Reverse Elitism

[Luisafernandes]

I'm very sorry you feel this way, and hope you stick around if for nothing else but the wealth of knowledge you can find here.
I must say that I've never encountered pushing their way on me. I've asked for opinions and received many and varied. Never was I forced to do what someone Recomended.
I bought a brad new 2014 van, while most people here buy used. Most things I bought are considered top notch. My roof rack cost me $1400. I never got any negativity from anyone.
Everyone here is at a different level one way or another. Some have more money than other. Some have a better vehicle. Some have a better set up. Some have more knowledge. Some have more time on their hands, some less. Some are retired. Some like me work full time. Some are liberal, some are conservative. Some have a strong faith in GOD, others may not. What's important is that we of all different backgrounds, faiths, ideologies, locations, abilities and wealth come together here not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others less fortunate or knowledgeable.
Some people may be more strong minded that other, but in the end it's you who have the final saying in whatever you're doing. You shouldn't let anyone dictate how you do things.
So stick around, this bunch of misfits may be worthy of a second chance. [emoji106][emoji1][emoji604]

 

[bcbullet]

I am a fraud myself and living vicariously through others here on the site.
I built a sixteen foot cube van with all the amenities to live in (city stealth) with my divorced kids on weekends. 2 nights every 2 weeks for the last 3 1/2 years now. Over the winter I built a dodge extended van for weekend stealth getaways with my wife. We have only camped in it a few times and are planning a week long getaway in September.
That being said, I like the ideas on the site and the diversity of attitude. We are very very far from broke, but the simplistic viewpoints are a very refreshing change from the entitled ramblings of my coworkers in the medical field. i am hoping I survive long enough to retire and cross Canada in the cube van...stealthily of course!

 

[Gary68]

the truth is,there is no "normal",there is no "average",to each his/her own

if some troll is hounding you tell them to piss off no need to even acknowledge them there are to many nice people in this world

 

[ZoNiE]

Yep, another "I don't fit here either".

Still live in a brick house, work full time, but have a great 25ft Travel trailer with 400 W of solar, 4000W generator, and lots of other goodies I've added. Cobbling up an in-floor heating system next.

 

[Brian_and_Jesse]

I don't 'fit in' here either.

While I love this forum and all of its participants, I don't post much because I (apparently) seem to process data in a way different from most.

It's no fun posting when I'm repeatedly told that I'm 'off topic,' when I don't feel I am at all.

It's also no fun to be informed (in stealth mode) that I'm on Bob's hit list for the above mentioned predilection.  I don't have the emotional energy for this kind of  $hit!

So, that's why I read rather than post most days.  I'd LIKE to post, and have plenty of useful experiences to share, but it's just not worth the upset to me.

There, I said it.

Shalom,


Jesse.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

Jesse I found your post's to be informative! Please post more often.

 

[eDJ_]

I find this forum and it's members fascinating.  It has been many years since I was a Boy Scout and can tell you that one of the points of the Scout Law is to be "thrifty".   As one leaves their youth and attains a good paying job in adulthood they often forget that virtue. 

I try to look at all of this lifestyle as an investment in refreshing my memory and things I learned earlier in life.

The art of living a nomadic lifestyle may not be in full or part very appealing to some.  Stealth may translate to some as being "Sneaky" , but everyone will have a different definition or motivation for it.

What I enjoy most about the forum is the discussions of equipment that exist today that I didn't know about.
Next to that is the manner people are traveling in their vehicles and finding a lifestyle that is affordable and appealing to them so that they can pursue their goals in life or retirement. 

So I see it more as a Laboratory to learn in and share what I know.

I'm glad I don't have to live as the "Joads" in Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" did during their flight to California.
But if I should ever fall on hard times,  I'd be grateful for the investment I've made here so that I'd be prepared.  

This past week I've watched TV where they show people's homes, cars, and lives being washed away in flash floods as we've had so much rain.  The TV Stations News departments are interviewing people they find boondocking now and learning that they threw what they could in their vehicle and drove to higher dryer grounds to have that very first need for their family.....safety.  Others are staying in the Cities on Church Parking lots.  And all are monitoring their Cells to learn if their homes are still standing.

It doesn't have to necessarily be a Wall Street or Banking disaster to put one in hard times.

 

[karl]

I never fit perfectly anywhere- my life is a bundle of contradictions. Dog and I live in a cabin part of the year, stay with a friend part, live in the step van part, work in one area for a while, then move to another. Trying to find time to sell off equipment and real estate and be retired and houseless within a year.

I still enjoy this forum almost daily, can't say the same for several others.

There have been a few that have left this forum who I have not missed in the slightest, and others who I wish were still contributing.

My own enthusiasm ebbs and flows from topic to topic and through the coming and going of members, but I have never felt there was any elitism presented by CRVL. There are positions taken by contributing members that I sometimes think are condescending or judgmental, but time usually finds them elsewhere.

 

[gcal]

We aren't broke and it's hard to hide a 30 ft class A. We have enough retirement income to do and live as we please IF we are careful with it. I just ignore what I don't care about, here, and use what does relate to me.

