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Living in a van or paying rent—each comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. While renting offers stability and convenience, van life promises freedom, adventure, and a break from the rising costs of traditional housing. But is trading your apartment keys for a set of wheels really worth it?

A video from CheapRVLiving dives deep into the realities of van life, featuring Angie Peacock, a full-time van dweller and mental health coach. Below, we’ve highlighted the key takeaways from her experience. Make sure to watch the full video at the end of the article for even more insights!

1. Why Choose Van Life?

Angie’s journey into van life began when her rent increased by 200amonth. Frustrated with the idea of taking on a job she didn’t love just to afford housing, she decided to hit the road.

“My rent was getting raised like 200 a month.”

Frustrated with the idea of taking on a job she didn’t love just to afford housing, she decided to hit the road.

“My rent was getting raised like 200 a month, and I was like no way… I don’t want a crappy job, I don’t want to pay extra rent—I got to do this now or never.”

If your landlord raises your rent for the third time in a year, maybe it’s time to consider living in a van—just don’t forget the Wi-Fi!

2. The Reality of Van Living (Space & Storage)

Angie’s current home is a 2023 Winnebago Revel, a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 with clever space-saving features. She highlights the importance of maximizing every inch: “Every square inch needs to have stuff in it basically when you’re a full-timer.” From an elevator bed to hidden storage compartments, her setup proves that tiny living doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort.

If you’ve ever played Tetris, van life storage is just the real-life version—except losing means sitting on your own shoes for a week.

3. The Cost of Freedom (Financial Pros & Cons)

While van life eliminates rent, it comes with other expenses—solar panels, lithium batteries, maintenance, and occasional RV park fees. Angie’s electrical system includes 400 amp hours of lithium batteries and 300 watts of solar, but she admits there have been nights when the power shut off unexpectedly.

Van life teaches you the true meaning of “off the grid”—sometimes whether you like it or not.

4. Community & Lifestyle Perks

One of Angie’s favorite parts of van life is the unexpected kindness of strangers—what she calls “road magic.” From homemade cookies in Texas to surprise lunches left at her door, she’s found that life on the road restores faith in humanity. “It taught me that people are kind, the world is safe… it’s not as scary as you think.”

If you’ve ever doubted humanity, try living in a van—apparently, free cookies are part of the package.

5. The Downsides (Showers & Toilet Talk)

Angie’s van has a wet bath, but she admits she’s only used it six times in five years—preferring gym showers instead. Her cassette toilet requires frequent emptying, which she describes as “literally like a suitcase of poo.”

Nothing humbles you faster than realizing your bathroom is a five-gallon box you have to dump in a porta-potty.

6. Work & Life Balance on the Road

As a mental health coach, Angie works remotely from her van, using Starlink for internet. She emphasizes the importance of balancing work with outdoor time: “The minute I’m over with my job, I have to shake it off and go outside.”

Van life: where your office view changes daily, and your boss can’t complain if you take meetings in your pajamas.

Final Thoughts: Is Van Life Worth It?

Van life isn’t for everyone, but for those craving freedom, adventure, and a break from rent hikes, it can be life-changing. Angie’s story proves that with the right setup and mindset, living on the road is more than possible—it’s rewarding.

Want more? Watch the full video from Being Human RV below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XahEpQIeTk