Living the Vanlife: On the Road Toward Sustainability, Community, and Joy

by Noami Grevemberg

Discover what it’s really like to live and work full-time on the road in a camper van from eco-vanlifer and founder of the Diversify Vanlife movement, Noami Grevemberg.

Feeling dissatisfied with her office job and her “stationary home,” in 2016 Noami Grevemberg took a bold step. She quit her job, sold her belongings, and set out in her 1985 VW Vanagon to pursue a life of simplicity and travel with her husband and German Shepherd by her side.

In her years living fulltime on the road, Noami has become an expert in the many aspects of vanlife. In her book Living the Vanlife , she digs into all aspects of the lifestyle, from getting over the uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty, to creating a sustainable, thriving life of adventure and a captivating path of choosing whatever it is you truly want for yourself. Through personal stories and actionable advice, Noami candidly and compassionately demonstrates for readers that challenging the "status quo” means taking bold steps, venturing out of your comfort zone, taking risks, and living intentionally. As a Trinidadian immigrant, Noami also takes a practical look at life on the road as a BIPOC navigating many intersections and speaks to topics like converting a van to fit your specific needs, budgeting for vanlife, finding employment, staying safe, and building a supportive community on the road.

Featuring evocative full-color photographs of Noami’s journey, Living the Vanlife is an inclusive and celebratory look at an increasingly popular way of life.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

Published July 4, 2023

Reviews

[Diane Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how, in addition to her main story, the author has added a lot of other extra information like essential items to take, to camp in established campgrounds or dispersed camping, how to earn a living while on the road, etc. The photos were beautiful, but I wish she had put captions as to where they were taken.

[Dexter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was an okay book, but was hoping for more details on the technical side of how folks manage internet, what maps they use, maybe a look at their pantry, etc. Still, it does draw a big enough picture for what van life has been for the author in an authentic way.

[Darya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Венлайферка Ноамі Ґревемберґ розповідає про те, як вона дійшла до такого життя - життя в міні-вені, в якому вона з чоловіком уже шість років їздить по всій Північній Америці, не маючи сталого місця проживання. А також дає поради щодо того, про що подумати, якщо ви теж хочете дійти до такого життя.
Я стежу за авторкою в інстаграмі, тому для мене не було аж таким відкриттям тут у книжці, що вона хоче особливого сказати про венлайф порівняно з іншими людьми, які пишуть і говорять про цей стиль життя. Але в її інсті колись це для мене було справді чимсь менш знайомим, оскільки Ноамі, яка народилася на Тринідаді в сім'ї індійського й африканського походження, багато привертає уваги до досвіду людей, які не вписуються в розтиражований соцмережами образ типово білих, молодих і багатих венлайферів.
Картинки гарні.

[Simon Parker · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had thought this would give me an insight in to the world of van-living-travel and living life in a more minimalist way.
However, unless you’ve lever left an American city and do not have an ounce of common sense, all that I’ve gathered from reading this is that some people, even when marginalised in one aspect of their life histories , insist on creating another layer of difference rather than seeking some degree of harmony.
Read this if you must but in all honesty, I regret picking it up. (Likeable though the writer herself actually is)

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those traveling or living alternate lifestyles, not just for vanlifers!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Living the Vanlife, Noami Grevemberg brilliantly recognizes the often forgotten fact that no "how to" guide is complete without an awareness of who is doing the task. Unlike other "how to" books that blindly assume universal experiences, the wisdom and advice Grevemberg shares in this book come from her personal, embodied experience presented in balance with quick lists of tips for life on the road. I'm excited to share chapters of this book with my students next year who will explore the topic of diversity in the great outdoors. And, on a personal note, I'm excited to draw inspiration from a fellow Trini as I envision my own future on the road and life filled with intentionality.

[Malcolm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Road Less Traveled: A Renegade's Perspective on Vanlife

Reading 'Living the Vanlife' by Noami Grevemberg, I was struck by the kind of gutsy determination that'd make any rebel proud. This ain't just a story about trading four walls for four wheels; it's a tale of fierce independence and daring to chase a life less ordinary. Noami's journey from a mundane job to the freedom of the open road resonates with anyone who's ever felt the itch to buck the system and carve out their own path.

She's honest, too. Doesn't sugarcoat the hard parts of van-living – the breakdowns, both mechanical and personal. But in the grit, there's gold: the beauty of uncharted roads, the joy of living with purpose. She writes with a kind of raw, unflinching honesty that speaks to the soul. It's a testament to the kind of spirit that keeps pushing forward, no matter the odds. For anyone feeling trapped in the day-to-day grind, 'Living the Vanlife' is a call to arms, an invitation to break away and find your own kind of freedom.

[Deni B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of the book sucked me in immediately. A VW camper makes me look every time. I will make u-turns, walk up to strangers and easily grab a book off a library shelf. My family had one when I was a child and the summer cross country trip in the van is a treasured memory.

As much as a VW camper will make me turn my head and I would love to buy one, my interest in Vanlife is mostly academic. This is still a good read. The photography is beautiful and the
"how to" tips can be helpful to all. The author gives us a good look into her desire for Vanlife, the planning, execution and even some of the travails along the way.

Puzzling is her self description as a "queer immigrant". She did come to the US from Trinidad but travels with her husband.

The Native Land Acknowledgements at the end of the book are great but would be improved with page numbers instead of chapter and photo number.

