Difference between revisions of "Live in Your Car"
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=== At the start === | === At the start === | ||
# Find a suitable car. You can only live in your car successfully if your car works. If you have any lead time and see the writing on the wall ahead of time, get a van; ideally a windowless delivery van of some sort: you will have room under your platform bunk for storage, you can install a rooftop skylight/hatch for air, a rooftop rack for storage and even look out when the skylight is open. An anonymous looking white Chevy van, or Holden panel van in Australia makes concealment a lot easier. You're going to need a new or "newish" car or be a good mechanic to live in an older car. If you have an old car keep in mind that you're liable to break down at an inopportune moment if you don't stay on top of maintenance. | # Find a suitable car. You can only live in your car successfully if your car works. If you have any lead time and see the writing on the wall ahead of time, get a van; ideally a windowless delivery van of some sort: you will have room under your platform bunk for storage, you can install a rooftop skylight/hatch for air, a rooftop rack for storage and even look out when the skylight is open. An anonymous looking white Chevy van, or Holden panel van in Australia makes concealment a lot easier. You're going to need a new or "newish" car or be a good mechanic to live in an older car. If you have an old car keep in mind that you're liable to break down at an inopportune moment if you don't stay on top of maintenance. | ||
| − | # Before you start living in your car, use your permanent address to: | + | # Before you start living in your car, use your permanent address to: |
#*[[Rent a Post Office Box|Rent a post office box]] or a Private Mailbox (PMB). Although PMBs tend to be more expensive, you can receive packages at them and some services will let you use an address format which makes it appear to be an apartment; this can be useful when someone requires a physical address. | #*[[Rent a Post Office Box|Rent a post office box]] or a Private Mailbox (PMB). Although PMBs tend to be more expensive, you can receive packages at them and some services will let you use an address format which makes it appear to be an apartment; this can be useful when someone requires a physical address. | ||
#*Sign up for a [[Feel Comfortable at a New Gym|gym membership]], or, if a gym is too expensive, a more affordable alternative is (depending on your location) to enroll at a local community college where you'll then be able to use their gym facilities. At some colleges, you don't even have to enroll. Just be discreet at a college where they leave the gym open and don't check for ID. | #*Sign up for a [[Feel Comfortable at a New Gym|gym membership]], or, if a gym is too expensive, a more affordable alternative is (depending on your location) to enroll at a local community college where you'll then be able to use their gym facilities. At some colleges, you don't even have to enroll. Just be discreet at a college where they leave the gym open and don't check for ID. | ||
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=== Finding safe and inconspicuous places to park === | === Finding safe and inconspicuous places to park === | ||
| − | # Find a safe and inconspicuous place to [[Park Safely in Small Space|park]]. First, check to see if there are any organizations or businesses in your area (or a nearby area) that designates parking lots specifically for people in situations like yours; for example, Walmart allows people to camp overnight in their parking lots. It's not only legal, but the organization might screen the people who use the lot, or even designate a women-only lot.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/05/19/homeless.mom/index.html</ref> If there are no such lots available, and you live in an urban area, look for streets with no sidewalks, no overlooking windows, and adjacent to woods; the area should be sparse enough to avoid nosy onlookers but populated enough that the car does not stand out.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/us/02cars.html</ref> Parking lots of big-box retailers (especially those that are open 24 hours and have restrooms, such as Walmart) are great to clean up in and have security, as long as you spend a couple of dollars there and don't park in one place too often. Parking lots however can be noisy, particularly in the morning as trucks arrive carrying food and goods. <ref name="101htm">http://www.carliving.info/101.htm</ref | + | # Find a safe and inconspicuous place to [[Park Safely in Small Space|park]]. First, check to see if there are any organizations or businesses in your area (or a nearby area) that designates parking lots specifically for people in situations like yours; for example, Walmart allows people to camp overnight in their parking lots. It's not only legal, but the organization might screen the people who use the lot, or even designate a women-only lot.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/05/19/homeless.mom/index.html</ref> If there are no such lots available, and you live in an urban area, look for streets with no sidewalks, no overlooking windows, and adjacent to woods; the area should be sparse enough to avoid nosy onlookers but populated enough that the car does not stand out.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/us/02cars.html</ref> Parking lots of big-box retailers (especially those that are open 24 hours and have restrooms, such as Walmart) are great to clean up in and have security, as long as you spend a couple of dollars there and don't park in one place too often. Parking lots however can be noisy, particularly in the morning as trucks arrive carrying food and goods. <ref name="101htm">http://www.carliving.info/101.htm</ref> |
