It has been 5 weeks and 10 hours and two minutes since I moved out of my van, but who’s counting? The only reason I chose to move into an apartment was to increase my chances of surviving a winter living in Alaska, which seems like a logical excuse anyway. Those that learn that I have moved into a sticks-and-bricks apartment after living in a van for two years assume that I would be happy about the change, but they would be wrong. The first thing my new neighbor asked me was which place did I prefer, my apartment or my van. When I replied, “My van,” his response was, “Million Dollar Views, right?” Yep!

In my mind, The Goldbug (my van) is still my home, and I continue to take long drives in it (well, as long as a town with only 5 roads that connect to nowhere else due to being bordered by glaciers and oceans permits). Even while in this remote Alaskan town, I continue to spend hours parked next to yet another million dollar view. It seems only my cat, Zander, has forgotten that he is a van cat and has resorted to voicing his concern about the mobile earthquakes I have been forcing him to endure to get to his favorite hikes through the forest. At least he seems to have adjusted to the wild Alaskan landscape and will brave the 35 degree Fahrenheit temperatures and frosted trails to explore the moss-covered wonderland devoid of most people and animals.

Anyone who has ever lived the life of freedom a van provides understands that it isn’t a lifestyle easily forsaken. Knowing that my escape to endless adventure and solitude is parked just outside my door, gives me immense relief. Currently when I need to lesson plan or grade papers, The Goldbug is my mobile office away from distractions. Whenever I want to view the snowscape the colder temperatures are creating up on the mountaintops while the foliage below still shows signs of autumn with all the many colors still showing on the leaves and frozen grasses, I can spend hours taking in the beauty in my heated van fully loaded with snacks and a microwave to heat up my dinner. Even my Starlink connection in the van is stronger than the one I share with my apartment building.

Now I don’t want to appear ungrateful for the warmth and stability of my new ocean-view apartment. The fact that the walls don’t reverberate with the passing 45 mph winds in the apartment and my bed doesn’t sway with the gusts is a super bonus these days. Also, it isn’t lost on me that if I were in my van in Alaska right now, my doors wouldn’t be the only thing sticking with the falling temperatures; any liquids in the van including those in the pipes would be unmovable (luckily the van is winterized now). VanZanderCat’s constant purring while in the luxurious comfort of an apartment filled with carpet, rugs, and high cabinets has been the true indicator of the move’s success.

However, come spring when my lease is up and my move back into full-time van life is possible, I will be quite the happy camper. Already I have begun planning where I might take The Goldbug and Zander to explore even more expensive views, and this time with friends whom I met at my one and only van summit, VanStock Alaska, in July 2025. For anyone considering van life, I highly recommend it, but each van should come with a warning label informing anyone that succumbs to the temptation of van life might become addicted and the freedom it inspires is contagious.