Living out of a car

[tp4tissue]

Ya'll see it on TV,  but is that better than living in a tent ?

Why would someone choose car over a tent

Given the thin glass windows in a car, can't imagine that's better insulation vs a tent..


Is it better in the rain perhaps ??


Have only tried out a tent in my backyard,  and still found it way more comfortable than long car-ride experiences.

[dblack]

easier to find a parking spot than a place to put a tent probably.

[clasicks]

i cant drive a tent

[tp4tissue]

i cant drive a tent

well, you'd pack the tent, and put it in the trunk for when you need to drive out for supplies.

[futurecrime]

A car is more secure. Plus it has heating.

[p_blaze]

A car has comfortable seats, versus a tent where you sleep on the cold hard ground or a claustrophobia inducing sleeping bag

[jdcarpe]

Lying flat on an inflatable mattress beats sleeping in the seat of a car any day.

[Waateva]

A car can be locked, moved, has heat and AC, and has a dual purpose of getting you from place to place.  A tent may be a little more comfortable (depending greatly on the vehicle and tent in question) but that seems like the only potential advantage you would have.

[xtrafrood]

Sucks. I wished I had had A/C back then. Twas hot.

[Findecanor]

All station wagons and hatchbacks these days have back seats that fold down to get more room -- which could provide a sleeping area with a mattress. In some cars the back seats fold down flat and level with the trunk, and are big enough to stretch out on. Privacy would be a concern though.

A car is safer than a tent because it has a hard shell and is lockable -- and if it gets really weird, you can move it without having to even get out of it.

[tp4tissue]

All station wagons and hatchbacks these days have back seats that fold down to get more room -- which could provide a sleeping area with a mattress. In some cars the back seats fold down flat and level with the trunk, and are big enough to stretch out on. Privacy would be a concern though.

A car is safer than a tent because it has a hard shell and is lockable -- and if it gets really weird, you can move it without having to even get out of it.

From animals, for sure..  But not from humans.. they'd just do the window, then knock you out before you figure out what's going on.

[xtrafrood]

Don't do it tp4tissue.

[JP]

All you need is a van, a window blind, shag carpet, keyboard and guitar.

[tp4tissue]

Don't do it tp4tissue.

Hahahahaha.. ts' just sumtin Tp4 sawz on the Tv,   

Tp4 = Never outside..  and Seldom Back-yard.

[emenelopee]

Has anyone said "bears" yet? Because bears.

[p_blaze]

Don't do it tp4tissue.

Hahahahaha.. ts' just sumtin Tp4 sawz on the Tv,   

Tp4 = Never outside..  and Seldom Back-yard.

That is, until The Urge strikes him of course

[jdcarpe]

Just your old buddy Matt Foley, here.

If anyone needs me, I'll be in my VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!

[xtrafrood]

Just your old buddy Matt Foley, here.

If anyone needs me, I'll be in my VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!

Moral of the story: snort copious amounts of coke.

[noisyturtle]

Would rather live in a tent than a car. Gas costs money, and if you're living in a car you probably cannot afford to drive it.

Honestly if I were homeless I'd build a shanty shack out of found lumbar and sheet metal. Make a nice little home by a river somewhere.

[JP]

Would rather live in a tent than a car. Gas costs money, and if you're living in a car you probably cannot afford to drive it.

Honestly if I were homeless I'd build a shanty shack out of found lumbar and sheet metal. Make a nice little home by a river somewhere.

Yeah, a nice little shanty home next to that van by the river  )

[cjhard]

Would rather live in a tent than a car. Gas costs money, and if you're living in a car you probably cannot afford to drive it.

Honestly if I were homeless I'd build a shanty shack out of found lumbar and sheet metal. Make a nice little home by a river somewhere.

It was easier to afford gas than rent. You can also say "At least I still have my car" when you're homeless with a car, and the reality of your situation doesn't feel so bleak all the time.

