Canadian Winter in a Van - What it's ACTUALLY Like: One Week
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Canadian winter in a van is no easy feat, especially on the prairies. Here is a look at what vanlife is ACTUALLY like, day to day, over the course of one week.
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Matthew Allen
Unit # 112
440, 10816 Macleod Trail S.E.
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T2J 5N8
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My name is Matthew and I live in a van. I lost my job due to "cut backs" from the pandemic of 2020 and decided to seriously restructure my life. I am also a single dad who needed to find a solution that would allow me to remain in my daughter's life and plan for her future. After tons of research into #vanlife, I knew it was for me.
From March 2021 until October 2021 I spent my days building out my Chevrolet Express 2500, which came to be known as "Lucky" and as of October 18, 2021 I have been living in Lucky full time.
The build was done with almost no experience on my end and I used the one incredible tool I had at my disposal - the internet - to learn what I needed to build Lucky into a very comfortable tiny home.
I have always had a bit of a passion for being in front of the camera and really enjoy capturing the world around us. This really played into how I was feeling after almost a year of working from home when I "commuted" from the bedroom to the couch. I was starting to feel extremely unhealthy, unmotivated and despondent. I HATED that, and that's not a word I like to throw around. This new lifestyle gives me opportunities I just didn't have before and I am so excited to be able to share it all with you.
I truly believe we all have the capabilities to turn our lives around, should we choose to do so - and if I can inspire you to shoot for something better then I have done a decent job and that will keep me going.
There is more to life than the consume, consume, spend, spend lifestyle I feel we have all been conditioned to follow and I just want to do the best I can for myself first and foremost. Our time is limited and I do not want to waste another second on a lifestyle that doesn't bring me joy!
Be Happy, Be Creative, Be Yourself and BE POSITIVE!
Who else loves seeing his subscribers count go from 9,000....then 10,000....then 11,000..... wow 15,000...in such a short period of time...onward to 16....wait....20,000!!!......
Every time I take a peak, it’s up another thousand! Now we need 20,000!
Felines make great companions ..look after themselves and independent as well as being happy social creatures ..
God bless you for giving those 2 little kitties a home.🧡☃️
What a home. It.s abuse. Cats should have the space to live and run around. Not being kept in suchs a small space.
@@JustinCase.666 , your ignorance is showing . He rescued these kitties and now they are safe from harm and hunger. So many more need homes. ...instead of complaining and not bringing anything to the table, how bout adopting a homeless kitty?🧐🤨
@@juliajohnson5276 i don.t have the time to take proper care of animals because of work so i choose not 2. I do have the space for them do.
@@juliajohnson5276, I'm happy to see his cats are not living cold and hungry on the street, but simply feeding them and keeping them 'safe' isn't enough. Cats, like dogs and people, need mental stimulation. They are living in a very small space. He could get a couple harnesses and take them out for walks. Let them explore and get some fresh air and exercise. Maybe your ignorance is showing, if you think keeping two cats cooped up in a van day in and day out isn't cruel.
@@snooker48 cats also need their territory. Living in a van or on a boat means that they don't get an essential part of what they need.
Oh! I never saw a cat wash his face like this.😃 Great intro 😀
Love your relationship with Penny and Stella, you are a wonderful feline Dad. ❤
I love your cats too.
New subscriber here from Sydney Australia. Always like to see the world and your life sounds interesting!
I appreciate the length of this video Matthew., it has helped me get through being at the children's hospital with my daughter since Saturday night. She has the flu and pneumonia.
Hope she feels better soon!
Thanks Nikki, glad I could provide some brief relief in what I am sure is a tough situation. Thoughts and prayers for you and your kiddo ❤️
Hi Nikki sorry to hear about your daughter being so poorly. I'll keep her in my prayers and I'm sending her healing vibes. Sending love & light to you Nikki.💖
How scary that must be for you and her!! Hope she recovers quickly!!
Thank you everyone. 💟 this community really is the best! 👌
Sir, you have intestinal fortitude. I appreciate your vlog. God bless.
