What Is Life on the Road Really Like?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
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Meet some Americans from different walks of life who live on the road full-time. Whether they are nomadic or #vanlife by choice or because of a dire financial situation, they have found freedom on the open road. Some of them think this lifestyle is the wave of the future and many more of us will be joining them on this extreme road trip soon. Tell us what you think in the comments!
Self-Evident: A PBS American Portrait Miniseries seeks to answer the question: what does it really mean to be an American today? Join our hosts - Dr. Ali Mattu, a licensed therapist and clinical psychologist and TH-camr behind “The Psych Show,” as well as Danielle Bainbridge, Ph.D., historian and the writer/creator of PBS’s “The Origin of Everything” - as they explore the lives of real Americans, living during this unprecedented moment in time.
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If Target really wants to be supportive they need to allow nomadics to park in their parking lots overnight.
They owe you nothing!
@@tinaperez9756 you are right, but seems to me you and Target could learn about compassion. You might need some, someday.
@@markrenfrow9873 It has nothing to do with compassion. My comment is truth. I have plenty of compassion.
This is a great way to live, but how long will are government allow it? The reason I ask this question is because the US political system wants total control of the American citizens and I truly believe they don’t want us happy.
@@tinaperez9756 💯
I am huge fan of Bob Wells, he in fact inspired me to purchase a cargo trailer and I did a complete camper conversion ,with shower and kitchen and bedroom. 7x14 cargo camper conversion. I lost my place that I was living in 2020 in June. Took what I saved up and purchased a cargo trailer. Last week I finally got it all done. So my truck is paid off, my trailer is paid off and now I can work anywhere and enjoy the freedom while doing it. and i'm 46 years of age.
Bob Wells is the definition of a humanitarian, we should all try to be more like him.
Bob Wells is a true saint! Im not a van/car dweller but I came across his channel after I bought my first house , nervous that if anything happened to my job, financial situation, id have a backup plan. His compassion and dedication to those living this lifestyle, whether chosen or not, is whats needed in this world. Thx Bob🙂
I want to be just like Bob Wells, a Kind Soul that helps everyone, & who lives FREE !!!!!! ❤️
I have learned so much from Bob Wells! ❤❤
Bob Wells is a real character, an amazingly positive and helpful presence on the web.
Bob Wells is a national treasure.
I have been in all 48 states some more than once. Started out with a truck and a camper shell. Went to a conversion van. Now a class b. I don't live full-time on the road. But when I do travel I go for months at a time. You learn how to be self-sufficient. I like doing off grid . It's not for everybody. But I have seen some amazing places at low cost. Bob have taught me a lot
Bob is the best and Cody is just a wonderful side kick.
Work every day so you can pay the mortgage on your house that you’re never home to enjoy because you’re working to pay the mortgage on your house…...I’m ready for the open road!!
Apparently you over-bought on your house.
Sky tiger: i did the Math recently. We ALL "overbought" on our house. Take your monthly payment and multiply it by 12. Thats obviously how much you're paying per year. NOW multiply that # by 30.
It equals A STAGGERING PRICE to pay for that house you've SLAVED THIRTY YEARS for, Plus the utilitiea and maintenance costs for 30yrs. One could be paying FOUR TIMES the actual price of the house over 30 yrs. NOT a good financial choice if we're brutally honest with ourselves
@@livingblueyes4396 You did the math. But you didn't do all the math. lol "Equity."
Hey Livingblueyes: You missed some "math" in your calculations. Equity. Houses are assets that appreciate in value. In my case, I bought my house 4 years ago and it's worth $80,000 more than what I paid for it. It is well known to be the easiest way most Americans build wealth. Try again.
Sky tiger, I accounted for that. Again, you could pay about 4X the value of the house JUST in mortgage payments alone if you pay on a 30 year mortgage. Houses Don't appreciate THAT much. MOST Americans carry a mortgage, and CAN'T afford to pay cash up front for a house. We're speaking about the average American here. Not the rich, or those who have hundreds of thousands to pay cash. Not an argument, just facts and MOST case scenario for Americans.
