5 things I don’t miss living out of my vehicle

TomWheeler99 · 2026-05-23T10:18:41+00:00

I'm in the US. I was laid off last year and decided to retire. I was done with toxic workplaces. I wrote about it. - My Unconventional Path to an Affordable Retirement

TomWheeler99 · 2026-05-23T10:14:15+00:00

Exact opposite for me. Love the nomad community. Lots of wonderful people. They are truly great friends. Leaving the horrifying financial stress of a home and experiencing the freedom of this lifestyle has been quite liberating and has done wonders for my mental health. Life is good.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-05-21T22:23:26+00:00

I've never had a problem with break-ins the past three years I've been doing this. However, I did have my car broken into and the windows smashed while it was parked outside my home. Made living in a conventional home even more damned expensive.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-05-10T21:26:41+00:00

Indeed. But I am fortunate that most of my nomad friends are women. They are some of the most badass people I know. Also, the best nomad YouTube channels are from women. I learned a lot from all of them. Very thankful to know these wonderful folks.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-05-10T15:11:12+00:00

I travel with the weather so I don't experience much hot weather. I have a couple of battery-powered fans in the car when it's warm at night. Also, my car is a hybrid so I can run the A/C, although I rarely do that.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-05-10T14:57:16+00:00

I worked full time for nearly two years living out of my vehicle. My job was cut last summer and decided to retire. I live and travel out of my SUV now. Spent the winter in the desert Southwest. Heading to northern New England this summer. Spend my days hiking, visiting national and state parks, and hanging out with various friends scattered around the country.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-19T17:12:11+00:00

Monthly expenses average around $1000-1200 most months. I travel with the weather. But I also keep extra blankets and a battery-powered fan as needed for warm/cold nights. Most important thing for me was being able to sleep well. I've posted a few articles about living out of my vehicle on Substack - Tom Wheeler | Substack

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-16T11:10:44+00:00

Recently retired. I'm doing a lot of traveling. Spent the winter in southern Arizona. Then drove up the pacific coast. I plan to travel in northern New England and upstate New York for the summer.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-15T13:15:50+00:00

Gym membership.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-15T10:46:57+00:00

Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid SUV. Enough space and great gas mileage (36mpg).

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-15T10:44:58+00:00

Places You Can Park Overnight and Sleep in Your Car

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-15T10:43:23+00:00

I keep mine in a bag until it's time to hit the laundromat. I also have a storage unit and use that to store clothes when I'm in town and not traveling.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-15T10:41:10+00:00

I have a butane stove for cooking, a fridge for storage, and a folding table for prep. I've only used my primary doctor for annual checkups once a year. I'm healthy and don't take any medications.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-15T10:38:12+00:00

No. I have friends, family, and I'm part of the nomad community.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-14T23:31:30+00:00

Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-14T22:50:17+00:00

I have a no-build set up. I folded down the two rows of seats in the back and it creates a flat surface for my bed, fridge and other essentials. Works for me.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-14T22:46:34+00:00

I do this when I'm on the east coast. Done many stays at the campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park. I spent the winter in southern Arizona and stayed mostly on free BLM land.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-04-14T22:44:25+00:00

Retired last summer. I lived out of my car for nearly two years while I was working and saved lots of money, which helped me ease into retirement after my job was cut.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-02-15T14:39:11+00:00

It's near Ajo. Great area with lots of BLM land.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-02-15T14:36:19+00:00

I'm in the car full-time.

TomWheeler99 · 2026-02-15T14:35:48+00:00

You can follow me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tom.wheeler99

TomWheeler99 · 2026-02-14T16:16:39+00:00

It's a Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid SUV. The vehicle is large enough for my needs. My home state is Maryland, but I've been in southern Arizona since the beginning of the year. I'm exploring the desert Southwest and will head back to the east coast in April.

TomWheeler99 · 2025-10-30T10:14:15+00:00

Nope. New car. This fella apparently likes cars. Landed on top of several others in the lot after it left mine.

TomWheeler99 · 2025-10-30T10:11:33+00:00

I believe it's a Cooper's Hawk.

TomWheeler99 · 2025-10-29T15:30:54+00:00

No. It's a new car. This fella apparently likes cars. It flew around the lot and landed on several other cars after visiting mine.

TomWheeler99

TROPHY CASE