Hi everyone! My name is Lear, and I’m talking to you from beautiful Sedona, Arizona. I’m really excited to show you my van, which I call my “van yacht.”
Before I moved into the van, I lived in Phoenix, Arizona, working as a freelance photographer. I wasn’t completely happy with the work I was doing back then. It didn’t feel true to who I am. But now, living in the van has changed that.
I downsized to a self-converted Sprinter van so I could live and work anywhere. This change has allowed me to spend more time outdoors and focus on photography that supports my love for nature and outdoor activities. I also get to work with brands that really fit with my interests.
I’ve owned the van for two years and have been living in it full-time for about 18 months. I bought a new 4×4 Sprinter van for $53,000, which was a great deal.
Talking about upgrades, I’ve added things like a new suspension, wheels, tires, a roof rack, and lights, which cost another five to seven thousand dollars. The cost of building out the inside of the van was about eight or nine thousand dollars.
I decided to get a Sprinter van and build it out myself mainly for storing my bikes and other gear. I’ve been into biking since I was six, everything from BMX to motocross to mountain biking. Mountain biking is my biggest passion, along with photography.
I used to go from race to race and always noticed people with vans. They could easily store all their bikes and gear inside and were set for the weekend. Living in a van has made it so much easier for me. Now, I can wake up right where I need to be, which saves time, money, and gas.
Before, I would pack up all my gear at home, drive to the location for the weekend, unpack, do the event, pack up again, and drive home. Now, living in the van lets me do everything in one place. It’s more about living out of the van than living in it.
You can follow my van life and photography adventures on Instagram:
- Lear Miller’s Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/van_yacht/
- Van Yacht Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/learmiller/
