Hiya!

[ilikerocks]

Hello forum! 
College student here, about to transfer to a UC. I've wanted to live in a van for a few years now, but there was always something in the way. The stars have finally aligned and I'm going to take the plunge this summer. This gives my a solid 6 months to find and build my van. 

Question: Which city would you rather van dwell in for 2 years (and which would be less challenging), Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, ilikerocks! I don't have any personal experience in either city. But, Santa Barbara instituted safe parking for the homeless laws, earlier this year
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-homeless-safe-parking-20160504-story.html

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.

 

[eDJ_]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums    

A lot will depend oh how you want to define your domicile.  Will you see yourself as a Van Dweller or Homeless ?
(I would see you as person living in an RV of sorts) 

As for the Climate of the two cities,  I'd advise you to make use of the US Climate data website.

Berkley, CA

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/berkeley/california/united-states/usca0087


Santa Barbara, CA

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/santa-barbara/california/united-states/usca1017



US CLIMATE DATA COM   Home (default City is Washington D C)

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/united-states/us


This is a handy little Youtube video from my lower site below.  It shows the 70 degree weather as it moves
from south to north and north to south (tracked by the dates of each month)



This info should be helpful to you in making your choice and give you a better idea of how to set up your Van
to cope with the weather conditions.

You should be able to use the Gym at School to shower, shave, and clean up each day. (and change clothes, perhaps you could get a locker in the Gym too)

All the best !

 

[rvpopeye]

Welcome aboard Ilikerocks!
I'm a big rock fan too but something tells me not the same kind as you????
Hope you like vandwelling as much as so many of us do!
Not a big city fan though so about all I can say about your two choices is they both are near the ocean.....Berkley has a little (OK a lot) more city to navigate though.

 

[ArtW]

Welcome!
I know nothing about those 2 cities, I don't even California

 

[ilikerocks]

Welcome to the CRVL Forums    

A lot will depend oh how you want to define your domicile.  Will you see yourself as a Van Dweller or Homeless ?
(I would see you as person living in an RV of sorts) 

As for the Climate of the two cities,  I'd advise you to make use of the US Climate data website.

Berkley, CA

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/berkeley/california/united-states/usca0087


Santa Barbara, CA

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/santa-barbara/california/united-states/usca1017



US CLIMATE DATA COM   Home (default City is Washington D C)

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/united-states/us


This is a handy little Youtube video from my lower site below.  It shows the 70 degree weather as it moves
from south to north and north to south (tracked by the dates of each month)



This info should be helpful to you in making your choice and give you a better idea of how to set up your Van
to cope with the weather conditions.

You should be able to use the Gym at School to shower, shave, and clean up each day.  (and change clothes,  perhaps you could get a locker in the Gym too)  

All the best !

Definitely not homeless. Great information, thanks!

Welcome aboard Ilikerocks!
I'm a big rock fan too but something tells me not the same kind as you????
Hope you like vandwelling as much as so many of us do!
Not a big city fan though so about all I can say about your two choices is they both are near the ocean.....Berkley has a little (OK a lot) more city to navigate though.

What gives you that idea?   

I'm also not a fan of the city, but that's were all of the good schools are. But would a bigger city be better for long-term living because there would be more parking opportunities and more anonymity?

 

[rvpopeye]

???? Most of my city camping was in a club parking lot or the motel/hotel lot next to the tour bus.
Now you know what kind of rock !

 

[Beth Owyn]

Hello forum! 
College student here, about to transfer to a UC. I've wanted to live in a van for a few years now, but there was always something in the way. The stars have finally aligned and I'm going to take the plunge this summer. This gives my a solid 6 months to find and build my van. 

Question: Which city would you rather van dwell in for 2 years (and which would be less challenging), Berkeley or Santa Barbara?

NPR recently had a story about older homeless women living in their vehicles in Santa Barbara....the whole piece was rather despondent; of course I wish these women well but hope they can just embrace change and see what the Universe has for them next?! Just found the story on the web: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-...seniors-without-housing-a-parking-lot-is-home

Maybe  it could give you a little insight into Santa Barbara. Best wishes to you!!!

 

[CaliforniaCamper]

Santa Barbara has a new city ordinance banning "oversized" vehicles from parking on city streets. Oversized is considered longer than 25', wider than 80", or taller than 82". I'm not familiar with the height and width of most vans--but assume it's possible you could have a problem with parking within the city limits.
http://www.independent.com/news/2016/oct/20/santa-barbara-bans-rv-parking/