[Michelle Mallette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my blog for my full review and consider subscribing while you're there.
Written in a narrative form, it’s both a memoir and a how-to manual for life on the road, an honest portrayal that reveals the ups and downs, from squabbles to breakdowns to financial stresses, encouraging those who are considering this option to find ways to try it out first and ensure the fit is a good one. Great advice, and a fascinating exploration of a growing way of life. You'll need a lot more info to get into vanlife, of course, but this gives a realistic portrayal, and explains how Grevenberg, a Trinidad-born American, helped to promote greater diversity within the movement. My thanks to Grand Forks (B.C.) and District Public Library for including this title in its adult nonfiction collection.

[Yemoja Oshun · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐢 𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐢 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐚𝐧/𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢'𝐦 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢 𝐝𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐍𝐚𝐨𝐦𝐢 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧. 𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredibly intriguing read. Narrated by the author, Noami, it immerses you in a captivating adventure. The author's storytelling is imbued with a palpable passion and vulnerability, allowing you to connect deeply with the narrative. This isn't solely a tale about vanlife; it's a testament to courage and perseverance, demonstrating how to embrace life beyond the confines of one's comfort zone and find solace in the realm of the unknown. Reading this book has left me profoundly inspired.

[McChelle Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audible and then read the physical book.

There were so many emotions invoked. It's so inspiring and motivational. The forward and love story brought me near to tears.

The freedom in nature of Naomi's childhood and desire for that as an adult is so relatable.

There were so many much needed tips and tricks to living vehicle life, brick and mortar life, any life...

There's so much more to discuss, so much. You just have to read it. Excellent.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at a couple who decided to leave their normal lives behind and travel in a van roaming the country. I liked the mix of logistical stuff and personal experiences. The tips and advice were informational (and also led me to realize that this is not the kind of life on the road that I would be comfortable with). They had a lot of ups and downs, but it was inspiring to see these people living their dream. It was a bit disappointing to find out that they aren't together anymore.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful narrative of Grevemberg's van life experience. Listened to the audiobook version with Grevemberg narrating and thoroughly enjoyed her storytelling. She gives great advice for those wanting to learn more about the #vanlife movement and I appreciate that she emphasizes throughout the book that you don't need a fancy, outrigged vehicle to be a part of the ever-growing movement. And in a movement that seems to be mostly white and privileged, I appreciate her accounts and advice as a BIPOC person.

[Rayann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi sheds light on the "raw" reality of Van Life as well as tips and tricks for an easy transition to life on the road. There are so many intimate details and experiences that she shared that I've always been curious about. This is NOT a Step by Step manual on how to build and live but rather a starter guide/memoir that could help many others that are curious about VanLife whether full-time, part time or as a weekender. From one Caribbean brown girl to another I loved hearing from her perspective.

[Juniper "burntends on storygraph" · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES! Finally a book for the operations management of vanlife! Thank you so much Noami, this practical and endearing guide has only stoked the flames of my desire to GTFO of the rat race and take my hub and pups on the open road in an RV (I need a toilet).

I mean, I'm still going to be a corporate shill cuz I love having health insurance but at least I know that it's feasible to be both a nomad and a desk jockey!

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this audiobook 90min/25% (chapter 3) and was just bored, so I stopped. It just wasn't what I was expecting. I also know this lifestyle is not for me, though I do find it interesting, so that could make a difference with my opinion.

I might try this one again later, in print/ebook so it's easier to skim and skip things, and when I'm not rushed by five other library checkouts waiting for me.

[Ma'Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 stars bumped up tbh because Naomi deserves the coverage and visibility for the perspectives she's sharing.
And a note on search engine absurdity: Why the fuck doesn't this book show up when I search "van life" with spaces between the words? Smushing them together into a trendy hashtag neologism in order to find the book is not intuitive to everyone.

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really curious about this topic and was looking forward to reading this. I can’t put my finger on it, but I found myself forcing myself to listen and hoping for something to interrupt once I did. 5/6 in another book became available so I ditched it. I rarely do that.

[Kelly Audiogirl.booking.it · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don’t for see myself living in a van, so why not read about it and see what someone else’s perspective is about it interesting. Still not convinced it’s some thing I can do. Takes a whole Lotta effort and patience. I think I’d rather just have a small home on the ground

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed hearing about the author’s experiences. Definitely not a life I’d want full time. I prefer having our 5th wheel bc it has shower & toilet. This author digs a hole anywhere she goes. 😳

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I’m not really planning on starting the van life for myself, but I definitely have an interest in exploring the modern nomad/camper experience when I have the chance someday. I really appreciated all the advice and information that went into this book. It was an enjoyable read!

[Lindsay Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this was more of a “story of my time living in a van!!” Rather than “this is how you live in a van”. Nonetheless, I’m still super intrigued by the whole lifestyle and it was interesting to listen to.

[Lauren J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noami gives a first hand account of how she and her husband bought a van and then lived in it throughout the pandemic. They continue to live their life in the van and she gives great tips for anyone who wants to live the van life especially if they are BIPOC. I love her stories!

[Marianne P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tale of the author's journey from a small village in Trinidad to full time van life in the US. Full of great tips for successful nomad life. It is the author who reads for the audiobook - her voice is delightful and makes me feel like I was sitting down to chat with a new friend.

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to get know this subculture, read Nomadland. This is more a kind of reader-as-consumer how-to, which was well-done, but not what I was looking for.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lot of practical tips, but also great and thoughtful ruminations

[Lisa Filipczak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed her story. There were also some helpful tips about how to do van life nowadays.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bookclub read. Just meh.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought it was a story but more of a coffee table book with I guess a plot that I didn’t read