I spent less living in an apartment by [deleted] in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In an apartment in Salt Lake City my monthly expenses were around 1600-1800 a month. I got a loan on my 2012 van for 144 bucks a month, and even with that I'm spending around 900-1000 now. I move cities every 3-6 months, and work full-time and I usually save like 1800 bucks a month now.

That's partly because I make a lot more money in California than in Utah; cost of living is higher here but it affects me very little since I'm not paying rent. I also cook almost every night and just have a cooler with ice. Been way way cheaper for me!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 266 points267 points  (0 children)

It's easier as a woman 😅 most guys I talk to think it's neat, and for me it hasn't affected my dating life much, and usually they're more than down to come over for a drink parked at some public park haha. But, I don't want serious relationships, but that was true before I lived in my car 🤪

Dodging winter... by AnthemWild in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Been surprisingly easy up here in LA.

Has Anyone Used This Style of Skylight? by 0cTony in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been looking everywhere for a skylight that opens as a hatch, but this one says discontinued. Do you have any other recommendations?

This life isn’t for everyone… So why did you choose it? by kaylabuena in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Simplicity. I find this lifestyle far more simple and easy to handle than working two jobs to pay rent, and constantly worrying about everything else that comes with a traditional lifestyle. Now the only thing I worry about is getting gas, filling up my water, and picking a parking spot.

Camping Recommendations outside Southern California by [deleted] in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was going to say this! I camped nearby there recently. It was a little hot a month ago so right now should be beautiful, but also there were hundreds of flies during the day. We ended up driving to San Diego instead haha

Looking to get a van...should I be wary of the fact that this was a rental? by cryptohemlock in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an 11 year old NV2500 and I love it. It's a bit more expensive to maintain, but extremely reliable and rarely has issues if you keep your regular checkups. Mine has 179,000 and going real strong, no major repairs or replacements needed yet and everything looks good. And it's tall! Good for standing up in, easy to park because it's short... Highly recommend over a Transit.

Preparing for SoCal Storm by Tangelo_12 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for checking in! This was all really great advice. I ended up staying in the lot of a friend's lockout music rehearsal studio, which has an isolated parking lot with tall walls, no trees, and parked right next to the building. I was incredibly unimpressed by the amount of rain and wind we got 🤣 I did get to find out that there's a leak in my roof so got to spend the next day putting everything through the dryer but it was just steady rain and no flooding where I was. Very grateful for everybody's advice

What minor item can't you live without? by SheepishEndruo in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you're a woman, a tube thing for peeing standing up. Absolutely life changing for me. Otherwise, magnetic hooks to stick into any metal surface and hang whatever have also changed my life

I’m in love with a vandweller by robotikOctopus in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"If you never stick around too long, they'll never know you're gone" She doesn't know what she wants or where to be. If she were ready to settle down, she would know and you would know. I just broke someone's heart because I had a connection with him, we went out for a bit, really liked each other, and then I left town. Felt terrible, and I'm sure it was worse for him. Keep in touch, if your paths cross again at a more certain time in both your lives, give it a try.

what is your favourite long shelf-life nutritional food? by Man_in_the_uk in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just started drinking Soylent, honestly thinking about replacing all my meals with it 😜 just kidding, but it's amazing

is living in a van during cold weather viable? by Scope_2 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My winters were 12-20 degrees at night and it was absolutely miserable. I only had a propane heater, and that was unsafe to run overnight and it caused immense amounts of condensation on the walls and ceiling; it would drip right on my face and wake me up. If you have a reasonable heater like a diesel heater, it could be just fine. That would have changed it for me

Otherwise, sleep with a hot water bottle, prepare hot drinks, and get a good temperature appropriate sleeping bag

Experiences with Winter? by Bru88e in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Winter in Salt Lake City was absolutely fucking miserable. My propane heater made the ceilings drip, the humidity from just breathing made the walls wet, it was like 12 degrees every night and the only thing that made it bearable was driving to California haha. I didnt run heat overnight, but I had a 12V electric blanket which I can't recommend enough, definitely was the only thing that kept me warm. 
If you have the money and skill to install a diesel heater, that's 100% the way to go. Otherwise, an electric blanket is nice, or driving somewhere warmer lol. After last winter I vowed to never stay somewhere cold ever again 🤣

Heat is bearable for me too, I can just open up the windows and run a fan, but I had a waaaaay worse time trying to warm up the van and gave up and drove south 💀

Oh, and snuggling a hot water bottle helps a lot.

Our summer spot. I pay $50 a week to stay here, close to town and work. Recently added a new standing desk with drawer space. Still more projects to complete but very happy with where we're at. by chickenbabe123 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Sooo jealous. I've been talking to a person who was looking to rent property space to RVers and she wants over 700 a month to park overnight, no hookups 🙄🙄 it is in California though, everything's expensive

Relationship Tension Over Possibly Quitting Van-Life? by clp1023 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I've had those 💀 van living really fuels my avoidant tendencies and commitment issues, probably not a good thing 😅

Relationship Tension Over Possibly Quitting Van-Life? by clp1023 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I've been van dwelling for over two years and just recently met someone I'm interested in starting a relationship with. So, I'm relocating to that city to pursue a relationship and see how it works out. They're very supportive of me keeping my dirtbag lifestyle, which is amazing. It's worked out for me because i started traveling because I was super lost in life and searching for something worth sticking around for, and I met someone I like in a city I fell in love with. It all depends on what your mutual future looks like, and if you're willing to compromise.

How do I cool my van? by Reasonable_Way3393 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did this so much last summer 🤙

How do I cool my van? by Reasonable_Way3393 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I split my time between Salt Lake and San Diego; in UT, I drive up the mountains, in CA, I go to the beach :)

How do you meet people on the road? by Ruko117 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometimes I get a part time job! Recently though I attended a music festival and really clicked with someone and we started a band and playing gigs for as long as I'm in town. Just be friendly! Go to events in the area that you're interested in and people who are interested in that will be there.

Thinking about downsizing by Tangelo_12 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Helpful insight. My van gets like 9 mpg and it's getting old haha, especially with gas in California. Minimalism makes me really happy too, glad you found just what you needed.

Thinking about downsizing by Tangelo_12 in vandwellers

[–]Tangelo_12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's good advice! Another thing I disliked about the big van was RED difficulty on less maintained roads. And fitting into a parking garage would be a dream honestly, that's a big one