With the average rent in London now more than £1,500 a month, most people living and working in the capital can’t afford to do much apart from pay the rent and bills. It’s an impossible situation for younger people on lower income – they want to have a life and save for the future, but a lack of disposable income makes this task impossible. One young man has found a clever solution to the problem, but as he freely admits, his lifestyle choice is not for everyone.
Life in a Van
Alex Hill, a 24 year old IT worker, is saving hundreds of pounds a month living in his van. He has kitted it out with a sleeping compartment, comfortable flooring and extra insulation. He also has a solar powered generator so he can run a heater and have light.
Alex is free to move around London to be near his friends and he doesn’t have to worry about rising rent costs. When he needs a shower, he has one at work, and the only disadvantage is that he has to be careful not to have a drink after 7pm because he doesn’t have access to a toilet.
It’s Legal!
Alex says it was never his intention to live in the van, but he gave up his flat to go to Europe for the summer and then never bothered looking for another one. It’s perfectly legal to live in a van and parking isn’t an issue in the areas where he stays.
Would you do this? Let us know in the comments!
