meta_description: 5 Years on the Road: An Interview with a Full-Time Van Lifer - complete UK van life guide with practical tips and recommendations.
Meta Description
A candid conversation with a van lifer who has lived in their campervan for five years across the UK. Discover the unfiltered realities, practical wisdom, and unexpected joys of long-term van life.
![A well-used campervan parked beside a river in the Lake District, showing signs of wear and adventure]
Introduction: The Interview
I first met Sarah three years ago at a wild camping spot in the Brecon Beacons. She was sitting outside her 1998 Volkswagen Transporter, drinking tea and watching the sunset over the valley. We got talking, and I was struck by how different her experience was from the Instagram-perfect version of van life.
Sarah has been living full-time in her van for five years now. She's not on a gap year or a career break — this is her life. She works remotely as a graphic designer, pays taxes, deals with maintenance, and navigates the same challenges as any homeowner, just in a much smaller space.
I caught up with her recently to ask about the realities of long-term van life in the UK — the good, the bad, and the messy middle.
The Beginning: Why Choose Van Life?
Q: What made you decide to live in a van full-time?
Sarah: "I was working in London, climbing the corporate ladder, and I just felt... empty. I had a nice flat, a good salary, but I was miserable. I'd always loved camping and being outdoors, and one day I thought, 'Why not combine my home and my hobby?' I bought a cheap van, converted it over six months, and haven't looked back.
The initial plan was to do it for a year, save some money, then maybe buy a house. But after that first year, I realised I was happier in 6 square metres than I'd ever been in my 60-square-metre flat. The freedom, the simplicity, the connection to nature — it just worked for me."
Q: Did you have any experience with vans or conversions before you started?
Sarah: "None whatsoever! I'd never changed a tyre, never wired anything, never built furniture. I learned everything from YouTube and by making mistakes. My first conversion was... let's just say it was functional. I had a bed, a stove, and a chemical toilet. That was it. No insulation, no proper ventilation, no storage. I froze in winter and boiled in summer.
But you learn. You figure out what you actually need versus what you thought you needed. Now my van is much more comfortable, but it took three years of living in it to get it right."
The Reality: What's Harder Than You Expected?
Q: What's been the biggest challenge of living in a van long-term?
Sarah: "The constant admin. People think van life is all about freedom and adventure, but there's a lot of boring stuff that comes with it. Where will I sleep tonight? Where will I get water? Where will I empty the toilet? These questions are always there, in the back of your mind.
In winter, it's even harder. Finding somewhere to stay that's both legal and safe becomes a daily challenge. Some councils are really hostile to van lifers. I've been moved on at 6am in the rain more times than I can count.
And the maintenance — things break all the time. My van is 25 years old. Last month, the heating system failed in the middle of a cold snap. I had to rewire it myself in a supermarket car park because I couldn't afford to pay a mechanic. That's not glamorous."
Q: How do you handle the loneliness?
Sarah: "It can be tough, especially outside of summer when there are fewer travellers around. I'm naturally quite introverted, so I need my alone time, but even I have days where I'd kill for a proper conversation with someone who isn't a dog.
I've built a routine that helps. I work from cafes a few days a week, which gives me human interaction. I join van life Facebook groups and meet up with people when I can. And I have a few close friends who understand my lifestyle and make an effort to stay in touch.
But there are definitely days when I feel like an outsider. When you're sitting in a beautiful location watching the sunset alone, it hits you that this life isn't always as social as Instagram makes it look."
The Practicalities: Daily Life on the Road
Q: Walk me through a typical day for you.
Sarah: "There's no such thing as a typical day, but I do have routines. I usually wake up around 7am. If I'm in a wild camping spot, I'll make coffee and sit outside if the weather's nice. If it's raining (which is often), I'll stay in bed a bit longer.
I work remotely, so I need to find somewhere with decent internet. That might be a cafe, a library, or a campsite with Wi-Fi. I'll work for 4-5 hours, then take a break to explore or run errands.
Evenings are for cooking, reading, maybe a walk if I'm in a nice spot. I try to be parked up by 6pm in winter because it gets dark so early. In summer, I might drive later because the days are longer.
The big difference from house life is that every day involves a lot of logistics. Where will I sleep? Where will I get water? Where will I empty the toilet? These questions are always there."
Q: How do you handle hygiene and laundry?
Sarah: "I have a portable shower that I use with a 12V pump. It's not glamorous — I wash in a bucket or under a tree if it's warm enough. In winter, I use campsite showers when I can, or I go to leisure centres. I've become an expert on finding cheap or free showers across the UK.
Laundry is the bane of my existence. I have a small hand-crank washing machine that I use for essentials. For proper washes, I go to laundrettes, which are expensive and time-consuming. I've learned to wear clothes for multiple days and spot-clean everything."
The Money Side: Is Van Life Cheaper?
Q: A lot of people think van life is a cheap way to live. Is that true for you?
Sarah: "It can be, but it depends how you do it. I know people who spend almost nothing — they wild camp exclusively, cook all their own food, do their own repairs. But they're also living very simply.
For me, it's more expensive than renting a room in some ways. Fuel is a huge cost — I drive a lot. Maintenance and repairs can be unpredictable and expensive. Campsite fees add up if you use them regularly. And then there are the little things you don't think about — laundrettes, showers, Wi-Fi in cafes.
