Hi...

[Nomadness]

Hi everyone!  Another newbie here who has actually been watching the related videos of Bob's and others for about a year.  Like many others, it went from "Oh, that's a cool idea, but just not for me!" to "Well, still kinda cool, so I guess I'll think about it" to "Yep, I think I'm gonna do it."

Although I've traveled extensively overseas, and indeed have itchy feet, car living for me is more about finances right now. So for the first year or so in my car I plan to just work and don't have plans to travel.  I don't think I'm irresponsible with money - I don't gamble, rarely drink, no expensive hobbies. Yet, each year its been getting harder and harder to make ends meet.  Rent here is nearly $1200 for a very average, one bedroom apartment.  My plan is mostly park at apartment complexes for sleeping at night.  I wish all this was for better reasons, but I'm 44 now and don't wanna wait till I'm 64 or whatever to get ahead. 
These forums have been very helpful, so thank you!
Nomadness

 

[highdesertranger]

Welcome 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.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[cherterr]

Hi.. Welcome, and you picked a cool name!

 

[tamewolf]

A little caveat:most apartments at that cost (and blandness) require parking stickers for residents.  Sometimes there are CCTV in the lots, and usually people notice who is parked near them, and how often.  Stealth is kind of a myth, you will need many places to rotate through to pull that off.  Have you scouted out likely places for overnighting?  Try seeing how it goes before committing to this difficult lifestyle.  Best of luck.

 

[ckelly78z]

I can think of factory parking lots where 2nd/3rd shifts are coming/going, so no one keeps track of a different car. $1200 is pretty steep rent in my area, so good luck.

 

[Nomadness]

Hi tame wolf, I agree completely about rotating places to sleep. Also, I wouldn't pull in to apartment complexes till after dark (yet i wouldn't pull in to them too late either). Thanks for the tip about some places requiring parking stickers, that's important.

ckelly78z, I hear ya. Cuz I think 1200 per month pretty much anywhere is steep - and ridiculous. To get any cheaper place I'd have to move pretty far from family here, including my elderly mom.
Anyway, November 1st is D-Day for me. I guess some would think it's sad, but its getting so hard to keep up with the cost of living around here. Getting an additional job may be an alternative but that's kind of like burning the oil at both ends so I can pay for a place I'll be in even less than i would without the additional job. Vicious cycle.