The reason to go Tiny varies from person to person. It may be financial or environmental and usually involves a degree of mobility. A survey by the Australian Tiny House Association found 78% of the 109 people surveyed lived in Tiny Houses on wheels. Some live in small homes on foundations and a small but growing proportion live in caravans, vans or converted buses.
Living in a van might appear to be cheaper than a Tiny House but it can quickly become a financial burden and impact on the freedom lifestyle you really want.
In this post we will explore the difference between living in a Tiny House compared to a Van.
Mobility
Van lifers often park free but illegally, looking for different parking spots each few nights. Parking in a caravan park and staying a while is an option, although the fees can add up, and there are free camping sites available in some amazing Australian locations.
A Tiny House on wheels is not designed to be moved frequently. If the idea of staying in one place for a year or more appeals to you then a Tiny House will suit you best. In Australia Tiny Houses are legally permitted on properties with an existing dwelling and finding land is not as difficult as you might think!
Set up cost
A second hand 2019 Mercedes Sprinter sells for around $30,000 depending on how many kilometres it’s clocked. Many van lifers renovate their own vans with insulation, lining, a bed and a kitchenette. Mercedes Sprinters are one of the more popular campervans for van lifers and are large enough to accommodate a shower.
Second hand campervan models are available on Caravan Camping Sales. The additional set up costs of a van are smaller than those of a Tiny House and include things like vehicle registration and a portaloo. Although it’s the daily power and water source and internet charges that become higher running costs compared to a parked Tiny House.
Our most popular Tiny House standard models range from $71,900 to $93,900 and are delivered ready to connect to utilities. Imagine having your first night in your new Tiny House on the day it’s delivered and waking up to your freedom lifestyle!
A van has minimal additional set up before you drive away on your first adventure. A Tiny House on the other hand will need to be attached to a power and water supply. These can be as simple as a plug and tap or connecting to a solar system and water tank. Waste disposal needs consideration. There are disposal sites for caravan waste as well as water fill stations and Tiny Houses often have composting toilets and a grey water system.
TIP:
- Make a list of the headings in this Blog and include subheadings for Utilities.
- Consider what you want and what you already know about how to set yourself up.
- Search the Aussie Tiny Houses Blog for the answers you need and Contact Us for more.
Daily expenses
Van life is a day to day kind of existence. With little storage space for food and often on the move, it’s tricky to store food, water, gas and maintain a consistent internet connection. This suits people who love the variety.
A Tiny House has the advantage of setting up for a week’s food, having a pantry full of dried goods, tapping into your landlord’s internet or electricity and having larger gas bottles to spread living costs over time. The little and often maintenance of a van adds up and can preoccupy you, taking some of the enjoyment away from life on the road.
Amy and Greg share their daily living costs from downsizing their family home to a Tiny House. They’ve lived in their Tiny House for over a year now and breakdown how Tiny living has reduced their expenses and brought relief.
Amy and Greg’s general monthly expenses for standard house living vs. Tiny House living:
| Expenses | Standard House | Tiny House |
| Rent | $1,500 | $360 |
| Electricity | $285 | $40 |
| Gas | $0 | $10 |
| Internet | $80 | $30 |
| Water | $55 | $0 |
| Total per month | $1920 | $440 |
Location
Caravan parks and camping grounds offer some great locations for vans in Australia. Many van lifers park for free, although illegally, in car parks with a view of the sunrise or even hiding out in the suburbs! The mobility of a van can be a draw card for some people and a put off for others!
Where to park a Tiny House? Most of our Tiny House clients rent a block of land from family or friends for a nominal amount. While some have found land by putting out flyers in the local area. A Tiny House needs to be parked on firm, level ground. Tow truck access to the exact location is ideal.
Sustainability
Most campervans are built out of mass-produced material and may produce outgassing from carpets and paints. Repurposing a van by fitting it out yourself from recycled materials is a more environmentally friendly work around. Driving a van around is no more sustainable than any vehicle and a heavy campervan demands a lot of fuel. If insulated and air vented properly, a van can be a cozy Winter haven or a cool Summer place, requiring minimal heating and cooling.
Tiny House living offers a more sustainable option. At Aussie Tiny Houses we build your home from materials with a low footprint and premium wool insulation. Most of our clients choose a combination of off the grid water and power supply options for sustainability that helps the planet and their budget. Living Tiny means less energy is needed for heating and cooling and less stuff!
Comfort
Van lifers sometimes have larger campervans with a portaloo or shower but often you’ll see them visit local gyms, pools or caravan parks for showers. Continuously seeking internet coverage, filling a water tank, emptying the waste each day and making sure there’s enough food stored can preoccupy the day. Full time living in a van is not practical yet some people choose van life for reasons other than practicality and that makes them happy.
Our Tiny Houses are designed as comfortable, full time homes. However it is a Tiny space and minimalist living with a less is more attitude is required. Living Tiny provides freedom and simplicity, which brings a whole new level of comfort.
Knowing what you want in terms of mobility, budget and location make it easier to choose between a Tiny House or van life to create your comfortable, sustainable lifestyle.
If a Tiny House lifestyle is for you, speak to one of our consultants who’ll help make your dream a reality.
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