Karen Nisbet - aka TravellingK
After two-and-a-half years on the road, you must be an old hand at the lifestyle! In
what ways do you support yourself?
I’ve
worked as a graphic designer for over 10 years and have been
freelancing since I started caravanning. Sometimes it's just a short
contract in an office and sometimes it's online while I travel around New
Zealand. I’ve
started earning with my TravellingK brand, mainly through Patreon
where people who like my YouTube videos can contribute monthly.
Like us, Karen's home on wheels doubles as an office
Why
motorhoming? Was it something you had experience of before?
We
stayed in a stationery Kiwi caravan once
for a family holiday where I was sick the whole time, but apart from
that, I had no previous experience at all. I
was saving for a house in Auckland and eventually realised that
wasn’t going to happen. I was watching a lot of vanlife and
tiny house YouTube videos and started seriously considering this as an
option. The more I looked into it, the more a secondhand UK caravan seemed my best solution. It looked like a little
apartment on wheels, and had a decent amount of space. I could easily
stay at campgrounds or on some land and move around until I found a
nice place to base myself. Except I’ve enjoyed travelling so much,
I have no plans to stop.
Were
you aware of the 'usual' age demographic associated with motorhoming
before you started doing it?
I
didn’t know a whole lot about the lifestyle before I started. It
was just what I saw on YouTube and while wandering around at the Covi
Supershow. I was aware that I didn’t know anyone my own age doing
this in New Zealand.
Taking in the view at Milford Sound
Do
you think there is a stereotype of sorts regarding motorhomers?
Yes, I think there is. It’s generally thought to be the thing you do
when you retire or if you are a hippy.
Do
you find because of your age that other motorhomers interact with you
differently?
Sometimes, yes. I’ve
had a few older members assume that I need help because I’m a
younger female on my own… but I soon show my competence. There
have been a few surprised faces when I first turn up for campground
group drinks, but people are welcoming and soon I’m in the thick of
things talking about motorhoming issues! I’m
currently at a campground with a great community which never happened
when I lived in a city. I’m the youngest by far, but made to feel
welcomed.
Karen loves chatting with the people she meets, both in person and through her
online following
Do
you wish there were more people around your age on the road?
Yes.
But I’ve started a Facebook group called ‘Young RVing Kiwis’ and
the numbers are growing. A lot of people are either weekend warriors
or are strongly considering this lifestyle themselves. I know there
is a lot of interest and as house prices increase and make it harder
for people to get onto the property ladder, more will start this
lifestyle. There is
a movement in America where it’s becoming more common for people my
age to have a home on wheels and I’m hopefully more in New Zealand
will decide to join. There is a great group of Americans sharing
their permanent RVing experience on social media.
How
do your family and friends view your choice to live in a) a caravan
and b) a life on the move?
Most
of my friends and family weren’t surprised at my choice to live in a caravan and thought it suited me
better than a mortgage in Auckland. I’ve done quite a lot of
overseas travelling and have lived in London and Melbourne. I think
they could more easily imagine me in a caravan than with a mortgage
in Auckland. My
father was imagining a run down caravan that would devalue quickly
like a car. He also wasn’t keen on it sitting in his driveway. But
once he actually saw the caravan, he’s changed his mind and is
proud of what I’m sharing on YouTube.
As for living my life on the move, I
was working, saving and travelling solidly for eight years to places like
Europe, Russia, India, Iran and South America, so the idea of
travelling around NZ in a caravan was actually a little tamer. My
parents were wanting me to settle down and buying some land or a
property instead of travelling overseas and I’m not ruling that
out… I just need to figure out where!
Wherever she goes, Karen has a window on the world
Would you encourage others to take up the lifestyle?
Yes. So many New Zealanders haven’t even seen their own country. There’s still plenty for me to explore, but I feel like I know the different parts of our country now. I enjoy being at a great location and experiencing the different light and weather throughout the day from the comfort of home. It’s also a good idea if you want to lower your costs and try a new business or finally have the time to write that book.
Yes. So many New Zealanders haven’t even seen their own country. There’s still plenty for me to explore, but I feel like I know the different parts of our country now. I enjoy being at a great location and experiencing the different light and weather throughout the day from the comfort of home. It’s also a good idea if you want to lower your costs and try a new business or finally have the time to write that book.
I’m now more aware of my water and power usage and how much stuff I actually need. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel the need for a large house after living in my small caravan. A caravan is a
comfortable home and is affordable. It gives me a lot of flexibility
with my location and is perfect for slow travel.
Can she fix it? Yes, she can!
What do you like best about the lifestyle?
Always
doing something new and learning new skills. I can’t believe how
much I’ve learnt about maintaining the caravan and giving it a go
when something breaks.
Seeing our beautiful country and being more aware of my surrounds. I find
when you’re in a house, you don’t experience sunrises and sunsets
as much as when you’re in a caravan out in nature. You just close
the curtains and turn on the TV. I find when I am living in one
place, I stop noticing my surroundings, but moving locations all the
time makes me more aware.
Meeting
different people and the sense of community. Before this, I always
lived in a city. There are some campgrounds that have a great sense
of community. This current campground, people keep an eye on things
and I comfortably leave my windows open. I’ve met so many different
people as well, that I would not have talked to while living in a
city.
Freedom
to develop a business. Because my expenses have dropped, I’m able
to work part-time and have the time to focus on my ‘passion
project’ – TravellingK. I don’t think I would have progressed
this far if I was still living in Auckland.
Where to go, what to do? Decisions, decisions!
Are
there any downsides to living this way?
I’m
not a huge fan of my combination toilet / shower. The shower just
isn’t the same as a house shower. And emptying the toilet is a new
chore that I’d happily avoid! I’ve
also learnt that if something breaking in the caravan, it’s not
always easy to fix because the parts come from the UK.
I
was travelling intensely for a while and that can become tiring. The
continuous decision making with finding shops and facilities in your
area. But the great thing is, you have control and can decide when to
stay in one place for a while.
Sometimes
I’ll suddenly want a garden or wish I had a large work area with a
sewing machine or an arts and craft cupboard. With a caravan, you’re
always aware of the weight limit and lack of space which can be
restrictive with some hobbies.
Do
you have a best and worst campground which stand out from all your
travels?
The
best have either been the most welcoming community or the most scenic
location:
Gore
A&P Showgrounds with its sense of community, very relaxed
atmosphere and easy facilities.
Glendhu
Bay Motor Camp. I’ve already stayed twice and sure to be back. It’s
a huge campground outside of Wanaka. The best views out onto the
water, an easy drive into town but plenty of impressive hikes and
views nearby.
And
a couple of POPs (Park Over Properties) that I might keep to myself!
My
two worst are both in larger towns with semi-permanent RVers.
Beach
Road Holiday Park just outside on Invercargill. There were a lot of
run down vehicles that had obviously been there a while and it didn’t
have a friendly feel.
Also Beach
Grove Holiday Park in Tauranga. Lots of permanent caravans, also with a run
down feel. I felt trapped in my caravan.
Can
you imagine going back to a house?
Maybe
more of a tiny house rather than a traditional house. I daydream
about having a little cabin next to my caravan with an amazing
bathroom / laundry and an office with a bit of storage space.
It's a wonderful life
Do
you have a favourite tip you've learned in your time on the road?
If
something goes wrong, you can deal with it. I think I’ve personally
become more self-confident. And
that we live in a beautiful country.
What
advice would you give to others considering making the switch to a
mobile life?
Do
it. Don’t overthink it.
To follow Karen's adventures, check out her regular blog posts and videos at:
