The Rise of Van Life Among Professionals
Sydney-based lawyer Phoebe Macdougall has a unique approach to living. While many professionals in her position would opt for a traditional home, she has chosen to live in a van. This decision comes after selling her Coogee apartment and moving into a $600-a-week rental in Manly. However, she eventually left both to embrace life on the road.
The stress associated with owning a mortgage was not worth it for Ms Macdougall. She found that the pressure to own a house while working as a lawyer in the city was overwhelming. “Once I was in Sydney and in that corporate lifestyle, it felt like that was the goal that you had to get to,” she said. For her, living on her own, even in a small van, was more rewarding.
Embracing Freedom on the Road
Ms Macdougall’s lifestyle allows her to manage the stress of her job. As a lawyer based in Sydney, she often travels to regional areas to represent her clients. She finds that being able to finish work and then switch off in a setting surrounded by nature is a privilege. “It was more rewarding to be living on my own, even if it was a small tin can on wheels,” she said.
Her simple lifestyle includes catching her own fish with a spear gun. “I’ve always loved the ocean and diving,” she explained. “As part of that simple living, I decided I wanted to catch my own food and provide for myself, so spear fishing for me is really empowering.”
Many people are surprised when they learn that Ms Macdougall lives in a van. “They are very shocked to see that, because it’s unconventional; it’s not their normal, it’s my normal,” she said. Despite this, she emphasizes that living in a van does not mean sacrificing financial stability.
Financial Stability and Lifestyle Choices
Travel is a significant part of Ms Macdougall’s life. “To be renting and not be able to go on holidays, it’s not that I couldn’t afford the rent, but what is your life outside of that?” she asked. She has managed to save enough money to create a safety net, which she can invest in property or use for other purposes in the future.
Initially, she was unsure about living alone on the road, especially as a woman. “I think that’s a worry for a lot of people, especially solo female travellers. They’re worried about safety and whether or not the lifestyle is for them,” she admitted. However, she quickly overcame these concerns.
Authentic Experiences and Changing Trends
According to the Caravan Association of Australia, about 20 per cent of those who live in a van full-time have incomes of more than $100,000, representing approximately 2 per cent of the country’s population. Peter Clay, a researcher at the association, noted that more people from younger generations and those with higher incomes are choosing this lifestyle. “At the core of caravanning and camping is this idea of connection; the world is changing, and people are searching for authentic experiences,” he said.
However, Hazel Blunden, a social policy researcher at UNSW, cautioned against glamorizing this lifestyle. “We might dress up homelessness as a lifestyle choice, or we end up normalising people having to live in a vehicle,” she warned.
Richard Barwick, CEO of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia, highlighted the growing interest in this lifestyle. “People want to get out of the cities; they’re seeing the benefit and the lifestyle benefit,” he said. He believes there will be an increase in this trend across all income levels.
A New Perspective on Work and Life
Phoebe Macdougall believes that many others in the corporate world could thrive while on the road. “I hear it all the time from people I work with, who say, ‘I wish I could do that,’ and I always say, ‘You can, anyone can do it,’” she said. For her, the road trip never ends.
