Young vets avoid student debt going vanlife in San Francisco

Young vets avoid student debt going vanlife in San Francisco

Paris and Lovell Lee were used to small space living while in the Navy so when they started college in pricey San Francisco (average rent for a studio: $2500/month), they decided to turn their van into their home.

Starting with the Nissan NV 2500 that Lovell had used for his computer repair business, they installed plywood and some modified furniture to create a home that served its purpose, but didn’t provide enough space for Lovell to sit up (he’s 6’3”).

Build two was lacking in enough counter space for the couple to do homework, so with $300, they remodeled and reworked the old materials to create the efficient space they live in now. They don’t have a refrigerator, but they don’t find it a problem since they always have access to supermarkets. They rarely use a cooktop, but admit they do a lot of lunchtime cooking at their “second home”: school.

Paris says she’s fine living in the van for another 9 years, if necessary “to get established in their careers”. She’s in film school (the couple co-direct the youtube channel Novel Kulture) and Lovell is studying marketing. Lovell just wants to plan ahead. “You know, 78% of Americans who have a job are living paycheck to paycheck and we don’t want to just jump into an apartment without being prepared how you’re supposed to be prepared.”

https://www.novelkulture.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSSiFiBVQ-n7_6GXR0ML4mg

On *faircompanies: https://faircompanies.com/videos/young-vets-avoid-student-debt-going-vanlife-in-san-francisco/

50 Comments

  1. Alexander Jones on July 21, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    This is amazing wish i had a girl down for this

  2. Jintan Manis on July 21, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    what is that sound at the start of the video?🤣
    i had to turn down the volume 🤣

  3. Monica Bien on July 21, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    Paris and Lovell, If you two ever want a place to park in Oakland you are welcome at my place

  4. stay-at-home activities PREPPING on July 21, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    he can sing make demo

  5. Kathy Thomas on July 21, 2021 at 8:58 pm

    Thanks, Kristen, this couple is so together.

  6. Alison Hampshire on July 21, 2021 at 8:58 pm

    Lovell I love your voice man it’s so beautiful. I reckon you could go professional I’d buy one of your records. I’m just so sorry you get hassled so much from the police it seems to happen far too often in the States. Really unacceptable as far as I’m concerned. All the best with the living in your van., from a fellow camper van owner in Perth Australia- Alison

  7. Gerrell Tate on July 21, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority makes 298 million a year from parking tickets and tows. Rent in SF is also extremely expensive. So I would say that most people in the United States are living to pay rent instead of living to be free and happy. As far as I’m concerned, these two individuals are smart enough to see the game being played by our crooked American system of capitalism. They’re saving money instead of throwing it away on rent.

  8. Yousef Hariri on July 21, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    0:28 kid in pink eat’s pavement

  9. De Cnijf Kris on July 21, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    beautiful man. So, if you have to study for exams this is difficult in that van. In Europe, if you don’t have the money to pay for a room, at most universities you’ll get a room at very low fare. Mostly it is right on the campus and the costs are reduced to a minimum. You’ll also get cheap meals. There are always sports facilities you could use for free. So those guys come out of the navy and have experience with doing without. That helps. Personally I don’t know if I am strong enough to do this. Hopefully they will be succesful at school. Man this ain’t doable, how do you shower in the morning….Happy campers…

  10. Tonji Williams on July 21, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    SAAAAANG!!!!!!❤😊

  11. Trellis Deberry on July 21, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    So proud of these 2 young people.
    I pray that life be good to them.
    And they reach their life goals.

  12. Jeremy Grillo on July 21, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    You two. What a charming couple.

  13. teresa drake on July 21, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    Great interview, great couple!

  14. MoonSong on July 21, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    I love them, this is awesome. So true, everything they talked about. I want to get out of the “rent trap”. I want to live as free as possible. I’ve been trying to figure out what kind of vehicle to get tho. They make some valid points. I think it’s so stupid that they post signs like that, so people can’t sleep in their vehicles, that’s ridiculous. Hopefully some laws will start changing since so many people are going into van life. Rent is crazy expensive, especially in certain parts of the US. People can’t keep up. You would think they would let you sleep in your vehicles instead of people ending up homeless. America is a scam.

  15. Xandra on July 21, 2021 at 9:12 pm

    amazing! one of the best videos on this channel

  16. Adriane Harris on July 21, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    You guys are amazing.

  17. DW Sides on July 21, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    Glad you get to enjoy life and each other’s company on the road, you guy’s are very Respectful and responsible,, Be happy

  18. Black on July 21, 2021 at 9:16 pm

    I like these kids!