[audax989]

[jdcarpe]

Just buy a school bus instead of a car, and you can live quite comfortably indeed:

https://imgur.com/gallery/kaU4b

https://imgur.com/a/hjP5A






Also:

http://www.hankboughtabus.com/




Or maybe even a Sprinter van:

https://imgur.com/gallery/Xvr7k






Also:

http://www.tinyhousetinyfootprint.com/blogposts/guest-post-sprinter-van-conversion

[cjhard]

A bus would have been way nicer than living in a 2-door 1998 Chrysler Sebring!

[Blaise170]

I've thought a few times about what I would do if I ended up single again. Instead of trying to afford $2000 rent on my own, I think I'd probably sell my car and buy a small cargo van. Just put a mattress in the back and you have a safe, relatively secure living space. My current job has 24/7 access so I'd probably spend most of my time at work and just return to my van to sleep. It's in a gated parking garage anyways so no police or anyone to bother me. In an emergency, it would be as simple as just moving the van.

You could always go extra fancy if you want.

[Signature]

I've thought a few times about what I would do if I ended up single again. Instead of trying to afford $2000 rent on my own, I think I'd probably sell my car and buy a small cargo van. Just put a mattress in the back and you have a safe, relatively secure living space. My current job has 24/7 access so I'd probably spend most of my time at work and just return to my van to sleep. It's in a gated parking garage anyways so no police or anyone to bother me. In an emergency, it would be as simple as just moving the van.

You could always go extra fancy if you want.

Show Image

Sounds pretty cozy to me  :thumb:

[tp4tissue]

I've thought a few times about what I would do if I ended up single again. Instead of trying to afford $2000 rent on my own, I think I'd probably sell my car and buy a small cargo van. Just put a mattress in the back and you have a safe, relatively secure living space. My current job has 24/7 access so I'd probably spend most of my time at work and just return to my van to sleep. It's in a gated parking garage anyways so no police or anyone to bother me. In an emergency, it would be as simple as just moving the van.

You could always go extra fancy if you want.

Show Image

$2000 rent?

Look for places where the poor community and rich community converge (separated by small distances like a single street, hundred feet...)

These places usually retain the cheap rent of the poor community, along with the relative safety of the rich community.


Obviously you'll be living on the p00r side of the dividing line.. But as long as you're not bringing upscale friends over,  it's no big deal.

[Blaise170]

I've thought a few times about what I would do if I ended up single again. Instead of trying to afford $2000 rent on my own, I think I'd probably sell my car and buy a small cargo van. Just put a mattress in the back and you have a safe, relatively secure living space. My current job has 24/7 access so I'd probably spend most of my time at work and just return to my van to sleep. It's in a gated parking garage anyways so no police or anyone to bother me. In an emergency, it would be as simple as just moving the van.

You could always go extra fancy if you want.

Show Image

$2000 rent?

Look for places where the poor community and rich community converge (separated by small distances like a single street, hundred feet...)

These places usually retain the cheap rent of the poor community, along with the relative safety of the rich community.


Obviously you'll be living on the p00r side of the dividing line.. But as long as you're not bringing upscale friends over,  it's no big deal.

This is Boston TP. If you want to be anywhere within 30 minutes of the city, you will be paying at least $1500/month, unless you live in Chelsea or Dorchester (incredibly dangerous places to live). We were actually quite lucky to find a two bedroom apartment for only $1700/month in a safe, middle class area. If I moved back to Kentucky, the two of us could get a 4BR house for less than it costs us to rent.

[tp4tissue]

This is Boston TP. If you want to be anywhere within 30 minutes of the city, you will be paying at least $1500/month, unless you live in Chelsea or Dorchester (incredibly dangerous places to live). We were actually quite lucky to find a two bedroom apartment for only $1700/month in a safe, middle class area. If I moved back to Kentucky, the two of us could get a 4BR house for less than it costs us to rent.

Washington.. marajuana farm.

// The Dream !!

[xtrafrood]

Yea, bus or cargo van sound like much better options than a Honda 3D DX. So much room for stuff, and activities!

[Blaise170]

Yea, bus or cargo van sound like much better options than a Honda 3D DX. So much room for stuff, and activities!

