Yeah, We Watched Nomadland Too
Many folks are turning to a wanderlust lifestyle to fulfill their dreams of seeing the world, shedding any permanent address from a laundry list of bills. These days, it’s nearly impossible to rent or own a home while travelling for extended periods, so the best option is the middleman: a home on wheels. Whether you’re living out of your car for necessity or for adventure, you should probably take these ideas into consideration.
1. Scout Out Your Parking
If you’re not living it up in a camping spot for a few days, you should always be thinking about where you can park safely. Depending on where you live, safe spots can include big box store parking lots, 24-hour gyms, truck stops, highway rest areas, or even a safe parking program if one is available.
2. Get A Storage Unit
If you’re the type of person who can live out of a backpack, you may not need to worry about this option. For the rest of us, having a secure spot to store seasonal items, furniture, or other pieces that hold sentimental or financial value is crucial for road life. It also wouldn’t hurt to get a P.O. box, so you don’t miss any mail during your travels.
3. Change Your Cabin Air Filter
For general use, it’s perfectly normal to change your car’s air filter every 15,000 miles or so. But spending most days in your vehicle means you likely need to think about it more often than others. The best part is that car filters are pretty cheap, and you can even change them out yourself.
4. Get A Good Sleeping Pad
You’re not going to enjoy anything if you don’t get some decent shut-eye, and a pile of blankets on your backseat won’t cut it. If possible, purchase an air mattress that you can use at night. Folks with larger vehicles may even want to take the leap and buy a more permanent foam mattress.
Mykhailo Petrushchak on Pexels
5. Make It Private
You don’t want people to peek in your windows while you’re sleeping, right? Our advice: tint your windows and install mini curtains or window covers. You’ll sleep better, we promise.
6. Get A Gym Membership
If your home on wheels doesn’t have a bathroom area, you need somewhere to freshen up on the regular. Local YMCA’s, gym franchises, or community centres are all low-cost ways to keep yourself smelling good.
7. Make It Safe
Items like a steering wheel lock, window breakers, a vehicle alarm system, a satellite GPS, or personal defence items can help you feel a little more secure at night, especially when you’re traveling alone. Another great tip for solo travelers is to leave two pairs of shoes out if you’re at a campground, as it could deter possible attacks.
8. Think About Your Food Options
You likely don’t have a fridge, or if you do, it’s pretty small, so it’s important to keep a small stockpile of non-perishable food items. Canned food items, protein bars, instant coffee, and peanut butter are all great options to keep around. If you have the space, you can also invest in a mini cooktop stove so you can enjoy a hot meal.
Hybrid Storytellers on Unsplash
9. Get Used To Public Restrooms
Look, when you gotta go, you gotta go. It’s one thing to relieve yourself alone in the wilderness, but if you’re exploring a city or a more populated area, you need to know where the bathrooms are.
10. Keep It Tidy
It’s a small space, and garbage can fill up fast. Clear wrappers or other dishes after you eat into a predetermined garbage bag and toss it at your earliest convenience to avoid any unpleasant smells. It’s also a good idea to keep a separate bag for dirty laundry.
11. Find A Job That Fits Your Lifestyle
If this is a temporary travel situation, this may not apply to you. But our more permanent nomads will find success as a freelancer, delivery driver, seasonal worker, or in any fully remote job. Alternatively, you can use WWOOF to get free room and board in exchange for work.
12. Make An Emergency Kit
On the road, anything can happen. It’s important to keep a collection of medical tools ready in case you or your car is injured. A flashlight, portable charger, a car battery kit, and DIY tire repair tools are good to have around, just in case.
Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo on Unsplash
13. Downsize
This one's probably obvious, but you’re going to have to downsize. Like, really downsize, especially if your home on wheels is a Toyota Corolla. Prioritize only the essentials, and be ruthless in your judgment of what you actually need for a successful life on the road.
14. Think About Temperature
Your car doesn’t run while you’re sleeping, so how do you plan on keeping a decent temperature? For warmth, use an insulated sleeping bag and a battery-powered space heater. For cold, you can crack your windows the teeniest bit, put those window shades to good use, or get a battery-powered fan.
15. What About Wifi?
Will you need wifi in your vehicle, or will you do your work in a public place? Is it cheaper to get an unlimited data plan? What about satellite options like Starlink? These are all important questions to consider as you determine your needs for the road.
16. Invest In Good Organizational Methods
Small items like seat hanging organizers or collapsible containers will help you keep everything in its place. For clothes, it could be helpful to invest in some space-saving zip-up bags or longer bins that you can slide under your sleeping space.
Swansway Motor Group on Unsplash
17. Make It Homey
Is this a house on wheels or a home on wheels? Well, that really depends on you, dear reader. Incorporate colors or patterns that you like, fill the space with car-friendly decor, and cozy up your sleeping area to make it feel like a traditional bedroom.
18. Keep Important Documents With You
Stay up to date on your car insurance, and keep your important documents like your passport, birth certificate, vehicle registration, or any other important bills and records in a secure spot in your vehicle. For most, this would likely be the glovebox.
19. Stay Positive
Life on the road can be isolating, especially if you’re doing it alone. Take the time to chat with loved ones, talk to strangers, or connect with other nomads during your travels.
20. Get A Good Car
We don’t mean ‘drop 40,000 on a luxury mobile home.’ We mean a car that will fit your space needs, and a car that doesn’t break down easily. Vehicles made by Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru are well-known for their resilience, making them great options for life on the road.
