My name is Steve and I was a member of this site before but decided to delete my account for personal and privacy reasons at the time. But now my life has changed and I am back. At 66 years of age I am at a crossroads in my life right now. Should I wait around for low income housing or just strike out in my Csuv Ford Escape and head West?
As my subject says I am what I would classify as homeless. After my recent divorce a month ago I relocated to Ohio around the Cincinnati area. I am now living temporarily in an extended stay hotel while searching out permanent housing. Because I only receive $600 a month from Social Security I have been applying at low income senior apartments that are HUD assisted. I have applied to about 20 so far with all of them informing me that there are long waiting lists 6 months or more. A couple seem promising in that I may be able to secure one within a month or so, but not for sure guarantees. If I do get to the top of the list and get one, the rent is going to be about $200 a month which includes electricity. All the places I applied to are well maintained and very safe.
Here's my dilemma. I keep going back and forth on the idea that I should just say the heck with it, check out, jump in my vehicle and become a dweller on wheels. I just imagine myself rotting away in a lonely small apartment if I don't.
But there is a voice inside my head that says "just wait and try to secure one of these low income apartments". I guess I am being overly cautious and I am going to admit... scared as well. I have never been in this situation in my life so I am confused. I have lived in my vehicle for a month or more while road tripping but always had a home to go back to. Not so this time! I was staying in public campgrounds with facilities then, while traveling. I am pretty resourceful and in good physical condition so I think I would do ok.
I know this is a decision I will have to make in the end by myself. I would like to have some sort of backup and support when I get out West that would be there for me to kind of show me the ropes and guide me as I go. I know the general areas to boon dock and the things I have to do to survive. I just have to put it in motion in real life with some hands on experience and ideally some guidance from some of the people that are successfully doing it now, to get me started in the right direction, and I am sure I will succeed.
So I will ask these questions. If I take off and head West towards Flagstaff (which was suggested by Bob for this time of year) is there any place particular there that I should go to in that area to camp? In other words, what road should I seek out and how will I know that that is a place to be? Are there individuals I could seek out when I get there that could sorta act as mentors and kinda take me under their wing to show me the ropes a little? And in particular, where would I find them once out West?
This site has been a great resource for me through the last couple of years for learning. I just hope that I will be successful once I put things in motion.
Thanks in advance any help and advice.
Steve
As my subject says I am what I would classify as homeless. After my recent divorce a month ago I relocated to Ohio around the Cincinnati area. I am now living temporarily in an extended stay hotel while searching out permanent housing. Because I only receive $600 a month from Social Security I have been applying at low income senior apartments that are HUD assisted. I have applied to about 20 so far with all of them informing me that there are long waiting lists 6 months or more. A couple seem promising in that I may be able to secure one within a month or so, but not for sure guarantees. If I do get to the top of the list and get one, the rent is going to be about $200 a month which includes electricity. All the places I applied to are well maintained and very safe.
Here's my dilemma. I keep going back and forth on the idea that I should just say the heck with it, check out, jump in my vehicle and become a dweller on wheels. I just imagine myself rotting away in a lonely small apartment if I don't.
But there is a voice inside my head that says "just wait and try to secure one of these low income apartments". I guess I am being overly cautious and I am going to admit... scared as well. I have never been in this situation in my life so I am confused. I have lived in my vehicle for a month or more while road tripping but always had a home to go back to. Not so this time! I was staying in public campgrounds with facilities then, while traveling. I am pretty resourceful and in good physical condition so I think I would do ok.
I know this is a decision I will have to make in the end by myself. I would like to have some sort of backup and support when I get out West that would be there for me to kind of show me the ropes and guide me as I go. I know the general areas to boon dock and the things I have to do to survive. I just have to put it in motion in real life with some hands on experience and ideally some guidance from some of the people that are successfully doing it now, to get me started in the right direction, and I am sure I will succeed.
So I will ask these questions. If I take off and head West towards Flagstaff (which was suggested by Bob for this time of year) is there any place particular there that I should go to in that area to camp? In other words, what road should I seek out and how will I know that that is a place to be? Are there individuals I could seek out when I get there that could sorta act as mentors and kinda take me under their wing to show me the ropes a little? And in particular, where would I find them once out West?
This site has been a great resource for me through the last couple of years for learning. I just hope that I will be successful once I put things in motion.
Thanks in advance any help and advice.
Steve
