fredcdobbs
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- Jul 11, 2012
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<p>About 17 years ago I sold my clinical office, most of my possessions, put the rest (still a alot) in storage, bought a Toyota mini-camper at auction, and lived in it for two years. Much of it was off and on parked in the driveway of my sister's, but then had to boondock when her landlord complained. Nonetheless, it was the freest time of my life, and it was the fullfillment of a childhood dream. But I got tired of the rootless feeling and being made fun of by some. I also tired of constantly looking for a place to park. I live in the heart of Los Angeles, am single, and never really have had a desire to roam around outside of the city. I pretty much just wanted to keep the same routine as when I had an apartment: going to the gym, running 10k races, my 12th step meetings and so forth. But the parking thing in the city is tough. Always trying to keep a low profile was not easy, especially in my little camper. I had it fixed up with all the amenities including a generator, A/C, hot shower, full kitchen, the whole bit. I was amazed how self sufficient I was, and besides the drawbacks mentioned earlier, I never missed a fixed dwelling AT ALL. And I used to write in my journal every month the money I was saving. It went into the thousands and thousands. When my money finally ran out I went back to work in my profession, sold the camper, rented an apartment across the street from my sister's, and slowly started to possess things again. Then I moved closer to where most of my former activities were near the Hollywood area, and have been here since (7 1/2 years). But the place immediately gave me severe allergies and was hospitalized. Two powerful air cleaners helped, but the allergies are always present. I live just behind a liguor store in a very nice gentrified location, but parking is a premium and I struggle to keep people from parking in my spot, trashing, thoughless neighbors, etc. When I first moved here I only wanted to stay until the housing balloon would burst and I could buy a house. Well houses are now down to when I first moved in years ago, interest rates extremely low. But my dilemma is Idon't want to live in a fixed place anymore, but if I don't buy now I'll never be able to afford one. I thought of buying something, renting it out with a covenant that I get to use a place to park a van or motorhome. But even that idea makes my feel stressed with thought of owning and being responsible for that huge possession. I have been driving around the local neighborhoods at night seeing if I can detect mobile dwellers. Has any one of you gone through this hard decision making process with all the fears and ambivalence? I go back and forth on the type of unit I should get. I pretty much know I want a van, but the more stealth, the less convenience. Can I tolerate a regular van, or should I go high top for standing room but much less stealth. Generator or no. I just don't want to feel rootless and alone out there and always worrying about the cops. I get a strong feeling that I just want to just go to a dealer, get a new or used van, leave all my sh*t to whoever wants if, put a bed in the van and just get the h*ll out of where I'm at. I want to be free in every way. I'm 62 now and I don't know how much time I got left. You people are the only ones I can share this with because I don't trust other's reactions, not even at 12th meetings, though I did share this with my therapist of 6 years and she says "why not". She says I shouldn't try to conceal this from people. That it is who I am and if they don't acept it, it's their problem, and I'll know who my friends are. Sorry for the long intro. </p>
