Generally, I move to the opposite direction. Say, the toxic people are on my left, I sprint right.
Now you have the problem of being static, and you invite these forlorn entities to your place and then you have trouble getting rid of them. Limit everyone's stay to one or two nights. After that...
There is a book called "The Sacred Cow and the Abominable Pig" that explains why some foods are unacceptable in different religions. You might be able to find it online for free.
It takes time and patience. Even with the market being what it is, there are still good deals to be found. Save money and look often. I was on the lookout for 6 months before I found my van.
I think all you people looking for a bed area with headroom, can utilize a bunch of milk crates for base. They are very strong and stable, and you can use them to store your stuff too. (Each one of them holds 4 gallons of water securely.)
They are about the height a regular car seat would be...
I lived in a blue boat for 2 years, way back. It was ok in the summer (but she was sitting on the water too...) I was wandering how well done I will fry myself in my blue van,. I really don't want to paint it. You gave me hope! :)
I would suggest Wisconsin - that's where I am, but everyone seems to be out west, so it's a long haul...
However there is no BLM land to speak of, so stealth camping is a must in towns, Walmart and Home Depot are also viable options.
Why don't you buy a gently used $20,000 van (there are MANY of these for sale) and save the rest of your money to buy another one in 20 years? I bought a 2004 van with 43K miles for $12 K, and runs like a dream. Don't spend all your money on your first get-away car. Try it first, to see if the...