Yeah, when I was reviewing a bunch of van-dwelling stuff today, I realized my biggest attraction to it is the proximity to nature. As in, never more than a few feet away, depending on where in the van one is standing :) I don't feel I can return to apartment-living (though will if I must). My current place is ~450 sq feet, set in a park, so I do have that contact, and it does make all the difference! Next closest thing would be a van/RV.
Another bonus of van-dwelling is you CAN have a dog. I haven't lived in a pet-inclusive place for I don't know how many years. It's hard enough finding a place around here that will accept kids. I didn't dare add a dog (though I didn't for other reasons as well).
I assumed Kid would want a dog, and was surprised to find he's not a huge fan. But as a therapeutic intervention, I do consider it. That Alfie dog would have come in handy twice in the last three weeks!
And then, yes, we can get to one place after another, as needs change and opportunities arise, not have to unpack/pack at each location, always have somewhere to stay...
I adore this one:
http://tinyhousetalk.com/vanual-cargo-van-tiny-house/ Light, white, bright, plenty of glass, clean, spartan, comfy.
Bob Wells instructed me to test out a mock-van today, see how I feel. Turns out his measurements were almost exactly the size of my bedroom, which I'm in most of the time I'm home :)