Where Culture Gets a Wicked Twist

Where Culture Gets a Wicked Twist

The new ‘roadmads’: Why so many people are selling everything and hitting the open road

Remember when the ultimate dream was a corner office with a view? Yeah… that’s so 1999.

These days, that same corner office has been traded in for an open road, a sprinter van, and Wi-Fi that occasionally works—if the stars (or the cell towers) align.

Welcome to the age of the “new nomads,” where living on the road has become the ultimate life flex. We’re talking about the people who said, “You know what? I’m good on that 9-to-5, mortgage-heavy life.” Instead, they’ve sold off their worldly possessions (yes, even that limited-edition KitchenAid stand mixer) to embrace something a little more… mobile.

@em.and.nick

I mean we’re millenials and still technically work full time buuuuut work feels alot less soul sucking when you can just go hop in the ocean in between calls 🤷🏻‍♀️ #remotework #digitalnomad #vanlife #lifeontheroad #vanlifestyle #fulltimetravel

♬ original sound – summer

Now, who exactly are these folks trading their suit and tie for a pair of hiking boots? It’s not just the free-spirited, kombucha-loving, off-the-grid crew types. Oh no. The new nomads come in all forms—from tech-savvy digital creators and remote workers to early retirees and young professionals who’d rather gaze out at the world through a van window than through the confines of a cubicle. Let’s be honest, a sunrise over the Grand Canyon is infinitely more appealing than your boss’s 7 a.m. Slack message about “circling back” on last week’s meeting.

We’re living in a time when the traditional markers of success (that corner office, the white-picket fence, you know the drill) are starting to lose their luster. The new markers? A converted van with a Pinterest-perfect interior, a prime parking spot with a view of the Rockies, and an Instagram feed that makes you question whether you really need that overpriced downtown apartment.

This whole “van life” movement has people rolling up their sleeves and diving headfirst into the world of DIY. We’re talking full-blown renovations that strip a van down to the studs, maximizing every square inch for life on the road. Sure, these folks are breaking a serious sweat—and making an equally serious dent in their wallets with these conversions—but the payoff? A jaw-dropping home on wheels that’s nothing short of a showstopper.

@lockieandash

10 week van conversion compressed into a 60 second timelapse, im not sure what was more effort building the van or trying to fit so much footage into 60 seconds 😂 It was alot of work over the 10 weeks but we a stoked with how it turned out! #vanconversion #wohnmobil #fiatducatocamper #vanbuildtimelapse #bobil #vanlifeproject #vanlifeeurope #vanlife

♬ Makeba – Jain
@nicoleandedden

THE CONCRETE OASIS. Here is a 60 second van tour of our recently completed van build. We missed quite a few features including our second bed and showing you guys how the shower works – would you want to see videos of those things? This van is available for purchase, send us a message if interested. #vantour #vanlifetour #tinyhome #tinyhomeonwheels #campervanconversion #projectvanlife #camperforsale #vanlifeusa #vanbuild #vanlife #renovation #diyvan #diycamper

♬ Stolen Dance (Instrumental) – Milky Chance

Living life on the open road is hardly a new concept. I mean, RVs have been around forever, and people have been hitting the highways in them for decades. So why the sudden surge of mostly millennial types trading in their cozy homes for a life on four wheels?

Well, for one, the pandemic was a wake-up call. It taught us just how much we can do from, well, anywhere. Suddenly, “working remotely” became a whole lot more literal. If you can answer emails from a beachside bar in Bali (cocktail in hand, obviously), why on earth would you want to go back to the land of fluorescent lighting and depressing desk salads?

Remote work has skyrocketed, and despite companies doing everything short of bribing their employees with pizza parties to lure them back to the office, many of us were so inspired by the work-from-anywhere life that we decided to ditch the 9-to-5 grind altogether. Instead of commuting, some have turned their side hustles into full-fledged businesses, all to chase those nomadic dreams.

@notluxe

Travel jobs / van life jobs you can do on the road PT.1 🚐 ✈️ this is one of the biggest questions we get asked – so while I’ll still share the way I do it, I also want to show how some of my vanlife friends make money #traveljobs #digitalnomadlife #workontheroad #workandtravel #vanlifetravel #vanlife #traveltok

♬ Them Changes (Sped Up) – Thundercat

Of course, another major reason people are pouring their savings into tricked-out vans is thanks to the current housing market. For millennials and Gen Z, buying a traditional home feels like a Herculean task—cue the student loan debt, skyrocketing home prices, lack of inventory, and rising interest rates. It’s no wonder some are opting for four wheels instead of four walls.

Here’s a cost breakdown for those who decided to invest in a cozy, fully-loaded van instead of watching their rent money swirl down the drain.

@abigailmartiin

Replying to @WonkoTheSane How much $ did i spend on this van?? Watch til the end to find out! #vanlife #vanbuild #vanbuildcost #solofemalevanlife #vantour

♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) – Ellen Once Again
@tygoesoutside

if you’ve seen the inside of our van would you have guessed that it cost more or less? #fypシ #vanlife #vanconversion

♬ Heart It Races – Cover Version – Dr. Dog

Now, before you go full Marie Kondo and start listing your furniture on Craigslist, there are a few things to consider. Sure, nomadic living promises a kind of freedom you just can’t get from a traditional lifestyle, but let’s be real—it’s not for the faint of heart. The reality is far less “endless vacation” and much more “playing DIY mechanic when your van breaks down in the middle of nowhere.”

