University is expensive enough.

[Guest]

I've been researching this topic for a little while now and thought I'd join a forum to get some advice from the experts.<br /><br />I'm moving back to university next year to finish my degree and I figure I'll try this out for the spring and summer when it isn't too cold as a way to save money.<br /><br />I lived in my first apartment last year and while I loved it, the main thing I learned is rent is a complete joke in Canada and that $600+/month would be better saved to go towards a proper home down the line at least for 6 months of the year when the weather isn't too harsh.<br /><br />I look forward to meeting you all, using the resources you all have gathered, and maybe documenting my 2013 adventure on here.<br /><br />- YOTV

 

[Lifemagician]

There is a blog from a guy who went to Duke university, got his degree, and came out without a debt, living in a van on campus for the duration of his studies.&nbsp; I am sure if you google some of the key words, it is bound to come up.&nbsp;&nbsp; I do no longer have the url, nor can I remember the title.<br /><br />Lifey

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Here's the blog - <a href="http://www.kenilgunas.com/p/vandwelling.html">http://www.kenilgunas.com/p/vandwelling.html</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.27272605895996px;">Ken Ilgunas is a very entertaining blogger. I started reading and couldn't stop.<br />He's walking the route of the proposed </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.27272605895996px;">Keystone XL oil pipeline&nbsp; now which has led to some humorous and disturbing encounters.</span></span>

 

[Lifemagician]

Thanks tonyandkaren.&nbsp; Yeah! most inspirational.&nbsp;&nbsp; I have pointed quite a few people to that blog, hoping they realise what is possible.&nbsp; Even if they do not live in a van, it may give them other ideas which help them achieve their goals.<br /><br />Lifey

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the feedback guys.<br /><br />Checked it out.&nbsp; Pretty interesting, but much more intense than what I'm planning.<br /><br />I'm just going to be using the van as a place to sleep.&nbsp; I only have a couple more courses left before I grad and I plan to be working full time and probably going out to the country on days off to go hiking and camp out there.<br /><br />I figure with all the perks university life affords you (showers at the pool, plug-ins at the library to recharge batteries, free transit) and generally keeping busy outside the van studying, working out, doing laundry, grocery shopping, working, and hanging out with friends on campus and at the bars, I probably won't be spending more than 7-8 hours a night in the thing.<br /><br />But thanks for the link, still a very very entertaining read and I'll be reading that book he keeps mentioning.<br /><br />One thing I've noticed from my research so far is people who don't work etc and don't stay connected to the 'real' work while doing the van thing, seem to become a bit paranoid about being 'caught'.&nbsp; You're not cooking meth in there...<br /><br />I'll probably be spending most nights parked at the 24 walmart and the canadian tire, hidden among the vehicles left there overnight for servicing both of which are 5-10 minutes from campus.

 

[rvwandering]

You'll be fine at Walmart , Canadian Tire etc. unless there are signs specifically prohibiting overnight parking.&nbsp; In reality with a van you will most likely be able to get away with it even if there are signs. I think that people do worry too much about getting caught but it could be a problem if you have to stay in one area for a job or a for an entire year of college. In cases like that the chances of somebody noticing you and reporting you to the authorities are much higher. There's a tiny segment of the population that resents people living in vehicles and will try to get you off the street or out of parking lots.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the heads up tonyandkaren.<br /><br />I figure part of the trick will be forging relationships not just with other van dwellers but with the community at large (restaurant and store staff, etc) as well as taking advantage of the friendships I already have in the area from my first couple of years at school. <br /><br />I`ll probably be picking up work at a liquor store I used to work at and hopefully getting a job in a kitchen at a pub as that`s the kind of work I have the most experience doing anyway and will be a direct line to hot meals without stinking up the van.&nbsp; <br /><br />And a big part of this plan is to be able to take off into the country to go hiking and camping when I get days off.&nbsp; That`s a huge part of it for me.<br /><br />The more I think about this the more excited I get to get started!

 

[offroad]

How do the stealth van dwellers take to socializing? &nbsp;If I see a likely person would they be offended if I asked them their story? Maybe start writing of interviews with creative lifestyle on a limited budget.&nbsp;

 

[blkjak]

welcome .... blkjak

 

[Guest]

Think I found the van.<br /><br /><br />http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Dodge/Gr...a/5_10483094_200421214853706/?showcpo=ShowCPO<br /><br /><br />this one's good because it's so cheap I can keep my car for a couple of months to makes sure there's nothing mechanically wrong with the van.<br /><br />I bought a Yaris last year and it's been nothing but trouble.&nbsp;&nbsp; Bought it to save money on gas, and any gas savings I've made, I've lost in repairs.&nbsp; First and last foreign car I'll ever own.<br /><br />I'll be glad to see that Yaris go.

 

[Guest]

Sold the car today.&nbsp; <br><br>Van shopping next weekend!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Good luck!<br><br><br>A minivan is a pretty good option especially if you primarily will be sleeping in it.&nbsp; I used my minivan (voyager, basically same as one above) and no one even knew I was in there.&nbsp; I slept on the floor so I was below the windows, which were very darkly tinted from the factory.&nbsp; I would suggest if you go that route, to put a piece of ply down after you remove the rear seats, and have a way to level it for sleeping on (wood shims).&nbsp; The road leans toward the curb a little.&nbsp; Get one of those sunshield things for the fron window, because it will noticeably fog.<br><br><br>I dont know if 5k is cheap for an 03 though.&nbsp; You can probably get a decent full size van for that, that is 10 years old.<br><br><br>edit: well, not sure about in canada <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[Guest]

Saw 2 minvans today, a Windstar and a Grand Caravan.&nbsp; <br><br>Tomorrow I'm looking a Caravan and a Montana.<br><br>Then on Wednesday a Venture.&nbsp; <br><br>Then unless something new and exciting pops up I'll probably pick one of these 5.&nbsp; The van from above is too expensive, you're right.&nbsp; These ones are all in the $3500 range.

 

[Guest]

Got the minivan today.&nbsp; I'll post some pics in the next couple of days once I've pulled the seats out and laid down some plywood in the back.&nbsp; Got a great deal on a little Chevy Venture with only 100,000kms on it (~60,000 miles).&nbsp; Great condition, it belonged to an old man who sadly passed away.<br><br>Leaving the second week of March so I have some time to get all set up.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Congrats!&nbsp; Look forward to the pics <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">