I'm Leaving My House To Live Full Time in My Tiny Van - UK Van Life 

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Shame our country is that messed up that honest hardworking people can’t afford to live anymore. You seem a great dad btw

I've lived full-time in my car for the past 3-years, including throughout the coldest of winters. No heating or fires. Exploring the wilds and being a part of nature is in my blood. I love it.

Sold my flat last year, ridiculous management charges, ground rent poll tax and heating costs. It made me look at my situation. Bought a caravan and living cheaply and happily! Best wishes for your future mate

You're extremely brave. I admire your courage to up sticks and do this. There is something seriously wrong with the UK and has been a long time coming. Good luck on your journey of self discovery.

Good on you! Here's some suggestions. Take or leave. 1 keep your van LIGHT. As in weight. 2 Insulate as much as you can (afford). 3 Don't think big is better. It is not in so many ways (costs). 4 It's somewhere to kip and eat. Keep it simple. 5 Allow time to adjust and make GRADUAL improvements. 6 Finally, laugh, yes laugh at the savings DAILY that you will be making and laugh at the rest of us as you BANK your earnings and remove the financial anvils hanging over our heads. Good luck to you. Keep safe and thoroughly enjoy living for yourself for a change. ROD UK

Hi, a word of advice from someone that has lived van life since before there was RU-vid. If you have friends they will offer you a bed, don't accept. Look for cheap deals to stay in a hotel or B&B some or all week ends. Charge what you can every chance you get. Orthopaedic memory foam mattress is the best thing to sleep on. Don't go spending on loads of things as chances are most you will not need. Hope it goes well, you should be able to save a fortune.

Well done. Seven months ago I had enough of neighbours, noise, people, I have severe PTSD, so I struggle, so I packed in my little flat and went to live in a tent on the side of a mountain in Wales. The winter has been hard, looking at the frozen droplets on the inside of my tent, in the torchlight they sparkle like stars. Hard yes I'm 63, but very satisfying very calming.

You can do this and there's nothing wrong with it and nor is there any shame in it. You've got to do what you've got to do. Just be positive and treat it as an adventure. Who says everyone has to live exactly the same and have the exact same life day in, day out. Good luck!

Many people feel exactly the same. The cost of living is going beyond ridiculous and people don't realise what is going on. Good luck on your journey.

Well done mate, I often thought about doing this, saying bollocks to the council, government, and slave labour rat race modern life. I'm married but my wife doesn't share the same view. If I was single, I'd have done what you are doing years ago. Good for you mate !

Van life is finally catching on in the UK although it's not that easy in England with all the restrictions on parking, etc. - it's easier in Scotland.

On my 3rd van never been happier and kids love adventures 😁

I'm retired. Found myself single again aged 62. Got a camper, converted to carry a motorbike & went off to Spain & France. Did it full time for 3 years. Came back to UK at start of covid. Ended up buying a caravan, sited it in a family garden.I Setting off to tour in van, to Europe in March for 90 days. Heading for the sun & biking roads, can't wait. Good luck to you - it's amazing how little room we need!

I sold my house and brought a narrowboat. I live in a marina works out for mooring, electric, water, coal and rubbish collection about £120 pw. No council tax. Debt free is enlightening. Good luck x

Wishing you all the best! I grew up in W.Yorks & some of my best memories are of my Dad getting a REALLY old van, painting it bright yellow (it was the 70's!) and taking us all over the place. We slept like sardines in the back, got moved on a few times in the night, ate horrible tinned food on a tiny camp stove & it was bloody brilliant!

I’ve just stumbled across this, fair play to you. The UK is a nightmare now. Good luck to you - love your life x

The number of people thinking of doing the same thing as you James is growing day by day!

I think this is the future for many people in the UK. I'll be joining you in the van life very soon.

Full respect. Quite simply. You’ve summarised the dire and corrupt system. Best of luck.

