The harsh reality of van life (why van life sucks)

[@OConnorful]

09:24 should be the intro

[@NaickKim]

Hahaha, you are SO RIGHT. Wish I could change it

[@naturenurture6507]

Many people just want to present one side of 'living in a van' life, often for the camera only...They hide all the imperfections and struggles, like those instagram accounts as if its all bunnies and rainbows.. You both have shared very honest experiences, this makes this video, real, beautiful and authentic.

[@JenSwarbrick1966]

Organization and storage seem to be your main issue. Maybe build some cupboards where you can store all the stuff you have to put away before traveling. Everything needs a place and a place to put everything. Also, use better/strong closures on your drawers so they don't come open when driving. When things are more organized you will find that your travel becomes less stressful. Happy travels :)

[@motorhomemavericks1]

As a full-time van lifer - I can confirm that van life DOESN'T suck and is the best life possible

[@davidfairfield651]

Im full time myself and have never been happier or this free If you do it right it can be rewarding.

[@robertenleed-q3r]

Pfffffffffffffffffff! lmao. another lie and gaslight session now here.

[@davidfairfield651]

@robertenleed-q3r have you lived van life and if so, have the sense of being methodical, thrifty and non materialistic? Without any or all of that I could see you failing miserably and of course say that it sux. This lifestyle isn't for everyone who tries it. If you rely on comfort 100% of the time then you definitely will not dig any aspect of it. To each his own, some like it and others do not but only gaslighting is coming from you.

[@robertenleed-q3r]

@@davidfairfield651 try that at 50 degrees celcius in summer and try it also at -20 celcius winter and let me know lol

[@Akstergrind]

​​@@davidfairfield651Unfortunately, I'm not a van-lifer but I'd imagine that, if you don't find the particular climate suits you, you have the ability to simply...move? If you don't like the heat, go somewhere it's not quite as hot. Plus, wouldn't you be aware of a place's weather before you decided to travel there? So I guess what I'm asking is why people complain when it's completely within their power to be exactly where they want to be? I'm not in any position to argue with anyone who's actually doing it. I'm just asking a question for clarity, as I'd relish the opportunity to take up the life.

[@Van-Wolff]

I cycled coast to coast across Spain many years ago, camping in olive groves every night. As soon as I came across any kind of food store I’d stock up as you never knew what the next village would be selling. Some only had shops that sold food, others tractor spares or tables and chairs. Van life has its drawbacks but being able to drive to the next village is more fun than cycling 4 hours up a mountain to find you’re out of luck unless you eat furniture.

[@poweruplay]

Every person is different and everyone lives according to their ability. If you have money, of course you will live in luxury and upgrade your truck to be more comfortable in the end, this lifestyle is very beautiful, because you are always visiting different places and meeting different people, and it is better than buying a house for three thousand dollars and living in it your whole life with the same routine every day.

[@alexleanh]

"The grass is always greener on the other side", Standing on one mountain top, longing for another mountain top", "There is always another side of the story", "If there is a positive then there will be a negative". There are downsides to every lifestyle... even if you're living in your own tiny house, or your apartment, or your rental house, or your own house with a mortgage, or your paid off house, or a luxury penthouse, or even a mansion or a castle.... there will always be positives and negatives. The trick is to live by your means and choose an appropriate lifestyle that fits your needs at every period of life.

[@MadDogAdventures]

After 12 months riding my motorbike across the world I love it. I want to do it for the rest of my life. If you don't remember, my wife is Colombian and my best Colombian friend is a Tattooist from Bucaramanga. He would have set you up with somewhere to stay. I hope you're going to San Gil next

[@mountainlover830]

Great video. Insightful and honest. Thanks for letting us travel with you in the comfort of our own homes and revel in the things you get to see in real life that many of us can only imagine. And at 15:00. 😂😂😂😂

[@Nobody-c2i]

I think many people think it sucks cause they do it wrong At least from what i see on youtube When i imagine vanlife i think about meeting friends along the way and traveliing with them, going together to explore each new place. Staying for some time, creating a small comunity. Instead what i see is people rushing everyday to a new location, trying to be as isolated from other travelers, focusing only on eating sleeping and putting gas Maybe try doint it different way❤

[@kayla5356]

The ending made me laugh out loud. Wish you both the absolute best!

[@MrDavidhubble]

It's the things you don't try that you regret. You are Awesome!

[@NaickKim]

A 100%. We've never regretted quitting our jobs and traveling the world. So many great experiences.

[@NaickKim]

@@XPRoller We're both 35 atm.

[@gaetanomaximus8650]

I love you guys, but I NEVER envied your van experience. I need a real roof over my head, a kitchen, a bathroom, hopefully a balcony, pool, and, of course, air conditioning and safety. But, hey, if it works for you, more power to you! BTW, I'll be visiting your home country later this year!

[@susanmance9436]

I feel exactly the same! Best of luck in your travels!

