Why Living the Van Life is Attractive and How to Find Van Life Jobs
Living in a van, or van life, is a trend that is quickly growing in popularity. People enjoy the basic, low cost, and freedom of being able to travel and explore while at the same time having a home. Because of its many benefits, many people are turning to van life as their new way of living. For those who enjoy traveling and living minimally, living in a van is an incredibly attractive option.
If you decide that van life is the lifestyle for you, you may need to find a way to make money in order to sustain it. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to earn money while living in a van. Here are a few of the most popular ways to find van life jobs.
Freelance Work
One option for van lifers is to find freelance work. You could become a virtual assistant, an editor, copywriter, web developer, graphic designer, or any other type of freelancer. With the majority of freelance work, you can set your own hours and work remotely, which is why it is an attractive option for van lifers. If you already have the skill set necessary, you could easily create a business or a side hustle while living the van life.
Work-Trade Programs
Some van lifers choose to work in trade for bed and board. In this scenario, you work for housing, food and other costs of living in exchange for labor. Examples of trade programs include WWOOFING and hospitality exchange, in which you exchange labor or skills for a place to stay. For example, if you sign up with WWOOFING, you can find farms, hostels, and other locations where you can volunteer in exchange for perks such as food, water or housing.
Remote Work
Another popular van life job is remote work. There are many different job opportunities for those who are willing to work remotely, including customer service, tech support, and online tutoring. It’s easy to find a job that you can do online from anywhere in the world. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection, and you can work and make money while living in your van. You can also take up many of the creative tasks available online such as web design, content writing, or tutoring.
Van Rental Services
Renting out your van is also an option for those who have taken the plunge and started living the van life. Many van life enthusiasts rent out their vans when they are not using them, and this can be a great way to make money. You can list your van on websites such as Airbnb or Outdoorsy, and you can make a decent income this way. Plus, you can still use the van when you need it. Just be sure to set aside extra time for cleaning the van in between bookings.
Campground Hosting
Campground hosting is another great option for those living in vans. As a campground host, you would be responsible for a certain area of the campground and help out the guests who stay there. This could involve greeting new arrivals, cleaning restrooms, and dealing with any complaints or issues. You would also be responsible for collecting campground fees. Most campground hosts are paid an hourly wage or an allowance in exchange for hosting services.
Truck Driver Jobs
Truck driver jobs can be great for van lifers who need more consistent work that pays. People who choose this type of job usually work for large trucking companies, and may drive van sized trucks, RV's, or other large vehicles. Most truck driver jobs come with good compensation packages that include a set salary, health care, and vacation time. Plus, you get to enjoy the freedom of driving on the open road while making a good living.
Other Van Life Jobs
These are just a few of the job opportunities available for van lifers. Other options include finding a job as a tour guide, travel writer, or tour operator. You can also look for job opportunities in the camping, hiking, and biking industries. Additionally, many van life enthusiasts have found success working as independent entrepreneurs, and employment as a photographer, artist, or craftsman.