Matt and Alix:

There is a glow that surrounds vanlifers. They emanate a radiance unique to those who are tuned into life’s greatest secrets, two of them being: less is more, and home is where you park it. Matt and Alix had this glow as they joined us for an interview from the dining area of their Noovo van. What began as a pipe dream for Alix, quickly became an exciting reality. Working a 9-5 desk job in Ohio, Matt needed to make a few changes before embracing the idea of life on the road. But with a little inspiration, research, and a chat with the Noovo team, the couple and their dog Mae Belle were finally free to roam.

The vanlife dream began when Alix watched the 2017 documentary Expedition Happiness, a vibrant story about a couple traveling North America in a converted school bus. (Sound familiar? Noovo founders also started in a bus!) The idea of a life unchained to a house mortgage or desk job was alluring to Alix. Matt, on the other hand, was slow to warm to the idea. Not only would he have to find a different job that would allow him to travel, but he also had space and safety concerns about living in a van.

“I wanted to be comfortable. I knew living in 75 square feet wouldn’t be as comfortable as a house. I wanted a shower, fridge, stove, and also needed a bed I could fully lay out in,” says Matt, who is 6’2”. The couple did not have much travel experience, and some of the unknowns also made them hesitant. “There was some fear and anxiety around where we would sleep every night. What are the safety precautions we need to take and how are we going to protect ourselves?,” Matt justifiably asked.

But as is often the case, experience is life’s greatest teacher. And when Covid struck it’s blow and Matt’s sales job became remote, they knew they had to seize the opportunity.

After considering building out a van and researching the ins and outs of what they wanted, they stumbled upon Noovo’s pre-built vans. With the high-roof, big bed, and all the desired appliances, they knew they’d found the right fit.

“When we saw their vans, it made the decision to buy a pre-built van much easier,” said Alex. “Aesthetically, they are crisp and fresh, with a Scandinavian feel, minimalist design, and amazing attention to detail with the cabinetry.” They loved the color palettes, the permanent bed that didn’t have to be folded up every morning, the big kitchen sink, and the ample storage space.

Other amenities they were excited to have were the 400w solar panels, AC and heat, the lithium battery system, and the 40-gallon freshwater tank. “It is so nice. We can stay out on BLM land for 2 weeks and not need to resupply water or power,” noted Matt.

Alix also pointed out the skylights for stargazing. “We can cover all the windows and feel safe but still be able to look up at the night sky.” She said that during the day and while traveling, the van windows made the space feel much more expansive rather than small and tight, making them feel more immersed in their environment.

Matt and Alix flew to Noovo Headquarters in Las Vegas to pick up their van, and took the inaugural trip back to Ohio. And so the adventure began!

“We were booking it there for a while. If we were not crazy about an area, we would see the main attractions and keep moving. But now we try to focus on staying in places we really love for at least a week or two,” said Matt. Matt works a sales job and Alix is a health coach and yoga instructor. After they get their work done for the day, they head out for hikes, dog walks, and bike rides.

That first year of exploring started with visiting family in Colorado and Montana. Then they headed down to Big Bend National Park in Texas and worked their way over to the Southeast. After heading up through the Northeast and Niagara Falls, it was finally time to head west!

“The West trumps the rest of the US,” laughed Alix. “Nothing compares to the opes spaces and camping options.” Instead of sleeping in Cracker Barrel parking lots on the East Coast, they now opened their doors to the forests and vistas of the Cascades, Mount Shasta, Joshua Tree, and the California coast.

Matt and Alix have visited friends all over the country, and have made many new ones along the way. They are excited to try and attend more vanlife gatherings this year and grow their community of other van dwellers. “It would be great to meet other people doing the same thing as us,” noted Alix. Everyone who lives in a van has a tip or trick to share!

Year-round vanlife doesn’t come without its challenges. “We’ve been in some sticky situations, been stuck, ran out of gas in middle of nowhere, and of course gotten flat tires,” said Matt. But as they have found, again and again, the world is filled with kind people willing to help.

“There have always been extremely generous people who go out of their way to help us,” noted Matt. “There’s a lot of division in the world, and we’ve met nothing but phenomenal, generous people. A complete stranger will always take time out of their day to bail us out, and we do the same for other people.” Once, after getting help with a flat, they encountered someone else just a few moments later who needed car help and they were immediately able to pay the kindness forward. “Vanlife has a funny way of connecting you to strangers,” said Matt.

They have never felt unsafe in their van. Their families often worry about them, but they feel safer camping out in the middle of nowhere than back home in a city suburb. Mae Belle, their pitbull, is also a great protector. “We’ve never once felt unsafe or in a dangerous area. You have be aware and smart, but we’ve never had a situation that we were actually scared,” said Matt.

Matt and Alix feel like they have plenty of space inside their van. Often if one of them is working or they need alone time, even just having one person on the bed and one at the table feels like enough space. “Sometimes I will go for a walk or run, but we never feel cramped in the van,” said Alix. Every once in a while they will book an AirBnb, and they now find it silly that there are so many different rooms in houses.

“When we are in an AirBnb, it’s always funny to have to walk to the kitchen, then walk to the bedroom, the living room… in the van everything you need is always within arms reach!” said Alix. Although they both agree that a dishwasher and bathtub is a welcomed luxury.

Before vanlife, Matt wanted “a massive house and a bunch of cars,” but now after almost two years on the road, he has realized how happy you can be with so little. “We’re always throwing stuff away and downsizing. There are necessities, and then there are unnecessary material objects. The truth is, you just don’t need much to be happy,” he smiled.

“It really is crazy how much stuff people accumulate,” said Alix. “Living in a van is just so much lighter both materially and energetically.”

Originally the couple intended to travel in order to find a place to plant roots, but they quickly fell in love with traveling itself. Now with thousands of miles under the belt, they hope to spend this year with an eye out for that perfect place. “We’ll eventually settle down, but vanlife will always be a part of our life for road trips and weekend trips. We enjoy the open road!” said Matt.

They have been grateful for the Noovo team throughout the whole purchasing process and with some troubleshooting. “They have been very responsive and accommodating,” said Matt, “We’ve been impressed with the build out, how sturdy it is and how it’s held together over the miles. All the appliances work well, and the wiring and electricity haven’t had any issues.”

We were so happy to connect with these adventurers and hear that vanlife has treated them well! After all, vanlife is the good life. As they head off to Arizona for some winter sunshine and to connect with family, the glow remains on their faces.

Happy travels Matt, Alix, and Mae Belle! We hope to see you at a vanlife gathering this year.