Great video, thank you. Stella and Penny are so cute. I could hear the purring when she got right beside you 🥰
Dang did this channel just double in subs over the past two weeks?! That’s awesome!
Couple of tips for the condensation on the windows....put kitty litter in a sock or stocking (women's pantyhose) and put it under you front seats or on your dash. Or..there is a product called Damp Rid. Comes in many forms....its absobs excess moisture in air and also helps the air smell better in small spaces. You just find the form that would fit your need for the space you're using it in. Hope that helps.
Cat litter- good to know. I used Damp-rid which filled up with moisture from the basement.
Tuesday Nov. 15th 7:45 am 16,400+ Subscribers!! Woohoo! Love watching your channel grow! You are soooooo deserving!! Lovins for the fur babies💖🤗💖😸💖😺💖
@@marconion Lol! The snow is slowing down our smoke signals... I just received this message!😬😀 YES!! And soooooo many, many more agree too!!! Matthew brightens so many lives and I think he's just figuring out how very special he is to so many. 😉😍😉😍 Have a great weekend,stay warm and keep reaching for the stars🔭🌠🌠🌠
Love using hot coco instead of creamer for coffee. BTW they have swiss miss peppermint hot coco packets. ☕
Wow look at you with 15 600 subscribers!!! This is so awesome...happy for you and how your growing!! You deserve it.
Hi Matt, Can't stand the snow. I had enough that in my younger years. You can have the snow. We get cold weather in South Carolina, but it is rare we have snow. When, we do get snow, it melts relatively quickly. Your videos brighten my day. Hug the kitties for me and stay warm Matt 😀
18.5K subs!!! So happy for you!!!! Love your content!!!
Remove the standard insert that holds the k-cups, then use the reusable unit. 😊
Thanks! I'll try that, too. Been fighting those new reusable cups for a month.
@@gingw7333 … dang. Two kinds of those. Just the screen should work. If you have the screen with the cone shaped housing that requires removing the existing insert. 👍🏻
Matt, I m a fellow Canadian, been with you for a long time now. Love you and I am SO happy for you. Fly my friend. You deserve all the subs and likes.
"I know where everything is"... Right after he can't find his keys 😁😂
I have a GMC Savana that I am building out for 4 season camping/ full time living. I appreciate seeing the winter van life episodes. Your life appears realistic and very relatable.
Thanks for watching Danielle! Welcome to the channel, excited for you to start your vanlife! 😁
@@VanlifePLUS thanks! Happy to be here to support another short roof van lifer out there! Stay warm! :)
@@DanielleRootes I just subscribed to your channel 👍
@@navigatingthedestination Awhh thank you!
@@DanielleRootes your welcome. 😁 I own a 2001 chevy express 2500 extended van I converted 👍gotta support the low roof vanlifers 😊
Hi Mathew. Remember I asked you if you would consider converting a Small Bus for you and the cats? Well this young lady I'm subscribed to has done just that. She's here on TH-cam called,
"REGRETLYSS". Her bus is amazing. It has everything you ever need on board.
You are so entertaining, and with the best personality(!)-- I hope Netflix finds you and gives you your own show🙏🏼✨🙏🏼🌟
Luv your videos. You are a funny guy. Luv Penny n Stella. ❤️ I'm cold looking at all the snow. BRRRRRRR..... Thanks for posting the temp in Fahrenheit...
Hi from the UK.👋😽New subscriber, caught your "How to Survive Winter in a Van on the Canadian Prairies" was blown away at how much snow you have in November. Love watching Stella and Penny😻😻 and admire how you all cohabit in a van. I have 2 crazy boy cats and I tried to imagine how I'd cope 🤷 subscribed so I could see more. Anyway, really enjoyed this vlog, good luck with your channel.
Thank you for the sub and welcome to the channel ReikiGirl!
He is so refreshing. A lot of fun. Moral compass spot on.
South UK this life's gotta be done keep picking it up putting it down time to commit and at least try it out. Dine it in a caravan illegally just pulling up to random fields. Swapped my broken clutched mk1 ka for a caravan loved it winter was the best time for it.
