Hello

[dxcarp]

Hi all,

I'm from Chicago...and can't wait to get out of here. Started looking into getting a small RV just to do some traveling. Now, however, the whole idea of full-time vandwelling has really caught my imagination. I'm so looking forward to soaking up all the ideas, tips, and experiences of the veterans here. Really interested in the experiences of people living on fixed incomes, as I just recently was approved for SSDI.

I'm ready for a new adventure at this point in life. Let it begin.

 

[sisterearth]

Welcome and happy new adventures!! I am new here and can't believe how much info is here!! Peace!

 

[Wabbit]

Hi dxcarp and welcome!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums dxcarp! Since the whole idea of vandwelling is new to you be sure to read through Bob's blog and ask lots of questions. There is no one way or right way to do this. Each of us has different experiences and different lifestyles so you'll find many choices and ideas here.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[akrvbob]

It's entirely possible to live on $700 a month or even less, but that is pretty tight! $1000 a month is very comfortable! The way you do it is pay nothing for housing, that saves a lot of money! Here's how:

1) Camp for free which is very easy to do out West.
2) To be comfortable doing it you should plan to move with the weather so it's always moderate and avoid extreme temperatures. That's also very easy to do out West. In Arizona all you have to do is drive 300 miles one way to drop (or increase) 25 degrees.
3) Create your own utiities so you aren't paying anybody for them. Solar panels or a generator solve that problem.

All that leaves is food, insurance, cell and internet, entertainment and a few misc things. If you're frugal, that's not much!!
Bob

 

[brightbluejim]

3) Create your own utiities so you aren't paying anybody for them. Solar panels or a generator solve that problem.
Bob

Hi dxcarp, Hi Bob,

Solar panels are probably cost-effective, after a while - I'm certainly going to be looking more into that as soon as I have some money built back up.  But even at today's low gas prices, I did the math for a few popular generators in the 2 KW range, and if they're telling the truth about how long a tank of gas runs at a given power output, the result I got was about $1 per kilowatt-hour.  Last time I looked, I was getting electricity for about $0.12/kWh on the grid, so generating your own costs about EIGHT TIMES as much.

Now, having said that, you can still save money on electricity in a van, even using a generator, because you don't have a house full of appliances that are constantly using a little power here, a little power there.  Also, there's less area to light, so lighting with LEDs costs next to nothing in a van. But if you run a generator just to keep your air conditioner running, it's going to cost you a LOT.

Jim

 

[dxcarp]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for that info. Exactly the kind of stuff I'm looking to learn.

A big part of what makes the idea of vandwelling so exciting to me is it's a whole new way of thinking about life in general. What's really important. I've lived the conventional American life of work to own stuff and then realized that the stuff owned me. Time to change that.

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. I imagine I'll be lurking around here for quite a bit trying to absorb the collective wisdom. My thinking is it's going to take me about a year before I'm able to actually hit the road, as I'm starting from absolute zero. I don't even own a vehicle of any kind at the moment.

 

[dxcarp]

It's entirely possible to live on $700 a month or even less, but that is pretty tight! $1000 a month is very comfortable! The way you do it is pay nothing for housing, that saves a lot of money! Here's how:

1) Camp for free which is very easy to do out West.
2) To be comfortable doing it you should plan to move with the weather so it's always moderate and avoid extreme temperatures. That's also very easy to do out West. In Arizona all you have to do is drive 300 miles one way to drop (or increase) 25 degrees.
3) Create your own utiities so you aren't paying anybody for them. Solar panels or a generator solve that problem.

All that leaves is food, insurance, cell and internet, entertainment and a few misc things. If you're frugal, that's not much!!
Bob

Hi Bob,

From what I've already read, I don't think I'd have too much trouble making ends meet. I'm a pretty simple guy. And I can't wait to head out west. Never had much chance to go out that way, but always wanted to see it. The idea of moving with the weather sounds so great.

 

[wagoneer]

I HAVE A GENERATOR AND DISLIKE THE NOISE POLUTION It's a quiet Honda still can't hear the wind and ambient nature sounds. Also adding pounds to the rig. Adding another high risk theft item breaks the 'ol camels back.