A photographer from Newcastle who endured a breakdown over her 'miserable' 9-to-5 job has abandoned the UK rental market to live in a converted van with her dog, keeping her monthly bills to just £670. Nicole Keefe, 28, had moved between 18 different houses throughout her life before finally embracing a mobile lifestyle that she says has transformed her mental health and finances.
From conventional path to van life
Nicole's childhood was marked by constant relocations 'due to situations out of my control,' she explained. The idea of living in a van had always intrigued her, but she initially followed a more traditional route, attending Coventry University from 2016 to 2020 and earning a degree in fashion. After graduating, she worked full-time as a photographer in a fashion studio in Washington, Tyne and Wear, yet still found herself unable to afford a home of her own.
In September 2023, Nicole suffered a breakdown after growing to hate her job. Less than 12 hours later, her car was written off after someone crashed into the back of it. Just a few weeks afterward, she purchased a converted Ford Transit on Facebook Marketplace for around £8,500 and moved out of her rented home with her beagle-petit griffon Vendeen cross, McCartney.
Adapting to a new lifestyle
While continuing to work her 9-to-5 job, Nicole lived in the van, parking in a nearby car park during the week and exploring the UK on weekends. She spent nine months in this arrangement before quitting her job in June 2024 to take a campsite role in Dorset. Since then, she has gone freelance as a photographer, content creator for businesses, and social media manager, travelling across the country from Scotland to North Wales.
'People question how I can afford this way of life,' Nicole told PA Real Life. 'I always think: I'm sleeping on the side of the road, showering in public showers, using a compostable toilet and you want to know how I can afford this when you have a house, car – it's quite funny really!'
She added: 'People online have called me a benefit scrounger and lazy, even though I've never claimed benefits a day in my life… I certainly haven't used them to fund my lifestyle. I just think misconceptions are all over the place, it's just a different way of living.'
Renovating the van on a budget
Nicole's van originally came with a kitchen area, sink, bed, and solar panels. She added a fridge, gas camping hob, air fryer, and a new mattress, then personalised the space with leopard print and other decorations over time. Her monthly expenses include £250 on van repayments, £30 on a gym membership for shower access, £60 on a phone contract with unlimited data, £30 on vehicle tax, and £150 on food. Fuel costs have risen, with a full tank now costing around £150, up from £100.
Mental health improvements and daily routine
Initially, Nicole struggled with limited human interaction and hated her own company, but gradually she became more content and her mental health improved. 'I have no idea what life would've been like if that crash hadn't happened, but I don't even want to know. It put me on the path for the best years of our lives,' she said.
She maintains a routine of watching the sunrise, having coffee, and walking her dog each morning. One of her favourite aspects of van life is that every day 'can be wildly different,' from swimming in the sea to exploring mountains.
Challenges and future plans
In March this year, Nicole's van broke down after the engine nearly exploded due to a broken oil seal, costing £2,000 in repairs and forcing her to stay in hotels. Despite this, she feels 'very safe' spending most nights in car parks and roadside spots.
Looking ahead, Nicole cannot see herself giving up van life anytime soon. 'There has never once been a moment in these two-and-a-half years where I've thought 'I can't do this anymore'… There's never anywhere I'd rather be,' she explained.
Her social media following has grown under the handle @TheVanClub_, with more than 7,500 followers on TikTok and 4,800 on Instagram. She has been 'constantly on the move,' usually staying in roughly the same area for a month at a time, with highlights including the south coast and South Wales.