@@thegoodlife2937 Good on you! I'd love to be brave enough. What I love about the Van Life vlogs is the wide range of people/personalities that are doing it. Utmost respect..... especially in this much snow and cold weather.
God bless and stay nice, warm and healthy!
15,000+ subs! WooHoo! Another great video Matthew! I like that Penny and Stella are getting more air time too🐈🐈⬛
You have the most adorable kitties! They are so cute!🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
I loved you week in the van life vlog. You are so good at driving in snow. I realize you do it every year, so obviously you are good at it, but,…. A flake of snow in the sky here and transportation stops. Ha ha ha!!
I’m always interested in more of your cooking/meal time videos! Heating seems to be solved. Do you ever get much sun in the winter. Do your solar panels contribute much in the winter??
Also, where did you finally put that new big box of all your devises?? That looks like a cool container.
Oh, and,… hey!!! Congrats for 16,000 plus subs. How cool is that. Now we need 20,000.
I have an idea that once you get over 10,000 subs, TH-cam puts you in a different algorithm so that you get more exposure. Could that be true?
I started the van life in August. My first will ter in the van. Its priceless. So glad I'm doing it.
Hey, from "Merica". The trick to the personal K cup with the Keurig is that YOU must remove the insert that comes initially with the device (by pushing it up from the bottom-of where you would insert the store-bought k-cup pods. Do not throw insert away as when you want to use for purchased k-cup pods you'll need it.) Once it is dislodged the personal k-cup that you refill with your own coffee will fit neatly in that spot. From the school of been there done that.
Matt, the channel is doing so great. Camping at Fort Wilderness at Disney in Florida, watching the premiere, and having an Irish Mule.
Excellent video. Well done Matt & co stars 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Hi Matthew, every time I watch you you've added another 1k subscribers your channel is growing by leaps and bounds 😀 congrats!
I love listening to you. I just found ya today lol😂 “your house is haunted?” You have no idea how much I needed a laugh right now
🌴 Thank you for sharing your winter.💚my favorite shot is the time lapse of snow melting of the windshield. Welcoming a new day.💙 Food prices: I buy salad bowls ( greens, protein, cheese, croutons, raspberry vinaigrette) and they use to cost $6. Now they cost $11.99. This is happening worldwide.💜By the way, you got great commercial ads (Mint Mobile and 4 Patriots survival foods, etc)❤️You are blessed to have family to help you. Someone like Lindsey. It's a rarity nowadays. People are so into themselves. Busy, stressed🤎Thank you for the laughs. Hope you find the anomaly in the dashboard💛Nice winter camping. Never imagined that. Toronto winters were brutal. Stayed indoors or in the malls🤣Enjoy your camping. Be safe! 🥰Aloha from Hawaii...
Being from Calgary, I often wondered how one would navigate a Calgary winter in a van! Now I know. I live in the UK now, where the weather is overcast and wet. So it's super great for me to see a nice snowy, and sunny YYC . 16.4 subs 😲 AMAZING .. the youtube algorithm gods have smiled upon you!
Oh my God, I'm dying laughing during your constructive narrative... "coolant leak in Lucky..." your cat, absolutely hilarious
Hi Matt and everyone.
Hiiii
and now approaching 16K!!! So happy for you--people love honesty and openmindedness that you bring to the world
Loved this video and all the snow. Love your presentation and those two ladies of yours, Stella and Penny steal the show sometimes. Enjoying your videos.
47 minutes of pure Matthew in a van....awesome 😀
Very kind of you to say so Stacey. I always worry these longer ones will be too much
As a single mom I can tell you how often I feel so happy watching the videos I live in Toronto and was happy to see that you visited here.
I tripped upon your channel by accident as I was getting sucked down the TH-cam rabbit hole. You my friend are funny as f#$k!😆 & instantly subscribed. At the risk of sounding like a total "mom" I've got a bit of a shopping tip (that ya may already know) since food is at an all time ridiculous high this might help ya get it a wee bit fresher & it'll last just a few more days....
TIP(S).. ALWAYS reach to the back for EVERYTHING (produce,meat, bread etc) the reason is bc the freshest stuff is always there. In the coolers, you'll get a better expiry date (a week, up to a month)& it'll have sat in a steady temperature. When the door is constantly opening/closing the stuff at the front spoils faster & has the shortest expiry date. Also, get anything in a bottle or jar from farther bk on the shelf that hasn't been exposed to the florescent light if ya can. This advice comes directly from a family friend that's owned his own grocery store for 35+ yrs. Hope this helps & looking forward to seeing what other shenanigans you & your 2 lovely ladies 🐱🐈 get up to.
PEACE✌, LOVE💕 & GROOVEY🎶 from the home of The Tragically Hip 🇨🇦
Thanks for the info Jennifer and welcome to the channel! I appreciate the sub and hope you continue to enjoy the content 😁
Hi Matthew, I just stumbled across your channel when searching for winter vanlife, so glad I did what a lovely guy you are with a gorgeous voice, so entertaining and funny to listen to.😂 I checked out a couple of the your first vlogs to see why you’re living in a van…brilliant, great advice and a wonderful approach to life.😁 It’s taken me a bit longer to come to the same realisation as you, I’m in the UK our son lives in Vancouver though so we have a connection with Canada, me and my other half are in our late 50’s early 60’s and are planning on selling up and living on four wheels, we’ve got sick of working to provide for our house and being stuck in one spot, channels like yours help give us the courage to go for it. Well done to you for living a life less ordinary, I’m sure your channel with fly, you are soooooo watchable….wishing you every success.❤
Love your videos. That snow is crazy! If we get 2 inches here in Nashville, the whole city shuts down and the grocery stores are empty. I am always amazed when colder climates go on with their business like normal during snowy times. Keep up the great work! P.S. Step 2s rock.
Oh wow, look at your subscriber numbers going up. Stella looks just like my old cat called pepper, gosh I miss her xx
Sorry I missed the premier 😭...I didn't get a notice. I'll watch it tonight with a big ol bowl of soup. Hope you're feeling better Matthew. Getting closer to 18k...here is to hoping by Wednesday morning 🍀🥰🤞🍀 So I did watch it...love your real portrayal of vanlife...it's not all unicorns and fairydust. Love you went back to the same spot as last year to start winter camping. Hope you listened to the wind in the trees...calms me just thinking about it. Next step-boondocking for total peace and quiet!
I also didn't get a notification.
Hey gorgeous girl sending you lots of love my beautiful American friend!!!💖
@@TheLeopardGirl I so miss you...hope all is good in the UK
Regarding the reusable K cup system. My keurig requires I remove the “sleeve” that the disposable cups go into and then the reusable one fits right in
Hello Matthew, I love your videos and seeing your fur babies! I live in Upper Michigan very close to Canada. It get just as cold here. Stay warm and safe much love!!
Wow I'm tired just watching you🤣.
A week in the life no fluff. ♥️
Another great video. Really liked the Tuesday morning slow reveal as the windscreen cleared. Like everyone here in your community I appreciate all that Lindsey does, including the contributions to the great camping trips.
💕
Omg we have a cat that looks just like that and her name is also Stella, she’s 15 this year.
Matt , Thanks for almost one Hour Video
I Love it !
Gosh, you were at almost 10K subs last week when I subscribed, now you're at 18.6K, AWESOME SAUCE!! Continued blessings! Happy Holidays everyone, stay safe and well!!
Happy Holidays to you also ☺️ , Laura. From Florida Meema and Jessi Beagle 🙏🤗🥰
I love the day/week in your life vlogs it's a bit like a Vanlife soap very entertaining, compelling and incredibly moorish! Thank you Matthew!💖
Wow. You’ve doubled your subscribers in less than a year! Congratulations 🎉
I had to bail on my camp spot, after it dropped below 32F, and started occasionally snowing. Way too cold where you are at, but glad you have the diesel heater.
Hi from Paris France on the opposite side of the pond where the weather is much warmer with a rainy 13°C today.
