Full-timing in Smithfield

[USExplorer]

Today is the fifth day I have been living out of my Ford Explorer here in the town of Smithfield North Carolina. I am here attending the North Carolina Truck Driver Training School, which will after eight weeks segue into a (hopeful) career of sleeping in vehicles with far more wheels and making more money. Cost of tuition here is 75% lower than private schools of inferior instruction quality, so choosing TDT was a no-brainer. Weather lately has been fabulous, warm sunny days and cool nights. Parking spots are very easy to come by in Smithfield; I know of half a dozen within a mile of the college campus. My favorite is an undeveloped cul-de-sac behind a gas station near the I-95 exit occasionally used by overnighting truckers. The police have not bothered me yet, and the officers I've seen out and about were not the kind to hassle anyone "out of place"; this is just not that kind of town. Showers are at the community college, and there are many nearby grocery stores and laundromats as well. 

I have enough money to rent a room in town, and I have had several inexpensive rental offers, but for now I plan to stick with my car life; trying not to get too comfy or put down any roots just yet. This fall looks to be warm and dry, so I may be able to last the whole eight weeks. 

Classes keep me busy on weekdays, but I'll figure out things to do on weekends in my new hometown here in eastern NC.

 

[BobBski]

All the best in your new career, it served me well for 22 years. I've hauled meat out of Smithfield. Take care.

 

[BradKW]

Sounds like a solid move...I had considered it once long ago, but decided I didn't like driving enough to do it for a living. My buddy on the other hand, used to road trip from Detroit to Pittsburgh just for the heck of it, turn around and drive back. He turned out to really like driving trucks