[@carmengomez6614]

Awww my heart ❤️ was full of happiness to see you was in my city😃Bucaramanga, and all the yummy food, specially queso con bocadillo, 😂😂 cheese sandwich 😋 and the bomba de coco 🥥 so good pastry 🥮, and off course the delicious coffee ☕️, thanks so much for that beautiful videos, hugs from Canada❤️🥰💐🍾🥂

[@nellasnaidero5238]

I am so so happy you do what you do…I love your adventures ❤

[@johng963]

Once again very informative. Telling how it is to live in a van for an extended amount of time.. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.. Stay safe out there..

[@ziontours5893]

That view from the truck stop was one in a million. You forget by the way that life in a house isn't always smooth. The ceiling lamp in my lounge room just dropped to the floor the other day out of the blue. Luckily my dog must have had an inkling. because she moved just in time.

[@latebloomerabroad]

It’s so hilarious that Kim was going to buy a lamp, and the look on Naick's face was priceless!🤣 I think I could live in a van or trailer, but I’d get too lonely alone.

[@patrickpk4421]

I absolutely ❤ watching you guys! Kinda live vicariously through you😂. When you come to Puerto Rico you must come and stay with us! (Ik ben een Nederlander die hier al zo'n 40 jaar woont.)

[@ALTRGO]

OMG guys we 100% feel you right now ! Thanks for sharing this side of vanlife. Safe travel ✌️

[@NaickKim]

How are you guys doing? Where are you now?

[@ALTRGO]

@@NaickKim Hello Guys ! Just saw this reply. We are doing good, we reached our final destination (Panama) and now we are slowly going back "home". We will take a little break of the buslife and get ready for our next adventure of reaching Alaska :) Safe travel to you, love watching your videos 🚐

[@NaickKim]

@@ALTRGO have fun guys!! :) you're gonna LOVE Alaska!

[@ALTRGO]

@@XPRoller hopefully we will see some 🙊

[@JR-ef7nm]

you guys have a lovely home ❤️

[@giannishen]

You two are really great and I believe that no setbacks in the future will defeat you! Thank you very much for sharing the joys and sorrows of living in a van, way to go! 👍🥰👏

[@beanzbeanz]

This is why I go on a motorcycle and stay in hotels or camp out when conditions are ideal.

[@CoozeAdventures]

I understand that you see these setbacks of vanlife while living in the van for an extended period. How would you assess the experience if you were doing even long trips but at the end had a regular house to eventually come back to once you feel you need a respite from the travel?

[@Dadcam_Can]

Just add all these challenging Colombian experiences to your growing list of places like Regina and Gardnerville. And if that doesn't work just imagine you are back on the beach in Whycocomagh. 😂🇨🇦

[@screddot7074]

I'm having fun. Hope you guys are too.

[@AmbientWalking]

Thanks for sharing your life with us. I really appreciate it a lot. Makes me feel less lonely.

[@hshing]

Thank you for reminding us how many things we have taken for granted in our daily lives!

[@psjasker]

I didn’t need a KZbinr to tell me that

[@johnmc3862]

Most people don’t live in a van for 3 years, they use it as a get away temporarily over the years not live in it.

[@davidfairfield651]

@@johnmc3862 many van lifers aren't most people and that's why they live the lifestyle and embrace it all, good and bad. I'm not a follower and don't want to lead and only want to be myself and less like everyone else. We're a solid breed of self sufficient, confident, adventurous kinda people. Anything else along with everyone else living like sheep bores us to death. Freedom, creativity and adventure is all we want or need

[@BMRS03]

Extremely well done and honest from heart! May I ask how tall Naick is? He seems like a tall person and I can't imagine anyone over 6'2" (189 cm) be comfortable in such a confined space.

[@AG-rw8eg]

The problem is not van life but wanting to be a van life influencer. It may suck for you but others love it...each to their own! I love watching van lifers and their highs and lows. Although I travel extensively (and own a camper), van life isn’t for me. There's a compromise in everything in life. Theres a big difference between generalising as 'van life sucks' and 'van life sucks for us'. This is not 'the truth' but your personal truth. 😅

[@simonemoreno4324]

How many years now are you living in a van? How many countries did you go see did you see a lot of countries in Europe?❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@NaickKim]

3 years... Many countries... At least 10 in Europe and 10 in the Americas... We put this van through the wringer 😉

[@ayoubdazzlegame]

I love your wife man.❤❤❤❤ Elion Mas...... You guys are awesome 😎😎

[@NaickKim]

I love her too :D

[@Xinkgs]

Bro got the coolest wife ever

[@NaickKim]

Could you live in a van? Or do you? What would you struggle most with? And what would you LOVE most? :)

[@whateverchannel22]

No, I could not.

[@mohamedfaizalosman6669]

I can't. Toileting and showering will be my biggest challenges. Perhaps solitude for a short duration would be nice.

[@joanavicente5493]

Eu caindo de paraquedas no vídeo e pensando que parecem brasileiros, daqui uns instantes uma mulher vendendo "romeu e julieta" na estrada... Eles estão na Colômbia, entendi foi nada, mas todo mundo parece muito com aqui em casa...

