Long time Lurker, First Time Poster (LA)

[EastWestCoaster]

I figured it was about time to post here, since I have been reading this forum literally for a few years nurturing this idea. As you will see, I am not 100% there yet but I got a small amount of confidence to get started.

I have a full-time, well-paying job in LA. I am not interested in or in a position to purchase a vehicle so instead I am renting a minivan and a storage unit. This works because the differential with rent is enormous - I can't afford a car and an apartment but I could afford just the car (which is almost a necessity here). My job pays well so, for now, I am happy with the situation although I know I could be thriftier.

My bed setup is a Big Agnes camping mattress with 4" memory foam on top, a mattress pad, sheets, and pillows. It is very comfy for me. Windows are already very tinted, but I fashioned window covers out of black cardboard (other side is felt w/ spray adhesive) that fit snugly in the windows and easily pop in and out. I have a rod and simple black curtain behind the front seats, and front windshield covers making everything very stealth.

Other goodies: RoadPro lunchbox stove (love this thing!!!) and RoadPro hot water kettle. Use these daily. Coleman Xtreme cooler (I have fridge/freezer at work to recharge cooler packs and keep food cold during the day). Big dry bag for storing laundry. Gym at work. Some other stuff. Just being in a city means I have access to fresh food all the time.

Here is where I am psyching myself out. I am afraid to park on LA streets. I am a female alone, and safety is my #1 concern. I basically don't want anyone to know I am in the van and ESPECIALLY not that I am a woman alone in the van. My solution for now is LAX lot C which is $12 a night. I figure cars are supposed to be there every night and LAX has 16,000 parking spots so the likelihood of my van being singled out are nil. I don't mind the jet roar and feel very safe sleeping there now. But it seems a little ridiculous to spend that much every night, I just haven't gotten the courage up yet.

Any LA-specific tips are welcome. Driving around, I have seen areas with a bunched of really trashed looking RVs that seem possibly unsafe. People living out of messed up cars next to tents. There is a lot of (impoverished) homelessness here, and I want to avoid that. I think it is still legal to sleep in a vehicle here so that's not the issue, it is all about being invisible for me. TIA!

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Hi Welcome aboard the sharing side of the forum,
Seems like you've figured out a set up that works for you within your current comfort zone. 12 bucks for airport parking overnight at a major city airport seems like a deal. I think parking at Logan in Boston on my end of the country is something like $55 a night!
Have you tried a Wal mart Parking lot or rest stop? They take a few nights to get comfortable with but I think if you give it a try you'll find it comfortable as well. Maybe even start by just spending a few hours at night in one and then increasing the time with your comfort level.

Best of luck and i'm sure others on that coast will chime in with some more advice specific to your area.

 

[EastWestCoaster]

Thanks! I believe that most of the Wal-Marts in LA metro do not allow overnight parking. And I can't venture too far afield as commuting is hell. I basically work downtown, and LAX is about 40 minutes, sometimes less, on surface streets, so pretty convenient. If/when I travel on weekends, I would absolutely be looking at these option, as I think my set-up would fit in well there.

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, EastWestCoaster! I'll go to great lengths to avoid cities, so I'm no help. Glen, who writes the To Simplify blog, used to spend many nights in LA. You might find some clues to good overnighting in LA in his earlier posts. I do recall that he generally *hid in plain site*
I don't see any way to search the blog. here's the link http://tosimplifyold.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-van.html


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