVBoondocker((https://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=32912&pid=405227#pid405227))   * "more cooking space... less accumulated stuff" -- DRVBoondocker((https://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=32912&pid=405227#pid405227))
lifestyle/foreknowledge.1578260979.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 19:48 (external edit)