The Joys of Campervan Living: Why More People are Going ‘off-Grid'

For almost everyone, escaping ‘the rat race’ and disconnecting from life’s daily grind is a truly appealing thought. Freeing up from a slew of duties and domestic responsibility, hitting the road and heading off into the wild unknown... it’s the dream. In recent years a growing number of people have been doing something about this dream by going ‘off-grid’. Not off-grid in the sense of living in a remote cabin with no electricity, but in a way that combines travel and adventure with modern convenience and comforts. Campervan living - aka vanlife.

Vanlife is a lifestyle that offers freedom, flexibility and a sense of connection with the world around us. In this day and age of digital this and digital that, getting out on the road and experiencing the natural environment with our own sense rather than just through a screen is massively beneficial for good mental health and general well-being. In this edition of our blog, we’ll explore why more and more people are opting for off-grid nomadism, what makes it so appealing and how advances in technology (plus the rise of remote working) have made vanlife more accessible than ever before.

The growing trend for vanlife

In the past, the campervan was mostly associated with travellers or retirees taking short-term holidays. These days, it's a full-on lifestyle choice for people of all ages - from digital nomads (ie. those who work from their van) and young professionals to couples, families and retirees alike. The shift towards this mobile and off-grid way of living means that the modest campervan is no longer just about holidays. Owning one is a super-cool long-term commitment to freedom, sustainability and adventure.

The Covid pandemic certainly played a part in this. Travel restrictions were imposed and meant people had to rethink their more traditional holiday plans. Many discovered the joys of exploring the UK in a campervan, and the phrase ‘staycation’ was born.

For some, the staycation was a temporary solution to lockdown boredom - but for others it was the start of a deeper connection with a slower and more intentional way of life. Whether for a long weekend escape or to undergo a permanent switch to off-grid living, more and more people have turned to campervans to facilitate their adventure, freedom and craving for a more minimalist lifestyle.

Why go off-grid?

For many, the phrase ‘off-grid’ probably conjures up images of Ranulph Fiennes-type survivalists enduring hardship in an inhospitable forest without electricity or modern conveniences. Off-grid living in a campervan doesn’t mean anything like forsaking comfort and convenience. Instead, it’s about cutting the tether to the traditional utilities grid. It means utilising alternative power sources such as solar energy and living in a more self-sufficient and eco-friendly way.

• Environmental benefits: In this era of conscious and responsible action, one of the biggest appeals of going off-grid is the environmental aspect. Concerns about the planet – ie. climate change and sustainability - are at the forefront of many people's minds. So, anything which provides a chance to reduce your ‘carbon footprint’ is a huge draw. Taking steps such as generating your own power through solar panels, minimising water usage and relying on sustainable resources, impact on the planet can be significantly reduced by off-grid campervan living.

• Financial freedom: Beyond the environmental benefits, living in a campervan can be a quite cost-effective alternative to the traditional brick house lifestyle. There’ll be no rent or mortgage - though there might, of course, be a loan or HP to pay. However, the upfront costs involved in buying and outfitting a campervan are often outweighed by the long-term financial freedom and, particularly, the cost-saving convenience and flexibility that come with off-grid living. With no utility bills and the ability to stay wherever you choose, whenever, things can quickly add up to provide quite significant savings.

• Technological advances: Travelling off-grid used to be something only undertaken by hardcore adventurers has now become a viable option for a broader group of people, thanks in part to the major technological advances made in the last few decades. Solar panels, energy-efficient appliances and portable power stations have made off-grid living not just possible at a basic level but a comfortable lifestyle choice.

Solar power and energy storage

One of the main advances in tech that means off-grid living has become accessible for campervan travellers is, as briefly mentioned above, solar power. Harnessing the power of the sun is a free and efficient method of generating electricity to power your lights, appliances and devices. High-efficiency solar panels can be fitted to the roof of your campervan and, when they’re combined with battery storage systems, they can provide plenty of energy to keep you going through cloudy days and nights. Solar power is a great way to stay comfortable - even when you’re far from a more traditional power source.

Water

Water is one of the most precious resources when you’re camping off-grid. The ability to source, filter and conserve water has become much more possible thanks to the advancing tech. Portable water filtration systems mean you can safely drink from natural water sources, while efficient plumbing set-ups can minimise water waste for everyday tasks (eg. washing dishes or showering). Many campervans are equipped with greywater tanks which store wastewater for later disposal, helping to maintain hygiene and be sustainable when you’re parked up in the wild.

Connectivity

Although you’re considering a switch to the nomadic, off-grid lifestyle, you’ll probably still be concerned with staying connected to the wider world. The rise of portable Wi-Fi devices and the huge improvements in mobile internet coverage, mean that it’s easier than ever to stay in touch with family and friends – and, for those wanting to embrace being a digital nomad, work. Whether you want to stream movies, video call colleagues or uploading your latest travel blog post or some photos to social media, you can remain connected while off-grid and enjoying the beauty of your location.

Remote work

In the wake of the pandemic, remote work has become a permanent fixture in the professional world, with a large number of the UK’s workforce plying their trade from places other than ‘the office’. In addition, businesses and employees started to realise that ‘home’ didn’t necessarily need to be a fixed address – and so, the shift towards remote work has given people the impetus to rethink their living arrangements entirely.

Why work from a crowded, expensive city when you could work from a beautiful beach or a quiet forest? The campervan, once a tool for travel and short-term adventure has actually become, at least some of the time, a mobile office for many digital nomads.

Minimalism

For some people the ethos of minimalism is a big element of the attraction of campervan living and going off-grid. When your home is a van, there’s not too much room for clutter or unnecessary possessions, and a reduction in material goods can be incredibly freeing, leading to a more mindful way of living.

Campervan minimalism isn’t about sacrificing comfort, it’s about prioritising what matters. The pleasure of waking up in nature, having all the things you need right within reach and living with less can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. The very essence of that old saying ‘less is more’. In an age of excessive consumerism, the pared-down approach of off-grid campervan living offers a breath of fresh air, and a path towards better mental health.

Adventure

One of the great joys of off-grid campervan living is the flexibility it provides. No longer tied to a fixed location, you can travel wherever your mood takes you. If you fancy waking up by the sea one morning and in the mountains the next, then you probably can with a campervan.

The challenges of off-grid campervanning

It’s important to note that off-grid campervan living isn’t without challenges. It requires careful planning and a willingness to adapt. The physical space available to you is limited, so you’ll need to be quite strategic about what you bring along on your trips. Managing power, water and waste takes some getting used to, and it’s essential to be self-sufficient.

For some travellers, these challenges are part of the charm of off-grid living. You ‘earn it’ when your campervan, and the skills you develop – from learning to manage resources efficiently to becoming more in tune with nature – can be really rewarding. With modern campervans offering more and more amenities, living off-grid has actually never been easier or more comfortable. To help you find the perfect van check out Wandahome’s new campervans, which offer a range of options for those looking to embrace the off-grid lifestyle.

As more people discover the joys of campervan living and the benefits of trying to live more sustainably by going off-grid, the trend is only set to carry on growing. So pick your van, pack your bags, fire up the engine, hit the road and get off-grid. The wide world is waiting for you.