Omg this is so awesome!

[Imladris]

Ok, so I am 27 and new to the idea of van-living, but it resonated with me as soon as I discovered the possibility. As of right now, I have no idea what sort of vehicle I will be living in, or really how to acquire it, since I am in a considerable amount of debt at the moment that I am working at getting paid off. I will be taking up this lifestyle in the fall when I will be starting school out of state, and the perks of it just seem endless. I also have 2 dogs I will be taking with me. For all you pros out there, what are some essentials I should note before committing to a vehicle, particularly for wintering in cold climates?<div><br></div><div>Thanx and you guys are all awesome!</div><div>Rachel</div>

 

[4x4tour]

Hi Rachel, <br><br>You'll find a ton of useful information, and experts in various fields.&nbsp; I build projects as a hobby, and mechanics is my specialty.&nbsp;<br><br>Let us know what you find, or want to know.&nbsp; I just found a cool van on CL that I posted on here minutes ago, in the chit-chat section.&nbsp; There needs to be a forum section on here, just for posting classified stuff, to help people obtain what they need... Admin Bob alert...<IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br>Good luck <br><br>AJ<br>

 

[sl1966]

Greets!

 

[Butternut]

<font size="4">Hi! I'm also a 27 year old student trying to save some money and get out of debt! (weird there are so many of us out there) I've been dreaming about getting a van for years, but never seemed to have the cash. I already had a VW Jetta, so I converted it and now live full time in the north east. Winterizing will be the next step. I'm not sure if I could do it comfortably with dogs, but it's amazing how little time I actually spend in my vehicle, it's mainly just to sleep.</font><br><br>http://thetuckerbag.blogspot.com<br><br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

<div>your wish is my command! check out the new forum&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif">&nbsp;great idea, thanks!</div><div><br></div>

Hi Rachel, <br><br>You'll find a ton of useful information, and experts in various fields.&nbsp; I build projects as a hobby, and mechanics is my specialty.&nbsp;<br><br>Let us know what you find, or want to know.&nbsp; I just found a cool van on CL that I posted on here minutes ago, in the chit-chat section.&nbsp; There needs to be a forum section on here, just for posting classified stuff, to help people obtain what they need... Admin Bob alert...<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0"><br><br>Good luck <br><br>AJ<br>

 

[oldnjung]

Really COOL, Kate!! I have an old class C I will post soon.<br>Rachel, my wife and I are about to "hit the road". I read all the information Bob posted on&nbsp;the site, plus numerous others on the web. Started last December, I think.&nbsp; My suggestion is to read EVERYTHING possible in the different categories on this site and also faliaphotography.com.<br>Good Luck! <br>jb<br>Good Luck!<br>

 

[cyndi]

<P><FONT size=3>Welcome, Rachel! this is the BEST place to be for help and information.&nbsp; Along with the Vandwellers forum and group and a thousand blogs that are out there happy to share everything they know.</FONT></P>

 

[Imladris]

I can already tell that this site will be an invaluable resource. So I'm thinking &nbsp;right now that I should probly start small and trade up later, since I will be going to school for a couple years. As a result of school, I will not be traveling much at first, and should therefore not need many portable amenities now that I will want later. These are my main concerns at the moment:<div>1 - My dogs. I suppose that I could give them up, but I just feel like I have a responsibility towards them, and I know I will appreciate the company on the road. BUT, 1 is a spaz, and the other is a 75lb shedding machine. So while I would like to start with just a modified suburban or something similar, this may not&nbsp;accommodate my fuzzballs well.</div><div>2 - Startup cost. This is a big reason for me to start small. I can conceivably charge it and then pay it down with the money I save. I am not handy though. I have common sense and only the most common tools. Very little knowledge of mechanics. Plus, being debt free is just as important to me as not being tied down to a FT job. I think a salvage and resell business would be ideal while I am in school</div><div>3 - Winterizing. I'm going to spend the winter in Colorado Springs. I have lived all my life in SC. But if I start small, I'm definitely going to need good insulation. I don't want to make any major/permanent changes to something that I can later resell and put towards a more advanced unit.</div><div><br></div><div>I have a few months, and finally found a great job that if I didn't already know I had other options, I would even consider making a career out of. I'm sure I will be able to work out a solution for most things before departure time. I don't know that I will tell any of my family until I am somewhat established in this. They worry too much. Also, there is an RV park about 5 minutes from where I currently reside, so I think I may have to make a habit of meeting and talking to the people there.</div>

