Living in a van for a year to save $?

[Rumpltzer]

There's thousands of people doing this in LA, they have a whole dept at the LAPD to catch them...

Yeah. Not hard to spot the crappy RVs parked in neighborhoods with the windows blocked off. They stay for a few days and move on street sweeping days.

I'd see the same types of RVs parked during the day at beaches near the UCSB campus when I was at Santa Barbara. I assumed they'd move to a neighborhood at night.

 

[MotionMan]

Just don't do it in Alaska.

First three things I thought of was 1) the above...

2) the SNL skit, and...

3) This.

MotionMan

 

[BoomerD]

I traveled a lot chasing construction, and had a variety of small travel trailers that I lived in for weeks at a time...but a van? That's gonna be difficult at best. I had a deck engineer who did it for several months. Kept it parked at our ship yard dock. Fortunately (for him and us) there were a couple of showers at one of the neighboring companies that he was able to use occasionally. He had a small charcoal BBQ grill that he cooked on and ate a few meals each week off the jobsite "roach coach."
Finally, when winter hit and temps started dropping into the low 30's at night, he took a relative up on the offer of a small apartment. I drove by there every day, so I let him carpool with me. Saved him the cost of driving that van about 30 miles each way, and he pitched in for gas.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

3) This.

Watched his video - that lifestyle is actually very tempting.:hmm:

 

[randomrogue]

I've known a couple people who have done this for different reasons and in different places. Things to look out for:

1. Freezing to death. It's fucking cold when you live in a van. If you're in a warmer state that's fine but you might want to consider just living in Mexico if that's the case since cities like L.A. will drive you insane if you live in a van. Mexico isn't very safe though in lots of border towns.

2. Police. Los Angeles cops will hassle you. I imagine most would. You're a pain in most people's ass since they are afraid of you coming near their kids. You will instantly be stigmatized and revolting to people.

3. Rape. Girl I knew who did this got raped. I imagine it's a real problem. So before committing to this imagine yourself running down the street naked screaming for someone to help you.

4. Robbery and other violence. A real possibility if you plan on living in a van at a standard higher than homeless.

5. Diarrhea. If you haven't been sick in a 3rd world country or on vacation away from a toilet then I would advise against living in a van. This alone is reason enough to not do it. There are few things worse than being really ill and not having access to your own toilet or a toilet within about 15 feet of you. Even if it doesn't bother you that much please consider other people. Do you want to be "that guy" who destroys the mcdonalds toilet? "THAT GUY"?

If your goal is to save money try something else long before living in a van. Parents, couch surfing, etc. Get a raise or second job to offset the cost. Are you working? If you're not working then you might want to just consider taking a vacation to a 3rd world cheap country since that right there might actually save you money. Daily cost to live in Laos is about $4 as a tourist if you don't drink alcohol and stay planted in the same spot. Plus it's a lot more fun.

 

[Rifter]

A RV maybe, but a van hell no. Need my own can and shower.

 

[WelshBloke]

I remember coming across a website dedicated to people who do just this, living in a van and/or off the grid. It was several months ago, I can't recall the name but it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Seems to be a whole subculture around this lifestyle. Would be a fun way for a year max, to see the country and do some interesting things...

I did it for about 4 year's when I was young.

Was a constant stream of raves, parties, festivals and drugs.

Good times

 

[sportage]

After "THE WAR", the BIG war Romney starts in 2013, the war the ends civilization as we know it, after THAT war, you might have one up over the rest of us. Those of us here still alive, that is. That few not dying from massive radiation exposure. Knowledge is power. Knowing how to live without electricity, a cell phone, wifi or indoor plumbing will be a huge plus, for those of us still alive. ?

 

[arrfep]

Did not read entire thread, but felt necessary to throw my two cents into the ring. I've been drinking so pardon any grammatical mistakes.

I've thought for a long time about this. MOstly because, more than anything, I am a wanderer at heart, and most of my goals involve seeing or doing most of what the world has to offer.

