Handbook: Vandwelling
The phenomena of young people living in their vans has been referred to as a “movement.”
Indeed, it’s inspiring to see the next generation foregoing the oversized, debt-ridden lifestyle of the past several decades of this American life in exchange for the freedom and flexibility that living minimally and simply in a van can afford. When we first started living in our VW Bus in 2009, we had no idea it would become a “movement”, or something others would aspire to do for themselves. Now that we’ve got three kids and continue living in our Bus, we want to make it clear that this is not merely a lifestyle “for the young,” but for anyone to enjoy.
Vandwelling Articles
Vandwelling in Five Steps
Get your mind straight, find the right van for you, ditch your stuff, what you will need and how to earn some cash and maybe save a little, too.
Can I Live in a Van?
Just about everything you need to know about how and how rough it may be to live in a van, from a family of four who has done it for many years.
Complete and Easy Guide to Getting Setup With Solar
Forget figuring out every last amp and detail, we’ll show you the things most vanlifers need to live full-time in their rides, the equipment and costs you’ll need to put into the system, and how to hook it up all by yourself.
The Realities of Living in a VW Bus
The ups, downs and all arounds of the realities of living in a 5×7 foot home.
How to Save Money Living on the Road in a VW Bus
Some of the more expensive aspects of living in a Volkswagen Bus, along with some ways to save money.
Every National Park Suitable for Vandwelling or RVing
Every national park in the United States that has a campground suitable for RVs, or at least vans. Filters for finding those with cell service, electric and more! Over 200 campgrounds!
Touring Belize for Vandwellers and Overlanders
What to expect from Belize, from cost of living to the best places to explore, tailored specifically to overlanders.
How to Survive Mexico for Vandwellers
Cruising Mexico via a van, RV or otherwise has its benefits…and quirks. We cover everything from how to avoid Montezuma’s Revenge to staying online to…well…everything else!
Quintana Roo for Vandwellers & RVers
Where to camp, what to check out, cenotes and more in the Mexican state that’s home to Cancun.
Why We Decided to Move Back into our 1978 Volkswagen Bus
Thoughts on why we downsized even further from our vintage Airstream to our tiny VW Bus for full-time life on the road.
How We Pack Two Toddlers, a Teenager and their Parents into a VW Bus
A story of family, an encyclopedia’s worth of information.
Living with Little
Thoughts on how living simply allows us to travel the world full-time, and enjoy more experiences, expensive foods and more…all in exchange for low monthly bills and never needing to clean out the garage.
Interviews with Vanlifers
The Bodeswell VW Family Travels the World in Their 1971 Volkswagen Bus
This family of three has traveled from Alaska to Argentina, coast to coast in the US, and who knows where to next!
Vandwelling in Europe: Interview with Here Today Vanagon Tomorrow
The exploits of a Canadian family who shipped their Vanagon Stormie to Europe to travel, find themselves and live a closer life.
The Roaming Nomads: From Germany to the US & Back and Forth Again…
A family of three from Germany immigrates to the United States, adds another little one on the way, can’t figure out where to settle down so just travels the world instead.
Air-Schooled: A Traveling VW Mechanic & Teacher
Meet Robbie, a teacher, mechanic and all around great guy, traveling the US teaching Volkswagen owners how to keep their Buses running.
Live.Work.Wander.
Jorge and Jessica lost a business, began a new life afterwards, gave it all up and took their remote income on the road to explore the forests and cities of North America.
Idle Theory Bus
James and Rachel found a Volkswagen Bus, and in turn found an entirely new way of existing.
Living in a 1987 Vanagon, Interview with Where’s My Office Now?
Corey and Emily travel the country in their Vanagon, Boscha, inspiring all travelers to create community through our shared passions.
Crossing Mexico: A Family in a VW Bus via Photos and Stories
Tales from the mountains of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula, breakdowns on the way into Belize and pushing her back over the border. A VW Bus and family…
More Articles on Vanlife
Sportsmobile
All about the company, working with them on your next van, and what it’s like living and traveling out one – whether you’re a young single woman or a family of five.
Bad to Güd: Life Lessons From a Fifty-Two Day Road Trip
A retired couple experiences life away from their 4000 square foot home on a pilgrimage to discover life in general via their Roadtrek Class B RV.
Reassessing Transitioning to an RV Lifestyle
A newly retired Canadian explores her options for living in an RV.
A Traveler’s Proposal
Advice, both abstract and concrete, on how to make your traveling dreams come true.
Vanlife in NYC
Tiny house, Big Apple.
Vanlife Roadtrip Through Arkansas
Cities, national parks, national forests, skateparks and great van camping in Arkansas, the Natural State.
How Vanlife Works: What it’s Really Like Living in a Van
An at times humorous look at living and traveling out of a van.
A Brief Introduction to Camping in Europe
The different types of camping, generally, available across Europe.
The Real Cost of Vanlife
Examples of how affordable an RV or van can be, links to real ways to make money on the road and best of all, the dividends of vanlife.
How to Find the Perfect Home on Wheels
A brief look at all of the homes you can find on the road, from tiny houses to RVs and vans, and explanations of them all.
6 (Real) Ways to Keep You and Your Van so Fresh and so Clean While on the Road
While traveling with a vehicle gives plenty of freedom and lots of opportunity to explore a country at your own pace, it also has some downsides. One of them is the constant lack of space and often limited access to such things as fresh water, washing facilities and even showers. Leaving your laundry, your dishes–sometimes […]
8 Things I Learned From Living In A Van
My husband and I have been living in a van for the past 14 months. When we first started this journey, I had no idea what to expect. I imagined our days would be spent driving around, going on a few hikes and hitting up a coffee shop to get some work done. Yoga, reading, […]
Yo Puedo Aprender: The Turbulent Roller Coaster of Learning to Speak Spanish
Emma, traveling in her VW Bus along the PanAm Highway, tells of her pursuit of understanding and speaking Spanish.
Traveling in Search of the Real Mexico
A couple exploring Mexico by VW Bus.
How Not to Buy a Campervan
One couples adventures in purchasing a campervan, finding its many flaws, and taking care of business to get themselves on the road.
Blog Posts About Vanlife
Driving in Canada: East to West Coasts
Deleuze recalls his family’s experience buying a van and exploring the places and people of Canada.
A Brief Recollection of a Year in Mexico, or Four Seasons with Five People in a VW Bus
We thought we’d go to Baja for a couple of months. A year later, we’re in Quintana Roo. Where to next?
Mornings with Babies Living in a VW Bus
As the sun rises, so does a family living out of their 1978 Volkswagen Bus.
Our Home on the Road
A little photo tour through our home on the road, a 1978 Volkswagen Bus.
Is Living in a VW Bus Green?
And by green, we’re not talking sticky buds or rudimentary colors of course, we’re talking Mother Earth, that plump little mistress we all so sometimes lovingly neglect. I don’t have specifics, no hard data (as I’m posting via my phone), but I’ll do some comparisons based on my general knowledge and monetary equivalents. Electricity We […]
Riding in Buses with Family
Tristan, on the road, was at his best in the Bus. Keep it moving and he was as happy as a clam tented up in the back with his Gameboy 4000 and the endless miles. Deputy, too, was at his best (and nearly only good) in the traveling confines of her belly. I (and my […]
Secrets Told to Vandwelling Wintertimers
Keeping warm while sleeping cold nights in a bus.
1978 VW Bus, Champagne Edition, Riviera Campwagen Conversion
A few words about our good mother bus, Champ.