A Whole Slew of Questions

[Freedirt]

Well let me just kick things off by saying that I really love the community that you all&nbsp;have made for yourselves&nbsp;here and I think I might hang my hat for awhile, if you'll have me.<br><br>The situation I've found myself in isn't exactly a favorable one. I'm seventeen years old, living mostly on my father's dollar. He's done an amazing job raising me up, and he understandably expects me to be&nbsp;out of his house&nbsp;when I come of age in a few months.&nbsp;After half a year of working and saving&nbsp;I'm the proud owner of a beautiful, fully converted van. I've dubbed her Sasha <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">. I've got a job at a fast food joint where I average about forty hours a week but don't pick up any benefits. I'll have a reasonable enough emergency fund by the time I need to be on my own, but there's still some loose ends in my plan. Ergo, I'd appreciate some advice from older, more experienced individuals with a passion for the lifestyle. <br><br>-I'm given to understand that&nbsp;overnight parking&nbsp;isn't easy&nbsp;here in Florida. With me being so young it's not realistic to think I could find a job that pays more than minimum wage. Has anyone found it possible to work an RV park into a $1000 monthly budget? Is&nbsp;it absolutely&nbsp;necessary? <br><br>-Travel is everything to me. I'll be wanting to set out as soon as I'm sure I can make it on my own. Given my work background, workcamping&nbsp;doesn't seem like&nbsp;much of an option. What resources might you suggest for me?<br><br>-What can I do in the present to make myself appear more favorable as a host to parks and campsites when I've got some more substance to my overall profile?<br><br>-I've been entertaining the idea of visiting some communes. What online networks would you recommend? <br><br>-Feel free to spill any advice that comes to mind. I'd take to heart anything you wish you would've known when you first started full-timing. I'm resourceful and intelligent enough for my age but it's hard not to feel uncertain. <br><br>Thanks in advance, all.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I'm not sure i have the answers ya need but i think it is admirable the responsible attitude you exhibit. &nbsp; I do think an RV park is going to be hard to pull off on that budget though, unless you can manage a good monthly rate.&nbsp; But then that is less travel money you can squirrel away.&nbsp; The good thing about min wage jobs is you cant do any worse, so if you are fired or want to pack up and move to another one its no great loss. <br><br>If you do want to build good general job experience from very little, i highly recommend temp agencies.<br><br>Good luck.

 

[wagoneer]

welcome freedirt. Cream rise to the top. Sounds like you have a clue where a lot of people do not. In my field as a merchant buying and selling come naturally and flea markets are everywhere. I have successfully bought and sold across this great nation.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Plenty of free sites to stay in FL for a Van. Check out Fl water Management District lands. 2 weeks per campground. resv on line<br><br>Work, Work is work. There is many books about this. Buy and read. People can tell you about working in an RV Park. Some online stuff but usually there is not much money.<br><br>You should set a realistic budget. $ 6000+ per year. IF the van is set up right you can maintain this. Set your travels accordingly.<br><br>Get and stay in shape. Stay out of jail. (1/3 men at 26 have a felony convection) Keep the insurance and tag up to date.<br><br>What you are requesting is listed in many books. <br><br>Basicly, learn and make something work for you. The first thing that you try will probably not work for you.<br><br>James AKA Lynx<br><br>

 

[mockturtle]

I should think that your experience in fast food might get you work with a campground concessionaire in parks with eateries.&nbsp; With the risk of sounding pedantic, I would have to say that most of us worked throughout our lives to give us what assets and benefits we might enjoy today.&nbsp; Life isn't a free ride, as you know.&nbsp; You seem to be a responsible person and I'm sure you will find seasonal opportunities that can take you around the US.&nbsp; Wishing you the best!&nbsp; And a warm welcome, too! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">

 

[TxGypsy]

