After raising a couple of fine human beings and downsizing for years, it's just me and my dog now. My lease is up soon and I've decided to not renew. I live in a midwestern, urban area and don't currently have a car.
I am determined to pack up what little I have that actually brings me joy in life, and drive towards the Southwest in April.
After years of considering and researching this lifestyle, my current assessment is:
First priority is to get something mechanically reliable that will get me 1300 miles before it needs much if any work. I'll get it checked out before I hit the road and make sure it's road ready... just hoping to buy something in decent shape and enough power to handle mountains. This is more important right now than having creature comforts. I may drive it out that way and want to look for a room or apartment, or may decide to just keep staying in the vehicle.
So barebones cargo van or something similar feels like the place to start.
Also spotting some interesting options built on Ford E350s, like shuttle buses and one box truck looking thing.
One question I have is where do people go to work on their vans if they don't have a garage space? I'd have to drive 300 miles in the opposite direction to get back near family and friends who have garages and space and really would prefer to avoid that.
If I buy carpet or something at a Home Depot, do they care if I'm out in the parking lot doing work on my van? I'm just thinking about very basic things up front, and feeling a little stuck before I start. I live in an apartment building in a busy area with zero space to work on a vehicle.
I see tons of how-to videos on youtube, but do most people have garages or homes where they work on their vans? Or is it more acceptable in some parts of the country to be working on your vehicle out in the open in public areas?
People where I live don't really seem to get this lifestyle at all. Maybe it's like this everywhere, but to a lot of people I know here, the whole idea is just another form of homelessness, which is in itself sadly judged in very disheartening way.
Appreciate this forum, site, and Bob's youtube channel. Like so many, I am truly inspired to live a different life and am just getting started.
Thanks in advance for any tips or advice or just plain ol' support.
I am determined to pack up what little I have that actually brings me joy in life, and drive towards the Southwest in April.
After years of considering and researching this lifestyle, my current assessment is:
- I won't really know if I'll like it until I try it.
- Better to start where I'm at than keep endlessly analyzing, planning, and day dreaming.
- No matter where I start (van, RV, barebones, or built out), I'll learn and want to change up at some point.
- I can only learn so much on forums and youtube. I have to get out and get hands on experience. I'll be learning every day and night that I'm out on the road.
First priority is to get something mechanically reliable that will get me 1300 miles before it needs much if any work. I'll get it checked out before I hit the road and make sure it's road ready... just hoping to buy something in decent shape and enough power to handle mountains. This is more important right now than having creature comforts. I may drive it out that way and want to look for a room or apartment, or may decide to just keep staying in the vehicle.
So barebones cargo van or something similar feels like the place to start.
Also spotting some interesting options built on Ford E350s, like shuttle buses and one box truck looking thing.
One question I have is where do people go to work on their vans if they don't have a garage space? I'd have to drive 300 miles in the opposite direction to get back near family and friends who have garages and space and really would prefer to avoid that.
If I buy carpet or something at a Home Depot, do they care if I'm out in the parking lot doing work on my van? I'm just thinking about very basic things up front, and feeling a little stuck before I start. I live in an apartment building in a busy area with zero space to work on a vehicle.
I see tons of how-to videos on youtube, but do most people have garages or homes where they work on their vans? Or is it more acceptable in some parts of the country to be working on your vehicle out in the open in public areas?
People where I live don't really seem to get this lifestyle at all. Maybe it's like this everywhere, but to a lot of people I know here, the whole idea is just another form of homelessness, which is in itself sadly judged in very disheartening way.
Appreciate this forum, site, and Bob's youtube channel. Like so many, I am truly inspired to live a different life and am just getting started.
Thanks in advance for any tips or advice or just plain ol' support.