My site agent who is in his late 40 lives in his Mercedes sprinter. He's kitted it out with solar panels etc and even has a small log burner in it. He loves the freedom and says he's never been happier

Good luck with this, I think a lot of folk are thinking of doing something like this. One piece of advice I heard from another RU-vidr (who was homeless) was to get a discount monthly pass at a gym - generally you can spend hours in there (great for bad weather), use the shower facilities, chat with others etc.

Same here in Australia. Landlords, agents have got greedy which is forcing more people onto the streets as homeless. I work weekly with these homeless in my town and the numbers are growing fast. The world is getting greedy and too much concentrate on self instead of others. God bless you and your kids🙏🏼✝️

Get a gym membership for a nationwide gym, get one for about 30 a month. Most of em are open till very late and it gives you access to showers and hot water etc.

New viewer here…good luck with your new living situation. I’m with you 100% on the costs just to survive in the UK at the moment…it’s crazy and won’t get any easier any time soon. Me and my wife hope to retire in a few years…we will be in our early 60’s and I’m trying to persuade her to sell up and buy a decent motor home…then we can spend the UK winters somewhere warmer and see some of Europe before we’re too old. I’ve subbed and good luck 👍🇬🇧

The adventures with your daughter in that van. Will be worth far more than anything money can buy. Children don’t judge they just want fun and adventure.

So many things you said ring true for me too. I've given notice on my flat and bought an old motorhome. Moving into it full time in August. Had to borrow money to do it, but I reckon I'll have that paid off in a little over a year. My family know my adventurous spirit and they've been very supportive. Your videos do help too. Thanks mate.

Love the honesty of your situation, youre not alone mate. Hope you enjoy the situation and stay positive!

I can't believe how much people are paying in rent and bills! I lived in my car in a unit that I worked from years ago, I was in there for a year, and I slept in the back of a BMW E30 coupe, it was pretty hard going. Although your van is small it looks pretty well sorted, I think your going to be absolutely fine, spring is almost hear! I'm converting a old VW T25 to live in. The realisation that I can't afford a house or flat was liberating and helped me to focus on what I could do, rather than what I couldn't. My background is cars/ classic cars so I'm hoping to make my van epic! Happy to have found your channel, good luck 😉

It wont be a complete disaster, you'll have ups and downs like any other life style. The adventures you have will your kids will stay with them forever. I think the van looks great and I wish you all the very best !!

Weve been on the road for over 2 years with our two children, best thing we ever did. Go get it

I wish you the very best of luck. It's amazing how much easier life is when you realize you don't need all that ''stuff'' that ties you down.

Good on ya mate I've done the same!! Kitted my long wheel base trafic van out got a garage for storage and live in a hotel permanently now and saved thousands 😀

Good luck mate - your a decent bloke - the cost of life is so hard You have a good outlook on life Stay happy 😊

I lived in my car for three months looking back I loved it some nights were tough very cold but you get through it am going to do it full time soon my life is crap living in a damp flat on my own it's no life hope it works out for you take care jpt

What a great move ! I did the same thing five years ago and it’s the best thing that I have done. Living in a house is a permanent ridiculous drain on the finances, I wouldn’t go back to bricks and mortar 👍

It's so great that you are taking this step, it is a dream for a lot of us to escape the rent trap. Personally, I am very tired of spending so much just to live indoors in the city (Chicago), it's exhausting. So I watch van life videos and imagine finding a different way. Hoping this works out for you, it will be an adventure either way. Your little girl is so beautiful! Looking forward to seeing how it goes!

