![]() | The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (April 2024) |
Van-dwelling or vanlife is an unconventional lifestyle of living in a car, van or other motor vehicle. A person who lives in such a manner, either on a full or part-time basis, is known as a van dweller, car dweller or vehicle dweller. People who live this way by choice are typically seeking a more self-sufficient lifestyle characterized by freedom and mobility. They may perceive it as being a less regulated form of housing, or one that offers a lower cost advantage over standard housing, especially in regions susceptible to housing shortages.[1] Other van dwellers may be one step away from living on the street or in a shelter.
In 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,[2] an idealized version has been popularized through social media with the hashtag #vanlife.[3][4]