Bristol - the Suspension Bridge, Massive Attack and vans...
Bristol – a city synonymous with the Suspension Bridge, Massive Attack and Banksy. But is it better known these days as a city with an army of van dwellers?
There are apparently 68 official van dwellers living in the city, with the majority said to be under the age of 35. They’re able to choose a four-wheeled home because as long as their van has an MOT and is taxed, the authorities can’t demand that it moves.
But there are some people who aren’t that happy with the new homes in the city – there has been name calling, heated meetings and one women even reported going back to her van to find somebody with a knife.
It’s a far cry from the glamorous #vanlife lifestyle which is projected by Instagram photos of attractive couples choosing to live an alternative lifestyle, leaving the responsibilities of conventional life behind in order to see the world.
Van dwelling in Bristol seems to be less of a choice and more of a response to the cost of living in the city – not unlike the situation in London where more than 10,000 people now live on boats as they can’t or don’t want to pay for the sky-high prices of renting.
Costs of living in Bristol aren’t quite as high as London but are substantially more than in many other cities. And much like London, it’s a city with a thriving creative community that attracts people.
And for some, living in a van seems to not only offer a great financial solution, but a social one too, with many saying that they enjoy living on four wheels. This video of a young man who has spent a few months living in a van in Bristol explains how it’s been for him.
Wonder if this is a trend that we’ll see more of in other cities soon...
There are apparently 68 official van dwellers living in the city, with the majority said to be under the age of 35. They’re able to choose a four-wheeled home because as long as their van has an MOT and is taxed, the authorities can’t demand that it moves.
But there are some people who aren’t that happy with the new homes in the city – there has been name calling, heated meetings and one women even reported going back to her van to find somebody with a knife.
It’s a far cry from the glamorous #vanlife lifestyle which is projected by Instagram photos of attractive couples choosing to live an alternative lifestyle, leaving the responsibilities of conventional life behind in order to see the world.
Van dwelling in Bristol seems to be less of a choice and more of a response to the cost of living in the city – not unlike the situation in London where more than 10,000 people now live on boats as they can’t or don’t want to pay for the sky-high prices of renting.
Costs of living in Bristol aren’t quite as high as London but are substantially more than in many other cities. And much like London, it’s a city with a thriving creative community that attracts people.
And for some, living in a van seems to not only offer a great financial solution, but a social one too, with many saying that they enjoy living on four wheels. This video of a young man who has spent a few months living in a van in Bristol explains how it’s been for him.
Wonder if this is a trend that we’ll see more of in other cities soon...
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