Want to Full-Time But Don't Like Being Outside All Day

[myway_1]

Hi folks,

I feel like traveling around the country for an extended period, living out of a hatchback or small SUV 

However, I don't like spending lots of time outdoors, even in the midst of scenic beauty.

I see myself spending half the time out in nature and the other half visiting small towns, seeing the local sights and spending time in libraries, rec centers and small city or county parks. Maybe stay in one place for a week or so then move on to the next town down the road.

Does this sound like a viable plan? Any pointers on how to avoid stirring the curiosity of local residents or law enforcement in a small town.

Thanks!

 

[MrNoodly]

There are as many ways to live the nomadic life as there are people living it. And I think a lot of folks start out with one vision, then change over time. I thought I would be spending a lot more time stealth camping in towns/cities. But two years on, not so much.

 

[buckwilk]

No offense myway, this may be the saddest post I have ever seen. The idea that you are worried about traveling this country doing what you want and fearing the police or local residents is heartbreaking to me. Turn off the news, quit listening to the naysayers. Please give the real people in this country a chance. They will give you their time, their food, their spare bed, their shower, their money. The police in the small towns will do that and more, they will help you, guide you, share everything they have with you. The people in this country are the most loving, genuine, giving people you will ever meet. If you are true, so will be the people you meet. Do what you desire and let us know how you fare.

 

[highdesertranger]

myway, while you might not want to spend time outdoors in nature that's what I live for. however if that's not for you, do what you like to do. after all live your life as YOU see fit. highdesertranger

 

[eDJ_]

I'm considering something similar.

But I'm building a E 350 Ford Van with high top roof.  What I've began to consider is employing a 10 ft single axle trailer with 6'5" tall roof.  Something light weight where I can carry a generator, bathroom/shower stall,
laundry equipment, on demand hot water heater and other gear in it with a couple BBQ Grill tanks on the front
to have propane handy.  I'd like to run the generator as well as the water heater on propane.

The idea is to live using the trailer together with the Van.  When I get to a City where I want to do some sight seeing I'd park the trailer in a secured parking facility and go on in the Van.  The Van could stealth park for a couple nights before returning to the trailer to hook it back up and move on. 

I'd become a "Nature Boy" during the Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years,
and Easter holiday period and boondock or whatever to avoid the traffic and craziness.   If there were meetup's during these times (which I think would be a good time for them)  I'd be inclined to attend.  

My Van/Trailer scheme would be like having the luxury of a Class A motor with the flexibility of being able to cut it in half when desired and going on to sight see in the Van with it's bed and kitchenette for more flexible travel and stealth parking at night.  (I could always wash my face in the van and shave with a 12 VDC electric razor
while away from my bathroom in the trailer).


The best bet for avoiding the neighborhood "Nosy Rosie" or  Barney Fife LEO's is to not be too common anywhere.   I've lived in some little "Bergville's" in the past with a population of perhaps 200 people where everyone is somehow related to each other.   Avoid those places and keep moving till you can find a
suitable place to park and not be bothered.  Being around areas where no one really knows each other such as a University area may have locals thinking you're just a visitor.   You may get by with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but you'd better be gone by Monday morning. (often the kids go home for the week ends and friends come to visit for the week end)

I've found Motels in the past and parked on the street just off the parking lot there.  I always try to park
among some other cars so I'm not the only one on the street.   If there is a coffee shop near by I may
go there and get a cup of coffee in  a bag from that establishment and set it on the dash.  So if a LEO sees
it he may figure somehow that I'm connected to that neighborhood, and move on.

 

[buckwilk]

I'm considering something similar.

But I'm building a E 350 Ford Van with high top roof.  What I've began to consider is employing a 10 ft single axle trailer with 6'5" tall roof.  Something light weight where I can carry a generator, bathroom/shower stall,
laundry equipment, on demand hot water heater and other gear in it with a couple BBQ Grill tanks on the front
to have propane handy.  I'd like to run the generator as well as the water heater on propane.

The idea is to live using the trailer together with the Van.  When I get to a City where I want to do some sight seeing I'd park the trailer in a secured parking facility and go on in the Van.  The Van could stealth park for a couple nights before returning to the trailer to hook it back up and move on. 

