The idea of breaking free from the constraints of a conventional lifestyle, with its high costs and rigid structures, has led a growing number of people to downsize and opt for a life on the road in tiny or mobile homes.
One such individual is Claire, a 64-year-old Australian woman who, after a moment of realization, decided she no longer needed the trappings of a large house.
Claire, an artist by profession, found herself in a predicament familiar to many.
She owned a house and was saddled with a mortgage, but her income was not substantial.
She pondered, “What if I could own something small, beautiful, and mortgage-free? Wouldn’t that be better than having a large house with empty rooms and a mortgage hanging over my head?”
With this thought, she sold her house, bought an empty van, and embarked on a journey to transform it into her new abode.
Creating her dream mobile home was not an overnight process.
Claire devoted a year to research, studying various tiny house and van designs, and picking elements from each that resonated with her.
She meticulously designed her new home, paying attention to every detail.
“I designed it down to the millimeter,” she shared with the YouTube show “Home on the Road.”
After finalizing her design, Claire sought out a builder who could bring her vision to life.
She found Roaming Wild Campers, a company specializing in campervan conversions based in Mudgee, Australia.
They worked together to convert her van, a 2016 Fiat Ducato Maxi turbo diesel, into a cozy, functional home on wheels.
The vehicle cost her $26,000, and the conversion added another $45,000 to the bill.
Claire affectionately refers to her new home as her “mouse house.”
Despite its compact size, the van is equipped with all the necessities for a comfortable life.
It features a desk, kitchen, pantry, bedroom, bathroom, refrigerator, and ample storage space.
The van is also well-insulated, with double insulation on the ceiling, floor, and walls.
“My kitchen is full of spices because I love to cook,” Claire shared, highlighting her love for culinary adventures.
The van is equipped with a hot water system, a three-burner stove, an oven, and cupboards for storing food, dishes, pans, silverware, and tools.
Water is supplied from a 70-liter fresh-water tank located under the van, and there’s also a 70-liter gray water tank.
Claire lives off-grid in her van, powered by solar energy and a 200 amp-powered lithium battery.
To ensure she had everything she needed in her new home, Claire made a list of her daily activities.
“I thought about what I did and what I really liked doing and what I would miss if I didn’t have,” she explained.
This led to the inclusion of a small office space complete with a desk, computer, and drawers.
The van also features a kitchen counter that folds up to reveal a bathroom equipped with a toilet and a temporary shower curtain.
The pump for the bathroom water is located under the bed.
There’s a sitting area next to the bed, a table that pulls out from under the bed for meals, and a fridge under the sitting area.
The bed is a single bed with a skylight above it that opens up completely.
LP gas storage is located at the back of the van under the bed.
Living in a van requires careful resource management.
Claire explained, “Living intentionally is a big part of it. You know how much water you have on board, so you’re water conscious. You know how much sunlight’s been on the solarpanels, so you know how much energy you’ve got.”
However, she admits there is one downside to her lifestyle. “The only downside is when it rains a lot.”
Claire is a testament to the power of intentional living and the freedom that comes with breaking away from societal norms.
Her journey to create her dream home on wheels is an inspiration to those who yearn for a life less ordinary.
As she travels the open road in her “mouse house,” Claire embodies the spirit of independence and adventure, proving that sometimes, less truly is more.
See her incredible home in the video below!
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