I tried van life and only lasted 2 months. Here are the 9 most disappointing parts of life on the road.

Petrina DarrahJul 23, 2022, 18:02 IST

I moved out of my apartment and into my van to explore the South Island.Petrina Darrah

I worked remotely from my van so that I could have the freedom to travel through New Zealand.
I found van life to be a lot more messy, chaotic, and inconvenient than it looks on social media.

I'm a New Zealander who grew to appreciate domestic travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

I was close to the mountains the entire time I lived in my van.Petrina Darrah

My van never looked as pristine.Petrina Darrah

My van wasn't ideal for getting work done.Petrina Darrah

I parked up in a freedom camp next to a public toilet.Petrina Darrah

Going to remote places was great, but entertainment options were limited.Petrina Darrah

Wi-Fi and mobile reception dictated my route more than scenic views.Petrina Darrah

The campgrounds I went to were mostly full of retirees.Petrina Darrah

Before I moved into my van, I spent four years living in an apartment with three roommates.Scott E Barbour/Getty Images

After growing antsy during New Zealand's numerous COVID-19 lockdowns, I decided to move into my van and explore the country.Petrina Darrah

I took a post-work sunset stroll on the West Coast of New Zealand.Petrina Darrah