Millennials and Van Life
Have you ever thought of just picking up and going cross country to see the world? How easy would it be if you had nothing grounding you? A home, a family to take care of, a stationary job even? Well with the world being seen differently through the eyes of Millennials, “home” life is changing. The pandemic brought about so many liberating changes and people saw they had choices. Choices made out of free time and choices made out of necessity. Many young people are taking their homes on the road. The economy has not helped these young people to have to think outside the box and go off the grid with the housing market being as unrealistic as it currently is.
Van life is so versatile, it is small enough to fit in a parking spot anywhere and be stealthy and unquestioned. However, it is also large enough to have the luxury you would at home. NomadRvs.com Has been seeing this versatility in people and their choices. These days vans are capable of all the amenities of home such as a tiny kitchens equipped with stove , sink, cabinets and countertop space. In the same van you could have a shower with toilet and even a bed with shelving and a garage.
Vanlife is nothing new, we have been seeing it since the 60’s when hippie kids needed their freedom from a society they felt could change. There is somewhat of a cyclical momentum to the culture we saw then to the one we are seeing now. The changes we saw in the anarchy of the times then seems to have come full circle. However, with times changing at warp speed, life and technology have adapted to allow people to really live this way sustainably and not in a seedy way.
We as humans were meant to travel we are nomads by nature and letting go and allowing for all life has to show you, seems like the perfect lifestyle. A life lived and an education of seeing things you normally would have never thought to check out. Things left to retirement in older generations due to the responsibility of work and family being stationary would have never allowed for going off a beaten trail you would never have been if you already weren’t traveling.
It is not only for millennials but Gen Z is hopping on board van life as well. More and more you see vans parked near campus’ as college tuition continues to grow and dorm life or off campus apartments are becoming unattainable. This allows for a student to live as close to college without having to repay their loans well into their 40’s. Also, giving them the autonomy to achieve the American Dream.
Which ever the reason it seems it is the new “backpacking across Europe” or “permanent vacation” for they young. Here is to the next generation to move mountains or at the very least see the mountains.
