On the fence: weighing my options

[nemomenemo]

I recently relocated due to the Camp fire (Paradise, Ca) to subsidized senior apts in Cloverdale, Ca. Altho the rent is cheap ($260.mo.) and the town and apt are nice, it is incredibly noisy hear (neighbors on all sides and their dogs). Other than the noise it's virtually perfect, but I'm a reclusive, quiet person who loves and values quietude most of all. I can see that my reason for considering Rubber Tramping isn't that common and my question to all of you is, does R.T.ing seem like a realistic solution? Living on SSI my options are slim to none(market value of my apt is 150% of my income!). Your feedback will be greatly appreciated, thank you

 

[WanderingRose]

Subsidized senior living will be impossible to beat for economy, in my opinion, so this is a move to consider carefully.

You don’t say whether you already own a vehicle, but getting out and spending some time in a vehicle would be a good way to see if this is a style of living you could embrace full time.

Finances are important, as you must not only care for yourself on the road but be able to maintain your vehicle, which inevitably includes costly upkeep and major repairs.

I suggest some time out and about, see how it feels and look carefully before you leap.

Good luck.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

People say they live "great" on $500 a month.
I say BS.
There isn't fuel assistance for Nomads.

Noisy or not, you have a sh!tter and a shower right now. Heat-A/C and a fridge.

Internet, TV, and phone service all cost more on the road.

Had you just been left a four year old RV with a sweet solar setup on it...it might make things different.

Perhaps...a set of these could help you deal better?

https://www.amazon.com/Cancelling-H...fix=noise+canceling+hea,aps,1008&sr=8-3-spell
(The link says exactly what it is.)


I damn sure would not give up your digs till you try out nomad life for a couple months first.
YouTube can put unrealistic stars in peoples eyes.

 

[ckelly78z]

Have you considered soundproofing the subsidized appt. that you have, so the noise factor will be greatly reduced ? Some of the QUIET BARRIER products sound promising in the link below...not sure on price, but can be added to existing walls, and ceiling. Of course, throw rugs also help the floor.

https://www.soundproofcow.com/sound...MI3KvL9MzX4QIVENvACh1DXgl4EAAYAiAAEgLG6fD_BwE

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums nemonenemo! While rubber tramping can be a relatively cheap style of living it comes with its own complications and expenses. In your situation, the best thing to do may be long vacation trips. Use your current vehicle and buy a minimal amount of equipment - tent, sleep bag, cooler, etc. Go for a weekend, a week, a month. See how you like it. At the best you'll love it, at the worse you'll get a break from the commotion at your apartment complex. It looks like there are many places to boondock in Mendicino National Forest - https://freecampsites.net/#!(39.03625,+-122.1405)

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[AMGS3]

I'd agree with the advice that taking some measures to soundproof your place or your ears may leave you with a more positive opinion of your current place. Subsidized units are often built with a bare minimum of noise buffering between units, I lived in one that I could hear when my neighbor had the hiccups.

If, other than the noise situation, your current place is "virtually perfect," then I'd say it'd be a lot easier to address that small problem instead of embracing an entirely different way of life. Especially because you may need those noise cancelling headphones from time to time as a vandweller, depending on where you find yourself on the road.

S&B houses aren't inherently bad or good. Clearly not hauling water, having all bathroom facilities available at all times, having a kitchen you don't have to "put away" every time you move - these can be solid wins. Some people have the urge to travel and meet new people and see new things. For them no amount of fancy headphones or thick rugs or fabric wall hangings would make an apartment feel like home.

I'd say if you're already 95% at home, see what you can do to fix that last little bit to make it perfect. If that doesn't work then maybe look into taking some weekend trips and very carefully ease into it. Take gradually longer trips til you know what you want, THEN and only then think about leaving the S&B.

I'm on disability, too, and I know how hard it is to stretch your check to fit your needs. Make sure you are able to take care of yourself and your rig before you decide to get rid of the subsidized housing.

~angie

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

 

[txmnjim]

i guess with that kind of rent its hard to complain but i would (to mgmt). or see if another 
place that doesnt allow dogs can be found at that rate...best of luck.
jim

 

[JD GUMBEE]

nemomenemo,

I just went to shut down this tab and found more replies...and it made me think of one other thing you may have meant, but not actually said.

I do a lot of veterans advocacy. (DID is more the true term, but I am now like "second level tech support" when they hit a brick wall or have an especially convoluted hearing coming up.)

We know a ton of vets who got physically messed up overseas and now live in senior housing.
They throw 28 year olds in with the elderly...and the retirees can drive them NUTS.

ie;
Having the police called because James is getting a little 'night recreation' with a lady friend.
"Don't you know we have RULES here about others living in the apartments?"

Complaints about service dogs pooping on the lawn.
(Pictures of said poo show it to be the complainers "AAA battery sized" poodle turds, NOT the quadriplegic vets 100 pound Belgian Malinois service dog...who is well trained to go in the woods, beyond the lawn.)

James listening to a little Miles Davis on a Sunday afternoon...
"We have noise regulations here, heathen." (Another cop visit when no rule was broken.)

Using the pavilion to throw a disabled TBI vet a birthday party.
(...and suddenly, 3/4 of the people who live there just happen to 'walk through' the pavilion...by chance. Right as the strippers showed up. LOL)

Our society has gone plum crazy thinking everyone has to bend to their own idea of morals, noise, language, life in general.
(The true meaning of free speech in general=you have the right to be offended, nothing more.)

If you do not to have "the radio is talking to me again and it says you are the devils offspring," people off their meds in your complex, consider yourself lucky.

Wrinkle village is NOT always the best the place to be. Often, retirees are more childish and petty than middle school students.
...I get it.

