Living the bus or van life can be super rewarding. I’m sure you’ve seen the Instagram posts, tons of van lifers waking up in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Sleeping right next to the ocean, being able to drive wherever they want the next day with no need to pack all their belongings or book their hotel rooms, they can just start the van and go, whenever they want, wherever they want.
Living the van/bus life was a dream come true for me, but it can’t all be like how it looks on Instagram. Here are some of the worst parts about living the van/bus life.
Keeping it clean
Living in a small space means just a few dirty dishes or clothes on the floor makes it feel really messy really quick. Everyday you need to make sure everythings in place so that things don’t go sliding when you start to drive, and so you don’t feel cramped in your own space.
Before you set off, you’re going to want to make sure you’ll have a good organizational system for when you’re on the road to make it easier on yourself!
Vehicle problems and maintenance
Luckily we didn’t struggle with too many maintenance issues, but keeping up with maintenance on your van or bus is one of the most important things you need to do. Whether you’re driving a couple hours a day or driving across the county, keeping up on oil changes, tire rotations, and anything else is super important and you’ll likely need to do it more often than you would your regular vehicle.
Getting stranded because your van or bus breaks down and needing to get a tow truck is not fun, especially because it’s not only your car but your entire house with all your belongings.
Less Privacy
Living in a vehicle does not give you as much privacy as living in a house. Yes your bus or van probably has curtains to cover up the windows, but you can still hear what’s happening outside your vehicle and anyone outside can hear you.
Finding spots late at night
You get to your destination later than expected and you’re exhausted but you haven’t planned a place to sleep yet. All you want to do is go to bed but you can’t until you find a safe spot to park for the night.
If you want a camping spot you often need to drive down dark dirt roads, or you could try parking at an empty parking lot and risk being asked to move in the middle of the night.
Getting things delivered to you while living in your vehicle can be a challenge. If you plan on staying in one place for a while you can likely get it delivered to a USPS or FedEx Pickup point or even open up a PO Box to use while you’re in the area.
For us, we were rarely in the same place for more than a week and when we needed to get something delivered it was tough to plan where we would be when it was time for the item to be delivered. If you frequently move around, not having a fixed address can complicate mail delivery logistics.
Lonely/Homesick
Being away from your close friends and family can get hard, even while you’re living the dream. You want to be able to share these experiences with them but sending pictures doesn’t quite capture the essence. You miss your hometown, the stores you used to go to, the restaurants, the atmosphere and nostalgic feeling of home. Not having to worry about where you’ll park for the night, having to go to the gym to shower. At home you have a temperature controlled environment, can shower or sleep whenever, can cook whatever you want.
Public Washrooms and Showers
Without a built-in shower and toilet, relying on public gyms for showering and public washrooms becomes the norm. Missing the luxury of a private washroom can be challenging, especially when needing to find facilities in the middle of the night or figuring out waste disposal.
Driving through small cities
Navigating a shuttle bus through cities designed for smaller vehicles, like Key West, can be challenging and even embarrassing. Standing out in a larger vehicle designed for roads accommodating golf carts can make driving through small cities a unique experience.
Poor Internet
We used the hotspot from our phones for internet access but in remote places it was hard to get good service.
While van life offers a unique and adventurous lifestyle, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges that come with the journey. From the constant search for privacy to the unexpected struggles of finding a late-night parking spot, and the occasional homesickness that tugs at your heart, van life has it’s fair share of highs and lows. Embracing this lifestyle requires resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to confront the less glamorous aspects. It’s not always easy, but for many, the experiences, lessons, and newfound sense of freedom make the trials of van life worthwhile.
As the sun sets on each day of the road, remember that both the struggles and triumphs contribute to the rich and ever-evolving story of life on four wheels.
