Many people living in their van have talked about the benefits of full time van dwelling. Those benefits, such as low cost of living, freedom to travel around at will, and extreme convenience, are definitely responsible for the increasing popularity of this lifestyle choice. However, there is one topic related to living in a van that is not often discussed, and that is the topic of handling the stigma of van living.

It’s true that this life choice can have so many beneficial impacts on your way of life. You get to travel around whenever you want and you get to take your home with you. You can reduce your living expenses down to the very minimal amount, therefore allowing you to work much less, perhaps even allowing you to take off part of the year for full time van travelling. But, it is true that van dwelling carries a certain stigma with the general population that are not near as open minded as you and I have become. So, what do you do about the fact that many people will look down on your choice of living in your van?  Keep it a secret or tell the truth?

Perhaps, one of the easiest steps to take is to find a like minded group of other travelers and full timers who understand what your style of living is all about. Now, you may not be able to find a whole lot of fellow van dwellers in your local community, especially if they are trying to stay out of the public eye. But, with the advent of the internet, connecting with like minded souls is easier than ever. By joining a van living user group or mailing list you can find others interested in the same things you are.

Do the best you can to blend into the general public and keep your living arrangements a secret from others around you. While it’s true that many of us are super excited about living the van lifestyle, don’t be too anxious to share your van dwelling secret with everyone you meet. Many people will simply not understand what you are trying to do, and the constant negativity can really bring you down. Now, I’m not saying to never share your lifestyle with anybody, but just be selective with who you tell. Make sure you know them well enough that you won’t lose them as a friend, because they won’t accept your idea of the ideal living situation.

Investigate the possibilities of attending RV and Van Living rallies. These are a great way to make lifelong connections with other over the road full timers that are sure to be open minded and accepting of your methods. Meeting people online is good for starters, but at some point, I’m sure you’ll want to make some real life connections with others that share your nomadic lifestyle. A good example of these gatherings is Burning Man, held in Nevada, each year.

In the end, you have to realize that the stigma of van living comes from dealing with a population that is not very comfortable in dealing with a way of life that is seen as different from their own. People are sometimes ignorant and will quickly jump to conclusions about your choices without ever taking the time to analyze the upsides and potential that you have discovered. If you are the kind of person that is easily hurt by the disapproval of others, including occasional friends and family, then exposing your desire to start van living may not be the best choice.