I suggest inviting a group of veteran bikers to your place for a sober-keg party, (complete with some hired help.)
30 bikes in the parking lot will bring you a boatload of either respect...or fear.
Is it better to be respected, or feared? To each his own, but it sure helped a couple of the guys I know squelch all the drama.

If that fails, type in "DEATH METAL MUSIC MIX" on youtube, turn your computer speakers as loud as they will go, put them in the window...and take off in your car for the day.

 

[nemomenemo]

I recently relocated due to the Camp fire (Paradise, Ca) to subsidized senior apts in Cloverdale, Ca. Altho the rent is cheap ($260.mo.) and the town and apt are nice, it is incredibly noisy hear (neighbors on all sides and their dogs). Other than the noise it's virtually perfect, but I'm a reclusive, quiet person who loves and values quietude most of all. I can see that my reason for considering Rubber Tramping isn't that common and my question to all of you is, does R.T.ing seem like a realistic solution? Living on SSI my options are slim to none(market value of my apt is 150% of my income!). Your feedback will be greatly appreciated, thank you

Thank you Wandering Rose for your feedback-- I do have a car I could sell for about $5k and a little saving $3.5k, but I think that it would be best to test the waters, taking a few month vacation, Tramping, first. I am thoroughly pampered here, even w/ $10.mo. fast internet, food deliveries here several times a wk so that little $ is spent on food, and almost full med/dental coverage, w/ the balance deducted from the rent! I can see how easy it is to romanticize R.T.ing--the big draw for me is the community spirit(even tho a recluse!). I could see how noise could be an issue even when Tramping. Thanks again :shy:

 

[nemomenemo]

Thank you all so much--you've brought up excellent points to consider. I think that I'll continue to work on correcting my problem here, w/ management and possibly take a vacation in the future to test out Tramping :shy:

 

[Dingfelder]

Sounds about right. Can't see how you could possibly beat the low expenses you have. Plus as you grow older and less physically capable, nomad life will become much harder, and you'll probably be wanting an apartment anyway. All that stuff can take so long to set up ... and you've already got it now.

 

[ckelly78z]

Just because your situation dictates that the wiser move is to stay in your current apartment, doesn't mean that you can't dream, and plan for when you will be able to take trips, and how you want your van to be outfitted, and what it will look like. I will probably never live in a van, but enjoy the ideas from this forum, and with my camping experience, can share, and help a few in the process.

 

[JD GUMBEE]

nemomenemo, If you have a decent car, have you looked into a basic teardrop or ultralite trailer?

People tow them, even with Prius or Festivas, so unless it is something truly tiny like a "Smart" car or equivalent, you can likely do it.
The small trailers are easy to handle and provide a lot more function/comfort than a tent would.

Might be a way to have the best of both worlds...without a major upset to your budget.

Something like this one, in case you have not previously looked into them...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-5x8-Classic-Sleeper-Teardrop-Camper-/173876214890

 

[nemomenemo]

Sounds about right.  Can't see how you could possibly beat the low expenses you have.  Plus as you grow older and less physically capable, nomad life will become much harder, and you'll probably be wanting an apartment anyway.  All that stuff can take so long to set up ... and you've already got it now.

Exactly--this has occurred to me as well. I am currently recovering from rotator cuff surgery, and see a physical therapist regularly and have quite an exercise program to carry out at home. In a van I'd be incredibly restricted, esp in bad weather, not to mention the trips involved. I can see a future of surgery since I've got high miles, like the old '53 Chevy 1 ton I had years ago on it's last leg(same vintage!). It's occurred to me that it's ironic that most of these R.T,er's are seniors(who love it)and yet are prone to so many similar problems.Thanks for caring! :shy:

 

[nemomenemo]

Just because your situation dictates that the wiser move is to stay in your current apartment, doesn't mean that you can't dream, and plan for when you will be able to take trips, and how you want your van to be outfitted, and what it will look like. I will probably never live in a van, but enjoy the ideas from this forum, and with my camping experience, can share, and help a few in the process.

Exactly--you guys have all got insightful perspectives! That's exactly what I'm doing now, as a safety net. Also I'm considering the possibility of caretaking a summer home around Clearlake Ca. and staying in a van during the months(sometimes as few as 2 out of the year) when the owners return. I got this idea when I was looking for temp housing after being displaced by the Camp Fire in Paradise Ca. in Nov--I found a place in Nice(around Clearlake) on a website set up for evacuees needing housing--a kind couple from Sedona Ar. let me stay up to 6 mo. in their home overlooking the lake for a nominal fee(a true godsend!). I don't  have "itchy feet", so this is a better use of Van Life for me. This does happen to be an exception to the high rent areas in Ca. too(some small towns around Clearlake) due to the high unemployment etc. Altho the meth epidemic, so common in so many towns now) is a factor in many of these areas, I found that there are some unafflicted areas as well(I stayed in one). The people I encountered were kind and down to earth and the pace of the whole area, for miles around, is slow and mellow. I've elaborated so just to emphasize that there are other applications for R.T.ing besides the main one on this forum. Thanks for caring! :shy:

 

[nemomenemo]

nemomenemo, If you have a decent car, have you looked into a basic teardrop or ultralite trailer?

People tow them, even with Prius or Festivas, so unless it is something truly tiny like a "Smart" car or equivalent, you can likely do it.
The small trailers are easy to handle and provide a lot more function/comfort than a tent would.

Might be a way to have the best of both worlds...without a major upset to your budget.
Thank you for your input--my car is  a gutless wonder and I need to upgrade to do any serious travel. I'll likely get a van if I decide to take the plunge. :shy:
Something like this one, in case you hav :she not previously looked into them...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-5x8-Classic-Sleeper-Teardrop-Camper-/173876214890