So glad PBS is shedding a positive light and story on the folks that live in their vehicles by choice or by force. Whether they travel America’s byways or stealth camp in cities, they should be respected and have our compassion. They spend money in our cities at gas stations and grocery stores and respect the land more, at times, than the local city dwellers do. God bless ‘em and God Bless Bob Wells and HOWA for bringing hope to these nomads.
Agreed. Most full-timers and long timers recognize their responsibility to the land, especially when they pull into an otherwise beautiful camp spot, except it has been trashed by someone. I think it's mainly the party people who could care less about others and know us do-gooders will eventually take care of it.
Thank you for sharing BLACK nomads too❗#thevelvetloungelife
P.S. Also, thanks for noting for some it is choice not only necessity.
Yessss! Thank you.
This world would be a much better place if more people were like Bob. God bless him and keep him safe from harm. Thank you for bringing us this story.
Many thanks PBS for this amazing feature. This was incredibly fun 🤩 and hope this shines a positive light on the alternative nomadic lifestyle as a choice. ❤️🥰💕
Bob is a kind hearted sole
April's interview is really touching. I love Bob's pay-it-forward mission. I know many folks who live in vehicles, some by choice and others by necessity, and some folks who can't afford a van but would love to travel rather than be tied down in a place where they feel they have no opportunity. Thanks for sharing this story.
Yes, when I watch Bob and other van dwellers like Chrome Valdez (Van City Van Life) and Dawn of Vanlife, I often think how many homeless or near homeless people would love the opportunity to live in a mini van or full sized van. Some have income but it's not enough to cover rent and other expenses. A sturdy van could be a god send to those people.
Thanks for giving a healthy insight to nomadic life. Hopefully, the choice to transition into van life will be without pause.
If you get tired,learn to rest,not to quit
-Shazistic
Home is where you park it 🚐
I watch a lot of these nomads on the road. Very interesting way to travel and live to see our beautiful country. I have also seen people leaving trash behind in their campsites, which will be a problem in the future. Government will start putting restrictions (some states already have) about where people can camp. People please leave campsites clean.
I am so inspired by Bob I went through a severely bad domestic violence just recently and now forced live in my car
Do you still live in a car/van. I am trying to find updates from nomads.
Chris Farley in the 90s: Or you'll be living in a van down by the river!
Me in the 90s: Haha loser.
Me now: That looks so free and relaxing. Haha, I'm a loser.
His name is Matt Foley. It's all relaxing and free until you've gotta find a place to poop in that bucket without getting an indecent exposure citation.
@@Anonarchist you use kitty litter/bag or other material in a bucket with a lid and you go in the van not outside. Can't be charged with exposure IF your not exposed
@@Anonarchist If you can't fit one inside your rig, just get a pop up camping tent. Easy peasy. Also, while traveling most people just use the public restrooms at gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores etc. Its really no big deal.
"we" americans drive everywhere *because it's the only way to get *anywhere** not because we love it.
In reality it's among the top reasons people stay impoverished. We require cars, cars are insanely expensive. Driving is far more a ball and chain than any means of liberation. Those who choose to live on the road are privileged to be able to make that *choice* while for innumerable other's, that choice is in fact a requirement to survival.
-a nomadic tiny house resident.
True
yup, it's just a much smaller ball and chain than, say, rent. or mortgages or whatever.
@@royce957 If you can make it, a mortgage is one of the better balls and chains though. Housing and land retains its value very well compared to cars and mobile/manufactured homes. A reasonably well-maintained house will basically always retain its value long-term. You can sell it down the line for the same amount. You can't sell a car for more than a few thousand if it's older. Renting is just not very worth it at all if you can find a comparable mortgage.
Sorry, this video annoys me since it kind of ignores the actual economic effects of not owning a home. I'm not meaning to judge people for this choice, but not pointing out that cars don't maintain value is kind of a mistake.