I've found that a Chevy Astrovan (GMC Safari) is almost a perfect vehicle for this. It might be a little small for some, but there's enough room behind the front seats to lie comfortably. Easy enough to throw a slop-sink, propane stove and some storage containers.

My ideal existence involves crafting a comfortable living quarters into an AWD Safari, and driving the entire country, possibly the world, photographing it and seeing everything there is to see. Moving at a decent pace, cost of living would be equal-to or less than normal everyday life. I'm in the process of establishing location-independent income, so perhaps I'll try this someday soon.

I think, obviously, this lifestyle is really for those who aren't terribly attached to lots of things or even other people. And, let's be honest, you're probably not going to pull much tail living in the back of a 1998 cargo van. But, if you're okay with sacrificing those things, I say more power to you, and go for it.

PS Walmarts allow you to camp in their parking lots overnight for free.

 

[bononos]

Would be good for experience to live off the grid for a while and see how the other half lives. Apart from not having your own can/shower, unhealthy eating if you don't know how to cook would be bad.

 

[Fritzo]

This guy did it, and he's a successful motivational speaker!

 

[BillGates]

I vote for: Try harder at your job, or get a new one, and make an additional $10k.

 

[Wyndru]

This thread needs more Chris Farley references

 

[ViviTheMage]

at least get an RV

 

[lxskllr]

at least get an RV

I'd only live in an RV if it were a trailer. Otherwise, I like to stay light, and lean. I could live comfortably in a minivan, but would prefer a full size van. A VW camper would be perfect for me.

 

[momeNt]

I vote for: Try harder at your job, or get a new one, and make an additional $10k.

Agreed, considering his typical Friday, he is wasting a lot of his talent.

9am: Arrive at work
9-10: check/reply to emails
10: Goto starbucks for coffee. sit outside if nice weather enjoying said coffee
11-2: lunch (1hr eating, 2hrs watching the newly released movie of the week <ie: Immortal>)
2-3:30 Do some actual work
3:30 surfing web
4: goto bank/deposit huge paycheck. (no direct deposit because i needed something to do at 4pm)
5: go home

 

[slag]

I think I'd have a hard time living in a mobile home, let alone an RV. If it ever got bad enough that I'd consider living in a van (even one down by the river), I'd probably ask relatives for money first. I can't see anyone seriously thinking that this would be a viable lifestyle. The fact that you can't get up and walk around unless you have to leave your "house" is enough to make me not even consider it.

 

[lxskllr]

I can't see anyone seriously thinking that this would be a viable lifestyle. The fact that you can't get up and walk around unless you have to leave your "house" is enough to make me not even consider it.

I can't see anyone seriously not finding the concept of having the whole country as "your yard" not appealing ;^)

 

[airdata]

 

[T_Yamamoto]

That's a methlab

 

[slag]

I can't see anyone seriously not finding the concept of having the whole country as "your yard" not appealing ;^)

I don't walk around my yard in my pajamas, do you? Yesterday I went out to the store one time, and the rest of the time was spent lounging around the house, watching tv, cleaning, hanging out with the kids, working on pinewood derby cars, etc. When I got tired of sitting, I got up and moved around. Can't really do that in a van. You either sit down or lie down. Any time you want to walk around, you have to get up and go outside where you are subject to the cold, or rain, or heat, or whatever.

 

[bobdole369]

Just curious if this is doable/practical for a single person w/no kids?

Yes, absolutely. This woman lives in a 97 Jetta while she works and attends college. Parks mostly in shops, and tried for a long time to legally and openly live in the parking lot on-campus.

These folks tried for a while, failed (equipment) and are doing it again:

This guy was featured on AOL or yahoo

This couple are my inspiration. They were my first exposure to the concept of living without a home and b&m job. I had never ever considered the possibility.

http://cheaprvliving.com/howtoconvertavan.html
(CRL has a forum too)

Yahoo has a group called Vandwellers:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VanDwellers/


Really what it comes down to: What are your reasons for vandwelling?
Short term or Long term?
Must you live in the city?
Do you plan to continue a full time job while you vandwell?
How handy are you with general and auto repair?

