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Kara and Nate Buchanan, a couple from Nashville, Tennessee, visited 100 countries before the coronavirus pandemic, documenting their travels on YouTube — but they hadn't seen much of the US.
2020-11-12
"We always figured we could do it when we're old," Nate told Insider in March. But with international travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the duo found a way to keep traveling: They bought a converted sprinter van for $40,000 to drive around their home country.
The Buchanans live and work in their van, which has a bed that transforms into a workspace.
Kara and Nate Buchanan spent the last four years traveling the world, but international travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic led them to van life in the US.
Kara and Nate traveled to 100 countries before the pandemic.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
"We wanted the opportunity to continue traveling in a safe and responsible way," Nate told Insider. The couple purchased a $40,000 converted sprinter van for their travels.
Kara and Nate with their converted sprinter van.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Kara and Nate began their journey in Tennessee. From there, they traveled to Colorado and continued west.
Kara and Nate are traveling west.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
The van has a convertible bed and workspace.
Kara working in the van.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
This means that it transforms from a bed to a table with seats.
Nate working in the van.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Kara and Nate told Insider that they use the table for working and eating meals.
The couple said they get takeout for dinner often.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Aside from being full-time van lifers, Kara and Nate are bloggers so they spend a lot of time on their laptops.
Kara and Nate's convertible workspace.Courtesy of
To make videos for their YouTube channel, the couple uses a lot of electronics. That's why they converted this closet ...
The van's closet is behind the seats.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
... into a safe and charging station for their gadgets.
Kara and Nate's electronics live in here.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Kara told Insider that this is the biggest change they made to the van to fit their lifestyle. The van was already converted into living space when they purchased it.
The couple's electronics safe keeps their belongings secure.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Instead of a closet, Kara and Nate keep their clothes in cabinets and drawers.
Storage space in Nate and Kara's van.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
The couple said they don't mind this since they're used to living out of suitcases.
Kara and Nate keep their clothes in cabinets and drawers.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
The van also has a kitchen, complete with a faucet, a stovetop, and a refrigerator.
The kitchen area of the van.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Kara said that she and Nate don't cook often because they like to try takeout at local restaurants, but she often makes smoothies.
Kara and Nate's fridge.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
The couple said that they want to be completely self-sufficient during the pandemic. That's why they got a van with a shower and a toilet in it.
The toilet sits in the shower and is removed when the shower is in use.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Just past the bathroom towards the bed and workspace, there's a little coffee station. When they purchased the van, it was a TV nook.
Nate and Kara's coffee station is next to their bed and workspace.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
Around the back of the van, the doors swing open to reveal more storage space for various small items.
Kara and Nate have storage space in the back of the van.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
While the couple said they're excited to get back to international travel after the pandemic, the experience has forced them to see more of their home country.
Kara and Nate told Insider that they miss international travel.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
"It took taking away international travel to get us here, but I don't know if I'm sad that it happened, Nate said.
Kara and Nate with their converted sprinter van.Courtesy of Kara and Nate Buchanan
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Joey Hadden is a travel reporter and photojournalist at Business Insider based in NYC. She covers transportation modes, alternative lifestyles, and luxury travel. Many of Joey's stories are visual features that give readers a front-row seat to her personal experiences at home and around the world.Joey graduated from St. Edward's University in May 2019 with a BA in Photocommunications. Since joining Business Insider in 2019, Joey has traveled by train in seven different countries, including overnight rides lasting up to 53 hours. She's ridden on many different train lines, including Amtrak, Via Rail, Nightjet, and the iconic Orient Express of the 21st century, among others. During her travels, she's slept in countless accommodations — five-star hotels, unique tiny homes, and private train cabins, to name a few.When traveling in North America, Joey takes readers inside the continent's wealthiest enclaves where billionaires hide away, from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to Medina, Washington. When she's not taking trains, notes, or pictures, Joey spends her time singing and playing drums for the indie-rock band Blanket Approval.
