7 of the Best Jobs for Van Life (and How to Get Them)

If you enjoy traveling and are interested in flexible remote work, chances are you’ve heard about van life – and perhaps even had a look at van life jobs! But with so many options out there, it can be hard to discern which job might be the best fit for you (and how to go about getting it).

We can help! In this post, we look at seven of the best van life jobs and how you can get them.

What Is Van Life?

Those who embrace the van lifestyle (often known as “van lifers”) live either full- or part-time in a van, traveling to different locations and exploring as they go.

Some van lifers live in converted vans or campers equipped with basic necessities, such as a bed, a sink, storage, a type of energy generator, and some form of toilet. Others live in larger recreational vehicles or motorhomes.

Van life is particularly popular among millennials and Gen Zs, but all kinds of people are attracted to the lifestyle. There are lots of reasons why van life is growing in popularity, including:

• It allows people to live and work flexibly
• It’s an affordable way to travel and explore new places
• It’s a way to reduce housing costs (e.g., rent)
• It can help people live a minimalist, environmentally conscious lifestyle
• It creates opportunities for personal growth
• It can provide a sense of community with other van lifers

What Are the Pros and Cons of Van Life?

As with any lifestyle, there are pros and cons to van life.

As we mentioned earlier, van life can be an affordable way to travel and see the world. Many people yearn for adventure but can’t necessarily afford to stay in hotels or B&Bs. Having a van that you can live in while you travel is ideal. It gives you the flexibility to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and funnel your money into activities and experiences rather than spend it on somewhere to stay.

By living in a van, you can save money on traditional housing expenses (like rent, mortgages, or utilities). This means that, if you prefer, you can work less than you would if you rented or owned a house – and devote more time to things like exploring the world and pursuing your passions!

However, van life comes with challenges that you should consider before jumping in. For most of the jobs we will outline below, you will need to have a reliable Wi-Fi connection. This is challenging when you are always on the move (although technology is improving all the time, so this will become less and less of an issue). You will also need to consider:

• The upfront costs of converting your van
• Ongoing costs (like fuel and any maintenance your van might require)
• Adjusting to living in a small space with few amenities
• Dealing with weather-related issues (e.g., making sure you can stay warm/cool)
• Knowing how to find safe parking spots

What Are the Best Jobs for Van Life?

Naturally, there are some jobs that are better suited to van life than others. Working a job that requires you to attend an office every day is not going to be suitable for traveling. When looking for jobs you can do while traveling, you should look for the following information:

• Whether the job is fully remote
• Whether you are expected to work set hours (e.g., 9 to 5, Monday to Friday)
• Whether you need to meet a minimum number of hours or amount of work

Now let’s look at seven jobs that are well-suited to van life.

1. Writing

Freelance writing is a great way to earn money while traveling because of its flexibility and versatility. There are several ways you can earn money through writing, including content writing and copywriting. Content writing focuses on creating informative content to raise brand awareness, while copywriting attempts to persuade the reader to do something that benefits the business (e.g., purchase a product). Whatever you decide, the flexibility of writing can help you support yourself while traveling. You could even write about your travels!

2. Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are great options for those who are looking to travel and need a way to earn money. While you don’t need a degree to get started, we recommend undertaking a course to solidify your skills. There are plenty of ways to find online proofreading and editing jobs.

3. Virtual Assistant (VA)

VAs are freelancers who offer administrative services to their clients from a remote location. Many VAs have a home office, but it’s just as possible to work as a VA while you travel. The great thing about being a VA is that you don’t need any formal qualifications, and it’s easy to get started.

4. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers are in high demand in an increasingly digital world. You could design anything from ad campaigns to product/business branding or animations. Graphic designers only need a laptop, Wi-Fi, and graphic design software to work, making it a perfect remote job.

5. Online Teaching

The most traditional job for young people who want to travel is teaching English as a foreign language. You’ve probably seen the ads for teaching in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. These require you to travel to the country, but you can teach English as a second language from wherever you like using online teaching platforms. The most popular platform for English teaching is Preply, but there are many other options you can use.

6. Social Media Marketer

A job that many Gen Zs are jumping on is social media marketing. This can be marketing for other people or companies or marketing for yourself as an influencer. HubSpot has a fantastic checklist for getting started as an influencer, but most of their tips also apply to social media marketing. Additionally, social media marketing can often be done from a smartphone, making it ideal for travelers.

7. Web Designer

Just like graphic designers, web designers are in great demand. Although some sites have DIY interfaces, these don’t always allow users to create exactly what they want, and, therefore, they need to hire someone to design the website for them. This might require knowing how to code, so it might be worth looking into learning coding if this is something you’d like to do.

Interested in Writing, Editing or Proofreading?

If you think you’d be interested in writing, editing, or proofreading, we have three courses that can help you on your way: Becoming A Proofreader, Becoming An Editor, and Becoming A Freelance Writer. If you pass your final assignment with a score of 80% or more, you’ll be offered the chance to proofread or edit for our partner company, Proofed, or write three blog posts for Knowadays, depending on the course you take. Why not try a course for free today?