Van life is overrated. 

Sick video. I'm enjoying your channel, your videos feel inspired and it's obvious you care enormously about what you're doing. Keep going.

“I miss feeling like a local somewhere and making a difference.” Well, I’m 53, own my own home, have lived in the same neighborhood for 15 years and i’ve never felt like this. You aren’t missing a thing!

Been stuck at home for nearly a year now. I rather be in a HEATED van, exploring.

Spot on points about van life, motorcycle touring has made me want a van for more ease of sleeping places. It's very strange how difficult it is to just sleep on this planet with out paying someone to do so.

My biggest dream is to move to the mountains, in the wild, reading books, living free.

I feel like I want to do vanlife for 2-3 years and experience that whole lifestyle... And then find that place and those people that truly feel like home.. we only have one life and I just want to experience as much as I possibly can! Another thought provoking video! Thanks Jake 🙏🏻

Although I've spent a huge chunk of my long life solo in wild locations, often not talking to people for weeks or months, I have never been lonely. And I think the main reason is because I know myself and enjoy my own company. Of course I like occasional periods with family or friends, but often the greatest moments of my life have been experienced during long periods on solo expeditions.

Depth > Breadth. Love this Jake! I know as a viewer it’s easy to be skeptical of someone saying you don’t need a big van, while filming from a big van, but it’s so true!! I appreciate getting more of that headspace out there. Community is so important.

As McCandless said. 'Happiness is only real when shared'. Please don't die in a bus on Alaska

Jake, this spoke to me. My wife and I just bought a house in Denver and I’ve been feeling a profound sense of loss of autonomy or freedom to go wherever the wind takes us. Your perspective on the importance of community is so refreshing to my mindset around being in one place vs. traveling everywhere. Love it. Plus, we now have a basement if you need somewhere to crash.

I think van life is only for those who knows how to be simple and laid back. Yeah you’re right, it is not for everyone.

I live in a two bedroom cottage, without friends and without community and I’m loving it because it is so different from My previous Life

Community is hard when you move to a new place... Especially when your constantly on the road. You need a travel partner or people to check in with routinely.

True words, when I took a solo trip to Iceland the one thing I found myself wanting was to share that experience. Community is everything.

Community is definitely the most important thing in life... I came to realize it after living abroad for some years and now that Im back in Germany, I struggle finding people I can really connect with. I still like the idea of living in a van for a while, and I will in 2-3 years for my last years in the military. But I wanna do it, to push myself, to feel uncomfortable, hoping that that'll show me where I wanna be....

Loved the title, loved the rest of the message, loved the video as well. You have a gift of presenting and editing. Whatever your motivations or where it's coming from, it's really top shelf.

Giving up community is the one concern that has kept me going back and forth about doing this. I feel so lucky to have found your video. To know that you did this for two years, and to know that you came to realize (as did the guy wearing the "Human" shirt) the importance of community is exactly what I hoped to hear discussed. Thank you for sharing your insight. I appreciate it.

My mum and I are already terribly uncomfortable in our "house life" situation due to financial ruin and to the point of severe ill mental health. We've lived far too long like it, so thank you very much for the insight and the courage to make changes for the better💚

You are wise beyond your years, Jake. And you're a genuine chronicler of life. Thanks for adding some truth to the conversation.

Like everything in life, it's a question of balance. I've just spent 5 months of solo travel in Scandinavia. And it was great. Although I had guests every now and then. That seemed to be the perfect solution. At least for me. Loved your input, thanks.

SUCH a great video, It's nice to see the behind-the-scenes thoughts on van-life for someone who would like to get into it, but also trying to figure out the balance of that and also building community.

This is the first of your videos I've ever seen, but I've seen hundreds about van life - and this is the best of them all. Wonderful perspective! Thanks!

Hey Jake, I had found your channel in learning how to make RU-vid videos and love your videos! They inspiring not just from the story telling but in sharing your passion in making videos! Thank you for all the inspiration you give us!

I discovered you today. Over everything else I'm loving your humbleness. You're comforting & inspiring at the same time. I wish you a great existence and hope that your day went fine.