All the best to you. Ive wanted to do this for years but being a woman on my own Ive not made the leap. I think it will be great for you and your family u will have some great adventures and save money. Ill be watching the journey. Dont listen to the naysayers 😃🙏

I’ve been sofa surfing for three years this April while working and studying. It is so difficult at times but I’m so much more humble for it. (I have spent the odd night in my car when I’ve finished late and not been able to secure a sofa or floor for the night… 2023 Britain lol). If I can give you any advice, whether you’re spiritual or not, it is this… When you wake each day, before you get out of bed or look at your phone, start by telling yourself “today is a good day”. At first you will feel silly, then sad and then silly again but honestly after a few days or even a week or so you will notice positive changes. Tiny at first but they’ll be there. Good luck and remember you already have an online community behind you!! - SUBSCRIBED 👍🏼

Anything done with your children's best interests at heart is always the best decision. Well done mate 👍

As a father of 4 children,,time absolutely does fly...I can remember doings things with them all...And now they are grown up,,they have their own lives..I don't see them much as I would like now.. Take every chance,every opportunity.. Absolutely fantastic video..On a humble human level..💯👍💯

RESPECT, You are doing what a lot of people are scared to do, giving two fingers up to the system, the memories you and your daughter will make in that van will be priceless, I wish you all the very best good luck.

I’ve recently bought a motorhome and now live full time in! Can get lonely sometimes but I go on loads of holidays now and don’t regret it at all.

We completely understand this, we work so hard, and llong hours just to sleep in a brick building! We haven't been brave enough to do it YET so our first step was to get a pre-loved camper and try it out at weekends. So far so good, we love it and can't wait for the better weather. Wishing you all rhe luck in rhe world, we only live once so just do what makes you happy 😊

Hi James, I can't wait to see how you get on in your new adventure. I've been fascinated by "van life" videos for the past few months, and it seems people can make a good go of it. You're right not to let councils and landlords fleece you, and at the end of the day you will create some real memories with your daughter and that's priceless. Good luck 👍

You do van life your way ! Too many people judge what van life should be.

I’ve had a very similar situation as yours and that’s why my wife and I decided to move out and live in a mobile home. Now we have more than double the space and we’re paying almost half the price. I like your videos, take care 😊

Thank you for sharing your story brother. All the best to you, your girlfriend and your daughter. Decent people doing their best and many people understand you x

Take my hat off to you pal. Rents and mortgages are atrocious these days...even if you can pay for the roof over your head there's the energy and food which is now shocking. I really hope it works out for you and your kids mate.

Good on you mate, I don't blame you as rents are ridiculous right now. I'm newly divorced and been renting this last year for the first time in year and I can't get over the bloody prices for some of the house round here (I'm Bradford based). Will be subscribing and looking forward to see how you get on with the van life 👍

Good for you mate. Being a single guy with a huge maintenance bill and a house now owned by your ex stinks and until you have been in this situation it's hard to understand. Hope things work out for you..

Just found your channel and good luck to you with this venture. The country, the world is over the edge of the cliff and we are in freefall to absolute totalitarian.

Makes sense!! Hope it works out for you. The cost of living is crazy.. here in Australia as well. The Adventuring life awaits!! Looking forward to seeing how it all goes..

It's my fourth week living in a campervan... loving every minute, wished I had of done it sooner . My outgoings will drop by £1200 per month ...

You're very financially responsible. This is a good option if you can do it. Life isn't all about showing off how rich you are. Wishing you many safe & enjoyable adventures...live life while you can !

Maximum respect, hope everything goes well for you.

Easy James. Loving the videos. Me and Katie have found campervan people the most welcoming and friendly. We’ve just got started too producing regular youtube videos after watching other van lifers for years. feel hopeless at the moment but you are smashing it. We have a bigger van but 4 bloody dogs so just as little room. We live in Stockport so not too far away. Keep it up guys.

I went to see a house to rent recently. I told the agent I wanted it. They phoned back the next day to say that three other people also said they wanted it, and the four of us had to bid against each other to see who was willing to pay the most.

I understand I been renting since 1995 and all landlords been crap my home always clean and well looked after rents going up all over the world and landlord dont do repairs there no one for us to support us in rented. Good on you with your van and may you enjoy every day. Love the video

I think it's amazing that you are just gonna try it out. Times are changing (and certainly not getting cheaper) I think people are waking up to the fact that there are options (for the adventurous) I think there is no shame and trying it out and if it doesn't work out, then you will know then, won't you? (Instead of thinking about it for years and never knowing what might have been) Good luck!

