Tumble out of bed, and I’m already in my kitchen? The 9-5 grind looks a bit different when living in a van.
Vanlife is often depicted as an endless vacation, moving from place to place every few weeks, continually seeking adventure. These full-time travelers may work as photographers, freelance writers, seasonal jobs, or remote workers. However, life circumstances, career goals, and skill-set limitations require many van lifers to work traditional 9 to 5 jobs. Many Vanlife influencers live in the van to “escape the 9 to 5 grind”, however, vanlife can be a great alternative to raising rent prices, paying off loans, weekend travel, or saving up to travel in the future.
So what is Vanlife like working the traditional 9:00-5:00? Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of working a traditional job while living in a van, as well as some insights into my personal experience working full-time while living in a van.
Pros of Working a 9 to 5 Living in a Van
Saving Money
Rent and interest prices are rising everywhere. When you live in a van, you may have a monthly van payment, as well as insurance and van maintenance costs. However, you can avoid paying thousands of dollars on rent every month, and save for future adventures or retirement. Vanlife allows you to live in typically expensive places on a reasonable budget. This is especially true if you can boondock, stay in a friend’s driveway, or stealth camp. Depending on the area, staying at a campground can be just as expensive as paying rent.
Easy access to Weekend Adventures and Camping Trips
When you live in a van working 9-5, it’s really easy to take off and travel on Friday after work. You don’t have to pack or plan much. As long as you have a few places lined up you can park overnight, you just need to fill up on gas and go! Another advantage to this is that you can still complete your weekend chores while you travel. Because you are full-time in your van, you can do your laundry, get your groceries, and do any regular weekend chores no matter where you are!
You get to go Home every Lunch Break
Another benefit of working 9:00-5:00 while living in a van is that you can go “home” every lunch break. I have an hour-long lunch break, so it’s great to be able to be in my own space instead of wasting my time inside my workplace. I can prepare or heat up my own food (hello money savings) as well as catch up on any chores, reading, or schoolwork I need to do. It’s great to be able to break up the work day by spending some time in the van. No more packing lunches, or having to rush home for a change of clothes.
Cons of working 9-5 Living in the Van
FOMO
The FOMO is real when you see other van lifers traveling all over when you are confined to the same location five days a week. I am currently working at a PT clinic, accumulating hours for acceptance into PT school. This is an entry-level job that does not pay the best. So, I envy the van lifers with remote jobs that get to travel to new parts of the country every week. However, I know this job is going to be helpful for my future. There is always part of me wishing to get back on the road, but I try to utilize my weekends to scratch my travel itch!
Judgement from Coworkers
When I started my job, I tried to hide that I was living in the van because I was afraid of being judged. I think Vanlife is awesome, however, some people feel very differently or think it’s a very weird thing to do. My coworkers were a bit… nosey, so I didn’t keep my secret for more than a few days. Now they all know, and are pretty accepting of it. Of course, I get the creeper van jokes all the time, but it’s all in good fun. However, some people may treat you differently if they know you live in a van. So use your judgment when sharing your living situation.
Mechanical Woes
Breakdowns can be extra stressful when you have to be at a job 5 days a week. You won’t have as much time to do your repairs, and you may not have access to the tools and equipment to fix them. It’s even harder when mechanics are only open on weekdays. If the mechanic doesn’t let you sleep in their lot, you may have to pay for hotel rooms and Ubers, which can add up quickly and add stress to your life.
My Experience Living in a Van Working 9-5
“Workin’ 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin’”
My experience living in the van and working a traditional 9-5 has been generally positive. I haven’t run into a lot of mechanic issues, and my coworkers have been very accepting of my lifestyle. I really enjoy spending my lunch break in the van. I also like never having to pack changes of clothes for the gym, or work, and packing a lunch bag. It’s great if you spill on your clothes (which I do a lot…), need a snack, forget to put on deodorant, to access it all right in the parking lot. I have a few free campgrounds within 20 minutes of my work, and can stealth camp when I feel like it.
I am always itching to get back on the road, but currently do not have the skills for a remote job, and know this job is helping my future career. I am also able to live in a community that I would not be able to afford to live in otherwise.
If you are living in a van and want a typical 9-5 for whatever reason, I suggest scoping out the area where you are applying. Spend a few days there in your van to find out where you can park, do laundry, shower, go to the gym, fill up water, etc. This may not be the best advice… but any job can be a seasonal job if you quit at the end of a season. If you are unhappy where your job is located, you can easily move somewhere else!
Working 9-5 in a van is not what is typically portrayed by vanlife influencers. However, it can be a great way to live somewhere you otherwise may not be able to, avoid the commitment of a permanent move, save money, and easily travel on the weekends. I hope this gave you a realistic overview of what it is like to live in a van and work a traditional 9-5 job.