Living in a Van

[fazool]

Originally Posted by waveform

...

It just seems the world has gotten so freaking nut job crazy the most sense is to live in the wild. Im less afraid of bears then humans. ....

You don't need to leave society. You need to stop listening to the media narrative.

The world is not nut job crazy, nor is it dangerous.

Poll after poll, policy changes, societal norms all show that people are afraid and believe the world is unsafe.

All the real statistics, including the FBI and several federal databases show that this is, in fact, the safest time in history. Regardless of what you see on the news and online about the sensationalized crimes, they are exceptionally rare.

Kidnappings, child abductions, rape, murder, assault, robbery are all at the lowest per-capita rate in the history of America.

All crimes, committed in all manner with all forms of devices.

This is the safest time in America.

Children are safer now than they have ever been (and with video surveillance and cell phones and Amber alerts etc.) they are even more safe. But no one lets kids play outside or go anywhere alone anymore. People reminisce about those good old days when they were kids.....but....statistics show that was the most dangerous (per-capita) time in America.

So, perception is the exact opposite of reality.

Don't buy in to it.

[HHP]

I think its one of those lifestyles that works out better in the imagination than the reality.

Might be surprised how fast "the important things" shift from nature, music and people to food, water, shelter. Consider what you will do during periods of bad weather.

[Parlorman]

A big +1 to what Fazool said.

[Captain Jim]

While always having a home base, my wife and I have enjoyed a mobile lifestyle: a series of Class B campervans, large diesel motorhomes, cruising boats. Since we retired, we spend more time away from home than at home.

Look into Vanlife. There are those who are doing what you want to do. While that lifestyle isn't for everyone, you have the opportunity to see the lifestyle with those who are doing it.

Many people want to "get away from it all," and a mobile lifestyle sounds romantic. The reality is: you have to have a different mindset to make it work.

Good luck with the journey.

[Enchilada Jones]

I'd like to do it part time. I'm told, and have since observed, Walmart lets people park free overnight/s on the outskirts of their massive parking lots. A well lit relatively safe spot with 24 hour source of food, other supplies, and bathroom.

that would make stops between point A and B easier on the wallet. I'd recommend a shotgun stashed near the door to repel boarders and wannabe zombies

[Mr. Jelly]

This will work ...., until the opposite sex gets involved. Then everything gets screwed up.

[KevWind]

There are in fact an increasing number of people who refer to themselves as "Full timers" who either never owned or have sold any real estate property they may have owned, and live full time in RV's ... Now a van it seems to me might get pretty cramped even for 1 person, but is entirely possible I suppose.

[Tahitijack]

We've talked about this but are trying to figure out the practical negative. Life on the road questions:
Doctor, specialist
Dentist?
Haircut/stylist? Which one?
US mail delivery?
Local services, which one?
Medical coverage?
Vehicle repair, brake down.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Tahitijack

We've talked about this but are trying to figure out the practical negative. Life on the road questions:
Doctor, specialist
Dentist?
Haircut/stylist? Which one?
US mail delivery?
Local services, which one?
Medical coverage?
Vehicle repair, brake down.

As one who has considered full-time life on the road, there are several reliable mail forwarding services that can handle that. However, with online bill paying and automatic deposit becoming fairly commonplace, I think the need for mail delivery can be very minimal. In regard to doctors, I'd suggest carrying your medical records and using the myriad of emergency medical storefronts. I don't what "local services" means. Haircut/stylist - is that really a concern for anybody who wants to live in a van? I seriously doubt it.

As for Walmart parking, keep in mind that you can't live in their parking lot. You should plan to come and leave over a 24 hour period, and your stay should be pretty inconspicuous. As for carrying firearms, I think that's a bad idea. If you're concerned about safety/security to that extent, then consider bear-strength mace/pepper spray instead....

[HodgdonExtreme]

Van living doesn't appeal to me, but there seem to be some real advantages to it.

A youtuber that I follow did a whole series on it; I recommend you watch it.

I've been watching this guy's videos for 10 years. He is a totally straight shooter, with a very practical approach towards things.

Take a look:

PS: POU stands for "philosophy of use" - in this video, he explains the rationale behind why he lives in a van sometimes, and why you might want to also...

[buddyhu]

I'd urge you to start with taking a few small steps in the direction you are contemplating (though you may have already done so); make it a habit to take time away from whatever it is that is bothering you about "the world". A weekend camping trip once or twice a month, or once a week day-long hikes in the woods. I am almost always an advocate of taking a few small steps in the direction that is calling, and to see how the original impulse modifies itself as the result of taking less drastic steps.

That being said, one of the most important things I have done in my life was to take 4 months to go on an extending solo camping and backpacking trip. I had a bit of income that I knew would be coming in during that time, and I had reason to believe that it would be relatively easy for me to return to the work-a-day world. I just put my stuff in storage, bought a few hundred dollars worth of camping equipment, and set out in my car. I was quite ready to get off the road and out of my tent after 3 months, so I can't quite imagine having a van-based lifestyle for a more protracted period...but, YMMV.

Disengaging from the people and situations that agitate you is important...though I disagree with those who characterize it as "the media narrative"; it goes deeper than that. Monastics have written about the challenges of being in the world for many centuries, and while they don't use phrases like, "freaking nut job crazy", they point in a similar direction. There is also the possibility that the manifestations outlined by Fazool are actually the next stage of living in a "Culture of Narcissism", and interesting and thought provoking book dating back to the late 70's. The various facets of a narcissistic structure leave one prone to paranoia, thus if you accept the premise that narcissism is endemic to American culture, and you add in the systemic pressures that have been building in our society over the past 2 or 3 decades, one would expect the culture to develop to be a hotbed of paranoia.

Just a thought, or two. I hope they help.

Most importantly, I hope you find your own way to experience more ease with the way things are.

[Swamp Yankee]

I have a niece around my daughter's age who works as a professional photographer.

A few years back, she and her then boyfriend bought an old Bluebird school bus and converted into a tiny house on wheels. She's been traveling around, parking it here and there, and living in it for a few years now. He's out of the picture, but she's still in her converted school bus. She's got an instagram page at #busnik with loads of photos.

[KevWind]

As far as "Living on the Road' let's never forget what happened to Poncho and Lefty

[jdmulli]

You don't have to live in a van to be free. Just delete your social media and throw away your TV (or blow it up -- if you prefer).

The vast majority of our negative views on society (in general) are driven by the media, and, lets face the truth, good news doesn't sell.

[jpd]

Originally Posted by waveform

Perhaps my destiny is not a motivational speaker but Im thinking of living in a van. Traveling has always been something that drives me. Meeting people, places, new stuff. I also want time to play guitar, heading south.

It just seems the world has gotten so freaking nut job crazy the most sense is to live in the wild. Im less afraid of bears then humans. I was thinking of camping and looking for work and a place to live. Maybe live out of the van for a few months see how it is. This way its just the important stuff, music, nature, people. Im a little afraid of the living in a van and homeless stigma.

Seriously, read "nomadland"...