Just a dreamer for now...

[Dorcas]

Hello, I found this forum through Bob's helpful RVliving site. &nbsp;<br><br>I am intrigued by this lifestyle...a few bouts of homelessness and near-homelessness when I was in my late teens-early 20s has made me always feel a bit anxious about keeping a roof over my head...<br><br>I am 41 now, and I didn't start driving until I was 29. &nbsp;I was super-phobic, and the only thing that prompted me to finally get a car and learn to drive was getting a big dog. &nbsp;My car was a standard, so I learned how to drive stick...which I LOVE! &nbsp;I had a 1985 Honda Civic hatchback, which I slept in (with the dog) on a trip from Vancouver to Toronto and back. &nbsp;I discovered that I LOVED driving and life on the road. &nbsp;<br><br>After wacking up a ridiculous amount of debt for an undergrad degree, I went overseas to teach English, and pay off my loans. &nbsp;I will be done paying in a few months...after that I hope to save up about 15K by the time my contract ends in March. &nbsp;After living with crushing debt and big expenses, I am not too eager to get back on the consumer get and spend treadmill by getting all set up with a conventional life. &nbsp;I hope to get a van for living and driving, although I haven't ever driven anything bigger than a sedan...a little worried about that, but I have heard that most people adapt to a bigger vehicle pretty quick.<br><br>I have no money from retirement or investment, so I am thinking about doing work exchanges as well as finding some kind of craft or whatnot that I can do from the van; maybe sewing specialty items like swimsuits or simple jewelry making.<br><br>Any other Canadian women living the life??<br><br>

 

[Lostinspace]

Welcome to the menagerie. Cleaning up the debt is the way to go. I think you are right on track.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Welcome Dorcas.<br><br>What an interesting and creative way to get ride of your debts. Are you teaching in Japan? You are quite adventurous. Good for you girl. <br><br>I too love driving small standard cars. Makes you feel in control and the extra power is there when you need it or at least it feels like it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Over the years I owned 4 vans, some smaller than others. At present we have a&nbsp;Ford E150 conversion van. I have a depth perception problem, distances are somewhat distorted (made for some very interesting landings when I was jumping). So I understand your concern about driving a bigger vehicle but you know what, I'm sure you can handle it. At one point we were living and travelling in a school bus. I was doing my share of the driving, so&nbsp;if I can drive a school bus YOU ABSOLUTLY can drive a van.<br><br>My first was a cargo van, no windows on the side and the side mirrors back then were for the birds, specially on rainy nights. I always felt insecure when I was changing lanes in traffic. The one I'm driving now is the very same size but so much easier to drive. The side mirrors are split and you can adjust them to your needs, I also added one of these round mirror that I directed to the side of the van avoiding any blind spots. I like the fact that the van has a lot of windows so I can give a quick glance before changing lane (leftover hang-up from the cargo van). As for the actual size it&nbsp;does seem to&nbsp;shrink after a few days. If you are on the shorter side, don't hesitate to add a cushion or two. It is your van, you customize it to your needs,&nbsp;it gives you a whole lot of confidence. <br><br>I wish you all the best. You seem to be a goal oriented person so if living in a van is what you want...it'll happened.<br><br>Blue Skies.<br><br>Nicole<br><br>PS: I'm originally from Montreal.

 

[wagoneer]

Welcome to the forum and things will begin to come together sooner than you expect.

 

[Wild_E]

Hey there, I am not a Canadian Woman, but a Guy so saying hiya in that guy way. There is Maritime?? something, she is Canadian living in the Maritimes. Two couples are Canadian on here as well, both transplanted South I think.<br><br>Good luck, what area are you in now, then off back to Vancouver probably? Myself and my big old girl dog are in Durham Region.<br>As for the Van or truck thing, Vans are easy to drive as well you will find them safer to drive as you are up higher and can see much better. Trucks take a bit of getting used to, it is the corners that are the hardest. If your not used to them, the overhang past the rear wheels might cause some issues.<br>Cheers Wild_E

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Welcome Dorcus<BR>dragonfly

 

[Terry]

The overhang never caused any problems in any of the vans I've owned or driven. I tend to run over the curbs a lot with the rear wheels in the longer extended vans. I think the van I have now is either the longest one I've ever had or I may just be having problems with getting older and judging distances as accurately as I used to.

 

[Wild_E]

Truck overhang, bus overhang, Rv overhang, the vans are never a problem.&nbsp;

 

[treesonggal]

Welcome!<br><br>I don't have my van yet either, but as someone else said, it will happen sooner than you imagine.<br><br>In the meantime, read all you can, ask questions of yourself and others and dream a lot!<br><br>I spent a few hours today sorting through storage containers, gathering the items I'll use in my van. Next week I go van shopping again. Transitioning to van dwelling is a step by step process for most people, so feel free to go at YOUR pace.<br><br>Another thing that's helped me is to talk to current van owners - even if they're NOT living in them - to find out what they consider the pros and cons or various models/makes. I've been able to drive four such vans just by introducing myself &amp; being enthusiastic.<br><br>Best of luck to you!<br><br><br><br>

 

[blkjak]

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