Car Dwelling

[lifecoachontheroad]

:heart: Hi Everyone! I'm a 65 year old lady, recently retired, spent my life taking care of Foster Kids. Non taxable income didn't put much in my Social Security Account.  It didn't help that I became very ill from Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease which went undiagnosed for many years, so I had to take early retirement.  My health is restored, but now my only options are living with my kids (just wouldn't work out!) or being trapped in horrible government housing, or Hitting the Road! Guess which one I chose!  LOL!! Yes, I'll be heading to AZ from Indiana in January in my little 1999 Kia Sportage, and I'm so excited I could bust!! I'd love to connect with some Roadies before I head that way, but either way, I'm coming!    My car has never given me a bit of trouble, but my kids won't let up on me that it's a terrible mistake.  What's everyone's best advice for taking a trip like this?  I'd appreciate any input!  Thanks a bunch!!

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums! We've got an entire frum dedicated to the people who live out of their cars. There are quite a few people who make it work quite well
https://vanlivingforum.com/Forum-Car

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.

 

[Suanne]

Welcome to the forum!  

I've been living out of my Prius hatchback for the past 6+ years, for months at a time.  When I first started, I had family that expressed lots of concern.  I decided to start a blog to address their questions and concerns in a matter-of-fact, non-argumentative way.  In my early blog posts, I explained my thought processes, why I was doing it, what in my background made living out of my car appealing, my route plans, and how I was going to keep myself safe.  Then, once I was on the road, I blogged my experiences.  Sharing my explorations with those I love helped me continue to feel connected to them.  Just something for you to consider for yourself.

Also, for some ideas, you may want to look at my how-to articles about my car set up.  They are listed in the right-hand column at http://SuanneOnline.blogspot.com.

I hope you are planning to attend the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR) in Quartzsite, AZ in January.  You'll definitely meet other car dwellers there! See http://www.cheaprvliving.com/gatherings/

Suanne

 

[Gypsysoul]

Hi and welcome,

My story sounded a bit like yours so I thought I would respond.

For years, I wanted a van or RV to live in and travel. I sold my house and actually sold stuff I didn't need right out of my front door on Craigslist. I lived on here reading posts and taking notes. I thought when the time was right and I actually got a vehicle that I wanted to travel in, I would be prepared. 

I stayed with a couple different friends for a couple years and then decided I just needed to go. If I waited, I would be waiting forever. At the time I had a 2006 Kia Sportage. Yes, my family thought I was nuts, but they knew I was going to do what I wanted anyway, so they didn't say much. I made sure I had the car checked out and had the timing belt and water pump replaced.

I started my journey September 3, 2015. I went from SC up to Tn and across to Nevada, up to Washington, and then back across to Miami. In November things changed and I bought a class C. There are still times when I miss staying in my old Kia. I did buy a 2016 sportage, so if things ever change and I need to go back to the Kia way, I do have a back up. 

Feel free to PM me if you have questions. I haven't made it to the RTR yet, but I am coming this year. Hope to see you there.

Caryn

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard !
I think you chose wisely.
Wave to the kids as you drive off into the sunset and then don't look back............
THEN e mail 'em pics of all the great things you see out on the road!!!
Who made the mistake ? They did !

 

[Almost There]

I started a blog so that all my friends and family could keep track of me...it ended up that I figured out I could either have fun or write about it! No more blog! 

I chose having fun!

When I'm travelling I send one son a daily thingie from my cell phone that pinpoints my night time location wherever it happens to end up. When I move I send him a new one! He thinks he can find my remains that way.... Whatever!!

I also send pics of my favorite new finds in an email - now one kid is trying to figure out how to retire early so he can go do neat things too instead of working...  

My best advice - they'll either adjust or they won't - don't let it stop you from doing what YOU want to do with the rest of your life!

 

[rvpopeye]

Exactly !

Hey AT , if you come through Maine you can send a picture of .....me !

 

[lifecoachontheroad]

Hi and welcome,
My story sounded a bit like yours so I thought I would respond.
Caryn

Hi Caryn! Yes our stories do sound very similar!  The problem I'm having right now is that I had been thinking of a truck camper for so long, and in that, I would be able to take almost all of my favorite things. A Sportage kind of changes that to say the least.  lol.  I'm just getting out into the car this week and next to see what exactly I can and cannot take.  Anything you've learned about taking along more than necessary - which I'm sure is the way I'm leaning.  Also, I'm thinking that eventually I'd still like to have a camper, so trying to decide whether I should get a storage unit or not.  Love to hear your input since you know exactly what I'm up against. lol

 

[lifecoachontheroad]

My best advice - they'll either adjust or they won't - don't let it stop you from doing what YOU want to do with the rest of your life!

Exactly what I wanted to hear!!! LOLOL!!!

 

[Oberneldon]

LCOTR,

You are right to try out your car to ensure you can be comfortable. Like Suanne, I live out of my Prius when I travel. It took me 2 weeks of living in my Prius to get used to it. I got to AZ and sent a box of stuff home that I brought but didn't need. These things you figure out by trying.

As long as you can sleep comfortable you should be able to manage the rest on the road.

I have figured out how to minimalize most things and this has made my small vehicle life more comfortable.

If you use your car and can get through the winter you can always decide to upgrade to a camper later.

I too created a blog to let the family know what I'm doing, but also use it to share my designs and thoughts.

I leave the first week of January from MA and head south to get to warmer weather and then head west.

