New user

[Homelessdude]

Hi all. I've been lurking occasionally on the forums exploring and fantasizing about a nomadic and cheap lifestyle over the last year or so and after a series of unexpected events, I've found myself homeless on California's central coast.

I'm lucky enough to have a car that's running (for now) but I'm planning on buying an older cargo van and converting it for living. In the meantime I'm kicking around, looking for work as I wait for my CA nursing license to be approved. (did I mention that I'm a nurse?) Im currently alternating between sleeping in my car and in a tent depending on where I'm at for the night.

Any words of greeting or encouragement are appreciated. It's been a tough year as I've lost my house to foreclosure, am going through a divorce and haven't really planned very well for any of this. I'm determined to use vandwelling and frugality to turn things around and start enjoying life instead of always being stressed and seeing the negative side of things.

 

[Lucky mike]

Welcome to the Forum!!

Hang in there it all gets better....dreams create plans and plans can always become reality!

if your tenting it....grab a cheap solar shower , it all in itself is a cheap feel good!
a van or older RV will go along way in helping

can you not work as a Graduate Nurse?
with the shortage you would think they would scoop you up fast.....how about an agency that provides homecare....personal care attendant or aid is better than nothing while waiting.
feel free to jump in here any time......most of us have been down that road

 

[msbarth]

Welcome, and hope your situation improves soon.

 

[Homelessdude]

Hi luckymike. I'm not a graduate nurse. I'm licensed in Florida and Minnesota and have applied to CA via endorsement. I followed my ex out here expecting to have a place to stay while I wait. Other states take 2-4 weeks, California takes much much longer.....more like 2-4 months.

I do have some savings, but I'd rather tent it for now and hold on to my cash until I'm working. I'm looking for pretty much anything in the interim. May take a telemarketing job next week.

I do expect things to improve and on the bright side, ending all ths time in a tent will make the transition to a van very enjoyable as opposed to the adjustment if I'd gone right from my house into one.

I'm excited to get started.

 

[sparky1]

Homelessdude;
I wish you the very best
hang in there.
sparky1

 

[akrvbob]

We're glad you're here!! When you get the van, we would love to answer any questions and make suggestions!!
Bob

 

[Bdog1]

With your positive attitude I think your already half way there!

 

[Homelessdude]

Thanks Bob. Were it not for this site, I wouldn't even consider the possibility of vandwelling. I'll probably post here for thoughts on my vehicle selection once I start hunting. And i could probably use tips onmy solar setup.

And thanks to everyone else for the warm welcomes!

 

[Kevin H]

Welcome. Sorry to hear of your travails. Things WILL get better. Being an RN, have you checked into Travel Nursing? Agencies are always looking for new blood. They will place you all over the country and provide a stipend if you provide your own housing. Google "travel nursing" and you will get a bunch of agencies.

My wife was a nurse and we did this for a while. It was terrific. We got assigned to Austin, TX and ended up staying for 20 years until we retired. What a GREAT career choice you have made. There are travel options for every aspect of health care and every level.

The agencies will assist in getting your license in the various states you need. Look at the Nurse Compact states. My understanding is the member states will accept a license from another member state. This came about a long time after we finished traveling. We had to license in each state we worked in. I understand the issues doing so. Can you leave CA and start somewhere sooner?

 

[Homelessdude]

Hi Kevin. I'm an LPN making it harder to travel. I came to California to follow my ex and our kids. I spent 2 years in Florida away from the kids and don't want to be too far away. I've been out here since December and had hoped the licensure process would go a bit faster.

I'll be okay in the long run. I just have to swallow my pride and do some less than desirable work for a bit until I'm approved. I can do anything for a few months. I've worked some pretty crappy jobs prior to becoming a nurse.

I really am excited to get any type of income going because I can probably buy a cheap van and start working on it fairly soon with the bit I have in savings. Car living isn't my idea of a good time.

I'm not super handy so I'll probably start off with something simple like milk crates with a board and a mattress but what I really want to pull off is rigging up solar panels for a small fridge and to charge my laptop. Once that's accomplished, I think I'll find my own personal zen.

 

[GotSmart]

Welcome Stranger. There are a lot of people here that can point you in the right direction as to a build. Since we have trouble reading minds over the net, that is the best we can do. You must come up with the right question. If you ask it right, you can start a lively discussion.

 

[Blue]

Hi, I'm on the central coast as well, been here for about 6 years now. Area tends to not be too friendly to van dwelling.

Mind me asking what cities are around you? Would make a difference as to what types of temp work is available. Note, wineries higher a lot of temps for working in the vaults etc, I knew some people who stayed employed year round by moving from one farm to the next every few months.

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[Homelessdude]

Blue. I'm currently out near Santa Margarita. I have some friends in Ventura that have offered me a place to crash for the month of March to search for work down there. But for the moment I'm camped out on the edge of a ranch between Atascadaro and Lake Santa Margarita.

I really haven't seen much in terms of work up here. Where would be the best place to look into working for a winery?

As to the area not being so friendly to Vandwellers, can you elaborate? I have noticed many many signs against sleeping in vehicles in San Luis Obispo (as well as many many homeless folks).

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Someone posted a link to a winery the other day, but be darned if I can find it now.
Try g00gle.

 

[Simran]

Welcome 'dude,
I left off the homeless part cause if you found this place you are neither homeless nor alone. You are among friends here and you have a car and a tent it sounds like; that is all many here have or want. it sounds like you have a plan even if your life has taken a couple uncontrolled turns; stuff like that builds character. You get your nurses license and you'll get to work and before you know it you'll be living large. paying off bills at a rate that most won't believe. Keep trudging forward and come back often. good Luck!

 

[Homelessdude]

Thanks Simran. I'm trying to stay positive. Supposedly my license will be processed by march 6th but I have heard from multiple sources that the CA Board of Nursing is 6 weeks or more behind.

I'd really like to find a work camping situation here or no further than 8 hours from here that pays a little. I haven't looked into it at all but I saw an unpayed position posted on Craigslist. I suppose that works if a person get social security. But that's 30 years away for me. I'd need to be able to earn some sort of living to pay off my student loans.

Barring that I'll be stealth vandwelling somewhere along the coast. Probably wherever the pay is best for a few years.

I already have my ideas in place. Im still working out exactly how much solar I'll need. I definitely want a small fridge. And I'll need to charge a laptop a couple of times a day I imagine. I'd love to have enough to also run my Xbox a couple of hours a day with a small tv but I realize that's unlikely. And I've been perusing craigslist ads in the area for cargo vans.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

When we moved into our RV my O2 therapy nurse questioned my living conditions. Clean, neat, and in good condition the RV was not a "real" home to him. We had a personality conflict based strictly on his inability to chill out about my welfare. (we had all utilities in an RV park then).

This experience will hopefully help you to "get it" when dealing with people with alternative lifestyles.

 

[Pikachu711]

Welcome to the group Homelessdude!

 

[Homelessdude]

Hey all. Checking in again. My nursing license was approved a few weeks ago after four months of waiting. I've relocated from California's central coast down to the L.A area.

My plan remains to find a van I can turn into a stealth dwelling so I can rebuild my finances but I have to get by in my car and tent for another month or so.

I was wondering if anyone had any good campsites near Simi Valley? I've checked out Oak Flats in Angeles National forest but was hoping there were a few more within an hour or so of where I'm currently working.

4-6 more weeks and I'll be posting buildout questions