Hi!

[MaximumRide]

Hi, I'm Max<br><br>Firstly OMG thankyou so much for making this site! It looks like it will be a life saver.<br><br>My Summery: 23 year old, lesbian, creative, on unemployment benefits, australian<br><br>So, 4 years ago&nbsp; ran away from home, the abuse was too much and since then I have moved on an average of every 6 months. All due to several misfortunes.<br><br>I have, as I'm sure you can imagine become very sick of thing and am longing for consistency and moving about on my own terms.<br><br>I have had 2 sleepless nights in a row thinking about how the heck im going to find somewhere to live again on such short notice. Ive thought of so many options, but all require a lot of money. And all the propertises i have seen are run down, smell and tiny.&nbsp; So i thought about living in a van. I've put in interest for a few and heard back from one.<br><br>I am a little bit scared about this new plan, but i am 100% determined to make it work. I'm scared b/c I know nothing about cars, but i guess with saving a lot of money I will be able to afford for someone to look at it.<br><br>Also I am very creative and can't wait to get stuck into creating my new home! anyway, It was a major saviour to find your site. thankyou sooo much. Looking forward to chatting to everyone soon.<br><br>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hi, Max! <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome to the forum.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Good luck with your rolling home.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob (aka stude53)</p>

 

[roadtested_websitetoolbox_import980]

<P>hi Max, i am also new to the site, seems like a great group of people that are eager to help tips and idea's. I'm glad i found the site.</P>

 

[Seraphim]

Welcome to the tribe, Max.&nbsp; There are times we can only take things one day at a time - and you seem to have an excellent attitude and outlook. You'll do well.<br><br>We look forward to seeing where your adventure takes you, and I've found there are a lot of good, encouraging people here, with a lot of experience behind them.<br><br>Welcome.<br>

 

[cyndi]

<P>Hi Max, Glad you found us!&nbsp;</P>

 

[WanderingRonin]

Hello Max,<div>This is a good site and plenty of kind people will help you out. I am not technically knowledgeable myself but I get by with what I know. You will learn quickly about mechanics soon enough and little by little. It's a great way to live life on the cheap. (I am typing this inside my little van home) It doesn't have to be complicated from the start. It's still summer there so you have plenty of time to kit out your home and make it comfy for the winter. My only recommendation is to get a really good bed and ensure your privacy with thick curtains all around. Everything else can be picked up as you make money. Good luck and have a safe travel life!</div><div><br></div><div>PS, I once was looking to get a van there because of high house prices... and then just grilling my meals in the many cool public parks you have... (especially if the grill is electric --you can make so much food on those)</div>

 

[sl1966]

Welcome Max ... I hope we can help you smooth out your ride moving forward.<div><br></div>

 

[MaximumRide]

Thankyou soo much to everyone who has responded!<div>You have already given me strength.</div><div><br></div><div>So today I arrived home to find that my soon to be ex- house mates have replaced all my furnature. and now my stuff is in the shed. so not a good feeling. And also they sprung unexpected bills on me. so when it comes times to move i will have no money and no home... all though i do have a lancer and a few mates said I can couch surf. -sniffles- no money to buy van.</div><div><br></div><div>So now feelings a little depressed. also i got a guy calling me saying he has a room for rent, but he also told me lots about how he is into bondage, and other sexual activites... hrmm... yes... so going to live there.</div><div><br></div><div>This is going to be an interesting ride folks.</div><div><br></div><div>Stay tuned.</div>

 

[MaximumRide]

Hi Max. Vanjoe here. I started living in a van 2 winters ago. I got 2 dogs last winter. I sometime worry about what happens if things go wrong. Life could go in any direction. The time that I've had free from the rat race is already more than I could have hoped for. Having a 1977 chevy, I learned how to do some things mechanically that has kept the show on the road. Necesity is the mother of invention. Safe travels<br>

<div><br></div><div>Yes, its def a way out of the rat race, i was just thinking about that, while i was reading: Rich Dad Poor Dad. great read so far, id really recomend it.</div><div><br></div><div>I have a cat, so worried about taking her with me.</div>

 

[Saguache]

Hey Max,<div><br></div><div>Sounds like you need some wheels. &nbsp;I started poking around online looking for deals and while I'm not completely sure a) where you're located in Australia and b) what the laws of ownership are there you should do what you can to move on and get things right for yourself.</div><div><br></div><div>I know that Toyota, Ford and Nissan sell some pretty nice lories in AU, something like <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com.au/_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ200692632105#ht_500wt_1303" target="_blank">this</a> would give you a leg up even though the interior is probably pretty barren. &nbsp;Think about it this way, its a completely blank pallet and you get to paint in the particulars.</div><div><br></div><div><b>DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR CAT!</b>&nbsp; Seriously, I've traveled with a cat in the past and an old one at that. &nbsp;Fix yourself up a kitty box and keep it clean and you'll be good to go.</div><div><br></div><div>Start poking around looking for a deal. &nbsp;Craig's list is a good place to look here in the States, but has almost nothing there. &nbsp;This <a href="http://www.drive.com.au/search/buy-used-cars/?b=Van&amp;from=4&amp;ncis=0&amp;sf=priceasc&amp;pg=2" target="_blank">site</a>&nbsp;seems like a good place to start. &nbsp;Relentless forward progress <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div>

 

[MaximumRide]

Hi Saguache, <br>I'm in Australia, Melbourne. We tend to use gumtree in oz.<br>Don't worry about the laws, I can figure that out.<br><br>I'm still all for the van idea, I just get disheartened because I will have to keep it a secret from most of my friends. They just cant except the idea of my planned life style and if they knew that i'm planning to take my cat with me, they are sure to get her taken off me. Any suggestiogs on how to deal with this?<br><br>That you all so much for being supportive, I love coming on here and being coached and inspired.<br>

 

[Saguache]

Make it all happen fast. Friends won't have time to react if you're out the door and in your new digs. If you take your time or talk about it much with people who don't understand then they will inevitably and unavoidably try to talk you out of it.

 

[MaximumRide]

that's what im planning to do. I also have a few friends who are very supportive and have even offered to help. The others are not so supportive, so im planning on telling them im living at a share house and ashamed of the place to bring them over or somethign like that.<br>

 

[Dirty_Jeeper]

Well Max, surround yourself with those who are positive and support or understand your dream and they will help you to achieve. Whether they are there with you or online with you. &nbsp;Life is too short to let others bring you or your dreams down. Hold onto your dreams, let go of the negative that can bring you down!Then you can accomplish anything.

 

[MaximumRide]

Well said Dirty Jeeper.<br><br>It's pretty amazing when home repairs equal a new tire. or an extension = a $200 tent.<br><br>

 

[MaximumRide]

<a href="http://maxlife888.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">http://maxlife888.blogspot.com.au/</a>&nbsp;<div>a better link to blog</div>

 

[MaximumRide]

Its a great project isn't it. I know that since last week when I discovered the tiny house book I had to take some time off running my business because this new plan is consuming my time.<div><br></div><div>The only thing that I have done today is make myself get out of the house for a meeting for work. And even through the meeting I was thinking about the house that I will build. Even got to work some of what I have learnt recently into the convo!</div>