Ideal van dwelling climates

[waldenbound]

I realize there's a sizable community that dwells in the southwestern deserts in the winter, then moves to higher elevations when summer comes. I've heard of some hardy souls that are dwelling in downright cold climates, too much for me.

Anybody dwelling in the Pacific Northwest? Northern California, Oregon, Washington? The western parts of these areas have very moderate climates year round. Not many extremes in temperature. But, when it's 50-ish all the time, does the body get used to that temperature? I know when it's 50 and raining, that's freezing cold in my book. It's about 54 now and I'm wimpering and turning up the heat.

I'm kind of torn, I do like the PNW. I've lived with the gray and rain for almost 25 years now. I don't know what I'd do without the dripping rain forests.

But, is living semi-permanantely outdoors in mostly 50-60ish weather doable?

 

[cdiggy]

You get used to the weather as long As it is consistent. I live in an area that has moderately harsh winters and oppressive hot and humid summers and I can't wait to leave. If you were in Florida where it's hot and humid most of the time your body gets used to it. Same as someplace that's cold all the time. Your body adapts and gets used to it.

 

[highdesertranger]

I agree with cdiggy. you get acclimated. when I lived at the beach I would go to the desert it would be in the 30's then I came back to the coast it would be in the 50's and I would freeze my ass off for a few days. moderate temps are found at the coast, the ocean is a huge heat sink. figure out what temps you want then move to that area of the coast you will find that coastal temps do not vary that much for a given area. highdesertranger

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I'm kind of torn, I do like the PNW. I've lived with the gray and rain for almost 25 years now. I don't know what I'd do without the dripping rain forests.

But, is living semi-permanantely outdoors in mostly 50-60ish weather doable?

If I was living in the PNW I would want a van that I could stand in and had a good heater, to get rid of the dampness and have a comfortable place to go in the rain, with windows to see out of.  Cdiggy and HDS might be right that you acclimatize however I am not into acclimatizing to 20 below, that is a lot harder then acclimatizing to 70 degrees, in my mind an ideal climate is a low of 60 degrees at night, 68 when I get up and go to bed, a high of 75 daytime, a bit of rain not too much, not too windy but the odd dramatic storm once in a while, ideally close to water I prefer lakes with a stream flowing into it, amongst old growth trees, close to a big center would be a bonus. of course it is never perfect but by being mobile we have the option of chasing perfect or at least moving from the very uncomfortable like extreme heat or cold.

 

[Reducto]

My van is small and insulated so I'm quite comfortable in the 50's. 25 and above is not too bad with a blanket and bottle of hot water to keep at my feet when I'm sitting up. Above 75 is worse for me.

The only problem with the PNW is the lack of sun especially in the winter. If you're relying on solar power life would be primitive.

 

[highdesertranger]

wow kurb sounds like the garden of eden. highdesertranger

 

[flying kurbmaster]

wow kurb sounds like the garden of eden.  highdesertranger

yeah it sure does I forgot to mention surrounded by a bevy of babes.

 

[SternWake]

I do not do well in extreme heat. No one ever called my build as being a slim swimmers build, and my ancestry is Scandinavian and Russian.

I don't get cold easily, but am not as resilient as I was when younger, but who is.

Coastal Southern California is about the mildest climate in the continental 48. It is just Overcrowded for this reason, and the majority of people are Smug, selfish, and simply too important. If one can ignore the masses of self important people, the problems of overpopulation the drought, traffic, and the extreme water issues soon to multiply, why it is simply heaven. Bah!!

Seriously though, climate wise this place is pretty insane. I frankly love the summer when the foggy marine layer can keep the coast all foggy and cool, yet 1 mile inland or less is all sunny and hot.

 

[ttpadilla]

I realize there's a sizable community that dwells in the southwestern deserts in the winter, then moves to higher elevations when summer comes. I've heard of some hardy souls that are dwelling in downright cold climates, too much for me.

Anybody dwelling in the Pacific Northwest? Northern California, Oregon, Washington? The western parts of these areas have very moderate climates year round. Not many extremes in temperature. But, when it's 50-ish all the time, does the body get used to that temperature? I know when it's 50 and raining, that's freezing cold in my book. It's about 54 now and I'm wimpering and turning up the heat.

I'm kind of torn, I do like the PNW. I've lived with the gray and rain for almost 25 years now. I don't know what I'd do without the dripping rain forests.

But, is living semi-permanantely outdoors in mostly 50-60ish weather doable?

I think it depends on you. I hate extremes, so I have a difficult time finding that perfect temperature zone. Right now, it's been in the 40s/50s, but overcast, for the past week or two and it feels intolerably cold to me. Sunshine makes a world of difference though. 50s and 60s with sunshine is pretty doable.

 

[Iggy]

The Salem Oregon area does have variety in weather, as you can see by looking at the monthly climate averages. I don't mind some rain and wind, as long as I don't have to work outside at the time. But when it is freezing, snowing, or getting over 85°F in the summer, I get uncomfortable and head for somewhere more tolerable. The coast rarely has those extremes, so that is only an hour away.
The gray skies do get to me after awhile though, so that's why I'm still in southern California for now. Like SternWake says, it's nearly perfect year around here, except for the crush of people living here. BTW my van is uninsulated so I probably feel and hear the extremes of weather more.

 

[waldenbound]

I'm thinking if my van were nicely insulated, and I just wear layers, (with Smartwools), I'd be fine. I've read that heaters exist, but technology will change by the time I'm ready so I'm just thinking very primitively right now.