Lovely attitude towards other kinds of van lifers while being frank about what matters most to you, much appreciated. Came here because Let's Be Us recommended you and am now subscribed.

I want to live in a van because I can travel and go to places I want to without leaving my home. That's actually it really.

I always smile when I see you've posted a new video. Your work is always beautiful, thoughtful, honest, and thought-provoking.Thanks, Jake!

This is beautiful. The editing, music, meaning , story EVERYTHING is so great

Dude, going through this analysis currently. I just came back from a two month trip living in my 4runner. Now that I'm back, I've been trying to figure this out. Thank you so much for this. Very helpful!

The most honest transparent portraial of van life I ever heard. To tell the truth is a gift nowadays. Thank you from this future van lifer

thank you for making this. As we are beginning our path to vanlife, I find this is such a massive breath of fresh air. I know we want to film our adventures, but I've struggled to connect with the typical vanlifer-filmmaker sterotypes. Your perspectives resonate deeply and beautifully. As an extrovert, I see the lack of community a huge sacrifice, but worth the risk of the unknown encounters of nomadic community ahead. Yes, there is power in a routine community - we were absolutely designed for it. But for the few brave and grounded, there is much to be found in the scattered relationships we might find in the wild. The short time we have to create new relationships traveling might not be ideal, but I'd challenge that their depth and significance can be just as meaningful, if only for a moment. In that perspective, I'm grateful that vanlife will push us to cross paths with those we never would have otherwise. Community can be both my reason to stay and my reason to go. However, our main quest is new financial and career freedoms we wouldn't have otherwise, and if I'm honest, I'm freaking unashamedly stoked for all the most instagram-worthy mind blowing wonder & adventures ahead. haha. But you're right, that piece is overrated. Its the inbetweens that will make or break us. Thanks for putting this into words. You make me inspired to get splintery in my future videos... going against the grain in your own unique way. I'm excited to find my voice.

Shaffer said incredibly true words that at the end it is always going to be the people. Always! Great to have you back Jake. ILYSM.

We all are seeking for balance between freedom & having beautiful meaningful relationships at the same time! ✨

i dont know about van, but this guy is underrated

Loved this honest perspective, not everyone sees the lonely aspect of prolonged/solo travel. Felt like I was watching a mini documentary! Great storytelling as always Jake 🙌🏼

It's such a pleasure to hang out with you, Jake! ;) Hope you'll keep sharing your thoughts on RU-vid. Their originality is so refreshing and your personality just warms my heart.

I love the points that you made SO SO SO much. Obviously I'm building a van at the moment, but I waited until I wouldn't have to sell my house to do it. It was so important to me to set down roots, form a bond with my community, give back to my community, and ONLY THEN branch out and explore the world, knowing I've got an awesome little family of friends to come back home to.

Dude, this is such an epic channel. Love the rawness and relatability....keep up the brilliant work.

I’ve been “on the road” in one form or another for nearly a decade, in a minivan for the last two. Community and constant goodbyes are definitely the hardest part with maintaining some semblance of routine not too far behind. I often feel a constant jet lag. Anyway, love your videos man and good luck with whatever comes next. Life’s an adventure no matter how or where we choose to live it!

this video popped up on my suggested feed since i've taken an interest in van life and i have to say i love your tone of voice and the way you deliver your messages, it feels very sincere and your production is amazing! have my sub, sir

Dude your camera work. The b roll, the angles, the time spent on these edits. I’m blown away. You’re so creative. Nice work.

You dint know me but I want to just thank you for this and other videos of yours. Dude, if you knew my struggles this last year and how difficult my decisions have been to make. Well lets just say it has been very very rough. I stumbled on this video tonight and I just suddenly had clarity that I just couldn’t find and have been able to make some very important choices because of it. So just know that you creating and posting this and other videos has really helped me in more ways than one. Thank you again Jake. I subbed and and so happy to have found you here. God bless bro!

I live in a van in brek and this video speaks to me more than anything ever before. I wasn’t able to go home for the holidays and I’m just feeling so lost without my community of people around me. Yeah sure I have friends here but they aren’t my home. Nothing will ever change about that. Thank for helping me put words to my thoughts

Thanks so much for making such an honest video about the many aspects of a nomadic, vehicle-led life. Much appreciated.

I felt that so much when in 2018, I traveled so much by plane for work that I felt disconnected from my community. I was just known as the guy who’s always flying somewhere and that was pretty hard. Solid video Jake!

Great thoughts, great interviews. I support you Jake! Stay true to yourself ❤️

Thank you so much for this raw and honest video jake. I've had the desire for tiny house living for years, recently been thinking about bus life, and you said a lot in this video that gives me a lot to think about. even considering van life as an option. I appreciate you showing up as you and sharing snippets of your life with us

Love how you interview different people! Gives a great perspective from different sides! Awesome job

Jake, i just wanted to say thank you for making these videos. You mean so much to me as times are tough right now and you motivate me to keep pushing and progressing, and everytime i watch one of your videos it puts a smile on my face. And you have inspired me to start film making and ever since i started ive been feeling happier and i think this is what i was mean to do and if it wasnt for you i never would of started. Once again thank you so much for making these videos, they really do mean so much to me. Btw todays video was amazing, keep up the great work♥️ -Micah

whoa from 5:24 to the end really got me... Gave me a refreshing perspective. I live in a small town always dreaming of leaving but I haven't put in a ton of effort into really getting to know and love my community. Maybe I take them for granted. Everything said here is so true, at the end of the day all we have each other as cheesy as that sounds. This is the best, most honest Van life video on youtube, great work!

I was in the van on and off for about 2 years total. I've had the very best of times and also my bleakest moments living in a van. I keep trying to quit and rent a house for a while but it draws me back. I move back into the van end of Feb.

Always an inspiration. I actually have a folder in my music collection for RU-vid that goes by your name because your style is so distinct. As for the message, I completely agree. I guess in the end it all comes down to having a balance. Seeing the world, but also growing roots somewhere and building long-lasting relationships with people. Having a sense of familiarity in a place because you recognize people and places - and get recognized in return - is a very beautiful and comforting thing.

This video was great man, I traveled for 2-years and routine & community were the things I missed most and you covered that really well.

I have traveled to many countries, many states but there is something so special about having a solid home to go back to. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

This is one of the most inspiring video shared by a person who lives in a van. Thank you for sharing your doubts and thoughts in open and honest way.

This was the most insightful vanlife videos I've ever watched, thanks 😊 i think i watched a TED talk once about the things that caused life longevity, and one of them was a rich fabric of low level social interactions (like shopkeepers knowing you and saying good morning). Makes me feel better too, as i live in a small Italian village, planning our permaculture homestead, but still sometimes get taken in by the vanlife instagram vision...

Nice video Jake, I like the sentiment. I've heard somewhere that what makes us happy is fundamentally experiences and relationships, and being on the move really makes you experience, but the relationships can become more shallow. Staying put for longer periods of time definitely does give more value (imo), just like Nathaniel Drew explains it. It's all about getting everything in doses

Dude... Your music is always on point! always hits the right emotions.

Thank you for sharing this! I resonate so much with how you are feeling. I've never done van life but I've traveled internationally for the last 3 years and I love so many parts of it, but not having a community is wearing on me more and more. Of course, I have people I can call up and that support me, but like you're saying, belonging to the fabric of a society, being a local, and having friends nearby are something I've missed so much. I just don't know how to stay in one place or find my city. I keep dreaming of a traveling family. Cheers to not know our next move, hope it works out well for you :)

Been watching your videos now and then but never replied on any of them. Yet I want to take the time to praise your storytelling. Everytime it's hitting the nail on the head! As for this subject, I think balance is key, as it is for mostly everything :)

Keep it up man, be strong be present, inspire, be inspired. You are awesome.

So honest and touching. Pulling @ my heart strings again. So glad to see you in my inbox this morning. Safe travel's my friend.

