A COUPLE who were fed up of the ever-increasing cost of living have told how they moved into a van full-time – and haven’t looked back since.
Oli and Eden, who have been together since they were 19, revealed five ways they prepped themselves for the big move of full-time van life.
Oli and Eden have moved into a van full-time[/caption]
The adventurous couple revealed six reasons why they’re selling their home for full-time van life[/caption]
In a clip posted to TikTok (@sanchezlife_), the adventurous duo begin by explaining how they’re selling their house and everything in it.
To cut back on costs, they say how they’ve come to the agreement not to convert their van but to instead upgrade it with the likes of an awning, aircon and more shelving.
They hope that all of these additional design features will make it easier once they’re living in their motor on the road.
Oli, who is a musician, and Eden, a coach, also plan on getting a dog behaviour specialist to help “make the transition easier” for their beloved pooch, Gwen.
They go on to note how they’ve been slowly adapting their work so that they can work from anywhere in the world – before adding that finally, they’ve learned not to care about what people think of their decision.
In another post shared to TikTok, the couple also discus six reasons they’re selling their house to live in a van fulltime.
They begin by explaining how the first major factor in their big life decision is freedom.
“We thought having roots in one place was the best thing for us, but after buying our house and living in one place for four years, we’ve realised that this isn’t the lifestyle we want,” they say.
They go on to add how they want the freedom to up and move whenever they so please.
Oli and Eden go on to point out that the second reason they’ve chosen van life is money.
The couple, who are now both self-employed, note that while bills continued to rocket, their pay didn’t.
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:
Initial Costs
- Caravan Purchase: £8,000 – £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition)
- Caravan Insurance: £200 – £800 per year
Ongoing Monthly Costs
- Pitch Fees: £150 – £600 (varies by location and facilities)
- Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 – £120
- Maintenance and Repairs: £20 – £80
- Internet and TV: £20 – £50
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 – £40
Other Potential Costs
- Waste Disposal Fees: £8 – £25
- Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
- Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 – £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget
- Pitch Fees: £400
- Utilities: £80
- Maintenance and Repairs: £40
- Internet and TV: £40
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
- Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost
- Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
- Insurance: £500
- Maintenance and Repairs: £480
- Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save
- Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
- DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
“The only way to cover our outgoing is to work more and we don’t want that,” they say.
They add that their preference is to “live simply” rather than been inundated with bills.
Thirdly, the couple explain that they really enjoy the work they do and hate the idea of their work becoming something they have to do purely for bills – adding that it “sucks the joy out of it.”
Another key factor in their decision is the exciting prospect of having more time together to explore as a couple.
Not stopping there, they also say that while their beloved pooch Gwen isn’t the biggest fan of change, she loves to explore and will enjoy having the option of exploring different countries.
And last but not least, they admit how they “fell into the tramp of buying more stuff” when they had a house.
Soon, they came to realise that they didn’t want or need it and actually prefer less and living the simple life.
The post has since gone viral, racking up over 34k views and several comments from very envious social media users.
“Some people can’t accept freedom, hope you live happy!!!” praised one.
Oli and Eden replied: “So true! Unfortunately we live in a world where stress has become so normal, people don’t even know they’re stressed! Roll on simple, free living!”
Another commented: “Living the actual dream! well done for going for it and I hope you enjoy every moment.”
A third added: “Absolutely love this so much! Go you two! Hope you’re having the best adventures.”