Charlie in NYC

[Charlie]

<FONT size=4>Well, I did it, I had been planning for a few months, thought I bought all the "stuff" I needed, got my van, insured it, inspected, cleaned it and put my bed in it... although I was not going to move out officially until March 1st (since rent was paid through feb), I just was tired of dreaming about it (and also a bit afraid of chickening out) so I moved out 2-15 late night.&nbsp; </FONT><br><FONT size=4></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=4>Since im doing this in (gasp) NYC, It took a while to find parking, but I have found a great spot for now.&nbsp; Sleeping in the van was easier than I thought, I had gotten ear plugs but really do not need them, the wooshing&nbsp;of cars wizzing by doesnt seem to bother me.&nbsp; I have a -20 sleeping bag but I just laid it on top of my comforter... it really helped and I enjoyed being snug as a bug (the bed is full sized)&nbsp;I woke up so refreshed the next day and went for a walk in the park, it was driziling lightly and i honestly felt like "this is the best day of my life" there was just such release from the restraints of being walled in and paying soooo much rent.&nbsp; I realized I hadnt taken a walk in&nbsp;eons and now I could&nbsp;do it everyday!&nbsp; Im still employed, so this&nbsp; move into a van is primarily to save money, break free from giving ALL&nbsp;of my income to rent,&nbsp;and get my finances in order and possibly also eventually pay off my student loans.&nbsp; </FONT><br><FONT size=4></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=4>Oh, on my first day vandwelling I also got the chance to "poop" in the van which was not really fun, I had planned on using public restrooms but I didnt have the luxury... I must say its a clean process with the bucket/bags/kitty litter, but a smelly one.&nbsp; LOL</FONT><br><FONT size=4></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=4>I suppose that is all for now, the days are so relaxing and LONG now, cant wait for work on Saturday because that is where I will have access to facilities such as running water, electricity and toliets <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></FONT><br><FONT size=4></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=4>be well</FONT><br>

 

[KatieinKansas]

<font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Welcome Charlie.. Glad you're with us.</span></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Katie</span></font></div>

 

[bobbert]

Awesome Charlie! My favorite part of your post was where you said you were in the park &amp; was having "The best day of your life"! Inspiring indeed!<div>Please keep us all up to date of your endeavors. Your in a location where some of us have a desire to go where there is cultural diversity, ample free parking, and inexpensive food (that is, if you eat multicultural food).&nbsp;</div><div>Try <a href="http://www.parkpalnyc.com/" target="_blank">this website</a> for up-to-date information regarding free parking around NYC. It is <a href="http://www.parkpalnyc.com/" target="_blank">parkpalNYC</a>.</div><div>There was a member on this forum known as "Triumph" who lived in a Ford van in East Village, but sadly, he hasn't visited here in a long while.&nbsp;</div><div>Thanks for posting!</div>

 

[SheketEchad]

<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Congratulations on your first day out (or should that be in?)! &nbsp; I cannot wait until I have my first day. &nbsp;Taking longer than I had hoped, but shaping up better than I imagined&nbsp;</span><div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">~SE</span></div>

 

[She]

<P>Good luck Charlie. I know its hard parking in the city so hopefully you'll find lots of places.</P>

 

[Charlie]

<FONT size=3>Hey guys, thanks for the encouragement.&nbsp; Today was supposed to be day one in my original plan, so im glad that I just jumped in spur of the moment and&nbsp;its been two weeks and now I have a routine and everything.&nbsp; I really love it, like a dream come true... though with challenges and difficulties BUT its worth it.&nbsp; </FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>NYC is a trip, I actually got&nbsp;THREE tickets in one day the&nbsp;other day, but it was my&nbsp;own fault for not moving&nbsp;earlier to the other side of the&nbsp;street.&nbsp;No one knows im in the van (i hope), I keep a really low profile, I actually saw a few other vehicle dwellers that are a little more obvious which I was surprised cause I never noticed anyone doing this, maybe it takes one to know one?&nbsp; </FONT><br><P>I still cant see why people think vandwelling is nuts but dont think spending (especially here) more than 25% (for some of my co-workers its&nbsp;closer to 50%)&nbsp;of their income just on base rent.</P><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>I will post some pics next time I get internet.</FONT><br><BR><br>

 

[Les H]

Hi Charlie, welcome. I spent most of my life in upstate ny, green and Albany counties, now in NE Alabama. Glad you found us and hope to see more of your posts.

 

[bobbert]

thanks for keeping us all posted. Hope you keep up with those tickets!

 

[Guest]

well said my man..look forward to yours and all the others logs!<br>