Vans converted into homes
Advertising Features Editor:
BUILDING a home inside a vehicle in Fiji is not a common thing to do, but overseas it is pretty normal almost everywhere.
It’s rare in Pacific island countries because of our culture and also because we have a lot of land to build on. and our islands are small in size so we dont have to travel too long on land to settle.
Then there is the stigma associated with living in a car or van.
Imagine having a home that you can take anywhere with you as you journey along — pretty exciting right? And you get to spend less money on expensive homes.
Most vans we see roaming the streets of Suva are either delivery vans or private owned vans and not about travelling and explorinbg life where you can easily go anywhere anytime.
In other countries, alot of people turn their vans into homes. These are perfect for campers, travelers, sightseers and people who just like to try new things out. In most
Problems with Living in a Van:
*The Stigma
*Showering
E: places, people prefer this lifestyle due to the high cost of rent and living.
Website destinationlesstravel.com states the pros and cons of living in a van.
Living in a van might seem fun, and it is, but there are some problems with it too. Here are some problems with living in a van that you might want to consider:
The first thing to address about living in a van is the old stigma that is still somewhat attached to it.
Nowadays (for younger travelers) living in a van is more representative of being free and living a minimalist lifestyle.
When living in a van expect some people not to overly understand your choices. Some people will automatically assume you are poor or have no other option. Little do they know that this isn't the case. But, that stigma is still there and you need to be prepared to be judged at least a little bit.
One of the biggest problems with living
P:
INSET: In other countries, alot of people turned their vans into homes.
in van full-time is showering. In a van, it is likely that you will not have a shower.
Some vans do have portable showers, but not all (and these are not the most convenient to use.) The other option for showering when living in a van is going to aquatic centers or public swimming pools. Here you can pay a few dollars to go for a swim and use the shower facilities.
It is possible to find showers while living in a van but it is never an ideal shower and oftentimes you won't be able to shower every single day.
Besides showers, there is the whole toilet issue. Some vans have a small portable toilet but are never used.
These small chemical toilets are a hassle to use and most people only carry them for self-contained certification or in case of an extreme emergency. This means that you must always find public toilets.
There are some great reasons to live in a van like the ones listed below;
*Saving Money
*Minimalism
*Social
F:
Verenaisi Raicola
vraicola@fijitimes.com.fj
330 4111
330 1521
When you live in a van your costs are minimal. No rent and no electricity or water bills. Your main cost will be fuel (gas) and food. It is a very cheap way to live or travel. For those on a budget, van life is perfect.
In this day and age, the idea of living a minimalistic lifestyle is glamourised. Similar to the trend of "tiny houses", when you live in a van you are living very minimally. You reduce the amount of "things" you need, the energy you use, and stuff you buy simply because you don't have space for it.
Living in a van can be a social experience much like living in a hostel. You can meet other travelers at camp spots and tourist attractions.
Van life is all about exploring. Living in a van is the ultimate way to explore and you can go wherever you want whenever you want.
Having a home on wheels creates this freedom. There are no limits on where you can go and there is no timeline.