Vanlifers are a new generation of millennials trading apartments for vans
Vanlifers may sound like a new shoe company but in actual fact it is a movement sweeping Australia and potentially the world.
‘Travel vs. office job’ millennials are the ones who started it. They are the ones who said “rent is slavery, let’s hit the road.”
But make no mistake, these aren’t crappy old vans. These are vintage in style with a modern functionality that makes them ideal (and sexy) to travel and live in.
The premise of this movement (literally) is to counter the increase in property price and ‘move away’ from the stagnant lives we office dwellers find ourselves in.
Property prices in cities like Sidney and Melbourne are similar to what’s happening in Cape Town right now and indeed in many major cities around the world; they are skyrocketing as developers make a clean sweep to buy up and develop wherever they can, leaving young adults with a massive mountain to climb to be able to afford their own apartment.
Hit the road Jack, or Joey
Fitted with custom-made kitchens, bedrooms, even decks these ‘vantastic’ youngsters take to the open road to explore new territories, surf, read, do yoga and tan.
They do work hard on their social media posts, for which they gain hundreds and thousands of followers, probably consisting of envious office dwellers trying to live vicariously through these bronze stress-free beauties.
I can see a reality show in the future: Vanlifer, the open rogue.
There’s no doubt that it is cheaper than renting a place as it is ‘once off vs. lifelong black hole’ but I wonder what they do to earn money for petrol and food?
Some of them, like Tom O’ Connell, 27 are outdoor education guides that require him to travel, so the van life suits him perfectly.
I guess you just need to find a job that suits your van(lifer-style).
Check their Instagram page #vanlifers.
With the increase of internet jobs we may all see ourselves live life as vanlifers, exploring and tanning.
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