Were/are you scared to start?

[rabiesandpeewee]

Austinboat...good for you that you're going out there and stealthing while you still have a house. That takes determination! I hope it gets easier for you.<br><br>Hi Offroad, thanks for the safety tips <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I have a stun gun and an air horn. I figure that's two weapons for two hands, and only one that could be turned against me. I also have my cell on and at hand, as well as my keys in the same place. I also put little alarms and extra locks on every door.<br><br>Casey, I am also very anal!! I love living in the van, because my possessions are few, and they all have a place. I don't share your love for towel racks, but I have similar additions in the van that I think are the greatest, because they just make everything more organized and functional <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I have always thought that I would hate having an RV or a camper van (one that wasn't stealth) for the reasons you mentioned. I like going to the grocery store and not having people think, "someone's living in there."<br><br>Hi Crosscountry, thanks for the tips! You're a tough lady!<br><br>Lucy, blah. That's terrible. I hope you don't have to switch engines! I had a super hard time with my van. I'm well over 2,500 in repair costs in the past six months. I'm hoping the worst is behind me. I hope the same for you!! It is so tough making minimum wage. I'm also part-time, so I know how it feels to be on a limited income. You are a survivor, though. You're still getting by!!<br><br>Hi Nicole, what a sweet comment! Thank you!<br><br>------------------<br><br>I hope everyone is doing well!<br><br>The stealthing thing didn't work out so well for me. I just felt too paranoid. I didn't want any trouble, considering I'm an elementary school teacher substitute. Stealthing just didn't feel like a wise move. I ended up paying someone fifty dollars a month to park in their backyard, but they also ended up making me feel uncomfortable, and the neighbors were selling crack in the alley, so I spent a week in motels. In one motel, I was getting strange calls to my room, that continued even after switching rooms (as soon as I switched, so they were watching me), so I checked out of there in a hurry. The motel just outside of the city offered a quiet place where I could FINALLY feel safe <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>I followed the plan of driving the van a few states away (it made it...much to the surprise of everyone that knows me, and this mess of a vehicle!) to be with my boyfriend, while he works, and while I'm off for the summer. I now have the option of camping in campgrounds, which is what I've been doing. Hopefully I can set up a "work for stay" option pretty soon.<br><br>I will not be stealthing anytime in the future, as long as I'm still working in the public school system. In a profession where people feel it's unwise to keep a facebook profile, I just don't think it's good to risk a reputation as a van dwelling bum :-/ I may pay for a spot in a backyard again, as long as it's in a safe enough neighborhood. Though stealthing didn't work for me, the van has been a great asset. I'm able to vacation without paying for a hotel, and without major packing. My boyfriend will sleep in it while working on a farm that doesn't have enough beds to accommodate him. I love the van (especially when it's not breaking down), and look forward to living in a van on my own land, one day.<br><br>Even though I've spent major dollars on repairs, I believe I've spent about what I would have spent on rent. So, I've broken even, and now that the van's all fixed, it's time to start letting it save me $$!<br><br>I'd love to hear how everyone is doing! For those new to stealthing...are you still at it? Feeling more comfortable and confident?

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I have one week to go, and i would be lying if i said i wasn't nervous !&nbsp; My biggest worries that i have left are the heat and the possibility of the van breaking down.&nbsp;

 

[LucyImHome]

DazarGaidin, that's my two worries as well. In Palm Springs CA, we get months of 105-118. The worst is yet to come, July-Sept. I have to stay fairly close to places with A/C, like coffee shops and the library. It's tolerable at night, with a cool mat under me and a wet towel on top. I'm in the windy part of town, that helps some too, with a bit of shade. But what freaks me out the most is worrying about mechanical issues. I can't have it crap out on me, since I live in it and also depend on it to get to my few clients. I feel fortunate that the mechanics I have seem to be taking care of me. Still, it's frustrating.

 

[WanderingRain]

Good to read everyone's doing fairly well!<br>Yeah, repairs can be a bear at times. Last year, I plunked down 800 for a new radiator. It wasn't long after that that I sold my van anyway for I was going overseas. It's mighty tempting to stay here in the Philippines especially I now know a bunch of American expat friends. One of them is living like a king on SS and disability. One of them is selling a one bedroom condo for $40,000 with an annual tax of $50. That is correct. $50! <br>But&nbsp; will soon come back STateside for my business. <br>I am looking for a future home myself again. I realize that I need to be standing in the van so that is one of my non-negotiables this time around. <br><br>Yeah, mechanical issues are always a challenge. A good way of preventing is just to check on the engine everyday and listen for strange sounds. Very basic stuff. Even when you own a home, the repairs never really go away. Last year, I helped my brother install a new pipe outside his house. That must have cost a lot if one hired a plumber. But since we were 2 guys, we got it done. Then of course, with a big house, more things break. That's what I know from experience. So things breaking is just part of life no matter what. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>I will definitely avoid summer in the lower states when I do the vehicle dwelling again.<br>I am also waffling between stealth or just plain being obvious (in a class C for example).<br>But no matter what, now that I have a bit of experience living both ways (in a house and in a vehicle), I now feel comfortable with either one.<br><br>Hope everyone's well and staying cool this summer!