 

[Milk Hauler]

Gets the popcorn out. [emoji41]

 

[Canine]

Jesse,if you try to leave this forum,you will be hunted down and your nose hair will be pulled out..I always enjoy your posts.Don't blame Bob,somebody has to keep all us loose cannons under control.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

its funny, i just read 3 pages of posts of people saying they don't fit in here lol. You ALL fit in here, thats the funny part. the rver, the tenter, the vandweller, the fulltimer, the part timer, the daydreamer. Most are just in a different state now, but will cross, or at least mingle, with the other states (or have before). All have knowledge to take and to give.

I fit in here when i was a daydreamer in a fancy apmt, a frugal part timer in cabin and minivan, and stationary fulltimer in my van. I will fit in in 2 months when im a broke traveler, throwing caution to the wind

 

[Brian_and_Jesse]

Jesse,if you try to leave this forum,you will be hunted down and your nose hair will be pulled out..I always enjoy your posts.Don't blame Bob,somebody has to keep all us loose cannons under control.

LOL! Thanks, Bob! Bless you!

I don't blame Bob. I don't blame anyone. Obviously,I'm the problem. Bob (ark Bob) has only talked to me once about drifting off topic and he couldn't have been more polite about it.

I don't care for behind-the-scenes messages that inform me that I am on Bob's (ark Bob) short list for being handed my hat, which is my reality at the moment. (And no, it wasn't ark Bob who sent them.)

If I can't post without being nervous or upset (because I'd really like to be welcome to stay here) then I know how to shut up and just 'listen' (read), since I've no idea what I'm doing wrong and thus have no way to correct it.

I'm grateful for this forum and feel a kinship with every member here, but given the circumstances, I think it's better if I just love you all in silence and let Brian do the talking when we need to post. (I'm not much of a talker anyway. I do better putting my feelings into words and music.)

Love to all,

Jesse.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

I'm seriously considering changing forums as I sense this forum is only interested in stealth, broke and vans.  I'm not broke, but not rich, I can afford to spend a bit on things, which I like to share what I find in using them.  If you don't like the fact that I'm willing to pay rent to be near cities, I'm sorry that offends you, but I find it cheaper to pay rent than move every night.

Corky

I've learned lots of stuff on this forum.  I find some posters are basically clueless, while others are a wealth of information.  For example, I learned about using South Dakota as a mail drop / home base, and the folding step-ladder (at camp world, which I ordered).  My political, religious, and philosophical views aren't welcome here so I keep them to myself.  My biggest problem "fitting in" is that I use logic, and no one else does.  One thing that particularly drives me up a wall is people who admit they don't know the facts, then offer an opinion anyway.

 

[SoulRaven]

I enjoy the diversity of people on this forum.  It would be pretty boring if we all thought alike and/or had the same circumstances. I haven't sensed any 'elitism' , but that might be just me, not much bothers me. 

Jesse, I don't pretend to speak for Ark Bob but he does not seem to be the shy retiring type. If there was an issue with you I think he would tell you directly. Never let fear silence your voice. 

I would hate to see anyone leave because they felt excluded, that's something that has not occurred to me on this forum.

Travel Safe. Bob J.

 

[SoulRaven]

Corky,

I would like to see you stay, I hate seeing anyone leave, and heaven knows I'm one of the biggest non-conformist and contrarians here.

Maybe because I have over 50 years of living a mobile lifestyle, maybe because I have lived and worked in environments on both ends of the temperature extremes, maybe because I've seen, heard, or made many mistakes in the past that I have learned from, or maybe because I can't see spending big bucks for something that MIGHT pay for itself in 20, 30, or 40 years, that won't improve my current comfort one little bit.

In this lifestyle there are many people who are broke, or close to it. Maybe they had no choice but to adapt to this lifestyle. Kudo's to them, they are survivors. But not all of us are broke. I could pay cash for any house or RV I wanted, in fact I own an of grid property and cabin. I'm mostly retired now, but I live this lifestyle because I like it. I enjoy traveling.

I am mostly a city camper, parking for free on city streets. I prefer this over RV parks because I love my neighbors in every town I visit, and I just feel more free than I would in an RV park. I don't need the hook ups, and I don't do what most people here describe as stealth. Even though my van blends in well almost anywhere, I am about as stealthy as a pink elephant. I don't try to hide what I'm doing, and all of the neighbors know full well that I live in my van. I get invited to BBQ's, camping trips, and birthday or anniversary parties by my neighbors. I recently helped a couple celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and just last night I attended a marvelous salmon BBQ at one of the neighbor's houses.

This life can be anything you choose to make it. If you get it wrong, you can change it. Lord knows I've changed things many times until I got my ultimate totally awesome setup. There is no place on this earth that I could be any more comfortable than in my van. When I want a change of scenery, it is as simple as firing up and driving to wherever I want to be.

The devil is in the details. You need to be prepared for anything, because no matter how good your plans are, you're going to run into bad weather sooner or later, and possibly temperature extremes, either hot or cold. I believe it is best to be totally self contained, having your own toilet, shower, and kitchen. If I don't want to leave my van for a week or more, I have that option. By building your own rig, you can build it to be as comfortable and as convenient as you choose. Likewise, it can be as spartan as you choose, if that's what you desire.