I'd say I spend about £800-1000 per month, which includes everything — insurance, tax, fuel, food, maintenance, campsites. That's comparable to what I was paying for a room in London, but I have a lot less space and comfort.
The financial benefit is that I'm not tied to a location. I can follow work opportunities. I can live in cheaper areas. I can choose to spend less if I need to by wild camping more and driving less."
Q: How do you make money while living in a van?
Sarah: "I'm lucky to have a remote job, but not everyone does. There are lots of ways van lifers make money:
- Remote work (digital nomad jobs)
- Seasonal work (fruit picking, tourism jobs)
- Freelance work (writing, design, photography)
- Working at campsites or hostels in exchange for a pitch
- Selling crafts or products online
The key is having a skill that you can do from anywhere, or being willing to move for work. I know people who follow the harvest seasons, working on farms across the country. Others work in ski resorts in winter and campsites in summer."
The Emotional Side: What Keeps You Going?
Q: After five years, what still makes this lifestyle worth it for you?
Sarah: "The freedom, without a doubt. I can wake up and decide to move somewhere new. I can follow my curiosity down a single-track road and see where it leads. I can spend a week in a beautiful spot without asking anyone's permission.
I've seen parts of the UK that most people never get to see. I've camped on remote beaches in Scotland, hiked in the Lake District in the snow, watched dolphins from my van window in Cornwall. These experiences are worth all the damp and the breakdowns.
And I've learned so much about myself. Living in a small space forces you to confront your own habits and priorities. I've become more resilient, more adaptable, more appreciative of simple things. A hot shower feels like a luxury. A sunny day feels like a gift.
Would I go back to living in a house? Maybe one day, if I meet someone and we want to settle down. But for now, this is my home, and I love it."
Q: What's the one piece of advice you'd give to someone considering van life?
Sarah: "Do a trial run first. Before you sell everything and buy a van, rent one for a month and see if you can handle it. Not the holiday version, but the real version — wild camp, cook your own food, deal with breakdowns, experience a British winter.
And be prepared to change your expectations. Van life isn't a permanent holiday. It's a different way of living, with its own challenges and rewards. It's not for everyone, and that's okay.
But if you love freedom, if you don't mind being a bit uncomfortable sometimes, if you're willing to learn and adapt — it might just change your life."
The Future: Where Do You Go From Here?
Q: What are your plans for the future? Do you see yourself doing this forever?
Sarah: "I take it year by year. My van is getting old, and I'm starting to think about what comes next. Maybe I'll upgrade to a newer model. Maybe I'll get a small static caravan as a base and keep the van for adventures. Maybe I'll travel abroad.
But I can't imagine going back to a 'normal' life. This is who I am now. Van life isn't just what I do; it's how I see the world. It's taught me to value experiences over possessions, to find joy in simple things, to be present in the moment.
So I'll keep doing it for as long as it makes me happy. And if that's another five years, or another fifty, I'm okay with that."
Practical Wisdom from Five Years on the Road
On Choosing a Van
- "Don't buy the biggest van you can afford. Bigger means harder to park, worse fuel economy, and more places you can't go. My VW Transporter is perfect — small enough for single-track roads, big enough to live in."
- "Mechanical simplicity is key. Modern vans with computers break down in ways you can't fix yourself. Older vans with simple engines are easier to maintain."
- "Test drive several different types before you buy. You'll be living in this space, so make sure it feels right."
On Converting
- "Insulate properly. This is the most important thing for comfort. Don't skimp on insulation."
- "Create flexible spaces. Your bed should be able to convert to a seating area during the day. Your table should be able to fold away."
- "Think about ventilation. Condensation is the enemy. Have multiple vents, and use them."
On Daily Life
- "Always have a backup plan for water and waste. Things go wrong."
- "Join van life communities online. They're invaluable for advice, support, and meeting up with people."
- "Be respectful of local communities. Buy your supplies locally, don't block gates, don't make noise."
On Winter
- "Winter is a different game. You need proper insulation, dual heating systems, and a plan for frozen pipes."
- "Have an exit strategy. Know where you'll go if the weather gets really bad or if you have a breakdown."
- "Embrace the slow pace. Winter is for staying put, reading books, and conserving energy."
On Money
- "Track every penny. Van life can be cheap, but it can also be expensive if you're not careful."
- "Have an emergency fund for repairs. Things will break, and they'll break at the worst possible time."
- "Consider seasonal work to supplement your income if you need to."
The Takeaway: Is Long-Term Van Life Worth It?
After talking to Sarah, I'm left with a complex picture. Van life isn't the carefree, Instagram-perfect existence that many imagine. It's hard work, it's often uncomfortable, and it comes with real challenges.
But it's also incredibly rewarding for those who embrace it. The freedom, the connection to nature, the simplicity, the constant learning — these are things you can't buy with a salary.
Sarah's five years on the road have taught her resilience, adaptability, and gratitude. She's seen parts of the UK that most people never experience. She's learned to live with less and appreciate more.
Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. But for those who are called to it, who are willing to trade comfort for freedom, who find joy in simple things — van life can be a deeply fulfilling way to live.
As Sarah put it: "It's not a holiday. It's a life. And it's my life."
![Sarah sitting outside her van with a cup of tea, looking content in a beautiful Highland location]
The reality of long-term van life: not always glamorous, but always an adventure.
Names and some identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
Related reading: The Silence That Breaks: Dealing with Isolation and Mental Health in Van Life