Yes, van life is about more than gazing at picturesque views while casually answering work emails. It can be downright isolating and, at times, seriously challenging. From missing out on a sense of community to the very real nightmare of spotty internet connectivity, there are definite downsides to the open-road lifestyle.

So, is the whole #vanlife trend here to stay?

Well, beyond the Instagrammable interiors and perfectly curated shots, there’s something deeper going on. People are ditching their stuff—yes, all the stuff—in favor of experiences. The kind you can’t snag in a Zara sale or add to your Prime cart. Living small, whether in a van, converted bus, or tiny home, is all about prioritizing freedom, flexibility, and a life that doesn’t wait until retirement to be fully enjoyed.

For those ready to trade stability for spontaneity, this lifestyle can be a game-changer. It’s a rejection of the status quo in favor of something a bit more adventurous, a bit less conventional. And let’s be honest—don’t we all secretly fantasize about ditching it all for a life that lets us wake up to a new view every day?

Who knows, maybe selling everything and living on the road is the new American Dream. Just don’t forget to post about it.

Till next time, be wickedly wonderful.

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Coastal Kev
Coastal Kev
2 months ago

No need for a $90,000 Sprinter van. My $2000 ’95 Chevy G-20 has worked fine for me for the last 10 yrs.

No Spam
No Spam
2 months ago

Oh, my! All “tatted up”, aren’t we? Pathetic

DBS
DBS
2 months ago

No thanks…in today’s rapidly spiraling world, I like my stick built solid home. Also, already so many reports from people getting seriously sick on the road with no personal doctor around or knowledge of any reputable hospital nearby. One guy had to travel from Oregon back to his original home state of Fla, while very ill, in order to see his longtime doctor and be able to get to the hospital he desired. Also, a person I actually know had to go thru massive nausea from chemo in an airstream tiny bathroom, hugging the commode….for months! Also, personal safety on the road is a big factor now….this ain’t your Daddy’s USA!! Millions of unvetted illegals in every state now! AND…if you don’t have back trouble before you hit the road, you eventually will….lots of physical stuff required….that even more so for the RV full timer life,. Also, accidents…know a person who got absolutely creamed on the road. Would took months to fix his camper….he had to rent a car and live for 4 months in a motel, til the he got his camper back….and then had nothing but problems with it. My opinion=it is a fad…and an especially very stupid one for any single females. They stand out with big targets on their backs….most criminals figure them easy pickins’. Even armed, they are the preferred victim of choice. Now consider the present world situations…everyone warns of WW3…not that too many would survive, but I much prefer to be in my solid home surrounded by friends, my good neighbors, and family, if such an event occurs. Certainly not somewhere on the road with suddenly no gasoline, no close friends, and not prepared enough, because of no room in a van or camper for any extra water, supplies, or food. The timing is bad for such road life…..very bad.

Rich
Rich
2 months ago
Reply to  DBS

Millions of who knows whos roaming the country looking for opportunities like this, cash, food and good looking young ladies. An illegal immigrant criminal bonanza.

stinkyyman
stinkyyman
2 months ago

New form of dumpster dwelling. How many nights per year are these folks in sleeping in the walmart parking lot? In reality the lifestyle is miserable for most.

letmepicyou
letmepicyou
2 months ago

They keep talking about “the pandemic”.
There was no “pandemic”.
The sooner we stop using the lies in our language, the better off we’ll be.

Diversity Hire
Diversity Hire
2 months ago

“Influencers.” I see tons of them now on the road. Usually in the left lane blowing by…..

Daniel
Daniel
2 months ago

Why yes, because a car payment on a half a million dollar RV that does nothing but leak and break down is so much better than a mortgage.

Daniel
Daniel
2 months ago

Anyone who would put their lives in the hands of Winnebago is a fool.

Nick Rockway
Nick Rockway
2 months ago

I’ll keep my houses and hit the road when I want to in the class A. Got a feeling this fad is a fad.

PatKat
PatKat
2 months ago

This is the typical line of reasoning of those who don’t comprehendthe source for all the money to buy fancy RV’s, rent space for them to stay, pay the thousands of dollars worth of gas they take to run,,,oh, yes, and to buy food to eat. This still comes from the “corner office’ Or DAddy and Mommy…

Atam
Atam
2 months ago

Pretty soon this will be all of us. Mad Max.

Denis Meyers
Denis Meyers
2 months ago

There’s also the phenom of leaving it all behind and heading for the Sea. “Sailing Zatara” is the YouTube video journal of a Texas family who sold everything and bought a catamaran. Husband, wife and 4 children ages 9, 10, 15 and 16 and who started sailing the world in 2013. The next is empty now and the husband and wife continue their quest to enjoy freedom and look for adventure. And they are not alone: there seems to be a community of families navigating their way across both oceans.

Long Island
Long Island
2 months ago

Could be fun for a while but seems there’s a time-limit on this lifestyle before it becomes old. I like camping but nothing like getting back home afterwards.

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