[@Maddie2u]

I feel like it's freedom from one thing yet you're slave to other conditions, where to sleep, if you have enough water, food, and if you're vehicle does what it's supposed to do....etc etc etc Yes, it's glorified. 100%.

[@NaickKim]

True, like everything else in life, there are downsides. A lot :D

[@sumosprojects]

The Rock rolls on 🤘

[@NaickKim]

🙌

[@sannebolleke]

Heerlijk❤!!! Om eens iets in't Engels te zeggen 😉: "always look on the bright side of life, tada, tadadadada, ..."

[@NaickKim]

Exact!!

[@sarahinscotland]

This is why I live vicariously through vanlife channels 😅 You guys are so resilient!

[@robertrauter8459]

oooo jullie gekken Belgen hou van jullie.......succes en liefde voor het leven

[@NaickKim]

Haha, dank je 🥰 hetzelfde voor jou!

[@herbmanning8348]

If you first learned about van camping through social media, you are doomed.

[@NaickKim]

Kinda depends on what kind of person you are I guess. It's not so hard to figure out it won't be easy.

[@johnmc3862]

Meuh.

[@Bluemustacheproductions]

love you both!!

[@NaickKim]

😍

[@yaowsers77]

How's Columbian McDonald's? Lol I like to check out the McDonald's in other countries.

[@realeoinarmstrong]

This was a fun vid! I don’t think even Jesus could sell us vanlife!

[@NaickKim]

It would be easier if we could turn water into wine though 😉

[@realeoinarmstrong]

@@NaickKim 😂😂😂 I hear Naick and Kim can’t walk on water, but they *do* run on beer!

[@NaickKim]

@@realeoinarmstrong Hahaha, and lots of it! It is the Belgian way 😂😂😂😂

[@fkajfasd7461]

I found Kim's English voice to be very nice. It felt like the narration of travel shows that I often hear.

[@NaickKim]

Aww thank you

[@juniadventures]

social media doesn't glorify vanlife... human real world experience does. plenty of vanlife videos with decades of information that informs people of the not so nice experiences with this lifestyle.. this video literally shows a happy couple with a great rig traveling South America lol .. the video is great and i hope the best in ur travels

[@TheUnforgiven69]

Amazing video. A lot of insight I had expected (That's why I reached out and tried to get you two a couple days or so away from Vinnie. Sleep in a real bed, get your laundry done etc and I'm sad it didn't happen in Cabo as its a dream of mine to take Naick fishing lol) but some insights I was unaware. The struggle is real. But yet here you are...still smiling. You two are awesome

[@NaickKim]

Our pleasure! Hope we can meet up next time in Cabo!

[@TheUnforgiven69]

@@NaickKim Naick is my guy lol Just like me. Loves life, fishing, good food and cooking it, tells Dad jokes that suck just like I do lol I will be there again 10 years in a row in San Jose Del Cabo Jan to April. I would love to crush some beers and fish with Naick and Kim...good times and all the best to you both going forward

[@NomadicRuss]

Elonion Muskador approves 👍

[@NaickKim]

handale handale!

[@Dilshadow]

Vanlifers making it work, with the van, with each other … and not bailing and living actually in hotels. Oh and still laughing. Fantastic!

[@tommo9757]

I get the impression that living alone is fine, but more than that and it's difficult

[@davidfairfield651]

@tommo9757 you have to be completely comfortable with being alone a lot and at times due to weather be confined to the small quarters. Being prepared for van problems requiring repairs you can not do yourself and requiring a garage is tricky. How are you getting to work, where are you going to sleep? Not having a backup fund for this especially can make or break you. Getting the knock and getting towed is often not thought out either. Preparedness is everything and being crafty, resilient and proactive is crucial or you're in trouble

[@davidfairfield651]

@@tommo9757 you have to be comfortable in your own skin and head, having a solid knowing of one's self and being ok in your head. If you crave social stimulation constantly and hate being alone for days in end sometimes, you will be miserable.

[@hectorchavez6574]

Yo salvadoreño. Naick y kim. Me alegro q les guste El Salvador 🇸🇻.

[@NaickKim]

Gracias Hector 👍🏻

[@whateverchannel22]

This seems super depressing. Also, some simple clips will keep those drawers closed.

[@Truth-f2q]

Its not for wussies.

[@VanLifeIreland]

Whinge, whinge, whinge

[@robertenleed-q3r]

no toilet, no room around to move, super hot in summer and razor cold during the winter. no thanks, Id rather die.

[@Truth-f2q]

Its not for wussies.

[@davidfairfield651]

@@robertenleed-q3r they make catalytic propane heaters and roof fans. You would definitely die experiencing brutal hot and frigid cold and not find a way to get around that. Use your head for more than a hat rack

[@enough1494]

Pasta de guayaba con queso! Delicious!

[@seamusconlan9673]

Living in a van looks to me like living in a smelly tiny shoebox on wheels I just know I'd hate it. To me living in a van with a wife and young family would be the definition of pure hell on wheels.

[@NaickKim]

🤣🤣