A young woman, Jess Hill, has transitioned to van life due to the escalating cost of living, which compelled her to sell her three-bedroom property in Ingleton, North Yorkshire. The 24-year-old, working as a building surveyor, found it unsustainable to maintain her home amidst the financial strain sweeping the country. With the proceeds from the sale, Jess now leads a more economical lifestyle, residing in a Citroën Relay equipped with solar panels to supplement power consumption.
Despite being a university graduate, Jess struggled to make ends meet, revealing that her monthly bills and mortgage payments were exorbitant, leaving her with no residual income. She hopes that her story will inspire others grappling with the repercussions of soaring prices.
Jess reflects on the financial relief she has experienced since embracing van life, with her living expenses significantly reduced even after factoring in the £80 monthly insurance cost for the vehicle. She emphasizes the financial advantages of this lifestyle, stating that she only needs to cover insurance, fuel, and food expenses, which are notably lower than the costs associated with traditional housing.
Drawing parallels with the situation faced by former En Vogue singer Dawn Robinson, who has been living in her car following financial hardships, Jess highlights the necessity of adapting to economic challenges. Despite her initial aspirations of settling down, Jess found herself constrained to live in her van due to escalating financial burdens.
Jess plans to leverage her circumstances for personal growth, intending to explore Europe while maintaining a modest lifestyle. Equipped with a bed and shower in her van, Jess, a construction worker and graduate of the University of Salford, envisions a simple and fulfilling life, prioritizing outdoor experiences and prudent financial management for future security.
Notably, The Man Van, a London-based house removal firm, reports an upsurge in cases akin to Jess’ situation, where individuals are compelled to reside in their vehicles due to financial constraints.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the saleor sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Privacy Notice.