Hello everyone. Just thought I'd drop in and introduce myself! I'm Jeff, I'm 23, and I'm sick of working too many hours in factories and breaking my back all the time in trying to pay bills. It's just not worth it...<br><br>So to combat this rather depressing situation, I bought a van. Turns out I could work part time and still save even <i>more </i>money. Now I can save good money, work as much or as little as I want, and travel anywhere... How can you possibly beat that? I know you guys already know all these facts, why else would you be here? But yeah that's what got me started on this whole thing.<br><br>I own a '94 2500 GMC Vandura that I bought for 650 dollars, and I have no regrets. I still have to convert the inside of it to a complete and liveable space, as well as do minor engine repairs. Thankfully the engine was mostly in good shape. It also has a stock hightop on it.<br><br>For about 2 years I've been researching this type of lifestyle and frequenting sites like these. It became an addiction. I was completely and totally convinced that my way of life was flawed, and that there had to be something easier. And now I've found it: Vandwelling! This website has helped me out tremendously, and I don't think I could thank Bob and all the others enough for the knowledge they decided to share for free. You're changing peoples' lives. I'm not kidding.<br><br>My plans are to fix my van up by August, and have a workamping job before fall sets in. The reason why I need to leave so soon is because I have a genetic condition that affects my entire sinus and lung system in my body. I've been sick a lot throughout my whole life because of it. Since 2011 started, I have been hospitalized for bronchitis once, and pneumonia twice. And that's not counting all the undiagnosed "common colds" in-between. And it's all thanks to the constant climate change here in the midwest. One week it's below freezing and a blizzard outside, and the next it's 70 degrees. This really beats the crap out of me. <br><br>I need to leave soon, so I can live out a healthier and longer life where it's warmer and there is much less climate change. It's pretty much been proven to me that warmer and more consistent climates, coupled with an active lifestyle, help tremendously in getting rid of a lot of lung and sinus problems. Vandwelling is the only way I'm going to be able to pull this off in a quick and efficient manner. Just wondering if there is anyone else like me that has similar issues and has to resort to this. I noticed the story "inspiring vandweller" on this website touches on some of this subject matter already. I was astonished to hear that this woman's problems basically evaporated. Unbelievable!<br><br>Hope that isn't too much info to read. Can't wait to get in touch with everyone!<br><br>-Jeff<br><br><br><br><br><br>
Yup, I'm new
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Thanks for the welcome guys. Pictures will be posted soon (in the appropriate forum section, of course). I've just started on removing the carpeting from my van. The only problem is, I don't have a digital camera anymore. <br><br>I used to use the camera on my Motorola Droid smartphone, but then I realized that smartphones are a bunch of junk, sacrificing practicality for "flashiness". I'm not even kidding, sometimes I couldn't answer a phonecall, and touchscreens are just a horrible technology. Even though the camera took pretty decent pictures.<br><br>Either way I guess I just need to buy a new camera. I'd be crazy to go on a trip across country without one, wouldn't I?<br><br>
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Hi Jeff, welcome aboard! Wow, that was a screaming deal on that van, good for you. Sounds like you have a good plan. The one thing I would add is that there are very few winter workcamping jobs in the National Forests. Just about your only choice will be with private RV parks, and not many will take us in vans. But for your health you should get out of there and go south to the desert where you can live and camp for free. Arizona is my favorite winter camp. Maybe we will run into each other sometime! Bob<br>
