I'll never be 'normal' so why keep trying?

[kevin.josef82]

Hello Vandwellers!

I wanted to introduce myself... I'm Kevin, 32 years old and currently living in Toronto Ontario, Canada! I work at one of the cities best new restaurants as a server, I'm finishing a 2-year college degree program at the end of February in "Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure" with a 4.0 GPA. I definitely have some debts from credit cards, and now student loans and I'm ready for the next big change in my life.

I have already made the choice to move back to BC, but when I look at the cost of rent to live in Vancouver again and then think about all the furniture and 'stuff' I'll need to buy to fill that apartment, I feel gross deep down in my gut and I know that I don't want to put myself in that position again.

When I graduated high school I did a road trip from Canada to Costa Rica and I ended up living out of a backpack and a tent for 3 months. I loved it, I felt alive and I've always looked back on that trip with fond memories, envious of those earlier years. I had done lots of research about 5 years ago on vandwelling but listened to too many other people and gave up.

Anyways, I am highly employable, and look forward to moving back to BC and working as a server some more, but this time I'll be buying a used cargo van and living out of it while I work for a bit and save some money to prepare to go south for the winter. I definitely plan to do lots of filming and blogging and making sure to find balance between enjoying nature, and connecting with others along the journey.

I look forward to being a part of this community and seeing some of you wonderful people along this crazy beautiful wonderful journey in life!

Cheers!
Kevin

 

[msbarth]

Hi Kevin I am 73 years old and I have never been normal and don't plan on starting now.  (Isn't it fun?)

Sounds like you have a good plan to work with and welcome to the site.

 

[kevin.josef82]

Hi Kevin I am 73 years old and I have never been normal and don't plan on starting now.  (Isn't it fun?)

Sounds like you have a good plan to work with and welcome to the site.

Haha... ya I've always found us crazy people to be so much more interesting anyways! Thanks for the welcome!

 

[msbarth]

You are welcome for the welcome.  What kinda van do you have in mind? I have a 1995 Dodge maxi van and a 6x10 enclosed trailer that I am working on right now.

 

[kevin.josef82]

I'm thinking of getting the standard cargo van without windows, whether it's Dodge or Ford, I'm not quite sure yet. I wanna remain pretty stealth as being able to go unnoticed in big cities is important to me. My dad is an interior finishing carpenter and I'm planning to see if I can get him to work on this project with me to get it all set up and looking fantastic! He also has access to lots of wood scraps on the job so that can help with a lot of those costs.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Hey Kevin! I'm on the "Wet Coast" right now in Vancouver. Its a great choice to move here and away from that cold Toronto climate. We've had quite a warm winter so far.

I think you're plan for the stealth cargo van is a good. Doesnt really matter which brand, though I do prefer Ford or Chevy, but the most important thing is to make sure its mechanically 100%. Its a good idea to have it mechanically inspected before purchase. Another good idea is to have a large nest egg of around $3000 in a bank somewhere in case the van gets stolen, crashed and burn etc. You need start up savings so that you are not homeless.

Anyway, welcome to the Forum!

 

[kevin.josef82]

Thanks One Awesome Inch! Vancouver has been home to me for many years, so I look forward to my return. Having some savings will definitely help, and before I start on a major journey I look to hold a steady job and put some cash away in the bank. I was in Vancouver for NYE and it was sunny without a cloud in the sky the whole time I was there!

I can't wait for my first summer living in a Van!

 

[Terry]

Well, I figured out a long time ago that I am normal. I just can't figure out why the rest of the world is so messed up.

 

[Theadyn]

Hi!! And Welcome

 

[cyndi]

Kevin, welcome to the CRVL forums! We've got a couple of members from BC and there abouts. I'm sure they'll help guide and advise you.

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.

 

[Almost There]

Welcome to the forum!

As a grad of the H/T/L program you should find yourself in good demand.

Instead of thinking solely about the GVA, you might also want to look into employment at some of the further out  lodges around BC. A lot of them also have campgrounds either attached or nearby where you could live quite comfortably in the van for the tourist season, banking a whole lot of money to support your travel plans.

It would also negate the need for stealth.

Eventually I'll be a BC resident, for right now, my memories of 3 glorious weeks and 3400 KMs last summer will have to do.

 

[SinnTek]

Normal? Wait, you can be that? Dang I must have missed out...

 

[gramakittycat]

Normal is something I've never been accused of  

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome, we're really glad you're here, you'll fit right in with the rest of the asylum!

I have a friend who is a Canuck and lives in Vancouver BC. She comes to the desert for 5 months a year and camps with us. She says Vancouver is very vandweller friendly and she has had no problems there at all. She is in an Astro cargo van so cargo vans do well there.

Keep us up to date on you new life!
Bob

 

[jimindenver]

Normal is something someone else wants you to be for their convenience, don't fall for it.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[kevin.josef82]

Well, I figured out a long time ago that I am normal. I just can't figure out why the rest of the world is so messed up.

Haha... well put! It absolutely IS so messed up out there for those people caught up in the rat-race and hypnotized by the media. It's such an interesting time to be on the planet.

 

[kevin.josef82]

Welcome to the forum!

As a grad of the H/T/L program you should find yourself in good demand.

Instead of thinking solely about the GVA, you might also want to look into employment at some of the further out  lodges around BC. A lot of them also have campgrounds either attached or nearby where you could live quite comfortably in the van for the tourist season, banking a whole lot of money to support your travel plans.

It would also negate the need for stealth.

Eventually I'll be a BC resident, for right now, my memories of 3 glorious weeks and 3400 KMs last summer will have to do.

That's a great point, I guess I should look into my options to see what might interest me. I just know I can make some great cash in tips at some of the Vancouver restaurants, and I have some opportunities to network there as I look for some clients needing some websites. I am already well connected in that city after living there for 10 years before, so I just have to weigh my options and decide what would be most fulfilling for me! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[kevin.josef82]

Welcome, we're really glad you're here, you'll fit right in with the rest of the asylum!

I have a friend who is a Canuck and lives in Vancouver BC. She comes to the desert for 5 months a year and camps with us. She says Vancouver is very vandweller friendly and she has had no problems there at all. She is in an Astro cargo van so cargo vans do well there.

Keep us up to date on you new life!
Bob

Oh, that's good to know... I was curious how vandwellers do there and haven't made it to any specific forums on that subject yet (if they exist). It's such a beautiful area of Canada to be in during the summer months, but all that rain throughout the rest of the year will have me heading down south. I want to learn how to surf finally! Might have to spend some time in Tofino for that!

I'll definitely keep you guys posted on this exciting journey, I can't wait to have my website up and functioning... there'll be lots of great video content on it as well!

 

[LucyImHome]

Call me normal, that'd be a big insult!
Go to youtube, check out Chris Travels and Justin Credible. Chris is in the restaurant industry, and Justin lives in Vancouver.

 

[kevin.josef82]

Thanks @LucyImHome I've had the chance to look at some of their videos, I appreciate the suggestions!