SARAH FRANCISCO, USA
REVANPING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO BY ALEXIS BAKKEN
T
he term “van life” has recently been dominating social platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. People have been using these outlets to share their adventures from purchasing a van and converting it into their new home to living rent-free on the road. They typically reveal tips and tricks, prepping advice and cute must-haves from Amazon. There are many different versions of van life. Some people sell the majority of their possessions and commit to living solely in their tiny home on wheels. Others simply use theirs as an alternate means to travel. As this lifestyle grows in popularity, you may be wondering: is it worth it? Sarah Francisco, a lifelong traveler who committed to the “van life” in 2017, provides first-hand insight on this lifestyle. She said it all started in 2011
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travel
when her husband, Steve, brought their two kids to a playground in California. There, Steve met a family of five who had a converted sprinter van. This family rented out their house in the summer and traveled cross-country in their van. This lifestyle enabled the kids to sign up for whatever summer camp they wanted. They weren’t limited to a state and were encouraged to be adventurous. Steve said that what sold him was that there was only a short period of time that their kids would “still want to hang out with their parents.” He yearned to have as many adventures with his kids as possible before this dreaded time of parental uncoolness would settle in. The eye-opening conversation in the park did not lead Sarah and Steve straight to a dealership. In fact, they
