I quit the job I hated and I'm moving into a van

[concretebox]

Hi there,

I've been thinking about this for years. I've been backpacking a lot so I'm comfortable living with very little. I read Bob's eBook and most recently Ken Ilgunas' Walden on Wheels. I also started suffering from physical pain and some extreme anxiety and depression from my job and the horrible commute through extreme traffic (Chicago suburbs).

My lease is up soon and I'm dead set on a van and traveling and working freelance or campground host or other temporary work when I can get it.

I've already started looking at vans and I think I know what I want. Any suggestions or tips? What should I look for when inspecting a van?

Thanks! I look forward to being part of this group.

 

[my_vantasy]

Hi and welcome! I know so little about what to look for in a van, so I'm going to let the experts answer your questions. I just wanted to welcome you and let you know I'm glad that you had the courage to quit a job that was causing you so much stress and anxiety. I hope your plans work out...this forum is a great place for answers and support.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Good for you, this is very&nbsp;courageous. It will not always be easy but much easier than what you are stuck into at the moment. What do you have in&nbsp;mind for your van? <br><br>All the best to you.<br><br>Nicole

 

[wagoneer]

yes welcome ye gotta ask yourself a few questions. will I be on the road a lot ?hiway driving ?or rural roads. What is the least amount of space I can work with. either buy the newest you can afford or the best choice you WILL be spending money on. If the van does not run well make it run well as this is your first money spent and allows you to be mobile<br>forget about the gadgets for now. You want a dependable ride no matter what you choose. Stay away from big clunky outdated motorhomes unless you are talented and versed in that language. Simple is always best. I have not totally debugged my ride but am very very close. Good luck (just my 2 cents)

 

[stude53]

<span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Welcome, CB! (aka concretebox) <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif"></span></strong></span><br><br><span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Check out the articles on the sister site( cheapgreenrvliving.com ), too, for some good info.</span></strong></span><br><br><span style="color: rgb(0, 128, 0);"><strong><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Bob</span></strong></span><br><br><br><br>

 

[Mac J]

I applaud your decision to quit your job. I hope your medical and dental are up to date and that you have no debt.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>Welcome!&nbsp; I am glad you are among those who don't take a lot of crap from work.&nbsp; I just quit a job where they wanted me on call 24 hours a day for an hour or two worth of work... or no work!<br><br>I agree with what's been said about buying as new a vehicle as you can afford.&nbsp; I'm using a full sized van but some days think it uses too much gas... but then again, it's spacious.<br><br>Glad to have you here though. There are many of us who have been shafted in the work place and bosses are incredulous when you tell them you don't need the job any more!&nbsp; (They want modern day slaves)<br><br>Take care!</p><p>V.T.</p>

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group concretebox!

 

[blkjak]

<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak</strong> </span>

 

[concretebox]

Thanks for the welcome everyone! It took me longer than I thought it would to find the right rig, but here she is:https://vanlivingforum.com/post/RestoringUpdating-older-Xplorer-RV-(1989-Ford-E350-van)-6454735

I had planned on converting a cargo van but the ones I could afford were very high mileage and/or very rusty. This one is an '89 but under 60k miles and in great shape!

 

[rubbertramp]

vantrekker ,<br><br>i know what you mean about they want slaves some people are worker drones spending there whole lives working for the same company taking so much crap i just as soon have no money and be free to do what i enjoy <br>the only thing i need is a gas refinery lol<br>

 

[Dragonfly]

Hi Concretebox:

Your name kind of says it all I see that you have already found your van. I wanted to welcome you to the forum and wish you happiness in whatever life you choose.

Gonna go look at your van..but I know one thing. You can be happy in whatever rig you choose..however you make it your home.
Once, long ago, my husband came to where we worked, asked me to take half an hour off to look at the rig he had bought for our next travels. We had been into the roadie life for some years then.
He took me to a 34' school bus partially remodeled as an RV. It had floors and paneled walls and some STUFF in it already.
I called my son to look at it with me. Then I sat down and cried. Son said 'Mom you can make a cave into a home. All you see here is the mess. You can put that over there..move this against the wall, and look how warm you'll be with a built in wood stove already here."
Whew!!! Well we drove that thing to San Diego and made it into a home in the Home Depot parking lot. We lived in it for 10 of the best years of our traveling life.
Not suggesting you get an old gas guzzling bus...whatever you get will take you straight into your life...
Can't wait to see how you make a home for yourself..
Welcome to the road...

And out of the concrete box.

Oz

 

[akrvbob]

Oz Express, you are an incredibly wise woman!!

It's easy to see how you raised such a wise son!
Bob