I live full-time in a bright red van – I built it all using just two tools… but I’d still rather be living in a house
A WOMAN who lives in a van she built using just two tools said she would rather be in a house.
Shannon even named her Transit van Clifford and beds down there every night.
She said she tries to park up somewhere nice but admitted it was not always possible.
She has a few fake locks on the door to try and deter crooks, and has an alarm inside the van.
She bought the van for around £3,000 and spent another £4,000 on building it out.
Clifford features a kitchen with running water, fridge and a camping stove.
And Shannon has a nice double bed to climb into at the end of the day.
She started thinking about living in a van due to the amount of time she spent working away from home.
The wedding snapper bought a VW Caddy van and spent a summer living in it.
After the trial run in the Caddy she bought the Transit , which she kitted out with a jigsaw and a hammer.
Shannon said that she was determined to keep the van simple and not to spend too much money.
She said: “Some people spend £30,000 on kitting out their van. If I was going to spend that sort of money it would be on a house.”
Shannon said that her home was economy driven. She added: “I have solar panels and get my water for free.”
She said most people asked her if she “ever got lonely” which she found amusing.
Shannon said: “Living in a van makes you appreciate the outdoors more.”
But the young photographer added that she did miss the comforts associated with a home of her own.
Liam Day, 38, currently lives full-time with wife Janine, 41, in a van named ‘Morgan’, which they use to drive around the UK and park overnight in campsites.
The pair run YouTube channel @ThoseHappyDays in which they document their travels in the Citroen Relay Luton, which cost £15,000.
They have spoken before about the costs of running the vehicle, which replaced their first van, a Transit.
Liam said diesel costs £2 a litre, with a full tank – which they use every week – costing around £150.
While a diesel heater costs £15 per week, and parking in a campsite can cost up to £25 a night, and £20 a week on road tax and insurance – not to mention the groceries and other essentials they need.