New To This Forum But Lived In Van For 10 Years

[Jim D]

Hi Everyone! I lived in my van for 10 years in the 1990's but I worked at night with my Janitorial service so there was no problem with parking. For the past 20 years I moved in with a family member who was disabled and I worked to make money on the internet which I enjoyed. My social life was alright but getting married wasn't in the plan. I'd like to have a steady but I'm old now. The family member I was taking care of has passed away recently and in 3 to 4 years I will have to sell the home and most likely go live in my van again which I really didn't mind.

I have 3 to 4 years to meet van dwellers and to melt into a group or so called community. I'm not a loner even though I'm not married and don't have a mate yet. I would like to be in a community out on the road that doesn't support each other financially but mentally and with help here and there. I had family and friends when I was a van dweller in the 1990's but this time I will be alone as most of my family and friends have passed or move on.

I really want to live in my van on the west coast next to ocean areas as it's much cooler inside the van not having to turn the AC on so much. I would like to hook up with a group of van dwellers that move as one and can support themselves financially. My van was stripped out years ago and now I have to build it again.

Ok, I have 3 years to meet van dwellers and gain their trust. Thanks!

 

[user 22017]

Welcome Jim

 

[Jim D]

Thanks Carla618. I look forward to meeting people who would like to develop a group of dwellers that can be family for each other out on the road.

 

[user 22017]

Thanks Carla618. I look forward to meeting people who would like to develop a group of dwellers that can be family for each other out on the road.

Do you already know about the caravans? They start up again in October and sound like a great way to meet people. Here is the link:

https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/caravans/

 

[tx2sturgis]

Welcome Jim, if you can break away for a week or two and attend the gatherings in the Quartzsite AZ area in January you would be able to hook up with a group and make new friends.

And certainly there are lots of people online that are also interested in meeting new people.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Jim D]

Do you already know about the caravans? They start up again in October and sound like a great way to meet people. Here is the link:

https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/caravans/

In my readings and You Tube watches I've only heard of the so called Caravans 1 time and could not find anything about them on the internet. This is the kind of group I would like to be apart of but on the west coast. Sure, in October the southwest heat turns off. I live in Las Vegas now and know about the temps for sure. If these caravans exist in the southwest I would like to find caravans on the west coast next to the ocean. During the summers as now I stay inside with the AC on. I have 3 years to talk to people and I'm an experienced van dweller. I would like to be apart of a van dweller family and not having to go solo.

 

[user 22017]

The only west coast group I know of requires a membership and there is a fee. Think it is $800 a month, but you stay at gorgeous locations along the coast. Fast internet is included, as well as meals and group activities. If that might interest you, I can try to find the name. Two guys I follow on YT are members, but their YT channel disappeared last week.

 

[Jim D]

Welcome Jim, if you can break away for a week or two and attend the gatherings in the Quartzsite AZ area in January you would be able to hook up with a group and make new friends.

And certainly there are lots of people online that are also interested in meeting new people.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I would like to but at this time I cannot. My family member passed away and I'm the trustee of the estate. I have loads of responsibilities to take care of right now and probably well into next year. I have enough cash to keep the bills up for the next 3 to 4 years but I want someone here to live with me so I'm going to take on a roommate. The "Trust" requires me to sell this house in 3 years as there are other beneficiary's involved. I would like to hook up with other van dwellers and live on the road because I did it before and was alright with it. The only difference between then and now I had family and friends who supported me and now I will have nobody.

 

[Jim D]

The only west coast group I know of requires a membership and there is a fee. Think it is $800 a month, but you stay at gorgeous locations along the coast. Fast internet is included, as well as meals and group activities. If that might interest you, I can try to find the name. Two guys I follow on YT are members, but their YT channel disappeared last week.

No way! $800 a month is to pricy and most likely for well off people with great retirement incomes. I'm looking for people who can support themselves but would be stretched if they had to pay rent. I'm sure I would blend in with the AZ caravans but during the summer I would have a problem with the heat and living in a van. Next to the ocean in the summer would be good.