Really appreciate your honesty and point of view on van life. Just randomly came across this video and your channel and looking forward to watching more of your videos! Cheers :)

Bro I appreciate this video. I myself just got done traveling with my wife from Nevada all the way to New York and I can definitely relate with a lot of this video. Appreciate the great content and always inspiring others. Can’t wait for next video. Stay safe brother.

I don't wanna be that friend that watches everyone else go places, where they move to the big city or start a family meanwhile I stay in the small town working the same job always wondering what if, or if only. Your videos are so good!

Jake, thank you for this sweet and thoughtful video. I'm thinking of buying a van soon, but it will be part time for me, so I can keep my roots in my community as well. You've given me some good stuff to remember.

Really love the honesty and perspective in this (as well as the always fireee cinematic shots and editing 🔥🔥) been surviving and battling through a wild series of life events, your videos always inspire me (and so many) and I’ve began trying to shoot my first b roll because of all these clips! Much love from Kentucky bro, keep following your intuitions and I feel like you won’t go wrong! ❤️🙏🏻💫

8:25 you saying this makes me realize that perhaps I should try out the van life. i like the feeling of strangers and not familiar faces, where no one knows my name nor my face. what a

I appreciate the insight and honesty you provided in regards to #vanlife and the topics surrounding it. I've definitely romanticized the idea of it and watching / listening to you and your interviews helped put it in perspective.

Oh my gosh this put a real big smile on this guys face. So unreal man so blown away by your ever-improving storytelling and attitude. Just when you think it can't get better it always does. Also I have an idea of where you should visit next 😂 Love you man, miss you everyday!

Love hearing your perspective Jake. Excited to follow along on what’s next for you.

100%! Thank you for making this video! So much truth in all of this.

This needed to be said - I'm glad a video with this perspective is out there now. Thanks for sharing!

Dude you always make these videos when I need them most. Thank you Jake

I am so glad I came across this video. Truly appreciate the perspective from Van lifers and the honesty in the pros and cons.

This made me cry man, this is the video I needed to actually tell me van life is for me, thank you so much!

Love the Huntington Beach footage. I remember that video when you were in the area. That's my hood! I love having my van for weekend adventures/road trips with my friends and family, but I couldn't replace the community I'm already so connected to and love, if we were constantly traveling. Great video, Jake!

We love your videos Jake! I just shared your page with a few friends. You're doing such great work.

I really appreciate the honest perspective. It's so true that what appears on camera and social media is the image the author wants to present to the world. I love all the talk about how the people in your life and those connections mean more than the van, locations, people you meet along the way or the isolation when you don't. I wonder if it would help if travelers used an app like Uchi which is intended to help you connect authentically but only with the few handfuls of people who matter most to you. It's a place where you can have real conversations using only the written word which is so powerful.

Thank you for your insights. I admit, vanlife has seemed pretty glamorous to me, and I might do it for a year or two. But I'm grateful for your recognition of the importance of community.

Interesting comment on community regarding the concept of "being a burden." I would argue that temporarily being a burden on someone is what creates community. Our dependence on each other is crucial to authentic community. This is what is missing in social media. When you lean on someone, and they willfully participate in supporting you, trust is built. This trust is a pillar of community.

I'm so glad you did this video. My husband and I are living in a shuttle bus while we convert it and it has been a huge adjustment. It is not as glamorous as people on Instagram make it seem. We live in on an acre of land that we own and it's still challenging. In all honesty I absolutely love living in this bus, but it's important for people to know it's not what a lot of people make it out to be. We're also completely off grid so we're having to make sure we always have water and we need to take care of our solar system and setting up a good solar system with energy to run everything on the bus is expensive. We're doing everything ourselves so it's been a lot of trial and error and you often will start to build something just to realize it's not going to work how you thought it would so you have to go back to square one. Again I wouldn't want to be living any other way right now, but if one wants to pursue van/bus life you must plan it out well and be prepared for the work that goes into it. You should not pursue it just because of the pretty perfectly posed pictures on Instagram.

THANK YOU for making this. I definitely want to (plan to) get a van, but this helped make clear to me that I need to do it in a way that works for me and my family (and for us that looks like paying off our house more so we always have somewhere to come home to).

