Is vanliving easier in certain places?

[lab_nomad]

A couple of people who's channels I watch on YouTube are Canadian. And I have a book on vanliving by an Australian, and the author says that the advice to get a gym membership doesn't really work for Australians, b/c they don't have cheap memberships like we do in the U.S. I know there are vandwellers in the UK, and so I was wondering if it's easier to do vanlife in certain countries, or perhaps some things are easier in some places and some things are harder? I imagine in all these countries (US, UK, Aus, Can) that they are laws against sleeping in vehicles? I'm also assuming that even if you get rousted out of bed by a cop in Canada, that they are nicer about it.

 

[lab_nomad]

Hmm. Nobody has any insight into how vandwelling differs among countries? Darn.

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Hmm. Nobody has any insight into how vandwelling differs among countries? Darn.

I will chime in with a Canadian perspective.

Generally, really chill here. I am in a city of a million people and we have no bylaws against sleeping in a vehicle - just not allowed to store your RV on the public road in front of your house.

I park in residential neighborhoods without issue, everyone I work with knows I live in a van, it is all good.

Reading all the stealth opinions and fears from folks in the US has shown me that I am pretty lucky here. You seriously do not even really need spots in my city, just park in front of an apartment building or park and go to sleep. That being said, I do have favourites spots and only ever sleep in those spots so my impact is low.

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[lab_nomad]

I will chime in with a Canadian perspective.

Generally, really chill here. I am in a city of a million people and we have no bylaws against sleeping in a vehicle - just not allowed to store your RV on the public road in front of your house.

Wow! So is that just your city, the province, or the whole country with regards to it not being illegal to sleep in a vehicle?

Any members here from the UK or Australia who want to chime in?

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I think it is not illegal to sleep in vehicles in most countries. Even in rest areas I had a cop once tell me that it is hard to tell between sleeping and resting and if they are tired you want them resting. Some areas, towns or cities have bylaws around overnight parking or camping on public land usually due to overuse or abuse, those are, in most cases well marked. If not we’ll posted how could you possibly know. I choose my park spots based on feel safe, not too much lighting, not too noisy, not too busy. I like to get a good nights sleep.

 

[LERCA]

I did some research and it’s similar to the US as far as sleeping in your car. One different and interesting thing is in Canada it is illegal to sleep in one’s car while intoxicated. Here it’s encouraged rather than driving drunk.

Canada has laws like ours: you can’t sleep on private or commercial property without the owner’s permission and you can’t sleep on public property in most provinces including public roads. It is considered vagrancy. Most Canadian cities have ordinances against camping or overnight stays on city streets

Whether any of this is enforced I’m sure is just like like here as well, depends on the property owner, resident of neighborhoods, how the police feel that day, the weather, the color of the sky etc (sarcasm)

The laws in Canada appear no different from here except stricter as far as my quick research.

 

[wayne49]

"it is illegal to sleep in one’s car while intoxicated"

When did the driver become intoxicated, before or after parking the vehicle?
How would an officer of the law know if the given answer is the truth?

Canada, either way the driver is in trouble with the law.

USA, the driver isn't charged, to repeat over and over until ...

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I think it is only illegal to sleep in your car while intoxicated if the keys are in the ignition.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I did some research and it’s similar to the US as far as sleeping in your car. One different and interesting thing is in Canada it is illegal to sleep in one’s car while intoxicated. Here it’s encouraged rather than driving drunk.

Canada has laws like ours: you can’t sleep on private or commercial property without the owner’s permission and you can’t sleep on public property in most provinces including public roads. It is considered vagrancy. Most Canadian cities have ordinances against camping or overnight stays on city streets

Whether any of this is enforced I’m sure is just like like here as well, depends on the property owner, resident of neighborhoods, how the police feel that day, the weather, the color of the sky etc (sarcasm)

The laws in Canada appear no different from here except stricter as far as my quick research.

I think you have to recheck your research sources on sleeping in vehicles in Canada, I think you will find it is legal in most provinces if not all. Where you sleep is sometimes an issue but if you are not breaking any parking laws I think you are fine.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I think it is only illegal to sleep in your car while intoxicated if the keys are in the ignition.  your possession.

at least in Minnesota.

 

[vanpocalyptic]

Just trying to further the conversation, my friend - have no desire to argue and I appreciate the points you brought up!

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[deadwood]

I live in California and it's pretty much a free for all here now. Want to live in your car, van or RV. No problem. Want to just pitch a tent in the park. Go ahead. Want to just sleep on the ground under a tree. It's all yours. I don't think it goes just by country but more of what part of the county you are in. I don't think it would be as easy to live in other US States as it is in California or maybe Oregon or Washington St.

 

[rokguy]

Australia and New Zealand are great places to live on the road. Very rarely ever have problems with authorities hassling you with so many towns encouraging RV's into their communities. 
On building your own RV, campervan etc there are a few requirements about self containment but generally thats something everyone accepts and helps the environment.

OP, Anything you need to ask me, just post it here.

We and NZers are a pretty laid back bunch.

 

[lab_nomad]

That's awesome! I've always been intrigued with Australia and New Zealand. If it wasn't for the Sydney funnel-web spider and the dangerous snakes, I'd move there in a heartbeat. I grew up in an area of the US that was pretty tame. I think the only dangerous things we had were copperheads and bears (never saw either, outside of a zoo). I'm even a little worried about boondocking in the southwest due to scorpions and rattlesnakes and god knows what else.

 

[LERCA]

Yeah agree California is pretty easy again. Not too many hassles even with more and more nomads. But things change here year to year so who knows. If the businesses return then they’ll be policing commercial lots like they used to just because there are so many people and parking is tight. Right now most businesses are gone so lots of empty lots and the police don’t care plus the nomads are quiet so no problems.

 

[SLB_SA]

That's awesome! I've always been intrigued with Australia and New Zealand. If it wasn't for the Sydney funnel-web spider and the dangerous snakes, I'd move there in a heartbeat. I grew up in an area of the US that was pretty tame. I think the only dangerous things we had were copperheads and bears (never saw either, outside of a zoo). I'm even a little worried about boondocking in the southwest due to scorpions and rattlesnakes and god knows what else.

When I was visiting in Canberra, the wildlife didn't seem to be a problem.  Maybe other parts of Australia have more risks or I am just oblivious.  I stayed in an ANU cottage and a friend drove me to rural areas to see Australian Aboriginal rock art.  There were kangaroos around and lots of loud birds.  I don't remember if we visited Grampians National Park because we just got in the car and she drove to the destination she picked.  I didn't worry about spiders or snakes.

 

[BJJVANLIFER]

I'm in the north east. It's cold, makes me lazy to actually make food because I have a limited set up.. But a rice cooker is amazing with a jackery 500..  I have a gym membership but it's pointless because we can't use the showers still with restrictions.Im urban dwelling now semi local to where I'm from so I get my ice hook up and food rations from local restaurant s and cafes instead of gas stations.. Ive Done some short run 3-10 day trips about 800 to 1000 miles.  I can't wait for the warmer months, I plan on going in the road by the end of March. Heading south, then west in the U.S. ??