I'd become a "Nature Boy" during the Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years,
and Easter holiday period and boondock or whatever to avoid the traffic and craziness.   If there were meetup's during these times (which I think would be a good time for them)  I'd be inclined to attend.  

My Van/Trailer scheme would be like having the luxury of a Class A motor with the flexibility of being able to cut it in half when desired and going on to sight see in the Van with it's bed and kitchenette for more flexible travel and stealth parking at night.  (I could always wash my face in the van and shave with a 12 VDC electric razor
while away from my bathroom in the trailer).


The best bet for avoiding the neighborhood "Nosy Rosie" or  Barney Fife LEO's is to not be too common anywhere.   I've lived in some little "Bergville's" in the past with a population of perhaps 200 people where everyone is somehow related to each other.   Avoid those places and keep moving till you can find a
suitable place to park and not be bothered.  Being around areas where no one really knows each other such as a University area may have locals thinking you're just a visitor.   You may get by with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but you'd better be gone by Monday morning. (often the kids go home for the week ends and friends come to visit for the week end)

I've found Motels in the past and parked on the street just off the parking lot there.  I always try to park
among some other cars so I'm not the only one on the street.   If there is a coffee shop near by I may
go there and get a cup of coffee in  a bag from that establishment and set it on the dash.  So if a LEO sees
it he may figure somehow that I'm connected to that neighborhood, and move on.

Sorry, i call B.S.

 

[akrvbob]

Yes, it's doable just as you've planned it. But have you given thought to a minivan instead? I think it is a much better choice for you.

You will be much more comfortable for long periods of time inside and they have at least as good and maybe better stealth than hatchbacks or SUVs because you can hide inside easier.

They also get pretty good MPG, better than an SUV but not as good as some hatchbacks.

In every way you will be happier with a minivan and you really have very little to give up

 

[GotSmart]

There are places that look incredible under moonlight~~~  Just watch out for Coyote!

 

[Seeker]

No offense myway, this may be the saddest post I have ever seen. The idea that you are worried about traveling this country doing what you want and fearing the police or local residents is heartbreaking to me. Turn off the news, quit listening to the naysayers. Please give the real people in this country a chance. They will give you their time, their food, their spare bed, their shower, their money. The police in the small towns will do that and more, they will help you, guide you, share everything they have with you. The people in this country are the most loving, genuine, giving people you will ever meet. If you are true, so will be the people you meet. Do what you desire and let us know how you fare.

I don't know about the post being sad.  I really like your attitude about the people in this country.  Think I will try it your way.  I get along with most anyone, so far anyway.

It was my job to visit the irate customers.  I always made a game of seeing how quick I could calm someone down.  Will try the same with everyone else on the road.

 

[highdesertranger]

you've got to watch for Wyle E Coyote. Beep, Beep. highdesertranger

 

[BigT]

^^ I'll second what Bob said. ^^  If you want at least a modicum of comfort and great gas mileage, get a mini-van.  That's what I did.  

I'm not living in mine yet, but I hope to one day, and I also want to drive cross-country, stopping in small towns and big cities along the way to look around and drop my kayak in the water.

My van came with a high-top for extra headroom, and it gets great mpg's (27 highway).  Having a van would give you a place to retreat to when you want to get in from the great outdoors but don't feel like hanging out in a library or rec center.  

I've got solar, a comfy bed, toilet, cooler, DVD player, and table that folds out of a wall for eating and watching movies on.  In other words, all the comforts of home in a very small, economical and reliable package.  A small van would give you a private place to go when being outside gets to be too much. 

Good luck on your upcoming voyage and enjoy!  And please post here and let us know how it's going! 

 

[WriterMs]

If you'd like a good example of how folks can do what you are talking about -- and WITHOUT worrying about stealth AT ALL --- just read Karen and Tony's log about traveling on old Route 66. Here's a link:

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-Route-66-Road-Trip

You will see that they stay in cities and small towns.. always finding legal places to spend the night without any hassles. They do some planning of their next stop so they can be in an RV-friendly casino or a free city park campsite or a handful of other free spots.

Go through that thread and see pics of where they camp... and they tour the towns and museums in a very slow "enjoy the details" style.

