Living Off-Grid and Thriving: Katarina’s Year of Vanlife, Community, and Rescue Dogs

Meet Katarina, a spirited adventurer from Grimsby, Ontario 🇨🇦, whose path to freedom began with a love for the open road and a DIY van build in the forest. Inspired by her sister and a community of like-minded travellers, Katarina’s journey has taken her from Canada to Baja, Mexico, rescuing dogs, connecting with fellow vanlifers, and living off-grid along the way—this is Katarina’s Vanlife Voice.

From Grimsby, Canada to the Open Road

Hi, I'm Katarina! I’m from a small town in Ontario, Canada, called Grimsby, which sits between Niagara Falls and Toronto. My vanlife journey started last May when I bought my van, but I feel like I’ve been on the road since I started building it. I was living in the forest at the time, so technically, I was on the road even during the van conversion. 

What initially inspired me? It was all thanks to my sister, who’s been living in her van on and off for six years. We took a couple of trips together, and those experiences changed everything for me. The first trip was a horseback ride across Canada, where we split our time between the saddle and sleeping in her van. The second was a more traditional road trip, driving from Toronto down to Joshua Tree and back along the coast. We attended a van gathering along the way, and I met this community of vanlifers who were so happy, free, and kind—it felt like I found my people. That was it for me. I knew I had to save up for my own van and hit the road.

Building a Van in The Forest 😱

My van is a 1979 Ford Econoline, which originally had a camper build. When I first bought it, I planned to live with the existing setup, but I just couldn’t get comfortable. It didn’t feel right, and I suspected there might be mould, so I made the decision to gut it. 

The conversion process was a real adventure. My partner at the time, a handyman with his own van, helped me get started. He encouraged me to build it out in the forest rather than in a driveway, which seemed like an exciting challenge. So, we did it on public land. 

I had never used power tools before, but he taught me the basics, especially when it came to the electrical and plumbing systems. But I was very hands-on, spearheading most of the design and build with his support. It took about four months to build out the van, two while travelling, and two months of grinding all day every day in the forest. It was an extremely challenging project, and while I found joy in the process, it's not something I'd recommend to others.

Katarina’s Daily Vanlife & Adventures

After the van was finished, I officially moved in last November. Since then, one of my most memorable trips has been driving down to Baja, Mexico, earlier this year. I was there from February to mid-May, and it was an incredible experience. One of the highlights was rescuing four dogs with the help of some friends. I hadn’t planned on rescuing any more dogs—I had just adopted my own a few months earlier—but there were so many animals in need. We were able to find homes for all of them, and now I get to see their happy lives on Instagram, which makes my heart so full.

A typical day in the van can vary a lot. I’m off-grid and self-sufficient, thanks to my solar setup. I recently installed a diesel heater, which has been a game-changer as the temperatures drop. I cook in the van using a stove, but I don’t have a shower installed. When I need to clean up, I either use a friend’s rig, a gym membership, or a rock climbing gym—there are always options.

The Electrical Setup: Simple Yet Sufficient

When I was designing my van’s electrical system, I knew I wanted plenty of power. I initially planned to install 400 watts of solar, but the panels I bought ended up being too big. So, I scaled back to 200 watts, paired with a 200 amp-hour lithium battery and a Renogy inverter. Even with that, I’ve never run into power issues, thanks to staying in sunny climates. I use Starlink for internet, and I can run my lights, water, and fridge (which I’ve switched to propane for efficiency) without a problem. 

I had help with the electrical setup, but it’s much simpler than I initially thought. My advice to anyone setting up a system is to know what you want to power and design your system around that. And always leave room to adapt or expand—adding more solar panels or batteries later is an option.

Vanlife Tips and Hacks: Community and Cost-Saving Strategies

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of community. In the vanlife world, making friends is crucial. There’s always someone who can help when you need it. Just the other day, my exhaust pipe detached, and within a day, I had a friend who knew someone who could weld it for a great price. The vanlife community is full of people who are willing to lend a hand, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

As for cost-saving tips, I’ve learned how to stretch a dollar. I rarely eat out and don’t drink alcohol, which saves me a lot of money. Cooking my own meals is a huge part of my budget strategy—eating out can easily add up to $30 a day, which I prefer to put towards fuel or other essentials. Another big tip is to avoid unnecessary spending. You don’t need the latest gear to enjoy the lifestyle. Prioritise adventure and experiences over things, and you’ll find that vanlife can be very affordable.

Katarina’s Advice to Future Vanlifers: “Just Do It!”

If you’re thinking about vanlife, my advice is simple: just do it. What do you have to lose? If you’re building out your van, take it one step at a time. The process can be overwhelming, but if you break it down and focus on each task, you’ll get through it. You don’t have to know everything from the start. Be humble, be open to learning, and trust that you’ll figure things out as you go.

 As for the future, I’m still figuring out where I’ll spend this winter. I’m not a fan of cold weather, so I’m considering heading to the Cayman Islands for the season. It’ll mean parking my van, which makes me sad because I’m so attached to it, but I know it’s not forever if I do go. I don’t see myself ever selling my van—I’ve put so much love and effort into it that it feels like an extension of me. If I do upgrade, it’ll be for a bus, especially if I’m looking to start a family one day.

Connect with Katarina 🙌

I’m most active on Instagram at @katarinakeca, and I’m starting to dive into YouTube (@katarinakeca) under the same name. I’ve been putting off YouTube for a while, but I’m finally working on some videos. So stay tuned for more content, and maybe you’ll see some festival footage soon!