I want to get away, permanently

[sephiro499]

Hi my name is Vincent, 31 year old single male living in south central Pennsylvania.&nbsp; I live on ssdi of 1500/month.&nbsp; My primary disability is anxiety and I absolutely love NOT being in any one place.&nbsp; All I want is privacy and peace, along with internet.&nbsp; I would actually enjoy myself living OUTSIDE of my apartment in the parking lot in a van than I would staying inside.&nbsp; I realize that sounds weird but after many years of therapy I'm still this way.&nbsp; <br><br><br>I've been thinking about getting a class b camping van like a roadtrek or similar brand.&nbsp; I did think about a DIY approach but I don't have any real mechanic experience nor do I have tools outside of pliers and a screwdriver set.<br><br>My main issue is affording gas and a campground rv park along with choosing a rig and how to inspect it and pick it up.&nbsp; After doing some research in rv parks some have monthly rates, but they look like grass parking lots with hookups.&nbsp; What I mean by that is zero privacy.&nbsp; That may be tolerable if I could be out and about around town or something and just sleep there, depending on noise from neighbors or at night.&nbsp; Another thing that concerns me is internet.&nbsp; I'm kind of addicted to it right now but I figured I could just drive to some location with internet as long as I'm not too far away so I don't get killed with gas prices. &nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>I've looked into boondocking and BLM land national forests.&nbsp; I would need some kind of 'off the grid' electric supply since I use my cpap every night.&nbsp; What worries me about boondocking would be fines, fees, or repossession by the 'authorities'.&nbsp; The forest service has instituted a Travel Management Plan which can fine you up to 5000 for parking in 'unauthorized' spots.&nbsp; <br><br>In an urban environment I do not know how stealth a roadtrek would be considered.&nbsp; It seems to me with the giant AC unit on the top it would be obvious it's an Rv of sorts. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>Workamping could be a benefit but I don't want to show up as receiving an income, even though SSA says you can make up to 700ish/month.&nbsp; I don't trust the SSA.&nbsp; If I could even exchange for hookups or rent that would be fine with me.&nbsp; <br><br>I've never really done much with my life.&nbsp; Due to health problems I've generally been isolated and not involved in much of anything.&nbsp; I want to go out and see what I've been missing.&nbsp; <br><br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P><FONT size=3><b>Welcome Seph, you have found the right people, the right tribe. A lot of us here swim a little differently.</b></FONT></P>

 

[Guest]

Welcome Seph...glad to have you and there are folks here that have various health and psych problems that can relate with anything you may throw out there...<br>I too use a CPAP at night and if I stay low enough in elevation, I can use it without additional medical oxygen. I am set up to use the O2 if I need to as well.<br><br>I have a couple of the older Puritan Bennet GoodKnight 420Gs that run on 12v dc, 115 AC or 220AC. A light, small and flexible machine. I love mine but see that they are not made any more...It is nice if you have a machine that will run on 12 volts although I usually run mine through a 400Watt&nbsp; inverter . It will draw 12 Amp Hours of 12v power in an 8 hour night. By using the inverter it uses more I would guess but it is not significant enough to even be concerned about.....<br><br>I have just recently installed a marine starting/deep cycle group 27 battery in the trunk of my sidecar rig as the sole battery for the rig. It will serve to have plenty of juice plus for camping in Mexico this coming winter....I will be riding the bike a lot so it will recharge during the day. <br><br>I have a couple T105 6v batteries in the van with around 90W of solar panels so that I can use my portable oxygen concentrator if I choose to camp at altitude. <br><br>Happy trails,<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>Welcome Seph!&nbsp;&nbsp;Glad you found us!</FONT><br><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<br><FONT size=3>The possibilities are endless!</FONT><br>

 

[stude53]

Welcome to the tribe, Seph<br><br>Ask any question, and someone will answer. <br><br>It seems you have begun to come to grips with what you want and where you want to be. I find making lists of your own resources, preferences, must haves, etc. is a good way to start.<br><br>Bob (aka stude53)<br>

 

[Butternut]