I'm sure that's true in many regions of the country but certainly not all. In big cities LOTS of people don't have cars because it's possible to live without having them due to transit access. I'd say poverty in the US has become so persistent is due to average wages lagging way behind the actual cost of living. Someone can work more than full time and still struggle for the most basic necessities. Never mind trying to support a family on that income. For many that's why they are one emergency away from disaster. That's why they find themselves short every month.
@@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat i get where you're coming from, i think. thanks for the thoughtful comment.
the "if you can make it" part you mentioned is the key. a LOT of people cannot make it. the question of how well your investment maintains its value becomes sort of moot, if all you can afford is the cheapest one (the car).
homeownership is flat out not in the cards for a HUGE chunk of the us, especially in larger cities, and always will be under the current structure.
the only bad thing about this is that it isn't longer 💛
I respect the multi-nomadic cultural festival on YT. Nomadic living has many worthy challenges & standards.
I would love, love, love to be involved with helping others become happier, healthier, and free! I have lived in my rv since 12/1/19. I am 68, had been an avid camper with my children when we were all much younger. I live on SS and PERS. Although not a terrible income it would all go toward rent and utilities. My husband passed in 1983 of cancer. He was 31, I was 30 with 3 young children. We had camped and hunted/fished in the past but when he died, I kinda went nuts. I packed up what camping and gardening things I could find in and around the house, threw it in the back of my pick up with canopy. I had a 1975 Dodge PowerWagon. I took my kids and we lived out in the woods for over a year...my only concern was fresh water so it was always near a resivoire, creek, or ??? My kids have fond memories of that time even having just lost their dad to a nasty disease. I'd love to be able to have a positive impact on just 1 persons life. I have been gifted and blessed beyond measure.
Just Like Matt Foley ! Live's in a Van down by the river! : )
You'll have plenty of time to live on a van down by the river, when you're living in a van down by the river
@@tmack11 hehe!
I hope Bob's predictions for the future do not come true, large groups of people will ruin it for everyone. If you are financially forced into a van, see it as a temporary step to save money, regroup and get back to where you would rather be. This lifestyle only works when it's a tiny fraction of the population.
why would it ruin it for everyone???
@@KYLE-zo4bm Just look at the RTR, as soon as it attracted a lot of people, the BLM shut it down. Also people in large groups have a higher percentage of jerks who will trash the place, again getting places shut down.
@@chapter4travels yeah... well they still had the 2020 RTR on different land
and yeah... thats true about jerks
Bob is simply the best, better than all the rest. I can’t find any jobs but have had some success trading stocks. I pray this continues to put food on the table for me. If you can’t get disability and have a little cash left this might be an option. It’s not easy and it requires some scary moves sometimes(buying lower/cost averaging), but it’s do able. I shoot for 20-25 bucks a day. God bless everyone and may god pull us all through this together.
Thank you Bob for demonstrating COVID safe behavior.
♥️Bob Wells!
Thank you for making these videos.
drifting/nomadic is an age-old thing our forefathers did either by boat by wagon. for decades.
Living on the road and traveling and being someplace warm when it's cold in other places, and someplace cool when it's hot in other places, has a tremendous appeal to a lot of people. Those who are bashing the RV life and Van living absolutely do not get it. They are happy in how they live, but can't stand for others to be happy in how they want to live.
Yes, it's weird to me that people are so quick to bash others for no real reason. Just because something isn't for you...doesn't mean others shouldn't do it. After watching a variety of TH-camrs, it's clear that people choose van life for all sorts of reasons. So long as vehicle dwellers aren't making a nuisance of themselves, why should anyone care?
25 years ago I decided to go on a cycling holiday around Denmark I stayed at a campsites in Copenhagen where I met a very nice chap who was also from England and had been living in Denmark for the last 15 years. We had a lot of chat about and we did. The evening started drawing and we decided to go clubbing in Copenhagen. The chap said I'm just going to go and get ready but I need to tell you something, I live in a van, the reason I mention it is some people I find it weird and off putting.
