This post is aimed at those for whom living in a vehicle is one of several options rather than the only option. It’s for those with time and resources to make considered decisions, and the freedom to modify them.
NOMANDS HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS about vehicles, how to fix them up, how to have electricity, what to do about heating, cooling, cooking, cleaning, beds, toilets and on and on. Those things are important, but I think they get in the way of the most fundamental question:
Am I the type of person who could be
a happy and successful nomad?
Given the best equipment and a sufficient source of money, some nomads would still be miserable. Some would fail. Because a vehicle can only transport and house you. It can’t repair you. Living in a vehicle can change you, but it’s you who’s the agent of change, not the van, not the power station, not the composting toilet.
So, what type of person has a better chance of finding nomadic nirvana? I’ve assembled a list of attributes that, from my experience, are shared by happy, successful nomads. I think a lot of the attributes also apply to the building-dwelling life. (No doubt there are more things that could be on my list. Feel free to add your own.) Rate yourself on a no–somewhat–yes scale. Obviously, more yeses are better.
-
-
-
- I have an independent nature
- I’m self-sufficient
- I’m self-directed and self-motivated
- I am low-maintenance
- I usually have a back-up plan
- I’m not tied to a location
- I’m not tied to a culture
- I’m not tied to the past
- I look forward to new experiences
- I can entertain myself
- I’m curious
- I’m alert
- I like solving problems and have a good track record at it
- I don’t require certainty in all things
- I have a good BS detector
- I adapt easily to changing situations
- I’m usually calm
- I can prioritize
- I’m comfortable with tools
- I’m not afraid of getting dirty
- I know generally how vehicles and gizmos work
- I can change a flat tire
- I know what to do in emergencies
- I can find my way around
- I’m at peace with myself
- I’m at peace with my bodily functions
-
-
If you did not score many yeses or somewhats, you might want to think more deeply about this whole nomad thing. You might do some work on yourself. Is your temperament changeable? Your personality? Some psychology professionals say yes. Some of the skills on the list can be learned. Knowledge can be gained.
My intent isn’t to talk a lot of people out of their nomad plans. It’s to prepare them. I try not to say, “Hey gang! Come be a full time nomad! It’s perfect for everyone!” Because it isn’t. I don’t want to see frustrated, anxious, stumbling, unhappy campers. I don’t want anyone to regret their decision. I don’t want anyone to crash and burn. I want them to have the life that works great for them. For you.
Very sober article. I appreciate it. BTW, you’re a good writer, Al Christensen. Sadly, I couldn’t even check half the boxes. But I do have the ability to check into a cheap motel if sick or vehicle needs repairs.
Very well written. I am a writer with a formal degree in journalism Therefore I feel that have a sense for these things. Well done. Indeed.
Very interesting. Thanks for your efforts. I travelled in my Prius for a few months and loved it. Now at 71 I enjoy the comports of my small farm here in Thailand. BUT if I was young and had to live in the USA I’d have a a vehicle and would be good to go.
Take care Bangkok John.
I’m impressed. How did you end up on a farm in Thailand?
Good list. Been in a travel trailer for the past 5 years. Your check list is very good.
But people, answer the questions honestly, your going to face all of them as you full time.
Love helping those newbies and those that are no longer to do it themselves.
Totally agree about the list!
I can yes to 4/5’s but I worry about my B/S meter. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong. Which worries me.
I think giving everyone the benefit of the doubt is a good thing. So much better than asking everyone to prove themselves worthy. In my experience, as whole, nomads are good people.
Al, excellent article; I could add one more point & it is: -How is your state of health & do U need frequent medical check ups ?
My regards, Lucy.
Spot on. You write good. Simple, clean, direct. No nonsense. I’m like Bangkok John, but living in Cuenca, Ecuador. If I had to return to the U.S., I’d need to own a place, and for that to be possible, it would have to be small, and wheeled.
Hi Dave, I have thought about Ecuador. Does it feel oppressively hot? Is it very difficult to learn Spanish?
Karen, Ecuador is mainly hot & humid; Spanish grammar is difficult, but phonetically- wise is ok. Take in consideration also that we are all different & what may be easy for me it may be harder for U & viceversa. My regards, Lucy.
I retired and lived in Panama for 8 years but had to repatriate because of health. Health care’s not bad there, but it’s Pay Up Front. and Medicare doesn’t pay if you’re not in the country. I went a little different than most here. I bought a small sailboat to live on at anchor. That was a natural for me since I spent my professional life either as a yacht captain or repairing boats.
But as my COPD increased I found I could no longer cope with living at anchor and a now tied to the land. I’m looking for a van and eventually hope to move into one.