My setup is overly simplistic by some people's standards, but it is perfect for me. I don't like stuff that has the potential of breaking down at an inopportune time. For me it isn't about the money, it's about comfort and convenience, and being prepared for any eventuality.

Nobody here is going to always agree on every subject, but there is a wealth of information here, that you can pick and choose to your own liking. To me it's all about choices, and the more perspectives you have to choose from the better. Through trial and error, mix and match, you can create your dream vehicle. It doesn't matter whether you choose to live in it full time, or just take it camping occassionally, or on an extended road trip. It's about the happiness and freedom that it can bring you.

For me, it isn't about the money, it's about the adventure. Once completed, a camper van can be enjoyed on any type of budget. The same holds true for any type of camping vehicle, or even tents. It's about the enjoyment we can get from them. $1k, $10k, $100k or more, it's about about fulfilling our dreams. Whether you choose to stay or leave, pursue those dreams my friend, life is short, and today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Good Wishes, regardless of your decision!

OG

 

[Marie]

There are just too many awesome posts here! I want to "thank" each and every one!!! So I'm taking this opportunity to thank you all for what you've given me! I think we fit in here because we ARE different. Thanks again!

 

[Brian_and_Jesse]

Corky,

I would like to see you stay, I hate seeing anyone leave, and heaven knows I'm one of the biggest non-conformist and contrarians here.

Maybe because I have over 50 years of living a mobile lifestyle, maybe because I have lived and worked in environments on both ends of the temperature extremes, maybe because I've seen, heard, or made many mistakes in the past that I have learned from, or maybe because I can't see spending big bucks for something that MIGHT pay for itself in 20, 30, or 40 years, that won't improve my current comfort one little bit.

In this lifestyle there are many people who are broke, or close to it.  Maybe they had no choice but to adapt to this lifestyle.  Kudo's to them, they are survivors.  But not all of us are broke.  I could pay cash for any house or RV I wanted, in fact I own an of grid property and cabin.  I'm mostly retired now, but I live this lifestyle because I like it.  I enjoy traveling.

I am mostly a city camper, parking for free on city streets.  I prefer this over RV parks because I love my neighbors in every town I visit, and I just feel more free than I would in an RV park.  I don't need the hook ups, and I don't do what most people here describe as stealth.  Even though my van blends in well almost anywhere, I am about as stealthy as a pink elephant.  I don't try to hide what I'm doing, and all of the neighbors know full well that I live in my van.  I get invited to BBQ's, camping trips, and birthday or anniversary parties by my neighbors.  I recently helped a couple celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and just last night I attended a marvelous salmon BBQ at one of the neighbor's houses.

This life can be anything you choose to make it.  If you get it wrong, you can change it.  Lord knows I've changed things many times until I got my ultimate totally awesome setup.  There is no place on this earth that I could be any more comfortable than in my van.  When I want a change of scenery, it is as simple as firing up and driving to wherever I want to be.

The devil is in the details.  You need to be prepared for anything, because no matter how good your plans are, you're going to run into bad weather sooner or later, and possibly temperature extremes, either hot or cold.  I believe it is best to be totally self contained, having your own toilet, shower, and kitchen.  If I don't want to leave my van for a week or more, I have that option.  By building your own rig, you can build it to be as comfortable and as convenient as you choose.  Likewise, it can be as spartan as you choose, if that's what you desire.

My setup is overly simplistic by some people's standards, but it is perfect for me.  I don't like stuff that has the potential of breaking down at an inopportune time.  For me it isn't about the money, it's about comfort and convenience, and being prepared for any eventuality.

Nobody here is going to always agree on every subject, but there is a wealth of information here, that you can pick and choose to your own liking.  To me it's all about choices, and the more perspectives you have to choose from the better.  Through trial and error, mix and match, you can create your dream vehicle.  It doesn't matter whether you choose to live in it full time, or just take it camping occassionally, or on an extended road trip.  It's about the happiness and freedom that it can bring you.

For me, it isn't about the money, it's about the adventure.  Once completed, a camper van can be enjoyed on any type of budget.  The same holds true for any type of camping vehicle, or even tents.  It's about the enjoyment we can get from them.  $1k, $10k, $100k or more, it's about about fulfilling our dreams.  Whether you choose to stay or leave, pursue those dreams my friend, life is short, and today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Good Wishes, regardless of your decision!

OG

Excellent post!

Brian.

 

[compassrose]

... I use logic, and no one else does.  One thing that particularly drives me up a wall is people who admit they don't know the facts, then offer an opinion anyway.

Logic be damned! What facts? I'll give you my opinion on that anyway. BTW, I think an organized home is the sign of a sick mind. what were we talking about?

 

[LeeRevell]

Being a retired programmer and techie kind of guy (though 'old school') I try to approach things logically.  But sometimes the more logical method is not the best method.  Some folks like a more 'artistic' approach.It can be a choice between form or function.  I like perusing this forum for ideas, and while many popular ideas don't work for me specifically they can be fine for others.