Need help setting budget

[Anjikun]

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie and this is my second post (after my intro). I need help figuring out how much money I will need to get myself and my youngest son on the road starting end of June 2019 in a rig/setup that will allow us to live nomadically and very cheaply every summer (preferably with my eldest as well) while my youngest is still in school (my eldest wants to finish high school in Montreal so will live with his dad during the school year).

Basic situation: single mom (two boys, 14 and 11, the youngest very significantly developmentally disabled) in Montreal living on a fixed income with little extra, no employer (and difficulty working because of no after-school daycare for my disabled son), no savings and a terrible credit rating. The building I live in just sold and all of us will be evicted. Access to adequate, stable housing in Montreal is now completely out of reach for me so I have decided to relocate (myself and my youngest) to a remote area of Quebec (Gaspésie). That first summer we will spend touring Gaspésie and figuring out where we want to live during the school year. It should be possible to get a September-June lease from an owner who rents to wealthy tourists during the summer.

I need to come up with an actual budget amount, because the laws here allow me to request compensation from the new owner who is evicting us. And if I can't get the entire amount from the owner, I have a few other options to get money (selling my art/stuff, a fundraiser, working, etc.). But I feel like I need to start with an amount, so I can tell everyone in a position to help me (especially the legal-aid lawyer) that I need X amount to make this project work.

As for my preference in terms of rig/setup, I am open to whatever will be cheap/workable and does not require build/conversion skills. I like the idea of a used pickup with a shell and tents for the boys, but maybe there are better options I am not aware of. Right now I have no vehicle (I don't even have a driver's licence, but will be able to get one without too much difficulty because I do know how to drive).

Any help/moral support any of you could offer will be enormously appreciated. I tried to cost it out myself but because there are so many options and I have never done anything like this, who knows if it's accurate.

 

[losthighwaydrifter]

Wow I just did a quick craigslist search in your area and Canada is expensive!! but I think your first step is figure out what you need. do you need an rv with full bathroom? or a van/something else with a composting toilet. then look for a rig that fit those for a price you can afford. find the newest low mile one you can afford but the flip sign to that coin is a low mileage but sitting outside/in a field rig will be way more headaches than a higher mile rig that's been used and maintained.

 

[DannyB1954]

It sounds like it might be helpful to look into a GoFundMe drive. Maybe get some press to advertise it. If you belong to a church maybe tell them of your plight. They may know of another parishioner that will give you a good deal on some kind of RV or other housing. If there is anything there like a Department of Social Services, see if they can assist. Here we have something called Section 8 housing. The individual only pays a small portion of the rental cost and a government fund pays the rest.

How much the vehicle will cost can vary greatly, so it will be hard to give you a number. I think a van is pretty small for two people let alone three. Winters would eliminate tents for me. I would say a used Class C might meet your needs. Here in the US the bigger they are, the cheaper they are used. People value being able to park in small places. Smaller rigs go for higher prices.

Craigslist is a popular place for local sales. Sometimes you can buy a used mobile home in a park, but there will be a monthly charge for the space. I wish you well.