I am thinking about living in a van to beat the high cost of housing. Do you think it is possible?

Question

I am a divorced single guy and am tired of paying inflated prices for housing in the city. I have a home elsewhere but must live in the city for work. I am thinking of converting a plain commercial van or panel truck so as not to draw attention when I am parked. Don't want to look like I am camping. Has anyone tried living in minimal space without many luxuries? I would only do it Monday thru Friday and head out of town on the weekends.

Answer 1

I'm a trucker, living in a van would seem like a luxury to me. Seriously, it can be done but there are some upgrades you may want to make on your van. The van itself should be a diesel so that you can idle it wthout burning up a lot of fuel. Then you'll want to upgrade your electrical system so that it can handle a 1000 watt inverter and then get yourself a small microwave and coleman sells a little cooler that can plug into a cigarette lighter, add in a hot plate and a lunchbox stove and you have a kitchen. For showering I'd suggest an arrangement with a friend or a coworker or you could join a gym, and failing that you could go to a truck stop. Showers there run about seven to ten dollars and they provide you with towels and washclothes and soap. My roommate lived in a van for about six months after his divorce and he still has that old piece of junk van.

Answer 2

There are too many ammenities that we take for granted when we live in a real residence vs. living in a vehicle. Like getting up at 3AM to use the toilet because what you ate 6 hours earlier didn't agree with your stomach. Or what if you catch a bad cold and need to go on bed rest and take an abandance of fluids? That would be more trips to the rest room and you really cannot rest well enough inside of a vehicle that is not climate controlled. You would be better served in a rooming house or a weekly rental on a cheap motel.

I agree with the box truck idea. I have always thought that an 18 foot truck with the same fixtures and appliances would make a good RV. One thing that I hate about RV's is that they draw so much attention. So when you park it in a lot, people already know that you are camping there if it sits for more than a day.

Answer 3

Why not buy an old RV? Or, like someone I actually know, go to an ocean community and look around for a large, old boat that perhaps has no engine and electronics, etc. (maybe one that has been in a boatyard for a few years). You could probably talk a retired person into letting you park it in their side yard for about $150.00 a month with an extension cord and water hose for as long as you wanted to stay. Most will have a galley, bath, several bunks and usually equipped for dockside electrical hook-up (just like an RV). I have seen 24' boats like what I just described complete with a trailer for under $3,000.00. They practically give them away when the engines seize because older models aren't worth retofitting with newer engines, etc. Hey, you want cheap and very unique that won't leak a drop when it rains? Here's your answer. You could also use it as a great pick-up line: "want to come down and have some wine on my yacht?"

Answer 4

I would say find a group house or plenty of roommates-- or house shares/swapping.

Or, locate a hostel.

Living in vans have issues:
- parking-- is it free?
- safety-- it's highly unsafe in urban areas.
- showers
- food
- ventilation, AC/heating, etc.
- noise (both the outside noise, and your noise)
- Some areas prohibit "camping," and a van that stays in an area long enough will get questioned.
- entertainment-- will you really just sit there all night staring at the van wall?
- personal hygeine...

I wouldn't risk my life to save rent (if you live in an urban area, and your vehicle gets broken into, you encounter the theif and have a greater likelihood of injury or death).

Why not look for a job near your real house?

Your quality of life would increase, and your costs decrease.

Answer 5

well I am sure you can do it.But it is winter time and you may just get a bit cold can't leave the van running to warm you up.and what are you going to eat? I meen you can put a small frig in there hooked up to the cigarette liter and then there showers? why not get a small camper and find a close camp ground to live at? Rent is not much at all and you can use there bathroom-showers there.And if you camper has a shoer and bathroom you have all your needs right there.We have had a number of campers and you can find a real nice one and still have you tv and comp and all that right there and paying next to nothing for rent.Good Luck

Answer 6

i lived in the back of a truck for a week or so, it got pretty cold under that bridge in tacoma during the winter. I dont know how much they are cracking down on things like this, but it was right next to a big cargo area, lots of people working odd hours so we werent really noticed too much. Sometimes we'd go to the 24 hours stores parking lots too. Its nothing id like to do full time, keep a knife or something handy, and get a membership at the y with all the money you are saving.

Answer 7

I don't think I could not sleep at all, lying there in a van, listening to all the strange noises. I know I couldn't do it as you have planned to--parked on a street.
How about a small motor home--you can get those cheap enough. Wal-Marts seem to allow those parked in their lots at all times. And truck stops seem to have a lot of those parked there too. You could move from Wal Mart to Wal Mart and truck stop to truck stop. I might be able to do that--but on the street--no way.

Answer 8

It's possible. I lived in a slide in camper on my truck 30 some years ago for a year.

A little tip: don't use charcoal or the stove burners for heat or you will die. It burns up all the oxygen inside the van.

Answer 9

I don't think it's a good idea in the city. If you lived out in the country it would be different. I would try adding roommates and go from there.

Answer 10

The noise will be a real problem and what about food and showers?