Living in a VAN down by the RIVER! (Oregon, acres, good)

[Woof]

Originally Posted by Be Free

Alright, you Californians and Texans need to stop hoarding all the snow!! I'm sitting here in New Hampshire all bummed out because it doesn't seem like Christmas with no snow on the ground! Sheesh!

MyVan - do you have someplace to be on Christmas besides your van? Not that that would be the worst place (I imagine a hospital would be worse. Or prison).

Click on her link, she's got a full agenda for the holidays! (mostly distributing chocolate Santas and condoms to the folks living under the freeway overpasses).

[MyVan]

Originally Posted by Woof

Click on her link, she's got a full agenda for the holidays! (mostly distributing chocolate Santas and condoms to the folks living under the freeway overpasses).

Thanks for the plug Woof....although I won't be distributing condoms you silly!

[wittic]

I can live in my van on pretty much any unclaimed part of BLM land or on any National park, and unless I WANT to see somebody, they never know I'm there, much less give me any hassles. If you take a fair amount of gold coins with you, why would you care what happens to the US $, as you live abroad, hmm? :-) I'd never trust the US to continue to pay my SS, in $ that were worth a hoot.

[Woof]

How do you camouflage a whole van, wittic? I never found a place near drinking water that I could drive into without anyone seeing me. Also I'd have to be relatively near a Walmart and supermarket for supplies.

[Aptor hours]

Mac and wife Gwyn are doing well and say hi to all

[Vandidact]

So, I started reading this forum because I am interested in living in my van. I got about 27 pages in before I realized it was 50+ pages long. Great info I must say. Mac and Woof seem to be very knowledgeable and present here.

I'm new to forums, so please excuse me.

Here is my situation. I'm 32, no attachments besides a smaller dog (that I plan on taking with me), and by the time I am able to "take-off", I should have 7k-10k on tap., a 93 G20 Explorer Van with a queen bed, storage, the works. It has a strong 350 and I'm mechanically inclined, and resourceful. It really is a great van. Only prob is fuel efficiency @ about 14/hwy.

My needs are simple, food, water, etc...everything covered here really. My plan is to head towards the pacific northwest about June (currently in northern Maine), working my way down the coast through fall/winter. That should allow me enough time to assess the situation and see how I feel about my life as a true nomad. I have friends in SoCal (I lived there for 5 years 2000-2005), so if I decide to give up van living, I have a place to get started again. So those basis are covered.

What I really want to know is: What should my focus be on in the 6 months I have to prepare? I have skills in random things like mechanics, and the will and ability to learn most things rather quickly. Should I need money, what is my best option? I'm artistic, so I'm sure there are plenty of crafts I could make. Which ones? There is talk of restaurants paying fair money for fresh mushrooms. Is that really an option?

I guess there is a lot to consider. I guess I'm just hoping for some personal reassurance and I might get some here.

Though my needs are few, one of them is knowledge. Libraries are fine, but I'll need an internet connection to get to the more esoteric knowledge I require. Another issue is my diet, which has become devoid of processed foods, the cheapest alternative to nutrition and capable of being stored for longer periods of time. I'm a musician, and I wish to be alone for weeks and weeks on end. I've become a "vegetarian", but I am not against wild meat that is either trapped or hunted. Where in the US can I catch wild game without some law enforcement trying to starve me out? I'm looking into BLM land. Is it true you can just live in places on those lands?

I'm tired of this consumerist existence. I've tried every way imaginable only to meek out a pitiful life, and I don't see it getting any better. A university is out of my reach. The game played there after doesn't seem to get me too aroused either. All I ever wanted was to travel. Any where and everywhere, in whatever capacity I can. This seems to be the only option left, and I'm falling in love with it (I know, romanticism).

I know I can do it. I lived in a Corisa when I was 17 for Pete's sake. My van is pimp. I just need a pimp plan to pull it off. If someone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it. I have 6 months of "free-time" to hone skills, make plans, prepare, etc..

Thank You!

[Woof]

Close, but not quite right. Mine's a 95 Chevy G20. I lived here, Seattle, and then back here again during 2000-2005 though I did S Cal during the 90s. The 8k is what got me my van, travel expenses to move back to California, and computer - there's no more windfall. And a university is NOT out of my reach considering financial aid - my disabilities prevent me from doing that.

One thing you probably don't have in your life is a bunch of creeps slandering and harassing you constantly, trying to make your life even more miserable than it already is!