 

[myway_1]

After I've purchased my dwelling vehicle, my funds will be extremely limited. I don't want my mobility to be limited by the cost of gasoline. If I were staying in one place for weeks or months, a van would be the answer. But since I'll be traveling, I need a vehicle that gets at least 30 mpg on the highway. I'm starting a thread in the cars section about what vehicle to get.

 

[gcal]

Hi folks,

I feel like traveling around the country for an extended period, living out of a hatchback or small SUV 

However, I don't like spending lots of time outdoors, even in the midst of scenic beauty.

I see myself spending half the time out in nature and the other half visiting small towns, seeing the local sights and spending time in libraries, rec centers and small city or county parks. Maybe stay in one place for a week or so then move on to the next town down the road.

Does this sound like a viable plan? Any pointers on how to avoid stirring the curiosity of local residents or law enforcement in a small town.

Thanks!

Just wondering why you chose a hatchback or a small SUV instead of a mini van that gives you more interior space to hang out. Constantly searching for a mall or a library to hang out in is going to get tiresome.

 

[SoulRaven]

I'd buy an old $1k full size van, spend $200-$300 to convert it into a self contained and comfortable camper van, and have the next couple of years living expenses covered, including all the traveling you desire...

 

[Suanne]

Hi myway_1,

I could see myself doing what you described in your opening post in my Prius. The trick for me would be finding places to park overnight in a small town. When not on the road myself, I live in a small town, unincorporated, about 30 miles east of Seattle. A vandweller would have a hard time parking in the neighborhood here without arousing suspicion, regardless if they were in a car, van or RV. It's really true that everyone knows your business in a small town. Your presence would not go unnoticed.

If I were to find a place to park in our small town, here are some examples of what I would do. We have a 24-hour gas station/deli that would be my first choice. I would go in and let them know that I was needing to rest and would be parked in front of their store for a bit. That way when the county sheriff stopped in, the clerk could account for your presence. A second choice would be to park on the shoulder of the state highway that runs through town, near the mechanic's shop; but I would not be surprised if you got a knock on your window in the middle of the night from a sheriff.

I would definitely park just before I was ready to get into bed and sleep, then leave early in the morning just after waking. That is, I wouldn't spend any time lounging in my vehicle at the location where I overnighted to sleep. The less time you are in a single spot, the less suspicion from the locals.

It would be much easier to go unnoticed in towns large enough to support a largish apartment complex or motel, blending in with their residents or patrons.

Good for you for following your dreams. I think it's cool that you want to experience the local cultures in your travels. Have fun with the planning ... it's a wonderful life.

Suanne

 

[myway_1]

I grew up in a small town with a pop. of 1,000, but have lived in the big city for the past 30 years. I was afraid finding a place to park for the night would be a problem. I am shy and would not be comfortable asking or explaining. Perhaps I can use some of the resources for boondocking and overnight parking sites on the internet and only visit those towns where there is a proven place to park nearby.

 

[Suanne]

Perhaps I can use some of the resources for boondocking and overnight parking sites on the internet and only visit those towns where there is a proven place to park nearby.

That's a good strategy.  I did something similar when I was exploring a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I found a Walmart to overnight at and took daily excursions into the small towns and local sites during the day.

 

[USExplorer]

Personally, I think it is a bad idea to camp in a small town. Why not drive a mile away and find a secluded location instead of struggling to find a spot in the town center? The few times I've asked to park overnight in small town country, I was met with varied responses, most being friendly and helpful after I made it clear that I would be moving on the next day. Most small town police forces do not tolerate transients in the town limits. Unless you gain favor with the cops, your gypsy butt will be sent on down the road.

You could ask for volunteer opportunities in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, relief agencies, churches, etc. along the way if mother nature is not your forte. Reading a book cover to cover in a library is a good rainy day activity. Unfortunately, most libraries have changed from social center for bookish types to WiFi hotspot with chairs.

Don't feel bad about taking breaks from full timing and staying temporarily in a non-wheeled dwelling. Everyone gets road fatigue from time to time.

 

[myway_1]

"Why not drive a mile away and find a secluded location instead of struggling to find a spot in the town center?"

You mean like a wide spot in the road or maybe what appears to be an unused private drive or the parking area of an abandoned home or business? I would feel a bit ill-at-ease in any of those scenarios.