  19. Grace Walker on July 21, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    These two look happy, comfortable and well adjusted. Wishing them continued fun and safety.

  20. Tonji Williams on July 21, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    I have fallen in love with you two!!!❤❤

  21. Raphael Hess on July 21, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    I am currently planing on building a van and watched mayve 100 video by far and i have to say, it’s really refreshing to see how easy it could be, and also to realise that not everything has to be perfect from the beginning. It will change anyway as soon as somenone live’s in a van. Theres a lot of living and loving going on here, so i see a bright future for you two. Bless from switzerland ❤

  22. ALOE on July 21, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    he has such a good singing voice!!

  23. Gail Chambers on July 21, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    One of the best life stories. Stay safe, stay strong, and stay in love. You are destined to succeed.

  24. The Twin's Puppet Show! on July 21, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    What a beautiful voice, I wanted you to finish singing that 1st song I heard you singing, you started out by singing I left the one that I love to be alone……… Love to hear the rest.

  25. CatDogMom on July 21, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    They are AWESOME!

  26. Ivy Bennett on July 21, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    Young man, you betta sang that Luther! Just found your channel. Love it!

  27. Lynda Jay on July 21, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    He has a beautiful singing voice.

  28. Alexander Jones on July 21, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    You dress nicely young man keep up the good work

  29. Matt Stopa on July 21, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    He’s got an amazing voice!

  30. mmane257 on July 21, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    from NOLA you kids are awesome.would love to purchase a shirt.

  31. Melinated Medicine Woman on July 21, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    I am so proud of you two. You two are true warriors and trailblazers.

  32. Kimberly on July 21, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    Lovely couple, really refreshing. But why choose SF? It’s pretty foggy, chilly weather, plus expensive and dangerously.

  33. Lauren Glaze on July 21, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    I need Lovell to release an album

  34. Rod ney on July 21, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    thanks for sharing ur life.

  35. MrMarkmill on July 21, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    Any queens want to build like this? Im single…lol..sigh…

  36. Loriann Richardson on July 21, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    Cute couple and they have skills.
    There is a refinement about him.

  37. Varsity Overdrive on July 21, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    trying to put together a zoom meeting next week for students living in vans. Have a couple already, looking for a couple more. friend me and message on facebook derrick clyde thanks

  38. Ease Inflow on July 21, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    Beautiful. Thanks for this great look into Novel Kulture, what an introduction!

  39. Dayonetheone on July 21, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    They’re very cute couple. I hope everything works out well for them.

  40. frustrated181 on July 21, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    I love this couple!! Great video

  41. christine tereapii on July 21, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    Cool good on them

  42. Christian Velasco on July 21, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    Excellent job thinking outside the box to be competitive in one of the most expensive cities on the planet. American ingenuity at its finest. Take notes young people this is how you do it!

  43. Del Rosario on July 21, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    Toilet with no cover/lid! 😳 now that is true love ❣

  44. oscarmosca1234 on July 21, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    gi bill bah in san Francisco is crazy hi.

  45. lepidolite2009 on July 21, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    This is less of #vanlife and this is more of a love story. And they didnt have to make out, to show you that its real

  46. Ryan Rigsby on July 21, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    wow. San Francisco seems like a shithole place. Can’t have any fun

  47. KEVIN HENDERSON on July 21, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    Omg i literally had this life in the 90’s until about 2001.. Traveling and living in my van all across america.. I am a Black american.. I never had any problems anywhere i went. All through the northwest, idaho. Alaska. B.C. Louisiana and the mid west and west coast.. Awesome experience..

  48. Vanessa Henry on July 21, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    Lovell and Paris, as a woman who’s home was SF, and about to get into van life – I am glad you told us about SF living! PS: I am a Film student as well! Thank you and I will be following you guys!!

  49. Shola King on July 21, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    Lovely couple. Brave adventurous & smart too ✨🔥🔥😍

  50. woltra1 on July 21, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    LOL… I was born in 1965… I was raised by hippies. I was a flower child of the 70’s. We lived in a volkswagon van back in the 70’s, today I am building a #VanLife van for some ADVENTURE! Today… I AM A HIPPY AND PROUD OF IT! Love you guys! Take care and STAY WELL!

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