At which point I laughed out loud and told him that I also lived in a van for 5-years in England. We both agreed that it is is fantastic and it is really hard to convey two someone hasn't lived in a van the complete freedom that you get, not to mention the lack of bills.
now i have a house, kids and mrs.
i miss my van. lol
I’m 59 years old . I raised 5 kids and now I’m living and taking care of my 91 year old father . I’ll own his home when he passes away but my job doesn’t pay well around here where I live at in Ohio . I’m a hotel housekeeper and I’m lucky if I was making 900 a month . I do t work at the time my father can’t be left alone so I had to quit my job but I plan on going back to work after he passes away . So I’m hoping that I can get a loan to buy a van and live in it . I plan on doing most of the build myself and I’m planning on using stuff I already have like my bed and a dresser . I have a kitchen cabinet above my fridge that does t get used so I’ll take it down and mount it in my van
Best of luck. I figured you could sell your dad's house to finance a van build.
The only thing about RVing is that they lose value and nice ones can cost about as much as a home in some areas ($100,000.) If you buy a home you can be pretty confident that you'll be able to make that money up when it's time to move.
U can find a nice rv for 20k or less
@@Lousasshol yeah, if you want a time bomb I guess (by time bomb I mean time on repairs)
@@Lousasshol For 20k I think you can purch. land and build a home for yourself in many areas. It'd be 200-450sqf, but it's still a home.
for 30-40k you can outsource some-to-all labor and have someone else build it.
There is a lot of freedom living on the road tho, but for 20k it won't be easy.
If you don't make money on the house, but houses usually appreciate for some reason in the US, you still have a home for life- if you pay property tax.
I watch all of them! Its made me think of becoming a nomad very soon
These people are my tribe🥰😘
Hope to meet Bob some day.
Thanks love your videos❤️
Bob, why are you wearing a mask outside. Com'on man!!!!
The most important thing to do due to more people living this way is to. tread lightly and leave no trace. When people leave a mess and trash it will cause the government to CLOSE open lands and this is happening now. To protect this way of life we need to not only leave no trace but clean up as much as we can or we will lose these open lands for camping.
Home schooling on the road is giving them MORE education than can believed. As a teacher, I am grounded in the classroom with disrespectful kids. Only rarely do I have kids that really want to succeed
Such a blessing to watch. Would love to meet Bob. Maybe since I just started my build in my Ford Transit Cargo Van.😄
Ive been following Bob now for 4 years ! Great m as n !
Great Video !!!
We need more road friendly living options to help accommodate the growing number of homeless
With people like April, I can't help but wonder why her family doesn't help her. She said she has three sons, and she's disabled. That doesn't really make sense why she would be alone.
This is a way of life for alot of people they can't afford housing so this is an alternative
Excellent video.
Sweet story.
Bob is a legeng
Bob is the richest guy on TH-cam. Because he gives it all away.
Haha the no mask in the end. He us super awesome.
Seems like more and more Seniors on low fixed income are choosing this travel freedom of rent and utility. If your positive this life can be adventurous or negative it could be terrible.
I am living in a RV and I can't afford it, more expensive than I expected
Not sure what the future holds. I could be homeless.
Live in a van.
@@MyFriendlyPup too hard to work 10,12 hours then bath,cook, and too cold in winter as I live in the north.
I was to the desert for 2 winters and get sick from the dusty air.
Sprinter/ Transit + diesel heater= gooooood living.
Downgrade to a smaller camper
@@Christina...66 I have not had any problems with the RV.
It just is as expensive as the rental I was in.
I have solar power and boondock.
This past summer I parked on 2 different farms near work I had,I paid 100 a month electric and water.
Food ,gas,for my car,to get to work, insurance, medical, propane clothing,
Phone and no internet.
Still is as much as rent.
A van would make every thing so hard.
Work 12 hours, take a sponge bath, set up to cook, cook,heat water for dishwashing, put it all away then sleep and fast as I can, repeat.