Omg I was doing vanlife all spring/summer and on my last trip to Calgary to visit fam in late October, I nearly froze to death it was so cold lol😂
This is definitely a goal of mine though… adding heat and power to my van. I find myself being more minimalistic though so it’s cool to see your lifestyle with that amazing build! Very glad I stumbled across your channel.😄👍🏽
Congratulations 🎉 on 10,000!! Subs😁 just a random solution 4 Vanlife : Use Paper towels for COFFEE FILTERS 👍👍👍 used this alot while we were working on WTC 9-11-2001 "Clean up". Came in handy 😁
Pretty nippy here in Nashville, too 😨
I love Penny and Stella! I think it’s wonderful that you have two cats with you! 🐾🐾🐈🐈⬛💖 they are simply adorable! Your van is awesome! I love your voice, sense of humor is great🥳😂
Much love and blessings to you ☃️❄️
Raining and quiet this morning, 3 fur babies in their fav lazy spot, snoozing away. Coffee with Matthew and Amber and to watch, uninterrupted, this vlog. Great chatting with everyone last night and hopes everyone has a wonderfully blessed week!💖🤗💖😻💖😸💖
Quickly approaching 16,000 subs Matt, woot!
New subscriber here. I joined earlier under my regular account, but this is my van life account, so 2for1. Great content! LOVE your personality, you are awesome! Congratulations 🎉🍾 Best of Luck to you
Wow Margo! Thanks for the double sub and welcome to the channel 👊
@@VanlifePLUS 👊🏻🎉
I love your channel!! Being from Montreal I am so inspired by the bravery and sheer grit you have living in your van cold temperatures of Alberta!! It’s actually quite comforting to see someone not moving to a warmer climate!!
Definitely going to try the hot chocolate/coffee mix! Your channel is really taking off! Well done. Nice friend mail!
@@marconion Thanks!
Wow! First off, it's exciting to see your channel growing by leaps and bounds! That's awesome!! 2nd, I hope you daughter is feeling better. And, it was great to spend the week with you and the girls! Vehicles are great when they work.Good luck with yours.
I’m in PA, USA, I never new ppl living in vans was a “thing” to intentionally do, I guess I live a sheltered life. I’m a new subscriber and I’m so enjoying your channel. Look forward to your new posts, you and your kitties stay well. 🤗
We LOVE our Lindsay. She's the best.
Best motto Work hard play harder. Life is about living it, enjoying the simple things. Great video Matt.
Hopefully the van issue is minimal and is easily fixed.
Much love 🤗🤗
Love the 80's 8bit video game music while you were playing. That's awesome. Much love and thanks for all that Lindsey does for you. It is always good to see your cousin and your friends on your videos. Oh, and of course, Penny and Stella!
Looks like one of Santa's helpers🧑🎄
Whoa! 9:24 a Brooklyn plate! We are LEGION! 🤣
Congratulations on the new subscribers enjoy your channel love the kitties
As I’m commenting you have 16,500 subscribers. Amazing. It’s going to grow fast now. I’ve been here since the beginning, just sayin’. Stay warm.
And I have appreciated you being here the entire time!
I didn't realize you were a Steve Wallis fan! Lol
When using the refillable K-cups, you need to remove the top piece where the needle is at that punches the hole in the store bought K-cups. (If your model allows) The refillable cups don’t need the hole punched in them. I’ve just spent the last week binge watching all of your videos. This Grandma from Oklahoma loves how funny you are & you’re a wonderful Daddy to your daughter & fur babies. ❤
Take care Matthew, this "FLU" is a bitch to be sure, nothing like waking up at 3am to pee, and being covered by 2 cats worried cause they know daddy is under the weather, wouldn't trade it for anything... Feel better man....
Matthew is the father?