[MyVan]

Hey there! Sounds like you're in pretty good shape having some cash and a decent van to get started. I'm jealous of that bed!

Focus? Well if I were you, I'd make sure your van is as sound mechanically as you can get it. Tires, engine etc.

Do you want to cook in your van? If so, you can get a single burner propane heater for 20 dollars. Eating on the road gets expensive especially if you eat healthy.

Do you have a laptop or notebook? Many libraries have Wi-fi.

That's all I can think of at the moment. You sound like you're in better shape logistically than me. I'm living out of my van in SoCal.

The first night is the hardest.

Living In My Van. A Beginning. | Living in my Van

Originally Posted by Vandidact

So, I started reading this forum because I am interested in living in my van. I got about 27 pages in before I realized it was 50+ pages long. Great info I must say. Mac and Woof seem to be very knowledgeable and present here.

I'm new to forums, so please excuse me.

Here is my situation. I'm 32, no attachments besides a smaller dog (that I plan on taking with me), and by the time I am able to "take-off", I should have 7k-10k on tap., a 93 G20 Explorer Van with a queen bed, storage, the works. It has a strong 350 and I'm mechanically inclined, and resourceful. It really is a great van. Only prob is fuel efficiency @ about 14/hwy.

My needs are simple, food, water, etc...everything covered here really. My plan is to head towards the pacific northwest about June (currently in northern Maine), working my way down the coast through fall/winter. That should allow me enough time to assess the situation and see how I feel about my life as a true nomad. I have friends in SoCal (I lived there for 5 years 2000-2005), so if I decide to give up van living, I have a place to get started again. So those basis are covered.

What I really want to know is: What should my focus be on in the 6 months I have to prepare? I have skills in random things like mechanics, and the will and ability to learn most things rather quickly. Should I need money, what is my best option? I'm artistic, so I'm sure there are plenty of crafts I could make. Which ones? There is talk of restaurants paying fair money for fresh mushrooms. Is that really an option?

I guess there is a lot to consider. I guess I'm just hoping for some personal reassurance and I might get some here.

Though my needs are few, one of them is knowledge. Libraries are fine, but I'll need an internet connection to get to the more esoteric knowledge I require. Another issue is my diet, which has become devoid of processed foods, the cheapest alternative to nutrition and capable of being stored for longer periods of time. I'm a musician, and I wish to be alone for weeks and weeks on end. I've become a "vegetarian", but I am not against wild meat that is either trapped or hunted. Where in the US can I catch wild game without some law enforcement trying to starve me out? I'm looking into BLM land. Is it true you can just live in places on those lands?

I'm tired of this consumerist existence. I've tried every way imaginable only to meek out a pitiful life, and I don't see it getting any better. A university is out of my reach. The game played there after doesn't seem to get me too aroused either. All I ever wanted was to travel. Any where and everywhere, in whatever capacity I can. This seems to be the only option left, and I'm falling in love with it (I know, romanticism).

I know I can do it. I lived in a Corisa when I was 17 for Pete's sake. My van is pimp. I just need a pimp plan to pull it off. If someone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it. I have 6 months of "free-time" to hone skills, make plans, prepare, etc..

Thank You!

[Vandidact]

Thanx Woof/MyVan for your quick replies. I think a lot of people make this kind of decision out of hast, some out of romanticism, and some out of necessity. Mine is a combination. I'll give you a little background.

I've tried living life in so many different ways. Until 2008, I always had a full-time job. I've made a decent amount of money at some of those jobs, but was never able to actual obtain anything (never bought a house, always financed cars, justified any extra $$ after bills as being "fun money" that I deserved to use as such). I was never happy. I've worked every job from parcel delivery to project management, from hardwood flooring to changing oil. In 2007 I went into business with a "friend" (in Nevada) who basically used me for ideas and labor, and subsequently stole all the profits we made, leaving me homeless. With nowhere to go besides my hometown, I went there. My marriage fell apart shortly thereafter and that was the last nail. After recovering from that blow, i found myself enrolled in a community college, just going through the motions of paying for classes that do not interest me, or pertain to my projected field of study. I got "A's" in philosophy, and "C's" in everything else. They only make you achieve the minimum to continue to pay the premium. This means that there are millions of college graduates that are broke and still uneducated. I used my college loans to start my life over, since I felt that college was not going to provide me with much more than debt and wasted time anyway. Defaulted loans mean no more chances without serious $$$ upfront. Since leaving "college", I've learned WAY MORE as an autodidact than I did in 2 years of "structured" learning. Unfortunately, there is no certificate for this method of learning. I can have the knowledge base of ANY physicist, but it means nothing without a "degree" and the oppressive debt that follows.