This life on the road would be great if I had enough money.
One stint in the hospital or extended illness and it's the end .
Also a van or any other transportation will break down and then how do you get to work.
I have anxiety most days about keeping my emergency fund and savings up and my savings are never going to be enough.
Hi, April☺
i love bob
I think one problem is that there are many types of nomads, some with unrealistic expectations. Build your van/RV???
All I did was buy a van with a new engine, tossed in a sleeping mat, portable loo, cooler, solar oven, and a solar power unit.
I spend very little non-sleeping time in my van, except when it is raining. I am a digital nomad, I bike a lot, and I sight see on foot.
Yes, lugging your home around with you is a pain. But, I see nomading as simply touring with a dry, warm place to sleep and a private area for bathing and bathroom.
If I just want to admire my home, it is easier to stay at home. Nomadding is for adventure, touring, and meeting.
Bob Well's is an Amazing individual and has done something that most of us folks can never say...he made their lives better by showing them another way. I have an older female friend who is disabled gets $750 a month to live on 1/3rd of that is rent...sounds like a good deal till now you have 500 dollars to pay insurance, buy clothes, buy a new tire? Oil change.... I wish I could get her to be more daring because she could be having a great time.
You must have some sort of steady income for doing this. food, gas, vehicle maintenance, you name it.
I would be packing if it were me with two daughters. Stay safe
American dream is now Canadian dream..Health care is good,people able to pay house,This is the end result of not managing money well,
Instead of apparently hiding out @ yur mommy's condo, Bobby, why don't you make yourself useful & deliver hot warm fresh pizzas to everyone starting now.
The problem with this lifestyle is your not safe at night,the weather,the gas,work,sex life,kids no friends,retirement plans,this is for the people who doesnt want to work hard for change,they just want YOLO!
Again why is it only 14 days on dirt land
blame the greedy landlords and governments for making it very hard for the middle class to suffer , this just the start , its going get lot worst !
It's really nice if you have an income coming in like Bob and many others his age...but all those other people are not even thinking of retirement, what are they gonna live on when they get old?
🙂
What do you do if you cats and dogs that you have to take with you if you decide to do this? I have 3 medium size dogs and 6 cats...🤔
I'd say first stop taking on new animals. If you have more pets than people in your household you found another money sink. Many on the road people have 1-2 pets.
Many people on the road have pets. Camper Van Kevin has 3 Yorkies. He also drives a rv not a van currently. Other options to look at for conversions wouod be a school bus or short transport bus. They call them skoolies. Search the tag on youtube to see many different ones. I currently have 4 small dogs now and think about this. But sadly I know I will not have 4 at retirement. My guys are 18, 17, 17 & 9.
Many vanlifers at at least 1 cat or one dog on the road.
Hello.. Widdle it down to just 1 of each, do it for yourself.. In my humble opinion, you have made yourself a self imposed prison. Just my thoughts..
Free Youself, animals are great.. Too many is too much
@@lovecountryfeargovernment8197 Not a prison at all. I have 14 rescues in my 40ft skoolie; 2 dogs, 2 cats, 8 birds and 2 mice. Everyone is different with different needs for life as a nomad. If you don't even do it no need to tell others they can't.
@@kellystinydreamsbus Good for you if that makes you happy..!
No way for me, I have watched others around me live for animals, I prefer not to do it. To each his or her own.
If we find true peace in what we do, then who is anyone to say what is right and what is wrong..
Good Luck, Take Care..
Just my humble opinion
Wall Street kiled the American Dream
The eastern culture is about buying a home or piece of land and dedicate your life around it. You leave it for next generation.
They. Just. Gave. It. A. Name. Co. Viris. Is. Just. A. Name. For. The. World. Falling. Apart. Volcanoes. Pulled. Air. No. Trees
Vanlife is fascinating
With fuel prices approaching 6 bucks a gallon "constant moving" does not seem like a very efficient, earth-friendly mode of conduct.
