Living Out Of My Car?

[Curzone]

Hi Smile,

Hope you're okay.

I've recently separated from my wife so needed to move out of the family home. I was living out of my car last summer. It became too cramped (It affected my health - I actually got a DVT) so I traded the car in for a small second hand campervan (VW California). I couldn't stand the thought of being cooped up in rented accommodation. Plus I didn't want to give my money away to a landlord (still need to pay mortgage on the family house - wife and daughter live there).

I'm living in it now. Its a lifestyle choice. It's not so bad. I tend to camp in the forest away from civilisation - it's safer that way. I've got used to it. In fact it kinda helps with the PTSD - I prefer the isolation.

• Joined a gym to keep fit a clean.
• Use my 4G phone for email and entertainment.
• It's got a refrigerator and a small gas stove to do basic cooking and to make coffee and tea.
• Diesel heater if it gets too cold.
• Two leisure batteries for power.
• Privacy glass and blinds on all the windows.
• Invested in a warm sleeping bag.
• Rear seats slides in and out - converting into a double bed.
• The roof lifts, creating a second double bed for the summer months.
• Have enough room when the seats are in an upright position to eat and work on a small table. I'm a writer, so it suits me.
• As a luxury I get my clothes cleaned and ironed at dry cleaners.

The great thing is it's a small van. I can park it anywhere and it's easy to drive.

Also, it looks innocuous - like a work van. Nobody takes any notice of it, including the police.

Like a said, I traded my car in for the deposit and took a loan out to pay for the rest. The loan is a fraction of the cost of rent. Even with gym membership and laundry bills I'm saving money.

Anyway, it's a lifestyle choice. Your home becomes one long road trip.

Please don't go to a homeless shelter. There are better options.

 

[Smile]

@Recovery4Me , thank u soooo much!

 

[Smile]

@Curzone , thank u for all the detailed info! My problem is I have a 4 door and it's a lease so I'm boxed into it.

And sleeping in the woods... Feels so unsafe for me as a woman

 

[hodge]

Smile, I work for a homeless shelter and day center in the Detroit area. One of their services is to provide a mailing address for people. If nothing else, you could look into whether there is such a place in your area, rather than paying for a P.O. Box. I understand your feelings about not wanting to stay at a shelter. But please look into whether there are any services in your area that could at least provide you with a mailing address. Take care, dear. If you want to pm me where you are, I would be happy to do a search and find out if there is a place that could help you.

 

[Curzone]

Yeah, please take care Smile. Wish I could be of more help. Being in the UK, I'm not sure what services are available to you.

I'm sending my love from the UK and wishing 2016 will be a better year for you.

 

[Changing4Best]

I tried suicide once, it is way over rated! Self compassion is definitately the way to go. I wish you the best, may you learn more about yourself, @Smile .

 

[Smile]

@hodge , thank you!