When you live on the road full-time, a lot of things change. For bachelors and bachelorettes, one of these things is dating. For those who have not started their life on the road yet, it’s easy to assume that dating becomes more difficult because you move from place to place and people may not like the way you live. However, those with experience have a few stories of their own that may give an insight into what dating on the road is actually like.
How does living in a van change your dating life? Dating on the road is relatively easier when it comes to finding people online who are interested in you. Today, people find a life on the road a unique aspect of a person. However, when it gets more serious, your life on the road may be more of a con than a pro.
Definitely, when it comes to van life dating, there are a lot of things to consider. For example, you’ll have to deal with the fact that the person you like may live in a house. Or, when things get serious, you’ll have to talk about the idea of having your partner travel with you permanently. Thus, there really are both pros and cons with the way dating can either become easier or more difficult on the road. So, if you want to get to the bottom of van life dating, continue reading.
A Guide to Van Life Dating
The Pros to Dating on the Road
Your Life on the Road Helps You Find People You’ll Get Along With
Perhaps, the first pro to dating on the road has something to do with love in modern times. Today, people are more open-minded and view those who live on the road as unique and resourceful individuals who ought to be respected. Since you live a life not experienced by many, you are someone interesting and even maybe someone they can learn a thing or two from.
Those with experience on the road share that, of course, there are some people who respond negatively when they discover that you live on the road. However, this is still a pro because, then and there, you can already tell who you’ll hit it off with. Definitely, this is not the only factor that affects how a relationship can work but it definitely helps you see whether or not you share the same principles and way of thinking with the person you’re interested in.
Your Life on the Road Gives You a Lot to Talk About
This pro is basically one of the main reasons why people on the road say that their dating life improved when they began living in a van. The perfect example would be the common experience all their anecdotes point to – online dating. On their profiles, they usually introduce themselves by sharing that they live on the road. As mentioned above, this does not only filter out those who dislike your way of living, but it makes you a lot interesting to people who do appreciate your free and independent set up.
On top of that, you’ll find that people usually want to talk a lot about it. With your vast experiences on the road, it’ll sure be a long way to go before you run out of things to talk about. Also, this makes it easier for you to get to know other people as they will feel more comfortable communicating with an open person.
You Can Go on Outdoor or Road Trip Dates
Van life dating also creates a lot of opportunities to make memorable memories with the person you’re seeing. Since you have a lot of experience with outdoor activities, you can plan the kind of dates they haven’t gone on before. Staying overnight in the mountains, going on hikes, and even just stargazing can be exciting to people who are not used to being outside. A road trip to nearby attractions can also be an enjoyable experience, especially if both of you are visiting the place for the first time.
The Cons to Dating on the Road
You May Have a Difficult Time Finding Long-term Relationships
Because you live on the road, people don’t usually see you as a potential partner in long-term relationships. When people hear about your life, of course, they are interested in how fun and freeing it can be. However, what comes with your exciting life is the thought that you might not be ready to commit to someone. So, even if people today are more open to relationships with those living the #vanlife, these relationships might not exactly be long-term.
Some people, although interested, may not want to take a chance getting to know someone they think would prefer hitting the road more than settling down.
The Deeper Your Relationship Gets, The Harder it is to Fit With Your Lifestyle
In connection to the previous con, when you do get into a relationship with someone, you will have to face the reality that something might need to change when the relationship gets more serious. For example, you may have to choose between your partner or the van life. Or, in another instance, your partner may choose to travel with you permanently. Either way, a choice needs to be made and so, you have to prepare yourself for when that day comes. Consequently, when you have the talk, it can either start a new chapter in your relationship or become the end of it.
You Will Have to Face Questions About the Future.
In contrast to the spontaneous life you may want to live, when you date on the road, it is inevitable that you face questions about the future. Much like the living arrangements mentioned above, your partner may want to know what you have in mind for the future. This may include whether or not you’re living in a van permanently, whether or not you’re planning on settling down, and whether or not you’re willing to give up the flexibility and cost savings that come with living in a van.
Other Considerations to Dating on the Road
Your Partner May Live in a House
This is one of the special circumstances that you have to deal with because you’re living on the road. For some, it is completely fine to have their partners visit when it’s convenient. However, those living the #vanlife share that, on their end, it may be uncomfortable. This is because, when you don’t have your own typical house with a shower and a kitchen, you’ll feel like you have the responsibility to make your partner feel like they’re not being taken advantage of.
Thus, in your own way, you may have to also create your own arrangements so that both you and your partner feel secure in the relationship. You may not want to feel like you’re being too dependent on someone else and so, you have to find ways to be self-sufficient (as you were before the relationship). More importantly, you don’t want to invade your partner’s personal space and send them the wrong idea about moving in.
Your Partner May Decide to Live With You in the Van
When you live in the van with your partner, you have to confront things about your relationship that you haven’t discussed before. More importantly, both of you need to be really mature, especially when you will have to share a small space. What other couples do is set expectations for how your life in the van will work.
For example, you have to go over simple things like what will both of you do when you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed. Establishing routines like the ones you do before you go on a drive is also important to ensure that, most of the time, you’re going to be on the same page and that both of you are satisfied and happy with your life in the van.
If You Meet People on the Road, You Have to Deal With the Unique Circumstances Too
When you’re on the road, you can easily participate in outdoor activities like rock climbing and camping. Of course, since these activities are done in groups, this is also the perfect opportunity to meet other people. However, it might be this same close proximity to other people that might make it hard to start your relationship with a love interest.
Simply said, romantic encounters are hard because, as a group, you do everything together from climbing to eating to sleeping next to each other. On top of that, since everything is kept close by for security reasons, you can’t go in the van either because everybody is going to know. So, it might really be awkward to start things, especially that there is not much privacy.
Conclusion
All in all, love on the road is not an impossible thing altogether. Certainly, there are things that change, like how you meet a person and how you keep your relationship with that same person. Consequently, you have to deal with creating arrangements that work for you and your partner so that both of you are happy in the relationship. True enough, things can get complicated when you move from place to place, and when you come to the point that choices have to be made. Despite these complications, however, what’s important is that you know that living on the road doesn’t close the doors to dating. Definitely, van life dating is just as exciting and unpredictable as dating off the road.