First choice is going to be the vehicle. If you want the bees knees - get a Roadtrek from the mid-late 90's. They have 17, 19, an 21 foot long models. The 19 is most popular, while the 17 looks just like any other van out there. You'll get a toilet, 3 beds, cooktop, inverter, and A/C, and a 150AH or so aux battery. These are sometimes outfitted with a genset too (But I think thats the 21 footer, not sure). They run about $10k for these models, and is pretty much the top I would be willing to pay for one.

Anything that looks like an RV is going to be a problem in an "urban" environment. Cities often have codes that seek to prevent this sort of thing (they think of it as vagrancy). But it all depends on your environment.

I grew up in SE Mich (Ann Arbor/Ypsi/Redford) - I would seriously consider doing this there. They don't have nearly the homeless problem as where I live now, so at most you'd keep getting the "4am knocks" on your van where they have you show your ID and make sure you aren't dead/actively raping someone. However down where I live now - in South FL - there is no friggin way. People would be calling the cops nonstop on you, stealing your tires, busting windows, etc.

In any event, do NOT expect the air to work anywhere you aren't on shorepower, or running the generator. It won't. Solar isn't enough for A/C, you need something like 6 4D batteries and 6 250W panels to be able to do it - it would cost over $10k and might not do it.

The biggest problems people face isn't really how to make enough money to live. There are enough odd jobs (work camping, ebay, part time gigs, barback/waitress, freelance IT work) to make your insurance and food money, even enough to cover renting an RV spot on a monthly basis. The biggest problems you'll face - where to park "legally", the stigma of living in a van, and equipment failure.

You can get a shitty class C, but these are more trouble than they are worth. You cannot park in the street and expect to get by in any city environment for longer than a couple days. Class C's are NOT meant to live in full-time, and even the new ones have disclaimers in the warranty. They are "cheap" and tend to fall apart. Not that a Class B is any better, its just that the frame is still originally the vehicle that was built, while the Class C is heavily modified. Forget about a Class A - you won't make any money back - these run from 100k-250k.

Another possibility is of course to modify your own van. Ideally you take a phone company/carpet guy/contractor rape van shell (windows you can have or not) - add tanks, build shelving/cover floor, add convertible seats. The big advantage of a class B is that the tanks are often under the floor/under the chassis like a fuel tank, while you could do that, damn you gotta be a good welder LOL. So you probably can't make it as nice as a fully appointe class b, but you can definitely have a decent 5-10 gallon shower, full size toilet, 20 gallon water tank, microwave/stove/generator/aux battery/lighting/tv/internet/telephone, etc.

Oh yeah and the hitekhomeless folks run http://www.freecampsites.net a site which crowdsources free overnight parking - mostly in national land/state parks/easy to stealth parking lots, and low cost campgrounds.

Contrary to popular belief, not all Walmarts allow overnighters.

 

[bobdole369]

A RV maybe, but a van hell no. Need my own can and shower.

Easy enough in a van. Roadtrek isn't the only company to make a van with a full size shitter and shower. They even cram in a microwave/stove/sink/refrigerator that runs on propane.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't walk around my yard in my pajamas, do you? Yesterday I went out to the store one time, and the rest of the time was spent lounging around the house, watching tv, cleaning, hanging out with the kids, working on pinewood derby cars, etc. When I got tired of sitting, I got up and moved around. Can't really do that in a van. You either sit down or lie down. Any time you want to walk around, you have to get up and go outside where you are subject to the cold, or rain, or heat, or whatever.

I don't have an issue with that. I like being outside. I could drive to a mall, a nice quiet park somewhere, maybe have a few beers at a local pub... My local pub could be in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and California; all within a week.

 

[bobdole369]

There are huge tracts of land (mostly out west) where it is completely free to park your van anywhere and live for a number of months. The closest to me is a couple of land preserves, roughly 50 miles from my job. Otherwise it would be walmart hopping/friends driveways.