Hello! this is my story of how i became a vandweller

[LivingFree]

Hi everyone, this site is awesome so many great posts. My name is Matt and my van living started in CT 2011 after i walked away from my house and quit my job, I had enough and needed a change. When i hit the road in 2011 i traveled to 14 states that year and had a blast. currently im in FL for the winter working full time and repairing my van which is running well now. I drive a 96 Dodge B2500 V6 220k miles and runs great, I do all my own repairs and keep it up.<br /><br />I will say i enjoy not having all the those bills and when i work the paycheck is mine and doesn't evaporate paying bills. The freedom to just taking off when i feel like splitting is a great feeling, plus having primitive skills gives me the confidence of feeding myself when money gets tight.&nbsp;

 

[Where~the~wind~blows]

Welcome FreeLiving, good for you! so many would never have the courage to just walk away! Trust me I wish I could! I envy all who are not rooted!

 

[Possum]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome aboard fellow dweller!!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" /><br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I too have pretty good "primitive" skills as well and do all of my own work on my "homes".&nbsp; I currently have two dodge vans, one is a wide extended 1ton (originally a handicap public bus), and the 2nd one is a shorty&nbsp; ram vam with a slant 6 and a factory 4spd with o/d.<br />I am fixing both of them up for travel/living in , depending on my needs! It's very satisfying working on your own stuff,and of coarse&nbsp; a huge money saver as well!<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; have a great day!<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Randy<br /></span>

 

[sparky1]

Welcome LivingFree<span class="status_offline" title="Offline"><span style="color: #000000;">;<br /><br /></span></span>Glad to have you join us.Have a great Day.<br />sparky1 in s.va.<br /><br />

 

[HoboBerg]

Welcome to the group!

 

[RetiredNomad]

Welcome LivingFree, don't know what part of CT you're from but when I'm in the Northeast, as I am now, I always use the Danbury rest area as a base.
Safe travels........

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group LivingFree! Glad to hear that you found what made you happy.

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[LivingFree]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. Yes it was a difficult decision to walk away but i don't regret it. I was from Bristol, CT (home of ESPN) I've been saving up to buy some hunting land one day to build a cabin well thats the dream anyway.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Hi Matt!&nbsp; Great to have you here!&nbsp; Your perspective is so refreshing!<br /><br />Oh, the days of dividing up a paycheck only to find nothing is left...&nbsp; Uggg...&nbsp; I'm glad there are no paychecks coming in to get stressed out over.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />I haven't traveled as many miles are you but have traveled so many nooks and crannies of Iowa it's crazy.&nbsp; Now I am finding that just sitting in the same area, cooking, walking, camping, playing with the cat, etc.&nbsp;is even more fun than moving around. (and cheaper)<br /><br />Vandwelling is so much fun.&nbsp; Welcome and I'm sure you'll find a lot of enjoyment here.<br /><br /><br />V.T.</p>