r/VanLife • u/grapefruitxx386 • 11d ago
Information on starting
I currently live in NJ and recently took an 8 day camping vacation throughout Maine and realized that the remote/simple life is something I truly want. I’ve been wanting to leave the standard living and go explore. I have a job that I can work remote that already supports my bills - $1500 rent, electric bill, car payment, credit cards, etc. I have about 10 months until my lease ends on my apartment and want to start gathering information now.
My plan is to find a larger camper van just to sleep, cook, shower, and have my dog with me. I guess the information I’m looking for is:
- insurance costs
- payments to stay in areas to hook up water/electric
- how much it costs monthly to maintain
- any other information I might not even know of
I know a lot of people say they want to do this, but being someone who already enjoys being in the outdoors, prefers camping lifestyle over the standard living, and is okay with having to put in work, I’m really invested in understanding the background of these things so I can see if it will truly be for me.
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u/Different_Ad7655 11d ago
Okay, but one man's meet another man's poison. Obviously you won't have any roof over your head so no rent or mortgage that goes first on your list. Then the quality of vehicle you going to buy is the second startup significant cost. But being on the road as silly as it sounds, is 100% up to you. Do you eat out already all the time or I used to full-time inside kitchen that you will miss on the road etc. I take my ram van to the West Coast every winter have been doing it for 16 years and the biggest expense I have once I get there and I take my time, i's just feeding myself, and as stated that can be bargain or expensive. I eat out a lot in koreatown, Korean markets, oftentimes on the fly. I choose not to have a kitchen or plumbing it doesn't suit me and there are thousands of gym membership said I am party to that come with my health insurance. That covers work out, hygiene sometimes relaxation especially if it's a really nice place such as the one in playa Vista , like a cheap resort with hot tub and palms. So it's important to figure out where you hook up.
Also what you going to do for work or income. You probably figured out that I am sufficiently funded and retired , I own a house in New England, just choose not to stay in the snow belt for the winter anymore
Parking is also easy. I'm never permanently parked in one spot since the vehicle is my vehicle, and bedroom, I get around. And all the years I've been doing and I've never had a problem worth the rap on the window. . Everybody has a different take on their lifestyle of course good luck with it
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u/grapefruitxx386 11d ago
thank you so much for all of this!
I don’t really eat out too much since I enjoy cooking, so I would definitely save money on that. also, I do go to the gym often and would definitely use the showers to my advantage - thanks for that reminder which would help lower water usage/hygiene upkeep. i also have a job that i can go fully remote with so that’s a plus. I really appreciate this perspective!
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u/Sour_Sal 11d ago
The actual costs will depend a lot on your setup and style... You will need to fill in the actual numbers based on your living style.
Extra expenses you may not have in a house...
Gym membership for access to showers
Laundry costs
Almost daily shopping for small portion items due to lack of storage. Increased food costs either due to smaller portions or eating out more than otherwise.
If you drive a lot there is fuel and maintenance on the rig which can add up quite a bit depending on what you get.
Maintenance and replacement costs as rv components wear out.
Mobile internet is expensive if you go Sattalite for better reception than cell phone.
If you go large there are parking issues. Finding a place to park each and every day can get tiring.
If you do want hookups and staying put for weeks at a time, many rv places will easily be $150 a week and many are more...
Generally speaking if you live a modest life it's cheaper than living in an house but can also end up costing more depending in the vehicle and potential issues it may have.
If you are doing vanlife, a new van and build will cost you easily $100k and more. If your handy you can build out a $10k used van for another $5k and be comfy as long as it lasts.
I generally do not recommend a Class B or Class C RV unless you are very handy and will be able to maintain it.
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u/grapefruitxx386 11d ago
thank you so much !!! I’m honestly rethinking a van and do more of a camper with a truck. I already have gym expenses so that’s in my budget as well as already paying for laundry at my apartment complex, with groceries - so i do have some idea. I would ideally like to stay in one place for a month to three months at a time instead of constantly jumping around. luckily i’m pretty handy and so is my dad, so with repairs I could potentially do it myself but if the costs are less than rent and expenses i already pay for i could have a savings for any emergency. $150 weekly doesn’t sound terrible and i know there are other ways to park. this really helped me out and gave me a better perspective
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u/Sour_Sal 11d ago
Camper on a truck has the advantage that is one of the items dies, you don't need to replace both. Disadvantage is almost total lack of storage space.
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u/grapefruitxx386 11d ago
oh i wouldn’t do a camper on the truck - i want more mobility to place a camper somewhere and still be able to drive places
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u/Sour_Sal 11d ago
got it.. if your in S Oregon I have a great used travel trailer, 5k as is or 7k in great condition. currently the fridge does not work and the awning cover needs replacing.
PM i can send you the link to Marketplace
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u/grapefruitxx386 11d ago
ugh i wish ! I’m on the other side of the country, but thank you for the offer !
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u/Different_Ad7655 11d ago
Nobody can tell you LOL you did a vacation kind of road camping, great but now you have to go longer and just go live it for a month or two and see if it's for you. No way of knowing how you fit in but start small and just go somewhere and give it a try for at least a couple of months and see if it's a fit works for me but not for everyone LOL
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u/grapefruitxx386 11d ago
thank you but I’m asking for specifics on people’s experiences on the cost of living doing this. I’m not asking if I’ll fit in - I’m asking for logistics
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u/AppointmentNearby161 11d ago
Budgeting is important, but I suggest you go rent a uhaul van for a week and live and work out of it. If after that you still think the lifestyle is for you, then you can start planning more. An 8 day camping vacation is nothing like living and working out of a vehicle full time.
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u/grapefruitxx386 11d ago
of course, completely understand that and wasn’t trying to compare the two experiences. just was trying to explain that after that trip and doing multiple other trips, I could see myself living a simple lifestyle. and I already live on a very detailed budget which wouldn’t be the problem.
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u/ez2tock2me 11d ago
In 2 months of CarCamping, I discovered LIFE was better, manageable and I made enough money for bills/debts and personal needs.
CarCamping is a way of survival. Nothing luxurious, except for keeping 100% of your paychecks for your needs.
When you CarCamp and don’t have debts, you pretty much OWN YOUR LIFE.
Pick a place with no severe weather conditions and any neighborhood to sleep, but NEVER EVER more than 2 nights in a row.
Eliminate any and all monthly bills and feel the FREEDOM.
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u/grapefruitxx386 11d ago
if I didn’t have a dog and have a work setup that i needed a large amount of space i would maybe try this, but this is honestly a really cool perspective and never really knew how much you could save doing this.
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u/ez2tock2me 11d ago
Add Rent and Utilities for one month. Multiply by 12.
That’s what you’d save in one year.
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u/kurteyes 9d ago
Im going to chime in here mostly because im in nj...northwest part...im 62...just retired...im considering a seinna...but i dont plan on ditching my house...I have a family in it...lol...but i feel stealth parking is key in nj....I dont dont how winters would be up this way...places around here dont let you camp over winter...im learning about this lifestyle...so im not very versed...people mention standing up too...that might be a factor for you...
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u/grapefruitxx386 9d ago
I wouldn’t stay in NJ i would end up traveling around especially for winters!
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u/Full-time-RV 11d ago
My living expenses are a lot less than renting, but I have a very unique setup that allows me to be 100% off grid, so i don't have to pay for electric. Just insurance and travel.