My experienced tips......Save all your previous rent money....use supermarket toilets etc for dumping...find a number of safe locations ...rotate regularly...watch out for car park cameras that can fine you...... Keep low profile...get a friend for mail address .

I converted my lwb sprinter into a campervan. Shower, kitchen, toilet, bed, u-shaped couch. They can definitely be very comfy and luxurious living. If your single or in a couple it can be a very comfortable way of living as long as you make a few changes to your way of living.

It’s a huge decision, it’s one I’ve toyed with for so long. I’m a Yorkshire lass born and bred but now live in beautiful Northumberland. I’ve had many a night in my Citroen c3 Picasso, made insulated window blinds for it. Had a camper in the past, I think another van may well be on the horizon. I’ve subbed up, wishing you all the best 👍

Good for you mate. It takes guts to make a big change like this, I’m sure you will enjoy it and once you are settled you can start weekends away. All the best

Real man, smart and inspiring - wish you the best. Good luck. Stay strong and keep moving.

I think what you are doing Sir to survive England merits the utmost respect. I wish you and your family all the best. Ignore anyone who puts you down.

Amazing adventures for you and your family. So many memories to be made. X

Love your courage I'm from london and that's the crazy mentality everyones adopted we've become zombies to the system doing things out the box its whats needed

Lots of admiration for you good luck and I look forward to hearing of all your adventures you have with your kids.!!!

Just do it 46 years I've lived an alternative life style saved a fortune. Enabled me to retire early and I travelled Asia for many years 3 years ago I built a house in Philippines on my partner's land. Does not matter what other people may think your the winner saving on council tax and rent for my self is a saving of nearly £800 monthly to what local people are paying for a small old terrace house. I put a shed in my workshop insulated it. All you need in life is a safe place to sleep, shelter and shower. Best of luck you can do it I'm proof and maybe I am different but I've beat the system.

It's always good to have a back up plan, you've got it covered. I don't think you will be the only one making decisions like this in these difficult times. You will have good days and bad days and really great days. You are never too old for a sea change. Good luck. BTW, I subscribed. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 👍

I know this feeling! Houses are continuous work and the reason you go to work for most us! Fair play and best of luck!

Lovely to see how much your channels grown in short period of time! Love watching your videos man keep it up

I don't blame you one bit, we dont live in our van but we love it & spend as much time as possible out & about in it. It brings out the best in us as a couple. Btw ours is an ambulance we bought on ebay & converted ourselves didnt cost much at all

My Daughter & Partner lived in my old Van on my parents farm for a few years, then lived in a House, she said she was so much happier in the Van. Van was static. Van life definitely should be experienced by everyone. I had a another Vauxhall Vivaro (terrible vans) but it was lovely inside, my other daughter bought it off me, miss it so much. My intention was to live in it for most of the week. But I have too many dogs now to do it. I have a little Suzuki van (off the road atm) that I used to "stay out" in, with my Protective Guard Dog. I want to get some land (with a barn) asap to move on to (for my dogs) Hate living in a house. Good luck, u sound like u have great back ups. I have a couple of garages I rent for storage & parking Vehicles*, not got a loo or kitchen in tho. Might swap one for something like u have, ones very cheap £50 a month, for garage & parking in front, not far from where I'm living. I want to convert my house to flats (reasonably priced), rent out. Live Free somewhere . (Free as in not in a house) Van life will definitely be the future for a lot of ppl, "The own nothing, be happy" could be good for a lot of ppl. Possessions seem to own us. We just can't let the Lunatics own everything tho. Own Property, but Live Free, Spiritually, ppl are too Attached to Houses, things, having a Detrimental effect, we just need Bases (I think). Like the "Travelling Community" I do think we will be more like them soon, kids shouldn't be in Toxic schools past 11 yrs.

Good on you pal, have considered it myself & have stayed in vans enough over many years, but never managed to do it full time yet! Looking forward to watching your journey, good luck 👊

Great to see you going out of your comfort zone. Great goals. Start from small and you will make it very soon.