Well said, Al, thank you.
I’d suggest, if you can’t answer yes to ALL the questions, your chances of success will be improved by a trial period of shorter trips.
Good stuff! I’m entering my 4th year of this nomadic life and and still find it challenging at times. So far I’ve been able to overcome them all and still know I did make a correct decision. So much to see, so little time to see it all.
Excellent article, and thank you for this.
I agree that while one does not need to be free of any medical issues, being medically stable and able to access testing and care on the road is important.
I would like to see this transferred to a thread on the vanliving forum that is a spin-off from Bob’s, as this is a very concise and helpful list.
Excellent list of questions. I too doubt my ability to read the BS correctly. I tend to believe everyone tells the truth all the time. Which has sometimes gotten me into trouble.
I have been through the list a few more times. At this point I have eleven of these attributes. I will keep working on it. Other peoples comments are very helpful too.
Excellent list, Al. Keep them coming!
I grew up camping with our family. Every summer we’d spend 2 weeks to a month at Navajo Lake, Utah.
We lived in tents and there were 7 of us in all including Mom and Dad.
We ventured out and explored a great deal as a family and on our own. We all participated in everything involved in camping so that we became experienced in how to be comfortable and survive.
My father worked on the fire lines in California after he finished his Doctorate and he had some harrowing stories which allowed him to equip us for the road and the wilds.
We learned the value of the rhythms of nature. Then we got a Nomad trailer… that’s when we learned more difficult lessons.
Like while we were driving up a mountain road and on a tight corner with no guard rails the axle under the trailer broke free and almost catapulted us into a terrible situation.
I’ve known since then that this lifestyle was for me. I can check yes to almost all of your list.
But there’s always something unexpected lying ahead. Possibility thinking is very important and preparations for what to do when things happen.
I’m entering my 3rd year on the road and from New Year’s Day to the beginning of May this year I was a pure nomad.
For me it’s not about seeing everything to see and driving everywhere.
It’s about going to desired places and setting up a base then living there for weeks/or months.
You get into the rhythms of Nature. That’s what heals you. The stress levels are nascent and the peaceful rewards are many.
And if you have chosen your location well and done dispersed camping you find a like minded community.
What you learn from them is the core juice of what makes for falling in love with the new lifestyle. The word nomad says it all: “No Mad.”
I just know that before I took this course in life there was frustration and anger at life that didn’t bring rewards to the focus that you gave it.
Now things are more as they should be. No Mad, tremendous gratefulness, great kinship, and being enveloped in the greater good of outdoors and being Naturally an extension of Nature.
That’s been my rewards for the leap of faith. Money comes and goes. Nature is always here and you don’t need bright shiny objects there.
Jeff, all can I say is…WOW, beautifully expressed !!
A very realistic article with many good points to help people assess whether they would be happy and content as a nomad. Speaking of points, I scored yes on every single question!
Pam, congratulations U’r ready to go ! yes go, go, gooooo 🙂
Nice list. I would like to add a little to this story with my story. I was catapulted into my car by financial circumstances in 2018. I had previously lived in a large class A MH and learned a lot about how to fix things and am a pretty independent sort already. When it went away and my car was going to be home for who knew how long I met that experience with curiosity, and verve and with some trepidation. Mostly about safety and being alone (read, lonely) As a single woman, I will say that the BS detector is honed as you meet what shows up. And it CAN be honed. I made a few mistakes with wanting to be gracious, friendly and when my antenna went up, I skeedadddled O-U-T of there. That’s how I began to learn when to “hold ’em, and when to fold ’em. Now, I lean towards unfriendly until I get a real good read of a person or the situation. It took a little time, no harm done and now my BS detector is much better than it was. Always error on the side of caution….especially for us women “carrying or not” (I think you know what i mean by that).
In the summer of 2020 my financial situation changed and I got an apartment (during the pandemic). I’m considering the Nomad life again, this time by choice and with a little experience under my belt. So, I would like to say, even if you haven’t checked off all the boxes (or many) on this list…everything on it, can be learned and garnered…if you want.
All of you have wonderful comments. I enjoyed reading this thread.
Stay safe.
Seeing the couple called White, the giant murderer, makes me wonder about some people and what they want in life. She could have had any free man, and looked how she ended up. So sad. Judge wisely, pray often.
Exactly what I need as I start acting on my long-time desire to do this after retirement! Thank you very much. Getting dirty is just fine but I have never been able to learn about thingies. Changing a flat tire almost left me with a broken wrist. Is that a game-ender? I don’t want to wander all over, just live in a new place for a few weeks or months. I’m not too proud to get my RV checked out regularly.