Looking for advice on working longterm in one place

[cinemaphonic]

I'm planning a move to Portland soon and would like to continue van living. However, I want to stay in the city for most of the year. What would you guys recommend in terms of establishing a residence? My only thought was to ask around or post on craigslist to see if someone would be willing let me call their residence mine. Probably for a small fee. This mainly so I can apply for regular service jobs like bartending or working retail. 

Is this feasible? I rarely if ever hear this method mentioned since I know a lot of you guys travel around a lot. I do like to stay put in one place for a while and I think Portland is a cool town, I just can't imagine paying outrageous rent rates anymore. Is it possible to just set up a PO box and apply for regular jobs?

Thanks!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Portland with winter coming?
You are a brave soul

Many of us find a privately owned mail service to use as an address.
I'm not real sure but it may be hard to live within the city in your van. Most of Oregon has a bug up their butts about sleeping/living in a vehicle.

 

[cinemaphonic]

Portland with winter coming?
You are a brave soul

Many of us find a privately owned mail service to use as an address.
I'm not real sure but it may be hard to live within the city in your van. Most of Oregon has a bug up their butts about sleeping/living in a vehicle.

I know, I know. I think I can do it though. I have some friends in town who are willing to offer a couch when the cold gets to be too much. 

So a mail service like that would be sufficient for apply for jobs in a state I'm not a resident of?

You know I've heard that about Oregon, but I was just there for a month and slept in the van every night without a single problem. I changed neighborhoods every night too. But actually what I'm working on right now is finding someone who will let me park longterm in their driveway for a low fee that way I have permission plus access to electricity and water. I've gotten a couple of positive responses from a craigslist ad I put up a week ago.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

How about using your friend's addy for jobs?
A mailing service will give you an addy that might satisfy the need. Shoot, been some years since I looked for work.

We just came down the coast and didn't have any problems either.

 

[GrantRobertson]

But actually what I'm working on right now is finding someone who will let me park longterm in their driveway for a low fee that way I have permission plus access to electricity and water.

As soon as you connect a cord or hose to a vehicle in front of a house, you will then be violating some ordinance in most every decent sized city. Try hiding those as best as possible, or only hook up every once in a while.

 

[offroad]

Hope I do not get in trouble but some areas are getting more mild winters. Think Oregon. Might have more mild winters depending on El Niño situation. Good luck.

 

[Patrick46]

Portland with winter coming?
You are a brave soul

I lived in Wisconsin for many, many years, and now live in Oregon.
I don't get what's so brave about vandwelleing in a place where it rarely gets below freezing. (...and I WAS a vandweller back in Wisconsin. I had to deal with -20*)


I don't think you'll have too many problems there Cinemaphonic

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I get cold easy. Below 50 my blood freezes.
Portland gets gray and wet and that gets to me. That's why I gave up living in Astoria after 2 years (06 thru 08).
I'm ready for the warmth of the desert sun after this summer on the Oregon coast. Beautiful up here but I've had a chill all summer.

Hats off to those who like gray, wet, and chill to the bone.

 

[cinemaphonic]

I lived in Wisconsin for many, many years, and now live in Oregon.
I don't get what's so brave about vandwelleing in a place where it rarely gets below freezing. (...and I WAS a vandweller back in Wisconsin. I had to  deal with -20*)


I don't think you'll have too many problems there Cinemaphonic

I agree. I experimented with van dwelling in Milwaukee in the winter, and I tolerated it just fine. Besides I don't really spend that much time in the van to be honest. It's really just for sleeping and minimal food prep. Otherwise I spend most of my time out walking around or working at libraries/coffee shops. I can definitely handle lows of 30F at night in my sleeping bag. 

I did find an apartment complex that offered to let me park in their lot and have access to electric, wifi and showers for $400 per month. F THAT!

I'm sure once I make the move out there I'll be able to meet some people who will help me out. Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[compassrose]

For your local mail, try getting a UPS store mail box or similar. They will also accept packages for you. I am currently parked in my daughter's back yard (stuck here in NM) and simply used her address when I put my job application in. Hope to leave here at the end of the year. We'll see how it goes. I'm thru making plans. I'll leave when I leave. In the meanwhile, I'll work on the bus some more and clean out the sheds (disposing of "stuff" in either the trash or the local Iwanna/craigslist/whatever they call it). I have a mail forwarding company too (St Brendan's Isle, Green Cove Springs FL).

 

[palebluedot78]

As soon as you connect a cord or hose to a vehicle in front of a house, you will then be violating some ordinance in most every decent sized city. Try hiding those as best as possible, or only hook up every once in a while.

Or find someone w/ a driveway in the back so it won't be so obvious to neighbors, home owners assoc and the city. (usually there's fences of ppls backyard blocking a lot of the view anyway)

 

[WheelEstate USA]

When we had the RV, I put an ad on Caigslist asking for a private RV pad and found a nice couple who had full hookups in a fenced yard with nice gardens, a hot tubs and, and BBQ area for $250/ mo. plus electric. They never charged for the electric cuz Margie helped the woman in the gardens, which they both had fun doing.
We became good friends and we have space there if we return.

 

[compassrose]

When we had the RV, I put an ad on Caigslist asking for a private RV pad and found a nice couple who had full hookups in a fenced yard with nice gardens, a hot tubs and, and BBQ area for $250/ mo. plus electric.

You never know until you ask....

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Yup, and Mama said it never hurts to ask