Wow, thanks for the input Bob! I never really thought about the whole workamping situation in winter... I figured that some place out there would be hiring during the winter months. Seemed like there would be more than plenty of warm parks that would need help. I decided to dig a little deeper, and sure enough, no one really hires around that time. The only thing I could find was a place in Florida, but there was nothing but horrible reviews about the place and their management, so that's a definite no go.<br><br>I read where you talked about unemployment in the "money matters" forum. I might have to try that. I've never been on unemployment before, and from what I hear, it can get a little icky. But if I can't find any other job, then I guess that's my only option.<br><br>Speaking of Arizona, that's exactly where I've been wanting to stay in the winter months. The warm, dry air would be perfect for me. I was either going to end up there in the desert, or somewhere in south Florida. It turns out both climates are good for me. Near the ocean, all the salt in the air helps break down congestion in my airways, whereas the desert would just keep it all dried out. <br><br>So this pretty much changes my plans a bit. I'm thinking that now I should aim for getting a summer workamping job, to establish being a "seasonal" worker. That way, when the season ends this fall, I would be able to line up an unemployment check. Then I can head to Arizona and camp in the desert, and maybe look for a job around there? Although I doubt there would be very many. It would be nice if I had skills that I could market, but I don't really have much of anything. I've been to school for architecture, but I don't think drawing up uncertified blueprints for people is going to make me any money. Hah!<br><br>It's definitely a work in progress. Hopefully with everyone's help here I will get it all figured out. Again, thanks for the advice. If anyone has any more, I would greatly appreciate it.<br><br>Also, I can see where asking all these questions can quickly make this an off topic discussion. If anything needs to be changed, just let me know guys. I can make a new thread in a different section if need be.<br><br><br><br>
Hi Jeff!<br><br>You are on the right track for sure! I can relate about the breathing/climate thing well! I have CF and moving to appropriate climates is one of the greatest attributes of this lifestyle for me! I look forward to reading more as you make progress <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> If you ever get questions I can help with, let me know! At least on the breathing easier topic, I have lots of answers! <br><br>
You could really help me out a lot then, Vantramp. While I don't have CF, I do suffer from a condition called PCD (formerly known as Immotile Cilia Syndrome). Doctors have told me it's "a cousin of CF". That's really cool that you decided to do this despite your condition. To most people, they would believe that it's not good for you. Turns out it's quite the opposite!<br><br>Could you tell me which places in the US you feel have helped you the most?<br><br><br><br>
High Plains Drifter
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Welcome Jeff<br>Yes most of us if not all of us here are meant to be in and live the unknown to have a better life. The trouble is that sometimes the unknown is scary at first because it is the "unknown".<br><br>
Indeed, Drifter, it is very scary. I think I've decided to just jump in and DO IT, rather than have this huge, elaborate plan. Some planning is vital, but trying to plan months ahead was about to drive me nuts. I'm just going to live out of it around here for the summer, since it gets pretty warm here, and not worry about where it eventually takes me. All I know is, within the next 6 months, I won't be here anymore... and I'm leaving it at that. <br><br>Funny you mention that, because it turns out that the fear of the "unkown" is what has been holding me back, and I realized it just a few days ago. I could've been living out of it this whole time, and with this realization... I move in tomorrow! The full conversion will be a work in progress, as I will be adding things as I need them.<br><br>The only thing I know that I absolutely need right now is a bicycle, to get to a shower at a local Pilot gas station, which isn't very far away, and some sort of battery system to charge my phone with. I'm stealth vandwelling in the city, so most of my needs will be close by.<br><br>I'm pretty pumped! It's going to be quite a learning experience, but I know I won't regret it. The only thing I might be worried about is my coworkers finding out. I'll be parked in a parking lot behind a hotel, which is right across the road from the restaurant I work at. I've never seen anyone doing what I'm about to do, in this area, <i>ever</i>. It's pretty much unheard of, so I won't expect a warm reception if people were to find out. <br><br>Since I'm in the restaurant industry, turn over rates are pretty high, and employees tend to get fired over some awful petty things at times, so secrecy is a <u>must</u>. If one of my managers finds out, and doesn't like what I'm doing, I could possibly lose my job... <br><br>I can just hear it now, "Due to 'unsafe' lifestyle choices outside of work, we have no choice but to terminate you and escort you from the store." I know it's probably something I shouldn't be worried about, but it's still there, in the back of my mind, nonetheless...<br><br>