 

[WanderingRain]

Dazar, good luck with your vehicle dwelling! My fingers are crossed for ya! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>Rabies, I am glad things worked out. But yeah, you are right about being a teacher but living in a van. That has to be strange to the unfamiliar. Glad you are somewhere safe for now.<br>Lucy, hope no more repairs come your way. I know how that feels. It's a sock to the gut. Stay cool. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br>To everyone else, hope you stay cool these hot months!

 

[az1895]

Use common sense and after a while you get used to it.&nbsp; I park near other cars at night. Don't park in private neighborhoods. I use gas stations , McDonalds , 24hr stores , and even pay parking garages that don't charge on weekends. This is my very first post . I have lived in my van for 3 years and probably would be considered a veteran here. Its a long process that is still being refined.

 

[Cubey]

I have my doubts but after a year and a half of preparing, it's now or never! I've sacrificed a lot to get to where I am now, a month or less away from hitting the road. <br /><br />One reason I got a motorhome instead of keeping the nice 99 F150 I had and going with a travel trailer is so I can hop in the driver's seat and drive away without going outside. Very important at times in my opinion.

 

[rubbertramp]

i agree don't worry about what other people think they are in hock up to their eye balls and strapped down into the system <br />every one says my white cargo van looks like a bombing van im not worried about it <br />just hope the cops don't feel the same way

 

[argyll]

This is true. Since I have revealed my plans to quit my $100k job and go travelling in my Jeep I have been met with nothing but envious comments. Of course words are cheap and I haven't left yet but I never felt more trapped than when I had a big house and even bigger mortgage.

I'm sure people will look at me as I climb out but I fully expect that it will just be because it isn't something you see everyday, not because they are looking down on me. If they are, I simply don't care !

 

[AvitorJake]

It's a big change from living in a totally socially acceptable house, where you blend in due to your conformity, and are playing into the American dream of real estate, property values, and all that bull****, to basically living on the street. I think it would be weird NOT to be slightly uneasy?

I received a lot of BS from my family members, only a very few said encouraging things about my decision to try living out of my car. Some of it was very hurtful and outright selfish. People (Our society, especially!) Expects you to; Go to college, get a house, work all your life, retire, die.

This philosophy circumvents that way of thinking and people are immediately critical of it.

 

[Patrick46]

People (Our society, especially!) Expects you to; Go to college, get a house, work all your life, retire, die.

How can you die, if you never really LIVED??? :-/

 

[steamjam1]

I didn't think too much about it all. I just said to myself: "to hell with it" and got started

 

[AvitorJake]

[qoute] "to hell with it" [/quote]

That is unbelievably true. My manager at my job is actually ENCOURAGING me to try this and experience life. I told him I am, just the need the equipment firs

---

People (Our society, especially!) Expects you to; Go to college, get a house, work all your life, retire, die.

How can you die, if you never really LIVED??? :-/

That is the question of the century.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

My immediate boss (a friend) was probably the most supportive. Her boss however found out and told her not to let me hang around the motel creeping out the customers and smelling up the place

 

[GotSmart]

Everyone I talk to gets this far away look in their eyes, and wishes they could do the same. I was talking to the people at the Springfield Battery Outfitters, and when they found out what I was planning, they told me "No core needed" on a set of deep cell T105's. I was given detailed instructions on how to build a safe storage for keeping the batteries inside the van. (Insulated, rubber lined, and vented)

I have spoken to several people in the local police force, and they said they would be extremely responsive to anyone that is honest about traveling around. They might write down the description and plates, but with a clean record and current insurance~~~ No problems.

I still have 5 months until the build is done, but I cant wait to hit the road.

My health insurance gives me access to many fitness centers around the country, so free showers!

 

[jeanontheroad]

Dazar: creeping out the customers ... motel owner

Me: Yup. I think this is important. Once someone gets an image of a certain group in their minds, it is hard to shake. Much as I assumed owl was a woman with absolutely no evidence about him because I had several past female/owl associations in my head. It behooves everyone to act in a way that does not create or reinforce bad images of any groups we are in.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Irony is i am more fastidiuos in my grooming, clothes and organization than ever before when i lived in my apartment lol.

 

[jeanontheroad]

He got his impression from somewhere, Dazar. The cause probably had nothing to do with yiu, personally. Once a prejudice is formed, it is not easy to change.

 

[Patrick46]

Well...maybe this is an opprotunity to give us all a good name?!!

 

[WanderingRain]

Glad to hear DAzar is hanging in there. This thread has a long life!