Brent
Www.macaloney.blogspot.com

 

[lifecoachontheroad]

6 years ago I lived in a 6 bedroom 4 story victorian house FULL of my furniture and things ... to make a long story short, I have been downsizing since then for various reasons by choice. At first, since I had so much, it was fun giving things away, but got harder and harder as time went by. I now live in a room with a make-shift kitchen and a bath in my daughter's house. When I thought I was going to be in a truck camper, it seemed perfect because the things I still have that I love would all fit. Obviously, they won't all fit in my car lol and I'm going through the last bits of withdrawal from letting go of my possessions. Ouch! lol! But I know from experience that once I'm done giving them away and letting go I'll be fine! We are complicated creatures aren't we? lol

 

[lifecoachontheroad]

Thanks Suanne, I will definitely check out your site, and your blog ideas for my kids sound great.  I was hoping they would come around before I leave in January (yes for my first RTR!), but I'm pretty sure they think Mom has flipped out, lol!  I've spent my life taking care of everyone else, now it's my turn, and I couldn't be more excited, but they don't know what to think!  Thanks a lot for responding, and hopefully we can connect at RTR!  Happy Trails!!

 

[Gypsysoul]

Hi Caryn! Yes our stories do sound very similar!  The problem I'm having right now is that I had been thinking of a truck camper for so long, and in that, I would be able to take almost all of my favorite things. A Sportage kind of changes that to say the least.  lol.  I'm just getting out into the car this week and next to see what exactly I can and cannot take.  Anything you've learned about taking along more than necessary - which I'm sure is the way I'm leaning.  Also, I'm thinking that eventually I'd still like to have a camper, so trying to decide whether I should get a storage unit or not.  Love to hear your input since you know exactly what I'm up against. lol

I don't think I really had the problem of taking more than necessary for several reasons. I had gone through this forum and made notes of exactly what was needed. I took necessities only. I had to get a storage unit, because I had photos and things that belonged to my mom and dad that I could not carry around, but yet I could not part with. I am going to be back in town for the holidays and I plan on going through the storage unit to see if I can part with more stuff and also find a way to carry a few more things now that I am in a class C. 

I did learn a lot from reading about how Suanne did things. I would suggest reading her blog. A lot of my note taking came from there. lol

Also, something that was recommended to me and that I would suggest also, is pack your car with what you think you will need and do a trial run for a few days. When you come back, you should be able to tweak things to know exactly what you need. Then you can make the decision whether or not to get a storage unit or not. You can always go through it and get rid of stuff you don't need, but you cannot get back treasures that you have let go. Hope this helps.

Caryn

 

[akrvbob]

When I'm travelling I send one son a daily thingie from my cell phone that pinpoints my night time location wherever it happens to end up. When I move I send him a new one! He thinks he can find my remains that way.... Whatever!!

Do you have a name for that app?
Bob

 

[sephson]

Hi lifecoachontheroad! Welcome to the forums!

While it may be a bit older, your Kia Sportage is fairly similar to my Kia Soul. Have a look at my conversion thread and see if there are any ideas in there you might be able to appropriate.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-My-Future-Road-Tripper

Also have a look at RetiredNomad's thread.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Kia-Soul-it-can-be-done

Best of luck in your travels!

 

[VanKitten]

Welcome aboard.

I started out in a Toyota Matrix.    I didn't live full time in the car...I spent a few nights while traveling from one place to the next.   Did that for years.     Only took what would fit in the car....leaving me room to sleep.

I started out a "normal" sticks n brick dweller.   Always had the itch to go.  Once I started a normadic lifestyle it was moving around every couple of months.  I'd live out of the matrix till I figured out new situation.   Moving 3-4 times a year with a typical week or so of car living till I got settled again.    Anyway..after paying for storage lockers for years...I finally sold it all.   Wish I had done that first!    I guess I had to get over the separation anxiety before I could get rid of all that "stuff", but sorry for all that money paid out for no good purpose.

Living in a car is very doable.   It has huge advantages too.   Good gas mileage for one.  Mobility for another.   

I plan on a small class C...only because I have to be able to standup straight.   And because this RV kinda fell into my lap.   

Some day we will meet....somewhere out there

 

[Almost There]

Do you have a name for that app?
Bob

Haha, I had to dig out my US phone and turn it on to find out what it was!

It's call LocSMS and it came with my HTC phone from Verizon.

It's great, I just let it find where I'm at, then press send and it texts my son my location. Of course that means having cell service and remembering to do it!

I don't have it on my Galaxy S4 but am going to have to try to install it.

 

[Canine]

If you get down our way,me and Vic would welcome a visit.Good Luck.

 

[lifecoachontheroad]

I don't think I really had the problem of taking more than necessary for several reasons. I had gone through this forum and made notes of exactly what was needed. I took necessities only. I had to get a storage unit, because I had photos and things that belonged to my mom and dad that I could not carry around, but yet I could not part with. I am going to be back in town for the holidays and I plan on going through the storage unit to see if I can part with more stuff and also find a way to carry a few more things now that I am in a class C. 

I did learn a lot from reading about how Suanne did things. I would suggest reading her blog. A lot of my note taking came from there. lol

Also, something that was recommended to me and that I would suggest also, is pack your car with what you think you will need and do a trial run for a few days. When you come back, you should be able to tweak things to know exactly what you need. Then you can make the decision whether or not to get a storage unit or not. You can always go through it and get rid of stuff you don't need, but you cannot get back treasures that you have let go. Hope this helps.

Caryn

I'm so glad to hear that you have a storage unit!  I really don't want to let go of some of my things, but kept feeling like I would be a "failure" as a true roadie if I didn't get rid of everything!  lol  Thanks for helping me follow my own intuition!

 

[Goshawk]

Haha, I had to dig out my US phone and turn it on to find out what it was!

It's call LocSMS and it came with my HTC phone from Verizon.

It's great, I just let it find where I'm at, then press send and it texts my son my location. Of course that means having cell service and remembering to do it!

I don't have it on my Galaxy S4 but am going to have to try to install it.

Iphone equivalent is WHEREAMIAT? app.  Works great.