I find that very hard to believe
@@PetraKann Well, they act like kids and think looking pretty or handsome will get them treats, they know when to suck up..... and when to hide.... but lying in bed all week sick as hell there is nothing bettter than my chunks curled up with me and giving me a good kneading with lots of purrs and a nice long head bath.... even if it does create difficulty crawling out of bet to have a pee. ( Yes Matthew I do have a bottle but tend to miss here and there... ) Being a little foggy brained at the moment I am thinking this might be a little too much information. For which I apologize.... good night everyone.❤
I just watched a lot of your videos and I really enjoyed them. I just subscribed and thank you. Stay safe my friend and if you are a lover of cats then you are my buddy 😆. Peace and blessings 🙏❤️
Welcome to the channel Dee Nice, always happy to have a fellow cat lover here. Thank you for the sub and I’m glad you’re enjoying the content! 😊
And thank you All for the warm welcome.🥰🥳
Like lots of others, I love watching your films. Thank you 🙏
Hello Matthew- It was funny when you were opening your "Jason" - I was opening my Dale Earnhardt "Intimidator" that I got in the mail today.
I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it. Now I have 5 Dixxons ... 3 flannels and 2 bamboo. I'm going to cool it for awhile. At the rate I'm going the Dixxons are multiplying fast!
It’s a slippery slope for sure!
i liked this format. congrats on 15k. :D
You look like your having a blast with your fur babies. 😻😻
Loved this vid 😎🙌🏻 mclean creek was my first camping trip when i first moved to alberta, super cool spot 🙂
Loving the content! I have a Chevy truck that was acting similar to what your van is doing and it was the heater core that went kaput! Not sure about the E break light though. Just throwing ideas out there, be safe out there and keep on keepin on!
New here and really likening the videos and how You show can van life is possible in canada. I know how the alberta winter months can be and your doing it in the coldest province in the north..
Love it keep it up and I’ll be following along
Welcome to the channel! Very happy to have you here, glad you’re enjoying the content
Hello everyone!
Hiii
Also great Tuesday opening!!!
That image was beautiful! Magical ⚡️💥⚡️
The more I see Penny the more she reminds me of my own cat Peppy she's got very similar coloring to her fur as well. She also loves food too lol 😆 Thank you for sharing your life with us! Stay safe and happy holidays ❤️ 🎄
What a man… stay safe stay blessed
Great video 🙂 Love seeing Penny and Stella ❤ and your channel is growing exponentially!
It.s animal abuse.
Justin -- this from a guy who can't be bothered to care for animals.
@@MissyQ12345 i don.t have the time they need so i choose not to.
New sub here. I like how your showing the reality of van life, not some polished glamorized version. I see this channel blowing up to Steve Wallis levels and im glad to be here kinda at the start. Also love the cats... if I were to make the leap into van life I'd have 2 cats with me also so I'm interested in seeing how you manage everything and them too.
I enjoyed this video because it wasn't go go go.. It seems like a more realistic week in the life. Electrical issues are a pain in the butt, I hope its not major. Good luck with that.
Hey that window defrost thing was a great touch! 💙🐰💙
47 minutes, eh ? I've been out of the loop for a few. I gotta keep supporting you and kid, the cats and your channel !! Its not easy living out in the elements in that Canadian winter.
I remember one winter my heat wouldn't work unless the door was open and my car was haunted.
The short was a pain to find, like hundreds of haunted of dollars later.
Hello Matt, I love your video’s, you are so funny, I laugh out loud 😂 Keep up the good work! Many greetings from Amsterdam!
Hi Matt,
You should try to keep a can or two of evaporated milk for when you run out of your creamer or when cream prices are through the roof. Price-wise, that's a battle here in Ontario too. Also, Remembrance Day in Ontario is not considered a statutory holiday. And then of course your van making all that noise with the bells n stuff reminded me of what Chrome from Vancity Vanlife went through. Here's hoping it is something simple & easy to fix.
I'm relatively new to watching your video's but I'm enjoying your humour as you show us parts of your life. And of course we can't forget the 2 beautiful kitties either ;).
Cheers,
That was the dashboard he had, wasn’t it?
Lol! Chrome has enough money to go buy a new van any day of the week, Matthew lives in the real world with all us and thinking, "Please don't get worse...please let it be something small, pleeeeease make it one more week!" 😂🤣 (funny but not funny😞)
I have never seen a cat drink water like that pretty cool