 

[user 22017]

No way! $800 a month is to pricy and most likely for well off people with great retirement incomes. I'm looking for people who can support themselves but would be stretched if they had to pay rent. I'm sure I would blend in with the AZ caravans but during the summer I would have a problem with the heat and living in a van. Next to the ocean in the summer would be good.

Think you are right about the $800 per month caravans

I think the way the HOWA caravans work is that people get to know each other and those who want to caravan to specific locations do so... in time. After a group of like minded folks is formed. So eventually you may meet others who prefer to camp along the coast.

Others stay with the newbie type caravans.

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome Jim! Finding places to stay on the west coast that are inexpensive or free is difficult. Most nomads head to the mountains or the Pacific Northwest for the summer.

To get to know other nomads I suggest that you join a HOWA caravan. It doesn't have to be for a long time - even just a day or two will be good. They are usually held near Las Vegas. Pahrump, Lake Havasu, Quartzsite, and Parker are locations that have been used every year.

You can also attend a HOWA virtual caravan which are Zoom meetings of nomads and people who want to be nomads discussing life on the road. Many people have found friendships in the online groups that have become friendships on the road when they finally meet in person and camp together. https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/programs/

 

[INTJohn]

Jim D:
If the FREE west coast beach vandwellin life is ur dream……..
First it’s not anywhere near or as difficult as many think it to be. I’ve been livin at San Diego beach areas off & on for years and I haven’t found it difficult at all.

I’m solitary but even at the beaches there is an underground sub culture of vehicle dwellers that beach hang. It’s underground as hell. It has its own inside “mores” certain questions are never asked. Peeps start rollin in to the beach around 6 to 8 am. Start rolling out to nite spots 7 to 10. Generally.

Basically ever1 accepts & respects individuality & independence.

If ur looking for an urban suburban desert city on tires yeah the desert quartszite commune is prolly for u.
(It’s not for me)
Sayin…….INTJohn

 

[maki2]

People are correct about it being difficult to find free camping right on the coast. Now and again I see of a lower cost camp site. There is a beach or two in Washington state that has an area of hard enough sand to drive into and spend a night for free. But I have never heard of free 2 week places right by the ocean. They would of course be constantly mobbed with people if there was one.

Allmost all the free public lands for camping are at least several miles inland from the ocean. That is not going to be changing. The towns along the coast generally prohibit sleeping in vehicles overnight.

It is possible to be in comfortable temperatures in Arizona year around. You move into the northern mountain region for the summer months. But heads up about that scheme, it will rain most days during the monsoon season but the rain is generally only during the mid afternoon. Mornings are typically sunny. Rain at night sometimes happens but not every night. Of course you will also get a lot of rain along the Pacific coast except in Southern California.

 

[Jim D]

Welcome Jim! Finding places to stay on the west coast that are inexpensive or free is difficult. Most nomads head to the mountains or the Pacific Northwest for the summer.

To get to know other nomads I suggest that you join a HOWA caravan. It doesn't have to be for a long time - even just a day or two will be good. They are usually held near Las Vegas. Pahrump, Lake Havasu, Quartzsite, and Parker are locations that have been used every year.

You can also attend a HOWA virtual caravan which are Zoom meetings of nomads and people who want to be nomads discussing life on the road. Many people have found friendships in the online groups that have become friendships on the road when they finally meet in person and camp together. https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/programs/

Pahrump is most likely the closest to me. I will start getting to know people in January on the HOWA site. Right now I just want to talk to different people from all over the U.S. so I can have options as to what I really want. I just viewed this one video where a person purchased a BLM pass for $80 a year and he can stay on any BLM land, National forest camping areas he wants. I know, BLM land is free to stay on so I have to investigate this for sure. If there's campgrounds on BLM land and in national forests this would be something to look at even though I know during the summer these kind of places get flooded with campers and it's hard to find spots to park.

 

[Jim D]

Yes, BLM does have campgrounds. I don't have the fees yet as the website states the fees vary for each campground and the local field office has to be contacted for the fees.