Yes, we can now work 'remote'. Big deal. But "someone" still has to produce the junk food you buy along the way, and those people (farmers) remain tied to their locations, otherwise "you" couldn't roll along all over the place, spewing exhaust fumes.
One way or another, Americans will remain in first place when it comes to consumption and wasting of resources, which currently happens to be 6 times what the rest of world's citizens consume per capita.
You can stay parked for long periods. You're not going back and forth for some job. Who says we eat junk food? Almost all of us have cookers in their builds and buy groceries.
We live in a corrupt system!!! Cudos to anyone who bucks the evil system!!!
The biggest joy is no longer living your best years in the rat race, strangled by rent or mortgage and the ever raising utility bills.
😀😺 -- This is well done.
😁😁😁😁😁
Bob. You should be the 2020 person of the year. Not that looser politician that doesn’t deserve it.............
America isn't the dystopia we want, it's the dystopia we deserve.
Have Ellen and Oprah heard of Bob yet? ✨
Well if they did, especially Oprah she would want to trade mark it. Make it her own idea and invention. It wouldn’t be the same. There is nothing special about her or Ellen. These are real people out there on the road. And if Oprah got involved she would make some kind of racial discrimination case out of it. From what I have seen out of all the videos about van life, it doesn’t matter who, what, when, where, why or even race or gender you are everyone is welcome into the life.
@@DM-ye5qo Well said..!!
Yeah, but what happens when the vehicle wears out? 5,000 miles per year gets you maybe 10 years in an older vehicle. Then what?
The same thing that people who live in houses do when their vehicle wears out: they find another.
Since I’m not paying rent I’m saving for my next vehicle 💕💕💕
no Santa jokes yet? I was expecting Santa jokes.
Bob Wells is better than santa--he's REAL! :)
i don’t know what ur talking about, u need money to travel. Even if u have to beg for 4 it u need money , especially now a. Happy If u don’t have money how?
These old people are living on SS although some and others have seasonal jobs at factories and farms.
Good thing it wasn't because of coveed.
Imagine celebrating the fact that some people avoid homelessness by living in a vehicle. Sure some do it by choice but hailing it is as positive for people who don't is appalling to me.
A disabled woman forced to rely on charity to survive because society has decided she is only worthy of a meager fixed income for daring to have a disability.
A woman forced into a more dangerous and unstable lifestyle through no fault of her own. The solution to these sorts of problems isn't building cheaper housing. It's helping average people achieve the financial status (and fix housing prices) that would never force them to need to.
You missed the point entirely.
Truly what is needed & what people face/need are most often worlds away. Fixing a problem is long term for many & having a fix that gives a person a place to sleep is like "teaching a hungry person to fish". It isn't a life solution but it deals with 1 issue at a time. Maybe & has given people a chance to overcome The issue.
For many a vehicle is the difference in affording food, health care, even safety from an unsafe situation. If you're unable to qualify for help, that help doesn't matter does it! 🤗
You obviously have no compassion, what brought you to watch this video in the first place? SMH
A big old catfish.
Wow how people find shitting in a cold hard plastic bucket outside pleasurable is beyond commen sense.
Small price to pay. But hey, we all have our priorities, lol!
Sad for you
Privileged and absurd comment. Did you even watch the video? Get over yourself!
PBS, I think you made a bit of a mistake with this video, a big mistake actually. You never mentioned that cars do not retain value while housing does. I recognize this is not an economics channel but, long-term, this can result in big issues. Racialized access to housing is still a big reason why white people do better economically. I'm not here to judge people for living in a car or being nomadic because they like the lifestyle, but they need to know what they are getting in for. Honestly, this kind of feels like it can be read as "Hey, sorry about the fact that covid and the failed economic recovery that has left you behind means potentially millions of homeless. Now you can live on the road and be more mobile if you like though...". I'm not sure that's how it was intended and I get that this video was not meant to be judgemental towards those who live in RV's or the like but a full disclosure really is necessary so that this doesn't come off like a backwards congratulatory positive spin to homelessness.