You could even fit a few keyboards!  )

[tp4tissue]

Yea, bus or cargo van sound like much better options than a Honda 3D DX. So much room for stuff, and activities!

You could even fit a few keyboards!  )

Noo...  N00000ooooo......

We can't escapes it.. !!

[JP]

Man I'd have so much more money if I didn't have to give a good chunk of pay for rent.

[tp4tissue]

Man I'd have so much more money if I didn't have to give a good chunk of pay for rent.

The more I watch these Van-Life videos on the utube,   The more alluring it is..


The one thing I simply can't stand is not having solid access to hot showers..

Other than that though,  It seems like everything else works pretty much the same.


Except Gigabit ethernet.. which is, hrrrm.. i guess i wouldn't be able to stand van-life afterall..

I mean.. What would I do without gigabit..   Tp4 requires gigabit..  do you know how long a linux iso would take without gigabit.??


FOREVER !!!

[JP]

A gym membership or facilities at a YMCA should address the need for showers. This provides the benefit of getting fit and meeting the females. Also you can bum internet anywhere there is free wifi, no need for gigabit since you are too busy living a new lifestyle.

[tp4tissue]

A gym membership or facilities at a YMCA should address the need for showers. This provides the benefit of getting fit and meeting the females. Also you can bum internet anywhere there is free wifi, no need for gigabit since you are too busy living a new lifestyle.

It's calling me... I can feel it guys..


hahahahahaha....

[ghostjuggernaut]

I’ve got a buddy that lives in a van. He hasn’t converted it too much so it looks pretty ****ty, but he’s happy.

I think I could do it if I were a single guy living in a metro area. Lots of free WiFi and just ride a bike everywhere.  I’d definitely want to finish out the interior though to give some semblance of a home.

[JP]

I seriously watched a ton of YouTube videos and read literature on building or living in tiny houses. I think I could do the van thing as well, except I've got like 7-8 months left on my apartment lease. I would need a keeb stash since that all would fill a van. Also I'd need a kickass van, not some pedo van down by the river. This adventure is calling me. What about an address though...It's so hard getting a license, insurance, etc without a legit address, SS card, birth certificate, fingerprint, retina scan, dna analysis, etc. Indiana is the worst. They hate poor people.

[JP]

Whoa...there is a van dwellers subreddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/

[xtrafrood]

Whoa...there is a van dwellers subreddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/

Also https://www.instagram.com/vanlife.journal/ :shrugs:

[ghostjuggernaut]

Whoa...there is a van dwellers subreddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/

There have also been some good write ups on r/diy.

[Blaise170]

Man I'd have so much more money if I didn't have to give a good chunk of pay for rent.

Literally! I'm not living awfully by any stretch and I'm really quite fortunate to make as much as I do. But I'd be much more comfortable if I didn't have to throw half my paycheck to rent every month.

The more I watch these Van-Life videos on the utube,   The more alluring it is..


The one thing I simply can't stand is not having solid access to hot showers..

Other than that though,  It seems like everything else works pretty much the same.


Except Gigabit ethernet.. which is, hrrrm.. i guess i wouldn't be able to stand van-life afterall..

I mean.. What would I do without gigabit..   Tp4 requires gigabit..  do you know how long a linux iso would take without gigabit.??


FOREVER !!!

I think I'd actually like to try it, but not seriously. I could deal with the showers (there is a free gym in my workplace) and internet (gigabit also at the workplace) and I could save around $10K/year!

I seriously watched a ton of YouTube videos and read literature on building or living in tiny houses. I think I could do the van thing as well, except I've got like 7-8 months left on my apartment lease. I would need a keeb stash since that all would fill a van. Also I'd need a kickass van, not some pedo van down by the river. This adventure is calling me. What about an address though...It's so hard getting a license, insurance, etc without a legit address, SS card, birth certificate, fingerprint, retina scan, dna analysis, etc. Indiana is the worst. They hate poor people.