I'm thinking about domiciling in Oregon, which has very easy access to the coast, forest, mountains, and even high desert (tons of BLM land.) I hear the Eastern Oregon skies are some of the darkest in the country. Awesome astronomy watching. I also would easy acess to California (next door), Washington (next door), Idaho, (next door). About as close to kurbmaster's paradise as one can get. See, the beauty of the PNW is, don't like the gray and overcast? Drive to the eastern part of the state. Sunshine!

My concern would be where to spend winters safely. Winds and floods are common in winter. I'd hate to be in the coast mountains, a huge storm blows through, and theres dozens of trees blown down and I'm out of food. I think if I was north for the winter, I'd spend it close to a population center (20,000+) for safety.

Being able to stay relatively comfortable in a moderate climate would eliminate the need to think, "It's getting cold, I have a 1,800 mile drive to Quartzite, every year."

I do want to see Quartzite though, one of these days I'll inchworm my way down 395 and see what the fuss is all about. It sounds fun!

 

[SoulRaven]

Before retirement I got stuck in some very nasty winters and summers, so I just learned to live with them. Between heat and my A/C my uninsulated van was always comfortable inside.

I learned that the trick for staying comfortable outside was to dress for it. Bundle up in layers for the cold, and cooling bandanas and stuff for the heat. It really works if you practice it. For many years I was running circles around my younger co-workers that were either freezing or fighting heat stroke, just because I was properly dressed and prepared.

I find that it is far easier for me to adapt to the weather wherever I choose to be than it is to chase the good weather and temperatures.

 

[ttpadilla]

I'm thinking about domiciling in Oregon, which has very easy access to the coast, forest, mountains, and even high desert (tons of BLM land.) I hear the Eastern Oregon skies are some of the darkest in the country. Awesome astronomy watching.

There are some gorgeous views, that's for sure!  I definitely don't recommend Winters in Central Oregon.  But, here's my view out the front window this morning, of the sun shining (barely) on Mt. Jefferson.  

 

[gypsychic]

Living in an apartment over the past few years in Portland, OR I can say I really don't mind the winters. Not nearly as gray or rainy as I had thought they'd be. That being said I do think this past winter especially has been unusually dry for the region and we'll see some ramifications if it continues year after year.

I've taken one trip in my stripped out, uninsulated conversion van. At the coast while a storm blew and during the storm the lows at night got down near freezing. I was happy to have been as snug as a bug in a rug. No real issues. I dressed in layers and had blankets. I didn't have a heater, didn't use my stove for heat and I really was fine.

In my version of preparing for this adventure I haven't used my heat all winter long. Winters are mild here but most still use heat. I moved my bed next to the winter for a little more realism. Normally in winter I move my bed toward inside walls to help with warmth. Warm wool blankets, dressing in layers even at night, wearing a hat all have worked fine for me.

If I am cold I get up, move around and make hot tea to drink. If I'm really chilled I use a heating pad for a short time.

Once I have a full winter under my belt I'll have more to contribute but what I've found makes me feel better about my ability to stay warm and dry.

I tend to run warmer than others though. My real worry is heat. Anything much over low 80s and I'm miserable, especially if there is no breeze. One of the reasons I moved from n. CA to OR to begin with. I just couldn't take the heat any more.

 

[akrvbob]

If you are willing to drive a little, no doubt AZ is the BEST place for a snowbird. From Quartzsite to Flagstaff at 7500 feet is 300 miles and you can spend the whole year in those two places very comfortably. Or go from QZT to the Mogollon Rim in northern AZ and you can be at 9000 feet and it's only about 400 miles. Or go from Qzt to Mammoth Lakes CA ski resort and it's only 481 miles. Or to Lake Tahoe and it's 600 miles.  Or go from Qzt to Telluride, CO at 9000 feet and it's only 600 miles.

My point is that Qzt is a single days drive to some of the most beautiful and cool mountain scenery in the world. It's the PERFECT home base for a snowbird. Why limit yourself to one place when every summer you can explore a totally new place that is even more beautiful than the last one.

Lots of people go to Yuma instead which is 90 miles due south of Qzt and is on the Mexico border--which means cheap dental, prescription drugs and glasses. Why Yuma?

Yuma is the sunniest city in the United States! It's sunny 90% of the time!!
http://www.currentresults.com/Weather-Extremes/US/sunniest.php

Bob

 

[mockturtle]

I lived in the Pacific NW most of my 60+ years and I never, ever got used to the cold rain that constitutes winter [and spring and fall] there. The 18 years I lived in NE WA was better---more sun, more snow, less rain--but winters were awfully cold and very long. Cold and damp just chills me to the bone and I have trouble keeping warm even in a house. OTOH, 20 degrees and powdery snow feels very comfortable.

Many in the NW actually like rain and don't seem to mind if they don't see the sun for weeks at a time. I'm just not one of them.

 

[marigold]

I've lived in the pnw for much of my life, only the past winter in my van though (and I often had the option of a dry house nearby) Once I got my wood stove in it became infinitely more enjoyable. It's getting warmer and sunnier each year though.

 

[Reducto]

Many in the NW actually like rain and don't seem to mind if they don't see the sun for weeks at a time.  I'm just not one of them.

I grew up in Seattle and if it weren't for the solar power issue I'd love to vandwell up there. I find the sound of rain very soothing and frankly find bright sunlight a little annoying.

I guess we've settled that there is no such thing as a perfect van dwelling climate   To each their own.