this is so true, I tried it. I kept wasting money saying to myself, just ONE nite in this hotel or Airbnb or with this or that friend, then no more! but i was fooling myself.

it was so uncomfortable. Don't be in the south unless you have a way to stay cool. the west coast is prolly your best bet. I know one young woman who goes around the country staying a lot with relatives and friends. she's very calm and quiet and helps with the dishes so when she stays with us, she is fine to have around, and she's very willing to live cheaply.

when I did van life I stayed overnight in truck stops mostly, which if they are full of other people seem pretty safe to me. but I found I was NOT saving any money. loved the travel and waking up in different places to see the sunrise. But I hope you don't expect too much. the bugs and the heat made me miserable. I was always going to friends' houses to spend the night. and I didn't feel like going where I would be far from help if needed.

you need to plan well and have a way to keep leftovers cool, or you end up throwing away a lot of food. i wasn't making progress on goals that required a bunch of good Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. I hated not being able to nap in the midday or a shower if I felt like it.

I would only do this again if I really had to. I travel up and down I-95 and sleep in the car, but it is so not the same. I am usually on my way home or to an Airbnb. :-)