Massachusetts is the worst state I've lived in when it comes to all that, but since I have a permanent address already it would be a lot easier. I have a PO box already so I'd transfer 99% of my stuff to that address and then for the 1% that requires a "physical address" I'd figure something out. Hell, the old tenants from like 3 years ago still get mail and every once in awhile I see someone picking up their stack of mail from the lobby.

[tp4tissue]

At-the-moment.

I'm not totally sure if it's the Adventure (travel) or the idea of BUILDING a mobile home-Van.


Cuz.. u know gekhakrs,  gotta put them Cherry mx in dat van.. !!

My keeb is better than your keeb, 

My keeb is a Whole Van,

And I LIVE IN IT,  Down by the RIVER..

[JP]

Cuz.. u know gekhakrs,  gotta put them Cherry mx in dat van.. !!

My keeb is better than your keeb, 

My keeb is a Whole Van,

And I LIVE IN IT,  Down by the RIVER..

[JP]

The downside to the van option is that it really would not be out of line to spend $10k on a decent van and another $10-15k to fully equip it with all the goodies like solar panels, plumbing, electrical, composting toilet, etc, etc. Of course trade-offs can be made to engineer a cheaper solution.  This expense plus the opportunity cost of doing all the work really might not be worth the headache depending on the cost of living in the area. The prospect of saving money and sense of adventure is appealing though. Also reducing possessions and living a minimalist lifestyle could be spiritually enriching. 

[xtrafrood]

...composting toilet...

[Blaise170]

The downside to the van option is that it really would not be out of line to spend $10k on a decent van and another $10-15k to fully equip it with all the goodies like solar panels, plumbing, electrical, composting toilet, etc, etc. Of course trade-offs can be made to engineer a cheaper solution.  This expense plus the opportunity cost of doing all the work really might not be worth the headache depending on the cost of living in the area. The prospect of saving money and sense of adventure is appealing though. Also reducing possessions and living a minimalist lifestyle could be spiritually enriching.

If it were me, I'd just get a $1000 van off Craigslist and throw a mattress in the back. There are couches, Xboxes, Playstations, etc at work so no need to worry about making the van super comfortable. For all the extra stuff I have currently stored in our spare room, I'd just rent a UHAUL storage unit for $50/month and gradually whittle it down until I could either carry it all or until I get a new actual residence.

[tp4tissue]

The downside to the van option is that it really would not be out of line to spend $10k on a decent van and another $10-15k to fully equip it with all the goodies like solar panels, plumbing, electrical, composting toilet, etc, etc. Of course trade-offs can be made to engineer a cheaper solution.  This expense plus the opportunity cost of doing all the work really might not be worth the headache depending on the cost of living in the area. The prospect of saving money and sense of adventure is appealing though. Also reducing possessions and living a minimalist lifestyle could be spiritually enriching.

If it were me, I'd just get a $1000 van off Craigslist and throw a mattress in the back. There are couches, Xboxes, Playstations, etc at work so no need to worry about making the van super comfortable. For all the extra stuff I have currently stored in our spare room, I'd just rent a UHAUL storage unit for $50/month and gradually whittle it down until I could either carry it all or until I get a new actual residence.

Gonna need some butane heaters. and possibly insulation, but other than that, it should work fine.

[JP]

If only it were that simple. $1000 won't get you much in terms of a vehicle. Practically speaking you at least want something with a reliable engine and transmission and with plenty of living space for clothes (assuming you want to remain employable) and other essentials. Lets say $5-8k realistically. Lets also consider climate control. In cold climates a proper heater is necessary and I guess some sort of electrical system would be needed to support this. Any food prep or storage would be quite limited in these spartan conditions. I suppose you would have extra money to eat out though. 

[JP]

Something like this should be sufficient even for the most challenging neighborhoods.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Ford-E-Series-Van-E-250-SUPER-DUTY-B4-KEVLAR-ARMORED-LOW-RESERVE/253477382597?hash=item3b046de9c5:g:wZkAAOSwhj9akwcf&vxp=mtr





- or -

You can go with the van down by the river starter pack:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Ford-E-Series-Van-CHATEAU/183099657323?hash=item2aa1970c6b:g:6QIAAOSwL9taleph&vxp=mtr