I think I used to stay at some BLM campgrounds when I had my janitorial service. These campgrounds you could only stay for two weeks and cost $3 a night so every two weeks I'd move to the other campground which was about 10 miles away and was the same deal. These campgrounds are vacant during the fall, winter and spring but during the summer forget it, you can't find a spot it's so crowded.

BLM Campground Guide

 

[Jim D]

Jim D:
If the FREE west coast beach vandwellin life is ur dream……..
First it’s not anywhere near or as difficult as many think it to be. I’ve been livin at San Diego beach areas off & on for years and I haven’t found it difficult at all.

I’m solitary but even at the beaches there is an underground sub culture of vehicle dwellers that beach hang. It’s underground as hell. It has its own inside “mores” certain questions are never asked. Peeps start rollin in to the beach around 6 to 8 am. Start rolling out to nite spots 7 to 10. Generally.

Basically ever1 accepts & respects individuality & independence.

If ur looking for an urban suburban desert city on tires yeah the desert quartszite commune is prolly for u.
(It’s not for me)
Sayin…….INTJohn

It's the heat I don't like. Still gets hot on the coast from time to time during the summer when there's no offshore breeze coming in but for the most part it's better than being inland living in a van. I used to live in the San Luis Obispo area which is near Morro Bay.

I watch the news and see the L.A. reports of RV's parked all over beach neighborhoods in long rows with people living in them. It would seem these people would be in developed caravans like in Arizona but I guess not.

 

[Jim D]

Yeah, this is the pass the guy I watched in the video said he received for $80 bucks a year. The pass the guy was holding was the same kind of pass as this one but didn't have the disability access logo on it.



I was watching another video and the guy stated he purchased a yearly gym pass from a national gym (all over the U.S.) and he hangs out at the beach during the day then goes to the gym and stays in their parking lots every night. He goes in and does what ever and they let him sleep in their parking lot or lots every night. I'm going to check this out also.

 

[SLB_SA]

The only west coast group I know of requires a membership and there is a fee. Think it is $800 a month, but you stay at gorgeous locations along the coast. Fast internet is included, as well as meals and group activities. If that might interest you, I can try to find the name. Two guys I follow on YT are members, but their YT channel disappeared last week.

I've never heard of this group and am curious about the name if you find it. (Idle curiosity but I have been thinking about starlink, etc. Just returned from north coastal California.)

 

[bullfrog]

The access pass is just that. Plus in most camping areas having one allows 1/2 off the fee if there is one. BLM land in dispersed areas outside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area allows free camping for up to 14 days. There are state lands, state parks and developed and primitive camping inside GCNRA. By using the facilities at GCNRA and moving between the different areas you can stay till you run out of food and supplies but because we are so remote it becomes expensive to resupply. Hope you can find some similar situation in an area you want to be in!

 

[CoyoteG]

Hi Everyone! I lived in my van for 10 years in the 1990's but I worked at night with my Janitorial service so there was no problem with parking. For the past 20 years I moved in with a family member who was disabled and I worked to make money on the internet which I enjoyed. My social life was alright but getting married wasn't in the plan. I'd like to have a steady but I'm old now. The family member I was taking care of has passed away recently and in 3 to 4 years I will have to sell the home and most likely go live in my van again which I really didn't mind.

I have 3 to 4 years to meet van dwellers and to melt into a group or so called community. I'm not a loner even though I'm not married and don't have a mate yet. I would like to be in a community out on the road that doesn't support each other financially but mentally and with help here and there. I had family and friends when I was a van dweller in the 1990's but this time I will be alone as most of my family and friends have passed or move on.

I really want to live in my van on the west coast next to ocean areas as it's much cooler inside the van not having to turn the AC on so much. I would like to hook up with a group of van dwellers that move as one and can support themselves financially. My van was stripped out years ago and now I have to build it again.

Ok, I have 3 years to meet van dwellers and gain their trust. Thanks!

Welcome!
We are all over the place and a lot of us gather in Quartzite in January for the RTR.