Ad for parking spot on Craigslist

[VanTrekker]

I'm looking out for my own interests... Dad's health situation isn't the greatest and I want to have a place to park... (It is important to stay close but maintaining a little more&nbsp;distance would be better for me)...&nbsp; So here's what was posted tonight.&nbsp; <br /><br /><span style="color: #000080;"><em>I am looking to rent a small corner of someone's land or even a spot in a driveway for my Chevy Express camper van. I live in it seven days a week - completely by choice - often at trout streams! I am an employed responsible person, college educated, with no drugs or criminal history. Electricity would be helpful (which I would pay for) - otherwise, I run mostly on solar except during the coldest months.</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #000080;"><em>If you have a garage, barn, driveway that you might wish to rent out for a little extra cash or in return for some working, please let me know.</em></span><!-- START CLTAGS -->

 

[mockturtle]

What about your water and sewer?

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>I dry camp...&nbsp; #1 goes in laundry detergent bottles... #2 in a luggable loo if it's an emergency (preferably a public toilet).&nbsp; Showering happens at the gym.&nbsp; I keep some bottles of water around for drinking.</p><p>VT</p>

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>If U lived near me, I could fix U right up, VT!<br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[VanTrekker]

Thanks!&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[RAILROADGREEN]

i think that a great idea, have you had any hit's on your posted on craigslist?i would let someone&nbsp;use my driveway for what you are offering.i hope this catch's on,seam people would what to do it in these time's.little extra cash never hurt's.gary

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>I haven't heard anything back yet from the Craigslist ad...&nbsp; I guess if I had advertised something illicit, the phone would ring off the hook.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />Another thought was to post&nbsp;notes on the grocery store bulletin boards, avoiding the one store in the dangerous area.&nbsp; People who frequent grocery stories probably live nearby most of the time.&nbsp; It might be a good way to generate interest.&nbsp; If all else fails, I can advertise in super, ultra liberal Iowa City.&nbsp; There are likely some gen-x or older hippies that would go for it.</p><p>The other thought is that I am going to join the local ham radio club.&nbsp; Lots of the guys have acreages and are friendly to fellow hams / technical geek type people.&nbsp; I'm sure it would be possible to rent a little space from one of them, too.&nbsp; It sounds better and safer (possibly even cheaper) than hitting the streets and buying a lot of little propane bottles.<br /><br />V.T.</p>

 

[rabiesandpeewee]

I was thinking about asking the same thing on craigslist. For me, I want to stay away from the cops. Did anyone respond? Any luck elsewhere?

 

[offroad]

also curious if you had success? &nbsp;would have added to the advertisement.&nbsp;<br><br>" willing to rent month to month parking space, with two weeks warning that you need to end the arrangement. no questions asked".&nbsp;<br><br>that way both parties can get out of the situation if logistics or circumstance warrent a change.&nbsp;

 

[rabiesandpeewee]

I had a few responses to my request, in a fairly large city. I offered to pay 50 dollars. I followed up with one responder, who turned out to not be very serious. She didn't tell me she got a new room mate, and that the space where I would park was now full! I ended up getting a lead from family that worked out for a few months.<br><br>So if anyone is trying this...try more than 50 a month? I was thinking 100 would attract more interest? Also, I'd think you would get electricity for 100 a month.

 

[user 423]

<span id="post_message_1278385224">

I was thinking 100 would attract more interest?

<br><br>You probably would save more than $100 a month in gas if you didn't have to rotate and/or find a place every night.<br></span>

 

[Les H]

VT, I know you posted this s while ago, but wanted to chirp in not to overlook Rv parks. Or at least consider them in your search. I'm in a park now to be closer to work in Ft Worth. $300/ month, includes water, sewer, power and wifi. There is one up the road a half mile for $285. If you have a camper, its not a bad deal. Might be a bit much for parking a van though.

 

[LongInTheTooth]

Okay stealth ninjas, I need your collective advice...

I have found a parking space to lease for a year (I'm a student) in the parking lot of a large bldg a block away from the free electric tram to the various points on campus. It's $55/mo and the location is right across from the newly built sheriff's office. Therein lies the dilemma! Can't get much safer for a woman who's living in her van, but it could also mean they notice me and tell me I can't sleep there and I've wasted the $ for the lease.

There are a couple of other parking spaces to lease but they're more expensive and not as close to school transport.

Any advice?

 

[kyonu]

Get a written excerpt from whoever is leasing the spot, showing that they own the property and are leasing it to you, and have them sign it. Usually all police need is proof of permission.

 

[PastTense]

Make up a good cover story: your apartment which you share doesn't have parking space for everyone so you rent a space in that lot... Maintain stealth--spend very little time visibly hanging around your van.

Could you sub-let the space if you lost it?

 

[Zil]

Living in or just sleeping in your vehicle will be noticed. What is the law in your town? Here it is illegal to sleep in a vehicle, period. Some places don't care. Can you make friends with the sheriff so they know you are a student and not a threat? Just understand, sooner than you think, they will know you are there.

 

[LongInTheTooth]

Ok so they're gonna notice me eventually, probly sooner rather than later. I will have a written lease with the electric supply co who's leading me the parking space so I have permission.

I have thought of going directly to the sheriff's office right off and introducing myself and explain that they may see me coming and going at odd hours bcuz I work for a cleaning company (true and verifiable ) and we clean during off-hours (true and verifiable ) and that I'm also a student during the day (true and verifiable).

And ask if there's any reason I wouldn't be allowed to sleep in my camper the few hours I'm not working it going to school during the week. If they do, then I don't lease the spot cuz they'd eventually boot me out anyway right?

 

[DC Fuse]

LonginTheTooth, consider that the co. you're renting the space from is using this opportunity as both a means to be helpful while also getting a pair of eyes to watch over the place. I'd approach it that way - security.
You are the nitetime "Watchwoman"

I've done just that before. You are security to whoever you tell.
You are there to call authorities should the need arise.

 

[LongInTheTooth]

DC fuse,

GOOD ANGLE!!! I'm gonna use that!

 

[DC Fuse]

LongInTheTooth, I'm not sure I would show my Lease to anybody.
I would maybe tell the popo of the security angle for the reason of my being there. Try to be brief and to the point. Assure them that you will call them if needed.

Something like this - Hi, I'm LongInTheTooth and from the hours of 9 pm. to 7am you will see me at the electrical supply business and if I see anybody on the property i'm going to call you. You may see me there at other hours but I just wanted to tell you of my presence.

Bring them a box of donuts when introducing yourself!!! HaHa