AS A FORMER VANLIFE I COULD NOT HAVE PUT THIS BETTER

I’ve spent the last 5 years of my life traveling about 60% of the year, some for work and some for pleasure. Up to this point I’ve done it all in a car. I’ve averaged 70k miles a year over that time frame. Now that my gf and I have a 1yo son we are starting the process of converting a bus into a full time off grid home, and have estimated that our traveling will drop down to 20-30k miles in a year, but we’ll be saving so much on travel expenses, and be able to just spend more time in each place we go. Thanks for making these videos man, you’ve always been a huge inspiration for me as a fellow traveling creative 🧡

You’ve really kinda inspired me to start making videos myself. Thank you Jake!❤️

haha I've been waiting for this video. Glad you enjoyed your time in the van. Hope to keep hanging out with you!

I threw a bunch of backpacking pads in the back of my subaru, an inverter and string lights and camped out and thought to myself, I am comfy af, I could totally road trip like this. Subie lifeeee

I was so excited to see this video Jake and hear a real honest perspective on your van. I'm sure it is hard being on the go all the time and not being able to maintain a lot of those valuable connections. Home is where the heart is. Thanks for sharing Jake, what will you do next?

Super well edited, and with an interesting message, as always in your videos. Great job!

Damn, you're an amazing, genuine storyteller. Inspiring content Jake!

Jake, I really enjoyed this video. The inward look at your personal discoveries was very refreshing and engaging. Your collaboration with other key van lifers was excellent. Even though I'm not a vanlifer I really feel your comments could be applied to everyone during this time. For some hit hard with pandemic related lockdowns, their isolation from community has - I'm hoping - exposed what we took for granted before and maybe were not placing enough value in our community. Please share this comment with all your collaborators on this edit, that all deserve another pat on the back. Keep up the great work and content. ~ stay safe. - sb

Yo amen brother ✊ been living like this for about a year and a half now. I think we all feel like there’s something missing from our lives before we embark on an adventure like this. We think THIS is what’s missing. Then we start traveling and roughing it for awhile and realize that, yes, it was what was missing. The perspective and appreciation and beauty of a normal life. Before the vanlife way of things, normal, is grey and dull. Afterwards, it’s deep. I know I got what I was looking for through an insane amount of painful isolation, introspection, and being forced to face all my issues day in and day out. I went broke and lost a relationship because of it, but if I would have never done it I can only imagine how miserable I’d still be.

I'll have to think of these positive, and negative positions before my van adventures next year. One thing I'll take away is staying in touch while traveling, and planning as many good times with my home community on returning. Thank you for these different perspectives.

Thank you so much for this video! I love seeing all of these videos talking about the reality of van life but at the same time it frustrates me so much because I've never seen a video like this that didn't just mention things that were common sense? I'm wanting to start van life so I'm trying to get as many different perspectives and research as possible and it's legitimately concerning how many people see one video, jump into the first van they find without even putting much thought into it, thinking they'll be free from every problem in life and live in it till the end of their days, and then complain about how it was such a terrible time because it wasn't this otherworldly bikini experience they had pictured in their head

Interesting perspective and I agree, we all need variety in the way we live. Community/solitude as well as the opportunity to evolve in any direction that we are drawn to is important. The one person who is always with you is yourself and (to me) is the one person we need to like the most. Finding our own balancing point in our choices is where we can find meaning and peace. Joe. UK.

Loved this - can definitely relate to both the pros and cons. Building community has especially been hard lately with everything going on.

This is a good video for someone who is pretty sure they want to live in a van but u were able to shed light onto things I hadn’t thot about

I’m glad I saw this video. I have been looking to buy an ambulance or a Tacoma. I have settled on the Tacoma (used) because of the price. I don’t need anything special. I just can’t get to the places I want to go in my Honda sedan. I plan on just going out to the wilderness for a few days and sleeping in the bed of the truck. This video brought me back down to earth. Thank you. You earned a subscriber

When you drop a video, I put everything else on hold. Your videos are that important to me.