A 70-year-old senior unsure what to do with retirement discovers van life, now enjoys traveling

A retired woman, unsure of her plans, discovered van life and found it appealing.

She converted a van into a home, traveling and making friends on the road.

Virginia and her friends spent a year turning her Ford Transit, affectionately called Axel, into a cozy home on wheels.

“Axel is the letters of my father’s name scrambled because he’s Alex,” Virginia said. She also shared that she renovated the van with her father’s share of the inheritance.

Renovating the van, Virginia insulated it with spray foam and installed the floor.

A nearby cabinet maker crafted the cabinets, letting her lend a hand.

She did the sanding, priming, painting, and design work.

All the van’s designs and artwork are her own.

Ray from Ray Outfited did the solar and other electrical work, powering the van with 400 watts of solar power and 300 watts of lithium batteries.

Virginia recalls buying a copper bowl in Portugal and reshaping it with a friend’s help.

However, she notes drainage problems in her van when it’s not level.

In her kitchen, she has a Berkey water filter and a 15-gallon water tank that supplies her with clean water.

She uses an induction stove for cooking inside her van.

Virginia uses a “wishy” for bathroom needs and prefers standing to pee.

She said that her van is rattly so some items are properly stored in a drawer to prevent rattling, and uses a plastic ceiling to avoid noise.

For her clothing, she has extra storage beneath the cushions near her bed.

She also has two fans and a makeshift full-length mirror that she can put away if not needed.

Under her bed is a  Dometic fridge-freezer that provides storage, and a table that doubles as a desk.

Virginia’s van runs on gas, but she opted for a diesel heater, installing a tank under the hood.

Although cost-effective, she finds humor in bystanders mistaking it for diesel for the windshield wipers when refueling.

Virginia keeps a shower tent and a portable toilet that she can set up in the tent if she needs to stay somewhere for a week.

Her van also boasts an outside kitchen, designed by her friend, which features a table, and a space for a Coleman stove.

She describes her pantry and bar area as versatile, with items accessible both inside and outside.

Virgnia appreciates the help from loving friends during the van’s renovation, as well as the electrical work handled by professionals.

Meanwhile, she said that living in a van and traveling has offered her various benefits.

“I’m single, and it’s hard to socialize when you’re older because your friends, unfortunately, do die or move away. So, with the van, I can either visit them or find new friends and people on the road,” she shared.

Transitioning from her quiet career as a massage therapist, van life has brought her a more vibrant lifestyle filled with connections and conversations.

However, she faces challenges finding ideal parking spots each night in van life, though it doesn’t happen all the time.

Despite minimal negativity, she’s amazed by timely help when something breaks down. She values comfort and spontaneity over strict goals.

Her advice for those who want to transition to van life is: “Figure out all the things you’d want in your van. You can’t have everything, so you have to really prioritize what exactly you think you need to live your life and be happy.”

She encounters fear when sharing her lifestyle, believing it stems from others’ fears rather than her own.

She also reassures them about van safety, advocating for precautions like installing cameras.

Virginia often hears remarks about her bravery in van life, though she doesn’t consider herself exceptionally brave.

She believes others perceive it as courageous because, due to self-imposed limitations, they may not be living the life they truly desire.

She advocates for facing fears and pursuing desires, noting that many fears diminish upon examination.

Despite initial concerns, she feels safe and welcomed on her journey, sometimes more so than in urban environments.

Virginia’s life philosophy is to say yes often and to turn dreams into action.

She expresses profound happiness and gratitude for her van life experience, highlighting its value over other potential retirement pursuits.

See how Virginia enjoys her van life through the video below:

Virginia can be found on Instagram and YouTube for those interested in following her journey.

Also, follow Different Media on YouTube for more alternative living documentaries.