Hey everyone

[Justajester]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; New here. I'm From Arizona and sick and tired of this state and living in an apartment. I've been thinking about living in a van/tent for a couple years now and over the last year I think about it more and more. I can't stand paying all these bills to basically have a big place to store crap I don't need. It feels like a ball and chain to own so much stuff and have a lease. I try to talk to other people about living in a van but everyone thinks I'm crazy. I just need someone to tell me it's a good idea.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My basic plan of attack here is either an astro van or maybe a larger 1/2 ton cargo. I'm thinking of buying a small motorcycle a can tow around on a hitch carrier to save gas money when I stop in certain areas for a while. I'm going to get a 1200W generator and a 220AH battery to run most stuff for electricity. I will add solar panels eventually but it seems to be too large an investment for the time being.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm also planning on having an 18x18' tent to throw out with a queen air mattress in some areas when I want some more room. I'm also getting all the camping gear including a portable propane shower, toilet, water filter, water jugs, a cooler, sink w/ electric pump for easy dish washing. Lastly I found the wonder wash portable laundry machine to do a small load of clothes here and there. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I think I have a well planned out budget. I get 1000 a month from social security being that I'm disabled. I plan on having my cell phone w/ mobile hotspot for internet which costs me 50 a month, a gym membership for 30 a month, budget 250 a month for gas/propane, probably 150 on food(or less I've learned alot of street skills to get free food over the years). <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm figuring on just rolling around the country and traveling like I've been dieing to do all my life. I think the Tent/Van setup gives me a nice combo of good wilderness setup with the van for urban camo when staying in the city. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So can someone tell me, Is my plan pretty good? Do I fit a vandweller mind set? Can I please sell off all my stuff and follow my dreams without being called crazy? LOL Also, are there any other AZ dwellers out there? <br />-Tom

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome Tom. This is the right place to be for justification as to what you are wanting to do. Use Bob's actual cheap rv living site as well as his new blog for the wealth of info you seek. The rest of us are good helpful folk too.<br /><strong><span style="color: #ff00ff;">Dragonfly</span></strong>

 

[Mortisha]

Hello JustaJester and welcome =)

 

[offroad]

Hello JustaJester - you will be fine with that kind of income, as long as you have no medical issues. Will have a lot more freedom living in a van perminent, or for a few years. &nbsp;

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome! It looks like you're been doing a lot of research and have come up with a good plan. Give yourself some time to get everything in place while saving as much as possible and selling off what you don't need or use. There's a lot of good information on all of Bob's sites.

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Welcome aboard, JJ! </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Looking forward to reading your adventures here! <br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[akrvbob]

Tom, you have come to the right place!!! The best times of your life are just around the corner!! Not only aren't you crazy, you&nbsp; are one of the few sane people in this crazy modern world. You can easily live quite well on $1000 a month by living in a van!<br /><br />Some vandwellers are stationary and live in a city because they have to work for a living. But their are many of us like you and me who who are on SS or have a pension and are snowbirds. By that I mean we move with the seasons. In the summer we move up into the National Forest where it is cool, and in the winter we move down to the desert where it is warm. Many of us spend our winter in Arizona because there is so much free BLM desert land to camp on. In fact we have a very large gathering called the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous in Quartzsite, AZ, in January (info here: http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Rendezvous.html)&nbsp;<br /><br />If you are going to get started sooner, you are welcome to join me in my summer camp. I am in the Sierra NF above Fresno, CA. There are three others camping with me now and three more on their way. So another person would be great. <br /><br />Feel free to ask any questions you may have. I suggest you check out all my websites; cheaprvliving.com, cheapgreenrvliving.com. I also think it would be helpful to join my blog at <br />http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/<br />Bob

 

[kevinr]

Welcome Justa. You are in good company. I come here whenever I wonder if what I'm doing is the right thing or not. The hardest part, since I have no SS income yet, is contemplating what I'm going to do when the current gig is up, but so far something always comes along. Right now I'm planning on attending the RTR in Quartzsite.. I may head on down there as soon as October when the campground I'm hosting closes. It takes a leap of faith, but the rewards are.. suckable.. I think that's a good word for it, but what do I know.. Happy adventuring.

 

[Guest]

Hi Tom...welcome from New Mexico and glad to have you in the ramblin' family....<br />Bri

 

[cargovanconversion]

Howdy and welcome aboard. Glad you joined us and hope you enjoy the site.<br /><br />Van.