Okay, it seems like this is quite an aged discussion. How would you define the term “vanlife”? Also, I’m aware that many individuals dislike it.

Is the label exclusively reserved for full-time van dwellers?

Personally, I align more with being a weekender, despite having traveled extensively for several months. Where would you set the boundary in this regard?

Or is it primarily about the conduct of individuals while they are traveling?

  • @Phlogiston
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    31 year ago

    This is a good list. I’d suggest,

    “extended trips” rather than a “for months” timeline. Once you’re past about 3weeks you’ve had to deal with power, water, food and etc. And you’re absolutely correct that this is a significant milestone.

    “4 season extended trips” for the next level up? Its absolutely harder in winter; and especially an extended trip in the winter. These are the trips where I invariably fuck up and end up redoing the sink because I let it freeze. Or did a 20F exterior shower because eventually my wife really needs to wash her hair. (Someday I’ll have an interior shower option).

    Fulltiming - I think the defining factor here is your “this is home” point. This isn’t something I’ve done since I was a kid. I can’t say I’m in a rush to do it again, although I know I’d be fine. Interestingly I did an extended summer recently when between homes and yet I didn’t think of that as “fulltiming” because I had a deadline. It was just a long vacation.

    Working remote is a huge difference that this list doesn’t capture for me. I’m at my computer 8hrs a day when I’m working and combining that with living in the van is rough – its just too much time in the same little space. Especially when I need to keep normal hours.