Living a van life in Singapore can seem like many things – an adventure, a challenge, and an uphill battle. But it can also be the greatest opportunity of your life.
What is a Van Life?
Van lifers are people who live in vans. That’s it. If you’re looking for some sort of lifestyle, you’ll be sorely disappointed. If you’re looking for a particular kind of adventure, you might be somewhat disappointed too. If you’re looking for an easy way out, it’s not for you either. A van is no easy way out. Yes, it’s possible to live a comfortable, independent life in a van. But you’ll need to work hard at it, and make a lot of sacrifices along the way. This isn’t for everyone.
Why live in a van?
Vans are an affordable option in many places, both in terms of costs and requirements. For example, you can live in your van for less than $500 a month in some places in the US, or Asian countries like Japan and Thailand. You can save a lot on rent, on electricity, and on insurance too.
You’ll also be free to park in any legal parking spot, and free from the restrictions that come with living in a home. You’ll be able to travel with your van too, if you’re so inclined. And you could choose to live in a van to save money and experience the nomadic lifestyle more than anything else.
The essentials of living in a van
A van, minimum of one
But you might as well have two or three. As you’ll be travelling with your van, you’ll need a minimum of a vehicle and its related equipment. You can make do with a smaller one if you want to save some money.
A car insurance
This is required in most places if you plan to drive your van. The cheapest options are usually the ones that cover vehicles operated by unlicensed drivers.
A vehicle permit
This is required in Singapore. You’ll need to get it before you move in, and then renew it after you’re here.
A parking permit
This is required in most places too. You’ll need to get it before moving in, and then renew it before you leave.
A mobile phone
Mobile phone plans are cheap in most places, and they’re the only way to stay in touch with the outside world.
An internet connection
You’ll need an internet connection for accessing internet-based bank accounts, email accounts, as well as online maps and navigation services.
A computer
You’ll also need a computer for accessing online banking, as well as for word processing, spreadsheet, and other office work.
A bed
A bed is the only luxury you can’t do without, and you don’t need much.
Risk of living in a van
Moving into a van won’t be risk-free. You might break your leg or get into an accident. You might be robbed. You might not like the van-life lifestyle and want to give it all up.
But how likely are these events, really? Let’s look at the likelihood of each one.
Breaking a leg
Most van life is done in the US, where you’re required to have a 10-year license. This means you must have a driver’s license, and you must drive safely. So, a broken leg is one of the things that might happen to you, and it’s not going to be all that likely. You’re more likely to get a good job, travel on a trip of your choice, or simply grow old happily.
Getting into an accident
Like with a broken leg, you’re only as likely to get into an accident as you are to drive safely. Your van is no match for a car, and you’re far more likely to be in an accident with a passenger car than with a heavy truck.
Getting robbed
you’ll need to leave your van unlocked, and you’ll need to park outside of a legal parking spot. This means you’re inviting a possible robbery. But you might also be unlucky and get robbed. If this happens, you can’t retreat to your house. And you might have to deal with the consequences of the crime, whether it’s losing your job or spending time in jail.
Wanting to move back to a home
It’s possible to go back to a home. But it’s going to be very difficult, and it’s something you’ll have to seriously consider before moving into a van.
Risk of moving to Singapore permanently
Living in a van in Singapore is not easy or straightforward. You’ll need to originate from a country that has a vehicle permit, and then you’ll need to apply for a residence and vehicle permit. You’ll need to get a job and secure an income (and a work permit, if you’re a foreigner).
You’ll need to go to the Singapore embassy to get your passport extended. And you’ll need to get a comprehensive insurance plan to protect your expensive van. The process is lengthy and complex, and it’s not going to be easy. You’re also going to have very little in the way of social support.
Vanshiers are a brave bunch, and they know that living in a van in Singapore isn’t for everyone. But for those who are willing to make the effort and sacrifice, it’s possible to live a comfortable, independent life in a van in Singapore.
Planning your move to live in a van
Living in a van in Singapore is an adventure. And it’s an adventure you’ll have to plan for. You’ll need to budget for unexpected costs and expenses. You’ll need to make sure you’re ready to handle living in a van. You’ll need to make sure you’ve got all your documents ready and in order, and that you’ve saved enough money for the move. You can make all these things happen with the right planning. The first step is to make a budget, and you can use the budget planner in our blog to do that.
Next, you’ll want to plan your trip. You’ll want to plan your trip so you know where you’ll be sleeping and how you’ll be getting there. You’ll also want to make sure you have everything you need during your trip, and that you’re ready for anything.
Where to find affordable housing for vanshiers
There are many ways to live a van life in Singapore. Some people choose to live in a van permanently, while others choose to live in them only for a few months. And some choose to live in a van only during certain seasons. There are three main ways to live a van life in Singapore. You can choose to live in a pop-up van, you can choose to live in a tent, and you can choose to live in a van that has been permanently converted into a home.
Pop-up vans are temporary structures that people put up in public parking lots or other legally guarded spots. They’re very similar to tents, and they’re often made of PVC or other cheap materials. You’ll often find that there’s a specific website where people go to post ads for rent in these kinds of vans.
You’ll also often find them at music festivals, in parking lots, or in other areas where you need to leave your van temporarily but don’t want to get a ticket. You can also find high-quality, long-term pop-up homes on websites like Airbnb. These are usually renovated vehicles that have been given a facelift. They’re