The glass ceiling exists for almost everyone. Male, female, doesn't matter. I WILL NOT kiss someones ass, and that is a fundamental in corporate structure. I WILL NOT stand in an aisle at a big-box store asking "Can I help you find something?" to every mindless consumer that passes my field of vision, and for a minimum wage that does not even cover my living expenses. Not to sound conceded, but I am smarter than that and my talents should be utilized for MY benefit, not some billionaire. If my knowledge and determination aligns with an organization or corporation, I'd consider the work. But as stated before, without the papers......

As part of my "back-up plan", I used some of my initial student loans to buy the G20 in case I needed a place to live, so this has been in my mind for some time now. I've slept in it many times, a few during the winter months in Maine. It's insulated, has a solar panel to charge the battery if it runs down (which is freaking awesome, and I will upgrade the panel and wiring with 2011 tech, not 1993 tech). I bought it from my mechanic, and the only thing I have had to replace is a thermostat and a water pump. Not too shabby for the $3500 investment. It has really nice pull-down blinds that let you see out, but no one can see in. Plus the windows are tinted, the upholstery is leather, has a rear heater/AC, electronic trailer hook-ups, and more storage compartments than I can even mention. It is, and will be, mechanically ready for any voyage (might add another battery too).

I plan on getting a laptop and broadband card. I'll pay for a year upfront on the card. I need the internet for a variety of reasons. Friends, family, learning, directions, laws and regulations, writing, etc.. It's really the only modern necessity I feel I need. I've spent the past year "roughing it" here in Maine as a test of will and perseverance. I love the idea of living off the land, but even here, it has become increasingly difficult, especially if you have to rent property. I hate knowing that at any moment, I could end up on the street because something happened that prevents me from paying rent. Or from buying wood to heat my home. Or from paying the electric bill that runs the pump that uses water that I have to pay for as well to heat the home. It's ridiculous. Living should not be a business.

I've lived a pretty altruistic life. I help those I can, even if it means depriving myself of something. At that same respect, I refuse to accept help from anyone. I will not be a burden to my family or friends. My family is poor, so I cannot justify depriving them of anything because my philosophy doesn't allow me to subject myself to the modern equivalent of enslavement. No wage is better than minimum wage. I refuse to beg too. It's no ones responsibility to pay for my existence, since it has to be paid for. I have a feeling that I can and will make it work.

What I'd really like to find, is a place where I can park my van, plant a veggie garden, hunt and trap small to medium game, and work on my education and music for as long as I can, regardless of what the "payoff" is in the "real world". My education and music are important to ME. 10hr work days + 6hrs of sleep equals 8hrs of "free time". After subtracting time for the other inconveniences associated with modern living, and you are left with very little time to pursue what is important to a persons physical and mental well-being. My disenfranchisement is deep, and well earned.

Somewhere on the west coast is a climate that is conducive to this philosophy. I will work on organic farms for cash or food if I can find them. I will make trinkets and try to sell them to tourists. Whatever I have to do to survive that fits in with my philosophies of a moral and just existence is what I will do. Plain and simple.

I love this thread. I feel there are worlds of wisdom to be learned here.

@MyVan, I will follow your blog. The best of luck to you. @Woof, the only harassment I have is an ex-wife. No address or phone number takes care of that, lol. I was in a terrible motorcycle accident in '04. I settled out of court, and payed off all of our bills, and all of her bills she accumulated before we got married. This left me with no money for follow up problems associated with my injuries. At the divorce, she had the nerve to force me into paying for half of the house that her mom bought her. Ahhh, the justice system is just, eh? Her and her mom had a lawyer, i, however, could not afford one. Have nothing, get nothing.

any suggestions on a starting point in the pacwest? It's the only part of the country that I have not explored enough and I want to start there (after a few detours to NY, GA, OH, and SD).

[MyVan]

I like living in Orange County very much. I too am interested in working on an organic farm but unfortunately there aren't many here. San Diego has a lot though. Here's a site I found that you might make some calls to.

Green Businesses

Anyway, the climate in this area can't be beat and there are a lot of resources here....lots of places to use the internet....lots of health food stores.

Also, I sure relate to what you posted. I've pretty much dropped out of society...I'm just short of being a hermit!