The details are yours to figure out for living in a van. Different strokes for different folks......
I’ve had single buddies that did the shower st the gym live in a camper thing. It works, but I couldn’t imagine it with my schedule. Yours may allow for the time and effort to do that.
Stealth camping is a 4 letter word here Don’t bother talking about it or the upper crust of rvnet will just call you a moocher, hippie or criminal. I don’t care as long as you’re not in front of my house. If you are, you won’t be for long. As far as making it a lifestyle, idk, I stop for the night, camper or not pretty much wherever I want. Maybe a campground maybe a rest area/cabelas/Cracker Barrel, maybe a Hilton. Depends on the trip and situation
The only advice I have to offer is since you appear unfamiliar with RVs, maybe take the thing, spend a week or so in it and then go back fornthe training session. It’s not difficult and if you’re afraid it will be then it may not be the right choice, however you’ll have some educated questions after spending a few nights in it and I’d guess get more out of the walkthrough
Good luck, have fun!