I want to live in a car
It sounds like you can have a lot of freedom, and I spend a lot of time outside anyway. Not much money is needed for that lifestyle either.
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It sounds like you can have a lot of freedom, and I spend a lot of time outside anyway. Not much money is needed for that lifestyle either.
Did you get that idea from that Gary Numan song? Well anyways, if you were to actually go live in a car, I recommend it being an extremely comfortable one, such as a Rolls Royce. It's the only car brand I'd take over my own apartment.
Not sure if it's still out there, but years ago I ran across an interesting blog written by a guy who was giving advice on how to live cheaply out of a car. He had a lot of good tips like getting a gym membership and using their showers and washing your clothes in the sink, what kind of parking areas to go for and the legality of that, etc. He had apparently spent years doing this, sometimes just because he preferred it I think.
I imagine the reality is a little less romantic than your notion of it though. Camping is one thing but I wouldn't want to live that way unless as a last resort. What about cooking and having a refrigerator? No electricity or heat unless you want the engine on.. sounds like a long bad dream.
I always feel like living in a car because I like closed spaces, they make me feel safe and comfortable. I wouldn't actually want to live in one, because I realise it might be uncomfortable and having an alternative that's safer, more comfortable and better suited to accommodate a human like a house or apartment is miles better. I just like the idea of sitting in (my) car alone in the morning and having breakfast or something or to have some alone time/to calm down and it's nice especially when it's raining outside.
Personally, I would hate it, especially now that I have my own house. I don't think I'd like living in a tiny home, camper/RV, car, or anything of the like.
I have always heard (not sure how true it is, or if it differs depending on the area) that RV parks and such will not let you stay longer than three weeks, because after that they have to go through an eviction process. I don't think you can just park most parking lots for as long as you'd like, either. I just prefer to know that I am allowed to be wherever I live for as long as I want, provided I pay the bills, of course (but I think it's a fair tradeoff). I also like the fact that I can easily cook, bathe, do laundry, etc. any time I want.
When I was a very temperamental (and not very smart) teen and was constantly in arguments with my family, I would often storm out the door and decide on a whim that I was going to live in my car and just park it in the Wal-Mart or local mall's parking lot. It took me about a couple of hours or so to blow off some steam, decide I had no plan and this wasn't going to be feasible for me, and to come back home with my tail tucked between my legs, lol.
I've heard that some people are happy living in some sort of vehicle or very tiny space, however, and save money that way. I think it depends on what works for you. I would just completely think it through first and develop a good plan, as well as a good backup plan for if you decide this isn't right for you.
I sometimes think about living the van life. There'd be no mortgage, showers can easily be done in a gym, and it can give a person time to themselves. Problem is, there's no real way to heat a van overnight. I need warmth. Lol
I used to know a homeless person who lived out of a camper a few years back.
I will admit to sleeping in my car on certain trips (such as driving to the west coast) and at times for work - a lot faster and cheaper than a hotel, and I can just use a restroom in the morning and hit the road (no packing, checkout, etc.). However, it does have its limits... Also a car seat is rarely that comfortable to sleep in.
You need to find a place to use the restroom, shower (or clean up), take care of personal things (brush teeth, shave?, change clothing, etc). Of course, that all can be done camping style our of a car. Just not much fun when its raining, or below freezing outside (I've done both).
Your exhaust system needs to be in excellent shape and you need to be careful to park in an area with air movement to keep the exhaust away from the car. An air dead spot or an exhaust leak can kill you from carbon monoxide. Yet, you can avoid that if the exhaust system is in good shape and you are careful where you park.
Its an experience of freedom and a low cost way to live for a while. Few people do it long term - they get a van where at least they have a flat bed, and room for a partner...
Be careful on where you park for personal safety as well. That applies to vans too.
I wish you well with this,
hipsters all live in vans now
modern day equivalent of their forefathers drivin volkswagen buses
It gets old in about 5 minutes. Ive been homeless before in Miami. It was easier to sleep on the beach than the car.
How did you end up homeless? Did you feel exposed sleeping in the open? How did you stay safe?
(sorry for the interview bro)
I went to miami with 3 friends. It was a 15 hour drive to get there. By the time we got there we had spent all our money on gas for my car. We met some dudes at the beach and went to a party. When we got done we were drunk and my friend beat up our valet parker. My friends ran off because they called police. I stayed because my car was there. Cops came went to jail. Got out of jail, no phone, no money, no idea where friends were. Spent a few days just looking for the hotel that my car was at because I was too drunk to remember. Finally got to my car they wanted like $500 to give me my car. Called the police, police told them they had to sue for damages and must release my car. Got my car, met a guy on the beach looking for his wallet one morning. He gave me a job out of pity moving furniture. I was 18 and in really good shape. I worked for him for a week and got enough money to drive back to my hometown. Spent about a week and a half homeless in Miami and withdrawaling from Xanax the whole time because my "friend" stole my xanax bottle that night.
Thats just a quick version. Abunch of other crazy shit went down also.