No matter the costs and your personal range, the van is still ultimately cheaper than owning a home. In fact, for around the same money, you can build two, even three vans. The downside? A house’s value increases over time, while van’s value decreases. With a van though, you can always change your environment.
The van-life’s social media appeal can also make for a lucrative business. Social media influencers make quite a killing over their Instagram-worthy lifestyle. You can’t always do that in traditional homes. Then there is personal richness versus material richness. You pick what works for you!
Anything Is Possible
If you want to get a serious bougie van with fancy showers, designer cabinets and lighting fixtures, then these things can cost a pretty penny. Prepare to fork out anything between 20-50 thousand dollars
It's important to take into account the amount of time it takes to convert a basic van into a luxury home. It's certainly a consideration before commencing such a project. Think about time.
Van Expenses
The more you install, the more the upkeep and maintenance costs go up. Of course, that's not the only thing. Gas, car insurance, camping, parking fees, and speeding tickets are ongoing considerations. And that's just the driving-related expenses!
Van registration is also a costly affair. That can cost around $1,200 monthly. Think about whether or not these ongoing are affordable while you're on the road.
You Gotta Be Frugal
If you're on the road, you're going to be spending money. Many sources claim that it's impossible to do van life for under $20,000. That number just depends on what you're willing to compromise.
Building the cheapest van possible can always work for some. You also have the option of adding as you go. It all depends on how long you plan to be away and what you want to use.
DIY Style
If buying and accessorizing is not the route you want to go, you can also get resourceful and start building your own thing. There are endless resources when it comes to van building. Create your own kitchen and living room spaces. It can be 100% unique.
Alternatively, you can just opt for pre-built structures and go from there. There are so many ways to live out of a van.