I'd just love to grab you up and give you a great big hug!&nbsp; You are obviously far ahead of your peers.&nbsp; Obviously very intelligent from the way you wrote your introduction.&nbsp; You are planning ahead too!&nbsp; <br><br>You might want to check out the story on the cheaprvliving blog about the college student living in his van on campus.&nbsp; You are the correct age to be able to pull that one off.&nbsp; You might even think about taking some courses.<br><br>If you are wanting to live in an RV park I would approach them and ask if you could mow the grass or do odd jobs in exchange for a site.&nbsp; When you do this, dress well.&nbsp; If you have long hair smooth it back and tuck it into a cap.&nbsp; Nice jeans, shirt with no writing or pictures on it, cover any tattoos, etc.&nbsp; It may take you several tries to find a park that will trade you work for a space.&nbsp; Make sure and tell them that you just want to trade work for a space and don't expect to receive money.&nbsp; Also make sure it is either for a set job or a set amount of hours per week.&nbsp; Presto!&nbsp; You are now a workcamper and will have a reference for other jobs.<br><br>There are also many volunteer positions in state and federal parks that would be the same deal....work in exchange for an RV site.&nbsp; <br><br>Have you considered parking in your Dad's driveway and paying him a small amount of rent?<br><br>Avoid debt!&nbsp; If you will save and invest money...and not get into debt or the credit trap, there is no reason you can't retire young and travel all you want.&nbsp; I retired when I was 35.&nbsp; I could have done it a bit sooner had I started doing this at your age.&nbsp; I'm not rich, but I have enough to meet my needs and enough to travel on if I'm frugal.&nbsp; Always earn interest and never pay interest.&nbsp; People will tell you that a credit score is important.&nbsp; It's not.&nbsp; It's just another financial trap to fall into.&nbsp; Good luck and welcome!

 

[Lostinspace]

What Texas Gypsy said.<br><br>You don't say what part of Florida you are in.&nbsp; In Tallahassee there are several Walmarts and numerous big box stores where you can park.&nbsp; There is also Apalachicola national park to the west about 15 minutes away.&nbsp; You can do dispersed parking for two weeks at a time, then just move a bit and start over.<br><br>I go into work at 6:30 am to avoid traffic and I notice in one of the strip malls on Capital Circle there is a row of white vans in the middle of the parking lot that are unmarked.&nbsp; I assume belong to some business in the mall.&nbsp; it would be a perfect place to stealth.&nbsp; You could probably also get away with parking in one of the state building parking lots.&nbsp; Ours frequently have several vehicle left several nights when people go off on trips.<br><br>If you're near or in Orlando, there are the same possibilities.&nbsp; And job possibilities in the motel/hotel business around International drive as well as at the theme parks.<br><br>Not much familiar with further south.&nbsp; Just have visited the areas.&nbsp; But probably the same opportunities exist.&nbsp; Key West might be a problem.&nbsp; It's hard finding a parking place on the street in front of your own house there.&nbsp; Although summer is the off season there so maybe it's better right now.<br><br>Good luck and ask those questions.

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome! It obvious that you've thought a lot about this and are well on your way to being a successful van dweller. The Tallahassee area and the places that Lostinspace suggests sounds ideal. Stay put for awhile and save as much as possible before you start traveling.<br><br>&nbsp;I don't know of any communes that you can visit but I've heard good things about this organization - <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wwoofusa.org/" target="_blank">http://www.wwoofusa.org/</a>&nbsp; work 1/2 in exchange for room and board.<br><br>&nbsp;Good luck!

 

[David]

You have a van, you don't need a RV park. Just be smart with how you park it and you will be fine. Just keep a clean appearance and you will be good to go. FL will be rough in the summer, but at least you can hit the beach to cool down.

There are lots of places you can boondock if you play it smart. Just depends where you are in Fl, but I lived there most of my life.

 

[offroad]

You are actually in a good spot.&nbsp; You have no debts.&nbsp; My son is close to you in age.&nbsp; He lives on $10,000 a year via part time work at Lowes.&nbsp;<BR><BR>1)&nbsp; Get a bicycle.&nbsp; It will keep you in shape, and give you alternative transportation when your van breaks down.<BR>2)&nbsp; Look for room mates in the area (college bulletin boards, CRAIGS LIST, etc.)&nbsp;.&nbsp; Ask if they have parking privaleges.&nbsp; Tell them you want to live in your van in the parking lot, on the stealth.&nbsp; How much would they charge you to do it as long as you can? maybe a month, maybe six months.<BR>3)&nbsp; Get a parttime job doing anything.&nbsp; Save the rest.<BR>4)&nbsp; get a gym membership.&nbsp; showers there.&nbsp; Air conditioning there.&nbsp; Some have national privaleges.<BR><BR>***** LONG TERM<BR><BR>5)&nbsp; Look at the young festival vender employment&nbsp; Reinesance Fairs.&nbsp; Music fairs, etc.&nbsp; See if you can find a group to work for and travel selling their stuff.<BR>6)&nbsp; Consider fruit picking, but harder because you compete with illegals.<BR>&nbsp;

 

[Freedirt]

Hey all. I certainly haven't forgotten about you. I have, however had some unfortunate and scary developments in my life that have drawn most of my attention. Before I go into that I need to thank the community for all the love and support. It means a lot to me.

