Help starting

[Esmith]

Hello!

I am thinking about hitting the road. I have very little money (as I am a college student) what kind of vehicle would be reliable and very inexpensive? Any other advice for me? Thanks so much!!

 

[highdesertranger]

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

 

[cyndi]

Living on wheels can be very affordable. But, you should have an emergency fund for breakdowns, etc. In my canse I have enoughset aside to replace an engine, transmission or buy another vehicle.

If you have a vehicle, now. I would start out in that. There are forums for each type of vehicle with lots of information and how-to's to inspire

 

[ckelly78z]

Take a couple of trips to a state park campground in your own vehicle to see if it's what you want. You will quickly learn what works for you, and what you need/don't need. A minivan, or older pickup truck with a cap are affordable alternatives.

 

[mpruet]

Time to get on my soap box...

Your most important investment is yourself.  You are currently in college.  Your goal should be to graduate from college with a marketable field of study and no debt.  So why would you even be considering spending any money on getting a vehicle for a nomadic lifestyle?  Are you uncertain as to why you are in college?  Do you feel that you need to expand your horizons? 

My son felt that way so I encouraged him to work every other semester as an intern in his field of study (chemical engineering).  This was so that he could get a feel what it was really like to work as a chemical engineer. When he graduated, he still was not certain that he wanted to remain in his field.  I suggested that the consider joining the Peace Corps and he spent two years in Africa under rather primitive conditions.  While there he decided to become a doctor and is now an ophthalmologist.

So I'm going to ask again - why do you feel the need to become nomadic while you are in college?

Getting off my soap box...

 

[GypsyJan]

Sometimes college stress can drive one to wishing for a life on the road!

 

[mpruet]

That's why I suggest that folks in college take time off to do internships in their major area.  Or even get a job and get away from school for a bit of time.  That way you can earn a bit of money, get some time to think about life, learn what the real world is like, etc.  It makes it much easier to go back to school with full focus after taking productive breaks.

One thing to think about is that if you feel stressed while in college, how do you think you can survive when you are working in your field? College may be stressful, but it's not nearly as stressful as the working life.

 

[Esmith]

Thanks so much for all of your responses! My idea currently is to take some time off and experience real life, then finish my degree. I have this insatiable need to go out and see what it means to “live.” Drop the mundane monotonous routine and live amongst the extraordinary. What do you guys think?

—Ethan

 

[WanderingRose]

I think that as long as you are not leaving untended children, serious responsibilities unmet, and unpaid bills in your wake, you should go where your heart leads you.

You will come back a different person, more in touch with yourself and the world around you, more ready to be a serious student and pursue a career.

You will need a reasonably reliable vehicle, and a source of income to maintain it as well as care for yourself, so think that through and have at least several thousand dollars in savings before you head out.

May require some work time before you become mobile.

Good luck.

 

[wagoneer]

Jumping from High School to college is often IMHO a mistake. At that age its all still kinda new, I got a Dishwashing job and went to Europe for 3 months. Best money i ever spent youth hostels camping sleeping on the Metro grates, but that was 50 years ago not sure how that would translate into "current" times, As for vehicle choice I would go for a simple 80/90's 4 cylinder small pickup with a topper, or American van. Good luck.

 

[Esmith]

That makes a lot of sense. I definitely need to build up a savings account. I feel like now might be a good time because I don’t have a mortgage or bills or other thing so holding me back. I feel like I need to see the world. I really appreciate your input and I’ll look into those vehicles!


—Ethan

 

[mpruet]

That makes a lot of sense. I definitely need to build up a savings account. I feel like now might be a good time because I don’t have a mortgage or bills or other thing so holding me back. I feel like I need to see the world. I really appreciate your input and I’ll look into those vehicles!


—Ethan

If you are determined to be nomadic for a while, I'd do it on the cheap.  You could try tent camping and/or car camping. That way you would not be sinking money into a van + conversion + power + solar + etc.  There are plenty of folks, for instance, who car camp in a Prius.  I even did that for a while. 

You say that you need to see the world.  You need to not get your hopes too high on doing that by being nomadic.  The truth is that most nomads have rather limited resources and don't see that much of the world.  I saw a lot of the world while I was working.  I spent time in Brazil, China, Germany, Africa, Japan, Australia, England, Ireland, France, Italy, etc.  Most of the nomadic folk with small resources spend most of their time in BLM land in the west.  I suspect that you are limited in your resources as well. 

I'm not a person to say that anyone must go to college immediately after high school. I feel rather strongly that part of school should be actual work.  I had jobs all through my university years.  I paid my living expenses all the way through.  I graduated debt free, and that was from a private university in the north east.  I encouraged my son to do the same. 

Before you sink real money into this, you need to try it on the cheap for a while - and there are several questions you need to ask yourself.

1. Do you like camping?

If you discover that you don't like to camp, then you won't be successful.  Cooking your meal over an open fire seems romantic, but there are a lot of gnats, mosquitoes, and flies in the wild.

2. How will you react to being isolated?

Most nomads will spend most of their time isolated and alone.  Oh they might have occasional meet-ups, but the majority of their time will be alone. You need to consider your personal need for companionship.


3. How will you support yourself?

While living on the road can be cheaper than living in a sticks-and-bricks home, it still requires money.  It's not free.  You still have to eat and pay for gas. 

4. How will you keep your food safe?

Most nomads will need some form of refrigeration to keep their food from spoiling.  

5. How will you react to reduced levels of comfort?

This is a biggie.  Can you poop in a bucket?  Can you live with little or no online entertainment? 

6. Are you considering this because you are running from something?

There is a saying - "Where ever you go, there you are..."  If there are things about yourself that you don't like and are trying to escape, then you'll discover that they will follow you.  You'll still have those issues - just in a different location.  Those issues need to be resolved by searching within and not without. 

In any case - take your time and good luck with your decisions.