Can't happen soon enough!

[Temporarydweller]

[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif]Hello my name is Scott, I'm 38, divorced a couple years ago, no kids and ready for a big change in my life.  Like many people in this particular section of the forum, I'm in the planning and research stage.  Except I've already done all the planning, prep, and a ton of research.  The Only thing that is holding me back is the selling of my house.  Now that winter is quickly approaching and the market is dying that has me sort of bummed.  But I'm trying to remain positive that it will sell soon and without eating into too much of my savings I have set aside for my journey.  I'm sort of at the break even point on my house and if I drop below that to sell it may take a big chunk out of my money.  So for now I'll keep working my 9-5 job so I can make my house payment and keep the heat, water, and electricity turned on at my vacant, move-in-ready house  Enough about that, on with the vehicle and the plan.[/font]

[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif]I purchased a 2000 Chevy Express a few years ago while I was still married with the intention of turning it into a class B campervan for two.  I removed the second and third row seats, permanently mounted the second row passenger side captain seat sideways, and bought a swivel for the front passenger seat.  Allowing two people to sit and hang out watching tv or eating or whatever.  I built a bed platform as high as I could to allow as much underneath storage as possible.  It's a queen size memory foam mattress with about 6 inches trimmed off the length of it.  I'm 5-10 so it still allows plenty of comfort and now that I'm single I can sleep diagonal anyway.  The TV is a computer monitor and allows me to hook up a dvd player or my iphone directly for netflix or amazon video viewing assuming cell phone service is available where I'm parked.  The table now has a microwave underneath it that isn't pictured that can be used if I have shore power or want to run my Honda generator.  I have a couple of different heating options depending on the availability of shore power or how stealthy I need to be.  Portapotty if no other options are available.  I have a deep cycle battery, inverter, and soon to be purchased portable solar panel/charger.  The van is mechanically in great shape and ready to hit the road.[/font]

[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]
[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif] [/font]


[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif]I have a brand new 5x8 enclosed cargo trailer sitting in my dads garage.  I have many lists,  measurements, several things already packed in totes, and know exactly what and how it's going in the trailer and what is getting left behind.[/font]

[font=HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif]I currently live in SW Missouri.  I work at a car dealership and have over 20 years experience in the parts department.  I like what I do but am having great difficulty with the management here and the way this place is run.  That's all I'm going to say about that, I'm ready to move on.  My plan is the head to the southwest.  I was born in northern California but lived my whole life in Missouri.  I have family in Southern California and have been out to visit them several times over the years and have no desire to live in California but every time I go out there I make it a point to stay in Flagstaff Arizona.  I just love the area and the climate.  I know Flagstaff is kind of touristy and I read the job market there is a little tough.  I am also looking very seriously at Prescott as I hear it has a similar atmosphere and climate.  I love mountain biking, dual sport trail exploration, and snowboarding so I think I will find more happiness closer to the mountains.  So I will pick a city, hit the job market, boondock, wallydock, casinodock, wherever until I can get settled in again,  Could happen quick, could take several months, could be the calling in life I've been looking for and end up a permanent van dweller like some of you fine people are doing.  Anyway, it should be an adventure that I can't wait to get started.[/font]

 

[SoulRaven]

Welcome. Your van set-up looks very nice. Your plans sound good. If you need to make a change, why not a big one?

Flagstaff? We went through there in a bad thunderstorm with a U-Haul years ago and the U-Haul leaked. It was beautiful there when the storm cleared.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Scott! Your van setup looks very comfortable. Good luck with your house sale but I have to warn you this life is addictive. You may never want to live in a house again! :-D

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[Temporarydweller]

Thanks for the welcomes. Yes I can see how this life could be very addictive. I'm really not going to be in a hurry to get back into any kind of housing once I get a job. I may rent a small storage unit to put my trailer in so I can be a lot more stealth. In a perfect scenario, I will end up at another car dealership and they will graciously allow me to park on the lot every night until I get a little more settled in to the new area. I know at the dealership I'm at now we don't put out blocker cars or have gates blocking the lot at night. And we have multiple outside outlets around the service building and free wifi for customers. If I found a setup like that at the new job I would be content for a long time living in my van. Just have to unplug and move out of they way every morning before everyone shows up for work. Planet fitness for $10 a month for showering. I can't wait!!

 

[janncoo]

Hello and welcome. Nice setup to begin your new life.  Jan

 

[rvpopeye]

I can tell you're a natural and will fit into vandwelling just fine!
That plan is totally sweet.......

 

[BobBski]

Looking and sounding great, all the best in getting that house sold.

 

[WriterMs]

Maybe you could sell a dealership on the idea that having you stay overnight is actually extra security for them.

 

[Temporarydweller]

Maybe you could sell a dealership on the idea that having you stay overnight is actually extra security for them.

Yes that is definitely a thought I've toyed with.  I just don't want to come across as too needy right from the start of a new job.  Might be a situation where I get started and then pitch the idea a week or so later after I get a feel for the place.  But who knows, I may end up working somewhere completely new and different.  The options will be vast with no pay scale requirements to speak of.  100% dept free will be such a great feeling as I'm sure many of you are already enjoying.

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!!

 

[ryegal]

Hi Welcome and very glad to hear you are going to be at the rtr. I am so excited and can"t wait till I get there.

 

[Temporarydweller]

I think I may be nearing diving head first into the most exciting and yet scary time/ leap of faith I have ever done.  I am a very organized planner in just about all aspects of my life.  One issue that has me concerned about my journey and plan is getting an established primary address for drivers license and banking purposes without setting up residence until after I get settled into a new job. My line of work requires being insurable to drive vehicles so my first order of business once I get to Arizona is to get an Arizona drivers license. I am reading that ups store mailboxes require utility bill statements or other forms proving residence before issuing a box? What other options do I have? Any Flagstaff people on here willing to loan me an address for a few months?

 

[akrvbob]

I have raw land in Williams Arizona (30 miles west of Flagstaff but still in Coconino county) you can use it as an address. There is no delivery to it so it's very reasonable to use a box.

There is a mail forwarder in Flagstaff, I keep a box there pretty often and she will forward for you. She's really nice but it is a little expensive. I know a better mail box place in Chino Valley which is just north of Prescott AZ. I'm not sure she forwards but I bet she does.

I have a friend who is using my address at the forwarder in Chino Valley, he's had no problems at all. He's a vet and and also on disability gets all his health care at a vet facility in Prescott which is 20 miles away and he has been very pleased with it. He winters here in Ehrenberg and summers in Williams or Flagstaff.
Bob

 

[Temporarydweller]

Thank you so much for the offer. I will be in contact with you when the time finally comes and see if we can't work something out. I doubt I will need to receive much actual mail. I am mainly just looking for an address I can use for licensing and identification purposes. Thanks

 

[akrvbob]

You have to have an address that gets mail for you or you can't get a drivers license or insurance. They will both send you mail you need to get.
Bob

 

[Temporarydweller]

Bob, If your offer still stands, When you get a free moment. Could you please pm or email me that address. Thanks a bunch.

 

[akrvbob]

Bob, If your offer still stands, When you get a free moment. Could you please pm or email me that address. Thanks a bunch.

I'm really sorry to be so slow, with the RTR I've been pretty busy and I had to dig out the paperwork for the address. Here it is:

765 S Oakland St
Williams, AZ 86046

Bob