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£13k van with bed, kitchen, shower, and solar power
At 24, Jess Hill sold her £125k house after struggling to maintain the mortgage and monthly bills on her own. The young woman bought a Citroën Relay van for £13k and invested another £6k in transforming the vehicle, where she plans to live, work, and travel full-time. This case was reported by The Sun last year and attracted a lot of attention.
Van life replaces three-bedroom house
Recently graduated from the University of Salford, Jess lived in a three-bedroom house and paid a monthly mortgage of £425.
Even considering the relatively low amount, she claims she couldn’t manage the expenses alone after separating from her partner.
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The household bills consumed almost her entire salary, leaving the young woman without disposable income. Faced with difficulties, she put the property up for sale and temporarily moved back to her parents’ house in Wigan while preparing her new home.
The decision was also influenced by her professional routine. Jess worked in a corporate job and faced a daily three-hour commute, considering the round trips to the office.
According to her, an hour and a half between work and her home reduced the time available for personal activities.
The combination of high bills, lack of free money, and exhausting commutes made Jess abandon the conventional 9-to-5 work model.
£13k Van with Bed, Kitchen, Shower, and Solar Power
Jess paid £13k for a spacious Citroën Relay. By the time of the news publication, another £6k had been spent on renovations and the installation of necessary equipment to transform the vehicle into a home on wheels.
The project includes a bed, kitchen, shower, and storage areas. The van also features solar panels, responsible for generating part of the electricity that will be used during the trips.
Part of the transformation costs was reduced because Jess already has experience in construction. She completed an apprenticeship diploma in the field during her time in Salford and previously worked as a building inspector for a company in Manchester.
The young woman estimates that her main expenses will be insurance, fuel, and food. The insurance costs approximately £80 per month, while the amount spent on gasoline may vary depending on the distance traveled.
Jess explains that she can reduce trips in months when she has less money. The intention is to keep costs low and save part of the income for the future or for a possible return to a fixed residence.
Plans Include Quitting Job and Traveling Across the UK
With the money saved after selling the house and the expected reduction in expenses, Jess believes she can quit her job and dedicate more time to traveling.
Initially, she intends to travel across the UK. Hiking, canoeing, and swimming in rivers and lakes are among the activities she wants to do more frequently.
The young woman states that living near cities and working regular hours limited these experiences. Places like Lake District and Peak District were difficult to visit after a day of work because of the time spent on transportation.
After exploring the UK, Jess plans to drive the van through different countries in Europe. Montenegro, Austria, and Bosnia are among the planned destinations, along with other places she hopes to discover along the way.
Social Media Could Fund the New Routine
Since she had the idea of adopting van life, inspired by people she followed on the internet, Jess began to document the renovation and her plans on Instagram and TikTok.
The process is already followed by thousands of followers. She hopes to turn content creation into a source of income and, in the future, work as a full-time creator while documenting her travels.
Jess also considers using her experience in construction and renovating her own vehicle to help other people set up their vans. This work could generate additional income during life on the road.
For the young woman, the change represents a way to simplify her routine, reduce monthly costs, and have more freedom to enjoy outdoor activities. Her priority is to maintain only essential expenses and adapt the trips to the money available each month.
This article was prepared based on information from the Manchester Evening News and the provided material, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted content.
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