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Deleted member 222031
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Truth spoken here! The wage/cost of housing gap is a national crisis. Everything built or renovated is "luxury" living. Not looking for luxury? Nobody from the builders to the politicians really cares. They say they do but then the "affordable" housing offered means cutting the budget somewhere, meaning you better be near a good bus system. This is why housing on wheels appeals though it has many cons along with the pros.I don't think you are wrong about the explosion of "van lifers". It's always been a thing but it has exploded. I do disagree with it being some kind of movement or in any way comparable to the "hippy movements" of days gone by. For a lot of millennials (note; the eldest are in their 40s) it's become necessity to seek out other forms or alternative forms of shelter.
We have a serious housing shortage in this country. Housing costs are through the roof and wages have been stagnant for decades. I'm in my 40's and A LOT of my friends are turning to community living, RV or van living, tiny houses, etc. as the only livable solution. I see friends daily sharing information on real estate or property purchases with multiple families, alternatives to housing in general and minimizing.
It isn't a "movement" it's become either "live at home" (which 52% of 18-29 year olds are right now) OR find another way to live on your own that isn't the traditional "purchase the house with white picket fence". You might view the vans as "expensive" but they're a heck of a lot cheaper than housing in this country is. And IME the majority of people out there aren't you tubers, influencers or in their 20's. Sure, there are some but mostly it's people trying to get by within the current conditions of this country. Average millennial salary = $46,000 typical home price $287k. You can't even come close to getting a loan with that discrepancy if housing WAS available.
It's a modern form of the Grapes of Wrath and it's not viable for the long-term, especially with sanitation being a major drawback of van living. That was why I pulled the plug on the idea as a viable personal alternative. Climate control is another big issue....hot when it's hot and cold when it's cold can be more than unpleasant. It can be unhealthy.
It has been good to discuss van life here. Awareness of what's driving cultural trends is important. People are struggling and we need more open discussion about it IMO.
Just my 2 cents.
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