<font face="Georgia" size="3">Hi Vincent! Good questions and I'm sure we can get you some answers here. This is a great group of people with a ton of collective knowledge</font><br>

 

[sl1966]

Hi Vincent!&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I don't think you have much to worry about when it comes to boondocking. I've not ever heard of anyone being fined or having anything confiscated before. That's not to say that it isn't possible, but usually what I've read is you're simply asked to leave if you don't have permission to be there. Most places that allow for boondocking only require a nominal fee which usually lasts 14 days.</div><div><br></div><div>Power is another issue altogether, but you're still in the right place to get that all sorted out. First thing is to figure out how much power you plan on using each night and work your way out from there.</div><div><br></div>

 

[bobbert]

Welcome to the club!<br>You mentioned about being addicted to the internet, well, have you considered getting a data card for a cell phone &amp; running a laptop internet connection via cellphone? <br>A lot of vanners are enjoying their exodus from the rat race. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours! Thanks for joining in!<br><br>

 

[Wild_E]

Hey there,<div>I feel more at home in a vehicle than an apartment or house as well. The only thing I like more is being in the bush, in a quinzy hut or shelter of that type.</div><div><br></div><div>Welcome, and good luck.</div><div><br></div><div>My ex wife thought she needed a c-pac machine, I started throwing her pillows in the dryer every week and .. voila no snoring at all! High heat for 20-25 min, kills all the dust mites and gets rid of the nasties! first time do that Twice the first day,&nbsp;morning&nbsp;then night, 2nd day do it twice again, then every weekend or so afterwards. If of course you have allergy and snoring problems.</div><div>cheers and take care</div>

 

[Tara]

Hi Vincent! &nbsp;I think you'll love van dwelling. &nbsp;Being invisible in plain sight is really awesome. &nbsp;Are you more interested in city living or more wilderness living? &nbsp;As xi700 said, you can mostly get internet near any major highway or city with cell phone cards/usb thingies these days. &nbsp;Do you know how much electricity your cpap uses? &nbsp;A small generator might be about the same price and more freeing than a campground, or solar panels might be all you need.

 

[Guest]

Hi Vincent! Welcome! Depending on your area, I wouldn't honestly even worry about stealth. My van is very NOT stealth, and I never once had an issue. There's Glen who has <A href="http://tosimplify.net" target=_blank>http://tosimplify.net</A>&nbsp;that lives in a RoadTrek, and has a good time of it too.<br><br>I would concern yourself more with what you eill need to live, and go from there. You mentioned you're looking for a DIY but don't have the mechanical skills, so I would suggest (personally) that you look into Class 'B' campervans that have it all done up for you. Craigslist is great, as is <A href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kijiji" target=_blank>kijiji </A>(but I don't know if that is available in your state or not)<br><br>Read through everyones blogs for tips and tricks from those that have encountered issues already. I have a wishlist page on my blog that links to the individual posts explaining why I want those items.<br><br>Have fun!<br>

 

[Seraphim]

<p style="margin: 0px;">JB</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Understand anxiety. All I can suggest is to give the lifestyle a try and see if it works for you.&nbsp; The group has a 'tribal' mentality, and there are always people willing to meet up and help out.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">It's a good group.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<FONT color=#0000ff>$1,500 a month SSDI for anxiety?</FONT><br><FONT color=#000000>I think its a misprint.&nbsp; If its not, I'm getting more and more anxious.</FONT><br>

 

[simply lesa]

l0l ya .... I need more anxiety too... my SSDI check is only $700!<br /><br />oops edit: &nbsp;no offense intended. &nbsp;I think the vandwelling/rv lifestyle is probly the better choice for many of us with emotional issues...coming from a fellow SSDIer --(PTSD, Depression)

 

[offroad]

Well according to fearless leader bob many are getting by on $500 a month to $700. not bad, unless you need expensive medicines, or treatments.&nbsp; <br /><br />wonder what I would get per month on the earliest SS retirement option? <br /><br />Anyway welcome here, and understand the anxiety troubles too well.