You do realize that your only a short fall economically from nomadic life. The coming economic reset could upend your whole reality. We nomads have rejected that reality and now are more adaptable to the future.
@@windrider23 yeah, actually I do realize that. In fact, I could very easily turn this response and point out a car crash could leave you nomads without transportation or shelter and basically fully homeless. Heck, a car crash isn't even necessary, simple time and any unforeseen expense could leave you both without transportation and without shelter. Cars simply don't retain value over time while houses do. If you buy a $250,000 house but realize you can't afford it, it's easy to downsize without huge losses. If you buy a $75,000 car and realize that was more than you can afford, congratulations, if you drove it outside the dealerships lot, it's value has gone down by a few thousand already.
Look, I'm not saying there is anything at all wrong with being a nomad if that is what you want to do. I'm not saying home ownership is definitively better in every way. I'm just saying that PBS reporting on this, especially during covid when widespread homelessness is a growing and increasingly real prospect, without mentioning how home ownership is much safer long-term economically, is irresponsible. Again, it feels like PBS is kind of going "we know many of you are scared you'll go homeless due to the economic response that left most average Americans behind, but hey, at least you can live in an rv and drive anywhere you want to be! Isn't that exciting!". It's not an issue I have with you or anyone else making the choice to live on the road, that's a cool choice and you should be able to make that choice. The problem is that PBS is not conveying the full effects that choice will have down the line and refraining from exploring a major long-term negative that can result.
@@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat Well a 250k house or 75k RV is quite a leap up for a homeless person. A $1500 van and $500 of equipment is a realistic goal. Also look at most full time Nomads and you will see women over 55 living on under $1000 a month. I know this from first hand experience in Quartzite AZ.. They come as Widows into this with few options. Just making the best of a bad situation.
When home ownership is out of the question, this is a rational solution. By choice, I lived in my vehicle for a year to tour the country. Believe me, I would not have wanted to be without my vehicle as a shelter. And I don't think they were pushing $75,000 RVs by any means.
@@Kobolds_in_a_trenchcoat I see your point. I own my home taxes and utilities are my concerns that's it. But there's people who scrimped and saved to purchase a house in any fashion. And always one or two paychecks from loosing it. The pressure on these people is immeasurable to say the least. I've met several "Nomads" they work and save and in between jobs they see the country. One such person works on fishing boats in Alaska. The beet harvest in Minnesota. And as a camp host for the park service In several parks. Aside from bringing in an income from his You Tube channel which he's been doing for five years. None of them glorify the lifestyle, they do embrace the freedom of it though. One such Nomad has just purchased 15 acres in Michigan and she's already made the place a home to be proud of but still earns her income by the skills she learned while traveling. I tend to look at like this. If you have a skill set that's in demand you feel confident in making long term plans and don't have all that much looming overhead. But if your education or skill sets aren't in keeping with the economic times there's never a moment when these people aren't thinking "what next?" I couldn't imagine trying to sleep every night thinking about loosing the job that just gets the bills paid and what food I could afford after they are paid. And the same holds true for them.
What if they get in an accident? What happens if they have no vehicle or a mechanical failure? The same thing. Except their belongings are set on the treelawn and they are truly homeless. One "vanlifer" did just recently have transmission problems. He stayed at a hotel had a rental car and worked waiting over two weeks for it to be repaired. Guess he did what any of us would do. Adapted to the situation and then when things were done, he got on with his life. Key point, his life.
What is it with Target? Target is just a department/grocery store. Nothing special about it. In fact, Target at one time allowed men to go into the ladies' bathrooms where I lived at the time. ! I refused to allow that so I had to take my van (with a porta-potty) in it so my children and I could go to the bathroom when we shopped at Target. NO, THANKS! I have no good memories of Target! I don't approve of ANY woke store or organization.
Leaving garbage everywhere, eating or tired, murdered animals, processed food, putting petroleum into the sir we breathe.
If they live
sustainably,
very little garbage, vegan, eating fruits and vegetables, then I support this lifestyle.