Anywho, my recent issues raise some questions that are well suited for the forum. I've been having some pretty severe cardiovascular problems. I don't have much information yet, but I know that I'll be on medication to temper my blood pressure from now on. It's got my doctor completely stumped. I've always been in excellent physical condition and this whole ordeal was a pretty good smack in the face for both of us. I know that a percentage of you must be having to incorporate medication into your nomadic lifestyle. There's plenty of guides online that address this subject but I've yet to find one that's directed at the off-the-grid niche. If someone could direct me to one or offer up their wisdom it would lift one item of burden from my spirit. As before, thanks in advance.

 

[Mac J]

Go back to school!
Have you asked your father if you can stay if you keep a B average in school?
Ask him.
You're too young and too naive for full time drifting.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Take your van out, someplace close and primitive camp, Boondock. You will get lots of Ideas. None of this will make you any long term money. Unless you want to be a Forest Ranger.<br><br>I could advise you to take off for a year or 2 and then go back to school. This does not work for some/most. You need a cert of some kind to get a good job. There will be very few people your age living in a van or RV except on vacation.&nbsp; <br><br>Right now you do not know where to look. Do an amazon search, check this site or the main site. Go camping and ask/help. <br><br>Don't worry about your blood pressure. take it easy for a while (no sports or workouts) and finish growing. Mine was strange at your age. A year off will help. Just go camping and ask.<br><br>James AKA Lynx<br><br>

 

[minimotos95]

welcome to the forum and i wish you the best of luck.<br>i can't think of anything that the others haven't already said<br><br>

<span id="post_message_1278578805">You're too young and too naive for full time drifting</span>

<br>Mac, i ask why you say that based on his 2 posts? or simply his age? he seems mature to me but it's hard to gauge over the internet

 

[Zil]

get your doctor to prescribe genetic instead of brand name drugs. considerable savings. high bp may require trying a few drugs to git it right. maybe just the anxiety of life changes?<br><br>if your father has health insurance through work, you can stay on his policy until you are 26.

 

[Mac J]

I can't believe you people are encouraging a 17 year old to hit the road. With the exception of James AKA Lynx thoughts and Zil's,&nbsp;I've not read one good piece of advise given to this young man.<br>Imagine he's your brother or son. Would you give him the same advise? Would you tell him to head out and buy and sell at flee markets or pick fruit and be stealthy?<br><br>

 

[Freedirt]

I understand very much where you're coming from, brother. But I'll ask you to consider that this is a lifestyle choice that I'm 100% set on, for better or worse. These people aren't doing anything to influence my decision, as that's already been made and would be unchanged by dissuasion. All they're doing is giving me advice to help make this as comfortable an experience as it can be for me. If you feel a need to criticize someone, let it be me.

Some of you may also be relieved to know that I've finished high school; a year earlier than might be expected, having skipped a grade early on.

 

[Mac J]

I have no reason to be critical of you. I wish you the best. I just don't think the best is what you're bound for. I gave the same advise to 21 year old shrimpstew on another thread in this same forum. It's the best advise I can give. Education is your greatest tool. It's challenging, rewarding, fun, and expensive. If you're smart, you can find a way to do it. And you may just be smart enough.
Good luck.

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Then do it and don't burn bridges. This world is wide open. The generalities that you are asking for is bookstores full of information. I suspect that you already know a little about camping. Look and read. There is no bad books. Try to find direction if you can.<br><br>Stay out of jail. Leave before getting into trouble. Hard to say. I know of people who hiked the trails or Sailed for a couple of years at your age. Go with a full knowledge base if you can. Nothing will be right 100%. <br><br>Do you want to live in RV Parks? Dry camp? Wilderness camp away from campgrounds? Tent camp sites (no electric or water)? <br><br>It is best to plan on enough supplies, water and cooking fuel for a week if not 4.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp; Some info about your van - sink? water? stove? toilet? bed? How many days have you spent in it more than 24 hrs at a time?<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What camping books have you read?<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Freedirt]

Having a hard time quoting from this phone. But I forgot to thank you, Lynx. Your statement about my condition helps ease my mind much more than I would expect, what with everyone telling me the contrary. My SYS has been climbing up to 180, fluctuating drastically, frequently, and seemingly without warning. My doctor believes that there's an underlying problem. I know you said what you did without much context, but it's nice to hear someone tell me that I'm gonna be okay.