Vanlife with Luci: A Journey of Freedom, Community, and Adventure

Meet Lucinda, better known as "vanlifewithLuci"—catch Luci’s deets at the end of the article 😉. Hailing from Birmingham, UK, Luci now calls her short-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter van conversion home. Over the past 18 months, Luci has embraced a nomadic lifestyle, traveling across Europe and redefining what freedom looks like. Today, she’s here to share how vanlife has transformed her world—this is Luci’s Vanlife Voice…

Finding My Freedom On Four Wheels

The decision to live in a van came from a deep desire for freedom—freedom to travel, save money, and escape the relentless grind of working full-time but never quite making dreams come true. As a professional woman in her 30s, the idea of working 50-hour weeks without affording a mortgage and holidays felt disheartening.

Vanlife gave me an alternative—a way to find financial freedom and also the freedom to travel while working full-time. Now, 18 months later, I’m living the dream and currently soaking up the sun in Portugal for a few months.

My Cosy Compact Home: A Short-Wheelbase Sprinter

My entire life’s possessions can now be found in this 5 meter space. I chose to convert an ex-DPD delivery van, because of its mileage and size. 

I wanted something compact, easy to drive, and user-friendly in cities, so this van was the perfect fit. It even fits into regular parking spaces. My only challenge now is avoiding height barriers! Over time, I’ve invested in making it road-trip ready, replacing the clutch and flywheel and spending around £2,000 to £3,000 on engine modifications. I service it every 10,000 miles, and it’s now as smooth as any newer vehicle.

The DIY Conversion: A Nine-Month Labor of Love

I converted the van entirely by myself. I researched on YouTube, made Pinterest boards for aesthetics, and spent hours learning about plumbing systems, showers, and this best type of toilet to buy as I wanted a fully off grid van that wouldn’t need to have regular campsites, or services with chores like emptying a chemical loo. 

The conversion took a lot longer than I expected. I thought I’d finish in three months, but it ended up being nine, and it was mentally exhausting. I lived in the van during the process, which made it even harder. There were plenty of challenges—like sourcing parts from wholesalers when I didn’t even know the exact terminology! Or sleeping in Scotland in the freezing cold without a heater or insulation. 

Despite everything, I love that I know every nut and bolt in my van. I recently had a leak in my shower, and because I installed the plumbing myself, I was able to fix it in a car park in Portugal. That sense of independence is priceless.

Learning to love woodworking

I’ve learned to love woodworking. There’s room for creativity and some margin for error, which is comforting. I built my cabinets, my fixed bed that extends into a double, and wanted to create clever multifunctional spaces.

For example, my desk transforms into a dining area, and I have a captain’s chair that rotates to create a cozy dining setup for two if I have a guest. These little adjustments make the van truly comfortable and functional as a living and working space.

Life on the Road: Balancing Work and Adventure

These days, I work full-time as a marketing executive, balancing my 9-to-5 job with the slower pace of vanlife. Simple tasks like making tea or finding a cup take longer in the van, but I’ve learned to embrace the rhythm of a more intentional lifestyle. I typically stay in one place for a week at a time, allowing me to focus on work while enjoying my surroundings.

When I’m not working, I’m out exploring—mountain biking, paddleboarding on lakes, or hunting for fossils. I’m a lifelong learner, drawn to history, geology, and culture, so my travels often include visits to forts, museums, and natural landmarks as I love to be outside.

A Self-Made Electrical System

Creating my van’s electrical system was an intimidating but rewarding process. With help from a wiring schematic from a professional, I installed a split-charge system, two gel batteries, an inverter for 240-volt appliances, and 750 watts of solar panels. The system powers everything from my laptop to a Starlink satellite for internet, enabling me to work remotely from anywhere—even the top of a mountain in Portugal.

Maintaining the system has taught me valuable problem-solving skills. I always carry spare cables, fuses, and tools like crimpers and a voltage meter, which have been lifesavers when dealing with inevitable hiccups like broken night heaters or loose connections.

Greece Adventures: Warthogs, Wild Landscapes, and Hidden Gems

One of my most memorable trips was a solo journey through Greece, Bosnia, and Albania. Despite the warnings about traveling alone as a woman in these areas, I found the experience incredibly rewarding. The diversity of Greece’s landscapes—from deserts to lagoons, endless mountain ranges reminiscent of Scotland in Meteora was particularly breathtaking. I even had an unexpected encounter with a wild warthog under my van added to the adventure!

The Heart of Vanlife: Community

While vanlife often appears solitary, the community is its greatest strength. Fellow vanlifers are invaluable sources of support and information, from sharing free water points to recommending scenic spots. Apps like Park4Night and iOverlander have helped me find free campsites and facilities, while social media has connected me to a wider network of nomads. My blog online also allows me to share my adventures and it makes me feel less alone as I take my followers virtually with me. 

Once, when my heater failed in Bosnia, a vanlifer I met online guided me through fixing it over a video call. Experiences like that make vanlife more than just a lifestyle—it’s a welcoming, inclusive community.

Tips for Aspiring Vanlifers

If you’re considering vanlife, my advice is simple: just start. The biggest barrier is often our own hesitation. Whether it’s tackling a DIY conversion or learning to navigate life on the road, you’ll find the journey is worth it. Plan for more time and budget than you think you’ll need, and lean on the vanlife community for advice and encouragement.

Once you’re on the road, stretching your budget becomes an essential skill—and fortunately, vanlife offers plenty of ways to live frugally without sacrificing comfort. Here are some of my favorite cost-saving tips:

• Use apps like Park4Night to find free park-ups and facilities, especially in Central Europe.
• For water, service stations and even graveyards often have free taps available for refills.
• Cheap showers? Community centers or swimming baths are a lifesaver—you can enjoy a swim and a hot shower for less than £3!
• Switch to water filters instead of buying bottled water. It’s not only budget-friendly but also reduces plastic waste.

Future Plans: Vanlife America Awaits

After spending the winter in Portugal and Spain, I’ll head back to the UK for some van renovations and family time. My next big adventure is exploring vanlife in the United States. I’m excited to visit the national parks and take iconic road trips like the Pacific Coast Highway.

I’ve been networking with American vanlifers who’ve given me great advice on road trips and buying a vehicle as a foreigner. I can’t wait to see how vanlife in the States compares to Europe!

Connect With Luci

If you’d like to follow my travels or connect with me, you can find me on social media under @vanlifewithluci. I also share free travel guides and tips on my website—vanlifewithluci.wordpress.com—which is purely a passion project. Whether you’re curious about vanlife or simply want to swap stories, I’d love to hear from you.

Let’s keep exploring, learning, and building this incredible community together!

Where to find Luci:

• Instagram
• YouTube
• Website