I feel this Guys Logic. It's A Sad Happy Feeling. Best of Luck on your Journey ✌

Good luck on your new lifestyle! I'll be doing exactly the same thing when it's time for me to move out of the house I'm living in atm. So exiting 😁 looking forward to watching your adventure unfold 😊👍

Aw what a lovely video, so genuine and down to earth. You've made a wise decision, you'll save loads and be much happier, you are going to be so much better off financially. I'm already excited for you. You've got so many plusses in making this decision. Your unit will be a great place for you to store everything you don't want to get rid of and don't want to take with you full time. I have a T4 Hightop LWB which would be big enough for full time van life so you can make any van work. I'd say to make use of all the offers of showers, washing your clothes etc (unless you can do something in your unit). If you need a portable charger the Ecoflow range are brilliant, quick to recharge when they need it. You'll be OK, you really will and your daughter will love the adventures you go on. The van life community are really lovely, there are more and more joining all the time. I've just subscribed, I am looking forward to seeing all your videos. Take care and live your life for you and your children, not for paying the rent!

Good on you!! Thinking out of the box! It gives great strength and shows character! Go well, enjoy your adventures with your daughter, she won’t forget them😀

All the best, mate. Look forward to hearing about your adventures

Just stumbled across this channel what a brilliant idea you have and fair play to you brother! I’ll subscribe and follow your journey. I only said to my partner a few weeks ago we should do van life and I can see me doing this one day x

Good on you mate, you do you! Live your life to how you see fit & forget other people's views.. All the best, hope it works out for you

I'm right with you buddy, I'm in West Yorkshire and doing similar but with a 7.5 ton. People do think you're crazy but follow what you believe, you can always go back if you choose to

Braver man than me all the best and will keep watching your vids to keep a check on your progress.

Good luck fella and I can totally understand why you’re doing it, I’m sure there will be some tough times but I’m sure the good will outweigh the tougher times plus you’ll save a good amount of money and the pressure of renting will be over 👍

Good on ye pal , keep on keeping on , you sound like a guy that’ll find a way no matter what , sounds like you deserve a good turn too , go your way , and stay positive , best wishes 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I admire you for taking such a huge step backwards in one sense and being somebody who has seen my own rent go up by nearly 25% landlords are just rinsing tennants. I wish you all the best and hope you have some great adventures with your daughter !

Respect. Only proper answer is to completely break free.

Totally understand your decision given the situation you found yourself in, and lets face it, reaching that point of "why not" may not be a lifelong lifestyle but it's better than getting screwed over by all and sundry of today's UK. Sounds like your location 'options' could be the thing that makes it work? And, we are a long time dead :) Hope your ex landlord finds it impossible to let out the house...now that would be poetic justice :) Best of luck on this adventure :) Bet your daughter will love sleeping in the van?

Just about to start my vanlife journey soon myself. Got a LWB high roof sprinter. Looking forward to following your progress

Good luck mate. All the best

I have done this since 2018, Good luck in the pug, you will develop better lifes skills to pass on to others.

Hi bud. Just subbed. I’ve a T4. I live in a house. Im retired. Looking forward to be following you on your journey. I pray you’ll do well. Take care bud. 💪

With so many options to make life easier absolutely go for it, I wish I had it as easy when I did it I'd still be living in my van today, happiest I've been was van life back in the 90s

Hi thank you for your time you have put into your video please live your life how you wont to I've lived in a van for 25 year's bee lucky and happy

Just wow!!! Love your reasons, it will be absolutely worth it all the way 🌈

How can gettin away from the clutches of evil, corrupt, greedy Councils ever be a bad thing 🤷‍♀️ You've 100% got all the makings of a great way of living and building your channel along the way, great move!! I for one will be 👀 and with any luck will also be a "van lifer" instead of a "house zero lifer" SOON AS!! This is gonna be wild!!

Totally with you mate. In a similar situation myself but without a van 😅 Living costs are going insane. It’s near impossible to survive these days. New subscriber for you here. I wish you every success.