Toyota Tacoma Van Life | Sell House to Travel
- For Ashley Kaye, inheriting her childhood home in Waterford, Wis., after her father's 2015 death sparked a major life change.
- Working long hours in corporate healthcare and consulting, Kaye felt like a "zombie." A scuba diving trip to Honduras changed everything.
- After quitting her job with $37,000 in savings, Kaye initially struggled with the newfound free time.
Ashley Kaye traded her Wisconsin home for a life of full-time travel, embracing the Toyota Tacoma van life and seeing the world. After inheriting her childhood home, she decided to sell it, freeing her from the confines of a traditional life. Kaye used the money to fund her nomadic dreams, visiting over 20 countries and embracing the freedom of overlanding—a self-reliant travel style.The decision wasn’t easy, but the ability to set her own pace and explore remote destinations in her Toyota Tacoma truck has fueled her passion for travel. She’s since renovated her truck for a more comfortable living experience, proving that a life of adventure is attainable. Discover how this bold choice transformed Kaye’s life. news Directory 3 shares more inspiring stories.What will Ashley’s next adventure be?
Woman Trades Wisconsin Home for Full-Time Overlanding Travel
Updated June 8, 2025
For Ashley Kaye, inheriting her childhood home in Waterford, Wis., after her father’s 2015 death sparked a major life change. The 36-year-old questioned whether she wanted to remain rooted in one place, she told CNBC Make It. Already bitten by the travel bug, Kaye yearned for more.
Working long hours in corporate healthcare and consulting, Kaye felt like a “zombie.” A scuba diving trip to Honduras changed everything. Meeting a full-time traveler inspired her to leave her career and pursue her dreams of seeing the world. “He told me he wished he had done it sooner as it’s so much easier and cheaper than you think,” Kaye said.
After quitting her job with $37,000 in savings, Kaye initially struggled with the newfound free time. However, she soon found her rhythm in traveling. She embraced van life and grew confident in her decision to sell her home and pursue full-time travel.
During a trip to South Africa, Kaye learned of her aunt’s illness, prompting a return to Wisconsin. This trip solidified her desire to sell the house. “I love being on the islands. I love having the ocean near me,” she said. She considered van life with her dog, opting for a vehicle that could reach remote destinations, ideal for her photography.
Kaye found a renovated four-wheel drive van,but it sold quickly. Soon after, she received a $320,000 cash offer on her house. While awaiting the closing, she connected with a couple on Instagram who shared their experiences overlanding in a Toyota truck. intrigued, Kaye researched overlanding, a form of self-reliant travel to remote destinations.
Kaye purchased a Toyota Tacoma truck for $42,934. She also established residency in South Dakota, which allows permanent residence without requiring a physical presence. After having her new home delivered there, she drove the truck back to Wisconsin to pack up.The house officially sold in March 2023.
Kaye then drove to Baja California, living in a truck bed tent. She spent three months planning renovations to make the truck more livable. “My life is kind of like ‘the plan is there is no plan,'” she said. “It was very spur of the moment, so I needed to take a pause and figure things out.”
In Mexico, she found a company to install a truck bed replacement with external storage. The renovations, including a camper, solar power, suspension upgrades, and an electric cooler, cost over $50,000. Now, Kaye travels full-time, embracing the freedom of overlanding and van life.
Kaye decided to journey the Pan-American Highway, starting in Denver. “It’s really an amazing way to travel because you get to set your own pace,” Kaye said. Since starting her overlanding adventure, Kaye has visited over 20 countries, including Mexico, every country in Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and parts of Argentina.
“I don’t wont to be a cliché and say it’s a dream life because it’s a lot of work,” she said. “But it’s really incredible to be able to wake up and just look at the map and say, ‘Should I go sleep inside this volcano or go to the jungle or go to the beach?'”
Kaye stays in each country for the duration of her visa, usually around 90 days. She says she has learned that she is capable of anything. “His passing taught me how to live life because you never know how much time you have in life,” she said.
Having traveled the world,Kaye doesn’t plan to return to the United States. “I’m just not interested in living in the U.S. I’m kind of used to a different quality of life,” she said.
Currently, Kaye is taking a break from overlanding and has stored her truck in Argentina. She plans to spend the summer in Bermuda,a place she considers home.
What’s next
Kaye plans to continue her overlanding adventures, exploring new countries and cultures while embracing the freedom and flexibility of her nomadic lifestyle.