Quebec retirees embrace vanlife: freedom and travel without strict plans

Five Quebec retirees chose to live in camper vans for travel. Yvon Milliard and Louise Petit bought their first van five years ago and had it custom-converted by VanLife Campers. Sylvain Lacombe and Eveline Parent, former Class C motorhome owners, switched to a camper van for trips to Mexico. Over 16 months, they spent 9 months on the road, including a two-month trip to Mexico.

Five Quebec retirees chose to live in camper vans, selling their homes and traveling without strict plans. Among them, Sylvie Béchard, after losing her home in the 2019 flood, bought a Ram ProMaster and lives in it year-round, working summers at Mont-Tremblant National Park. Another couple, Yvon Milliard and Louise Petit, spent five years exploring Quebec, Newfoundland, and Florida, planning trips spontaneously. Key challenges include finding overnight spots and downsizing possessions, but all interviewees emphasize that this lifestyle is possible even before retirement.

Three Quebec retirees chose vanlife over traditional retirement. Sylvie Béchard sold everything and lives full-time in a Ram ProMaster, working summers at Mont-Tremblant National Park and traveling winters to the US and Mexico. Yvon Milliard and Louise Petit, VanLife Campers ambassadors, custom-converted their van and explored Quebec, Newfoundland, and Florida over five years. Key challenges include finding overnight parking and downsizing possessions.

Three Quebec retirees chose to live in camper vans, selling their homes and traveling. Sylvie Béchard, after losing her home in the 2019 flood, bought a Ram ProMaster and has lived in it for three years, working summers at Mont-Tremblant National Park and winters in the US or Mexico. Yvon Milliard and Louise Petit, former sailors, converted a van with VanLife Campers over five years and explored Quebec, Newfoundland, and Florida, planning trips without a fixed itinerary. Key challenges include finding overnight parking and downsizing possessions.