Who cares what you support? Your privilege is showing dear. Get over yourself!
You could not find a Nomad in north America if your life depended on it. If you do not like the word HOMELESS, then call it by the nice name, AUTO DWELLERS .
Define nomad.
Nomads were people who lived in their tents that were made by themselves, from animal skins. They were completely self sufficient. They had farm animals to feed themselves, they produced milk, meet , and made carpets and blankets from animal skins. They never had seen a dollar bill, or any kind of money, they never been inside a Wal-Mart or Target or a grocery store . Their means of transportation were horses and donkeys. These people who call themselves Nomads could not survive a day without (Chinese) Wal-Mart if their life depended on it.
@@BAHRAMCR By that definition, you would be correct but none of these folks claim or pretend to meet that definition. They meet a more modern or maybe just different definition. My definition for me and many others of nomadic life is this. Travel with the seasons, Southern Arizona, S. Texas, Mexico in the winter, above 10,000 ft. in the Rockie Mountain range in the heat of the summer. Dispersed like the wind in the shoulder seasons. Living on public land by the rules, completely self-sufficient the whole way, pack it in, pack it out. I am chasing that sunny, 70-degree day in a beautiful part of the country. It works for me and thousands of others who, if you know where to look are easy to find.
Look up the word. It has more than one definition. Welcome to 2021.
@@barbaraallen3054 I do not need to look up the word, I lived with Nomads in middle east for a short time. There was no Wal-Mart, no grocery store, no Target, and no rest areas.
You live in a van like oh Bob has so long you get nasty rusted over looks like he does you know I don't think my dog would even sleep with Bob
You are one sad and mean spirited person who cannot even check her own privilege and biased nonsense. Sad.
Shame on you, Sherry. If you don't have anything nice to say keep it to yourself.
Bob is getting rich off of other people's misery.
What good is money if you live in a van?
You don't know enough about Bob..if you did you would know he values his freedom more than money. What you don't see or hear about is he also uses his money to help a lot of people. He started HOWA using only the money he was making. Can you not understand a truly unselfish person and a dedicated humanitarian? Just sayin. Learn more about him.
You are obviously ignorant to Bob’s cause if you say that. Research him. He’s a kind and giving man. Our society needs more like him.
This guy has weird energy around women. Watch his van tours with "solo females" in title.
Bob bolsters single women and empowers them to be brave and strong. He helps people get over their fear and learn to cope with life on the road. He’s not weird at all.
@MyFriendlyPup, the only person with weird energy is you. You are 100 wrong in your assessment. Bob is a humanitarian and a hero to many many thousands.
@MyFriendlyPup. You REALLY misjudged Bob! Most of those interviewees are HUGE fans of Bob!
The interviews say "solo females" because solo female van dwellers want to be able to find those videos easily. Bob has hundreds of informative videos on his channel.
@@victoriabaker4400 , absolutely right. @MyFriendlyPup has made a comment based on a complete lack of understanding.
Bob Wells is an amazing person and a hero to many thousands. He dedicates his life to helping others.
Well. From outside he seems a bit nice.
Dedicates is a stretch. He was put in a situation which he turned to his favor. He has got talent, but harnessed it later in life. I'd not actively encourage people to start van life. That's giving up on life. If my ancestors gave up so easily id not be proudly talking about them.
If he was a kiwi, or British, he'd be knighted by now. This man does more for the community than the local politicians or goveners. We need more Bobs in the world
@@the_original_skytiger that's strange that you say that, as all the people he interviewed seem grateful for what they've got. Not everyone thrives in the manic, greedy rat race. Scroll on if their choices don't resonate with how you choose to live. All TH-camrs with a large following /subscribers can gleen some sort of income.
@@angeladawn805 Not strange at all, glaringly obvious. BTW, it's only a rat race if you let it be.
Thanks so much Bob Wells! Thank you HOWA! Together you are all making a wonderful, positive difference in the lives of others. Than you!