 

[4x4tour]

<FONT face="times new roman, times, serif" size=3>You have to do EVERYTHING possible to keep the dogs.&nbsp; i work closely with Petsmart (dog training), and I see people bringing in dogs to surrender, all the time.&nbsp; It makes me sick... <BR><BR>A guy last week brought in a german shepherd that he adopted a week prior.&nbsp; He said the dog was "too mellow".&nbsp; The idiot needed to realize that the shepherd, Duke, was still homesick from his last home... It can take months for a loyal dog to open up, entirely. <BR><BR>The fact is, is that most surrendered dogs are put to sleep soon afterwards.&nbsp; Keep this in mind, but somewhere along the line, you made the commitment to them, so you must do everything you can to keep it...&nbsp; I apologize if I sound harsh, but I would take a (non-lethal) bullet for my dog,&nbsp;if&nbsp;needed...lol <BR><BR>Anyway,&nbsp;how 'bout getting a VW&nbsp;van or something?</FONT> &nbsp; <BR><BR><BR>

 

[Guest]

<P><FONT size=3>

You have to do EVERYTHING possible to keep the dogs.&nbsp; i work closely with Petsmart (dog training), and I see people bringing in dogs to surrender, all the time.&nbsp; It makes me sick... <BR>

</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>It'll be difficult to do if Rachel can only grab a little car. She did mention one is 75lbs. I agree don't surrender them, but you have to do what you can to make sure they are in a good position to live happy lives. Parents? Friends?</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>Anyways, beyond that. Welcome to the forum!!! You will find a wealth of information here.</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>Check out some of the posts about winter on my blog. I have been researching winter van dwelling for a bit, and have found some products that will really assist for a Canadian winter (hopefully), so a winter in Colorado Springs should be a walk in the park with what I've found <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>Winters in Colorado Springs look to be a beautiful fall day compared to here. Averaging 28.1 °F (-2.2 °C) in January ( Climate Data ), some insulation, and a heater should pretty much do you. Fall here in Calgary is like your winters, and I was fine last year without the insulation, just a heater, and some nice blankets.</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>As for a new home, I would keep an eye out for a van of some sort. Depending on laws there, check out getting a campervan like what I have. If you're not too concerned about stealth, nor what people think, and the laws don't prevent you staying in it, you'll be happier I think since you won't have to spend a lot of money on converting. Although a conversion could be just as much as throwing a mattress in the back. I think for you, you may be wanting something that looks a bit more like home with as little effort as possible. For example, I bought my van for $500, and only needed to change the alternator.</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>Again, check out as many blogs as you can, as they are usually people doing it, or preparing to do it, and they all have great ideas, and talk about their successes as well as failures, and you can learn from them all.</FONT></P><P><FONT size=3>&nbsp;</FONT></P>

 

[Imladris]

No worries about giving up the little ones; I don't plan to. Just have to figure out the best way to accommodate them. exercise seems a biggie. Don't want to leave them enclosed in a van all the time, especially one the size of a kennel. I hate kennels. Leaving &nbsp;them with family seems like a bad idea since I come from a family that believes dogs should stay outdoors. Mine have always been indoors and my little one is way too social (codependent) for that and my wolf/pyrenees wont get along with the summers here in SC.Thnx for the tips on winterizing. I imagine the fuzzballs will help keep me warm too.

 

[Imladris]

<a href="http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/2391052182.html" target="_blank">http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/2391052182.html</a><div><br></div><div>It's beautiful! Quick somebody give $3900!</div>

 

[Kenny]

Welcome Rachel <br><br>I'm your neighbor right over here in Atlanta and I have two big dogs.&nbsp; They take a lot of planning and consideration but I wouldnt give them up any sooner than the 2 legged variety.&nbsp; They are my children... <br><br>Keep us posted on your plans..&nbsp; kenny<br><br>

 

[Imladris]

What are some of the&nbsp;accommodations&nbsp;you've had to make for them that you would not have otherwise?