Good place to sleep in truck? (Boise, Garden City: to rent, mattress, loan)

[escapethedesk]

I am considering sleeping in my truck for the summer, with a comfortable mattress in the back.

Any suggestions about where to park to sleep (besides Walmart) so I don't bother people? I work in the downtown area, so I would prefer a place nearby and not in the mountains.

[pimit2]

Dear escapethedesk,

In what city do you work?


pimit2 (Bob)

[escapethedesk]

I work in Boise. Sorry, I thought I had posted this in the Boise forum...

[zedd]

Micron parking lot?? I hear it's pretty vacant... :-)

Seriously though, I'm not sure where that would be most acceptable. No one in Garden City would probably notice a car parked somewhere all night, or there is always the rest area on I-84 east of town...

[escapethedesk]

The rest area is a good idea. Garden City would be a short commute to downtown which is a plus.

Does anyone know if this is illegal, or has anyone done it and been caught? Any tips on how to avoid being caught? Thanks in advance.

[DESERTRYDER]

set a beer can outside the car and tell the officer you thought it best to sleep there

[norcalmom101]

Originally Posted by escapethedesk

The rest area is a good idea. Garden City would be a short commute to downtown which is a plus.

Does anyone know if this is illegal, or has anyone done it and been caught? Any tips on how to avoid being caught? Thanks in advance.

Having lived in my car and slept at plenty of rest stops and other places, I'd avoid the beer can scenario, clever though it could be...

I'm not familiar with the Boise area, but general advice, don't stay at anyplace like a rest stop long enough to get noticed, don't look like you are living in your car as much as you can help it (If I'm ever rich I'm going to start a foundation to pay for window tint for homeless people with cars). I've had good luck with church parking lots and rest stops. If you could find private property where they are ok with you sleeping in the driveway, that would be golden. I was homeless in an area where it was illegal to sleep in your car, so getting jacked up was a serious concern if you couldn't find a safe place....not standing out is critical, not doing anything to draw attention to yourself. Study "normal" folk's in vehicle sleeping situations and try to look like them....obscure bedding and luggage and toiletries when not in use, etc. And don't forget when living in a motor vehicle you are subject to your "dwelling" being searched in a manner one would not expect in a residence. I hope something I've said proves useful, and best of luck to you!

[escapethedesk]

norcalmom101, what you said is very wise and I want to thank you for your advice! I do have a few friends/family members who would let me park in thier driveway, but they live far from my work and I don't want to feel like I'm inconveniencing them, either. So in a pinch, I would drive all the way to their home and park in thier driveway but ideally I'd like to find a good place to park near the downtown area.

More info: I am not a bum. I am a hard working professional who just can't make my housing payments. My plan is to rent out my place for as long as I can, continue to work and live in the truck, build savings and move someplace else.

[norcalmom101]

Originally Posted by escapethedesk

norcalmom101, what you said is very wise and I want to thank you for your advice! I do have a few friends/family members who would let me park in thier driveway, but they live far from my work and I don't want to feel like I'm inconveniencing them, either. So in a pinch, I would drive all the way to their home and park in thier driveway but ideally I'd like to find a good place to park near the downtown area.

More info: I am not a bum. I am a hard working professional who just can't make my housing payments. My plan is to rent out my place for as long as I can, continue to work and live in the truck, build savings and move someplace else.

Sounds to me like you have a good head on your shoulders and I hope you never get treated like a bum. Due to unfortunate circumstances I got to be homeless in california while owning a huge home in Idaho. Being homeless really sucks. I hope your situation gets sorted out and your fortune turns around.

[gaflsc]

Originally Posted by escapethedesk

More info: I am not a bum. I am a hard working professional who just can't make my housing payments. My plan is to rent out my place for as long as I can, continue to work and live in the truck, build savings and move someplace else.

So next time, you're not going to bite off more than you can chew, despite what the realtors & mortage loan agents say, right?