Vandwelling

Vandwelling is a lifestyle of living full or part-time in a wide variety of vehicles, mainly window vans that have been modified with basic amenities like house batteries,^[1] a bed platform,^[2] some form of toilet,^[3][4] sink and storage space. Although the term can apply to living in other types of vehicles, it is mainly associated with vans because the word vandwelling is a portmanteau of the two words van and dwelling. Some vandwellers live this lifestyle by choice; seeking freedom, self-sufficiency and mobility by living outside the normal life of paying into conventional housing. Vandwelling may be done using a Campervan, Recreational vehicle, Travel trailer, or a mobile home. However, SUVs and larger station wagons can also be lived in.

History

The history of Vandwelling goes back to horse drawn vehicles such as Roma Vardo wagons in Europe, and covered Conestoga wagons in the United States. One of the first uses of the term Vandwellers was in the United Kingdom showman and Van Dwellers' Protection Association,^[5] a guild for travelling show performers formed in the late 1800s. Shortly afterwards in 1901, Albert Bigalow wrote “The Vandwellers”,^[6] about people living on the verge of poverty having to live a nomadic life in horse drawn moving vans. After the introduction of motorised vehicles, the modern form of Vandwelling began.

Criticism

The view of vandwellers to the general public range from urban campers to mobile homeless, who are one step away from losing their last shelter. A lot of people will accept the idea, however there are some who dislike the lifestyle because it not "responsible" if you live rent free and own your home outright. Some municipalities have laws prohibiting overnight parking, regardless of what businesses are OK with vandwelling. Oftentimes this law is selectively enforced at certain parking lots, such as Walmart; which allows basically any RV. A few places such as Venice, CA have special police funding to enforce the strict laws and sometimes even impound and arrest Vandwellers. Other counties in Southern California have also put in laws about vehicle living including fines and parking violations for those who are parked for extended periods of time. However the majority of places who do not have overnight parking restrictions will ask that a Vandweller move someplace else; whether that be private security, store employees or law enforcement officers.

Lifestyle

The vandwelling lifestyle can allow for significant autonomy due to lack of a mortgage or rental lease. Vandwellers are free to stay in one location or travel as much or little as they would like. Some vandwellers choose to remain in one city, and work full time or attend school while living in their vehicles. Others travel full time, while working remotely via the internet or finding other short term employment opportunities.

Since vandwelling consists of living in a vehicle with a footprint no larger than a parking space, there is usually little to no space for a shower or washer/dryer. So some vandwellers use gym and truck stop showers or cleaning wipes when showers are not available.^[7] For washing clothes they often use a bucket and the van's vibration to agitate the water,^[8] or will go to a laundromat or use friends or family members washers and dryers; usually in exchange for work, money or security, like when the homeowners are on vacation. Vandwellers will usually go to places close by for weekends and holidays; which would be anything people living in conventional housing would do in their free time.

Vehicle Modifications

There are van conversions with accommodations on all parts of the spectrum. It can be as simple as a folding bed in the back, with only the engine battery for power; ranging to vans that have function like micro-apartments on wheels; with complex power setups, kitchenette, and even primitive plumbing. For the simple end vehicles like the Volkswagen Westfalia, factory van conversions, an owner modified regular passenger van, or a cargo van, which can easily be modified for day to day living by a professional conversion company. Complex van conversion have most of the amenities of a conventional home; including heating, AC unit, house battery systems, 2 burner stove, permanent bed, and other modifications that make the vehicle fit for full-time living.

Communication

Vandwellers do not have a permanent address, so they will use mail-forwarding services so they can have a real address, and not just a P.O. Box. It is useful to receive packages and other mail. The service works by receiving mail, then mailing it out to any address when the vandweller can access. Vandwellers pay their bills online along with other essential finances. VoIP phone service is used to have an actual phone number, along with a cell phone. Usually Vandwellers will access public Wi-Fi, or even have a mobile broadband device to get online.

Employment

Vandwellers will usually work seasonal jobs, ranging from national parks to warehouse jobs; like amazon.com. A lot of vandwellers work only half of the year then use the money they made to live on the other half. This is possible because there are no house payments, whether that be renting or paying a mortgage; which for the average American costs 40% of their income or more.

References