| − | #*Church car parks are often quiet during weekdays. If you check around, you may find a church that is less used than others. This could be a good place to park, and you may be able to ask for assistance at the church. You might even attend the church to gain rapport, but wait a while before telling others about your situation, and tell only those who seem trustworthy and willing to help.<ref name="parking">http://www.carliving.info/parking.htm</ref | + | #*Church car parks are often quiet during weekdays. If you check around, you may find a church that is less used than others. This could be a good place to park, and you may be able to ask for assistance at the church. You might even attend the church to gain rapport, but wait a while before telling others about your situation, and tell only those who seem trustworthy and willing to help.<ref name="parking">http://www.carliving.info/parking.htm</ref> |
#*Industrial estates and business parks are often noisy by day, but very quiet at night. Small ones close to residential areas are best. They have to be quiet at night. You may encounter security in some places like this, but if you are honest, saying you are just sleeping the night in your car, they usually won't bother you. Their main role is to protect the property. | #*Industrial estates and business parks are often noisy by day, but very quiet at night. Small ones close to residential areas are best. They have to be quiet at night. You may encounter security in some places like this, but if you are honest, saying you are just sleeping the night in your car, they usually won't bother you. Their main role is to protect the property. | ||
#*University car parks. This is okay if you are a student, but not so good if you are not associated with the university. You may be required to get a parking permit.<ref>http://www.carliving.info/parking.htm</ref> | #*University car parks. This is okay if you are a student, but not so good if you are not associated with the university. You may be required to get a parking permit.<ref>http://www.carliving.info/parking.htm</ref> | ||
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#* Yacht harbors are notoriously 'free zones'—given the nature of fishermen and boats, so marinas offer a lot of services, like hot showers and transient vehicles. If the season is high, larger boats from out of state show up and stay for months along with their respective crews, all of whom are 'transients' providing excellent cover for you and your vehicle. They don't know or care, and if they find out they still don't care, being a 'little wild' themselves. Hang around on the weekend and meet someone who wants their boat washed and waxed—that'll do it, from there on in you'll have a gate/shower key and legitimacy. | #* Yacht harbors are notoriously 'free zones'—given the nature of fishermen and boats, so marinas offer a lot of services, like hot showers and transient vehicles. If the season is high, larger boats from out of state show up and stay for months along with their respective crews, all of whom are 'transients' providing excellent cover for you and your vehicle. They don't know or care, and if they find out they still don't care, being a 'little wild' themselves. Hang around on the weekend and meet someone who wants their boat washed and waxed—that'll do it, from there on in you'll have a gate/shower key and legitimacy. | ||
#*If there's no restroom, having a creek nearby helps for rinsing purposes. Know how to [[Defecate Outdoors|safely defecate outdoors]] and [[Make a Poop Tube|make a poop tube]]. Five gallon bucket with a lid and [[Make Lye|lye]] for odour can also work. | #*If there's no restroom, having a creek nearby helps for rinsing purposes. Know how to [[Defecate Outdoors|safely defecate outdoors]] and [[Make a Poop Tube|make a poop tube]]. Five gallon bucket with a lid and [[Make Lye|lye]] for odour can also work. | ||
| − | #*A free [[Overcome a Fear of the Hospital|hospital]] parking lot is another option. If approached by a guard, you can say that you're waiting to visit a sick relative.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/us/02cars.html</ref> However, note that in Australia, due to past murders of nurses, you may attract police attention by parking in a hospital car park. You may be asked to move on by security.<ref name="parking" / | + | #*A free [[Overcome a Fear of the Hospital|hospital]] parking lot is another option. If approached by a guard, you can say that you're waiting to visit a sick relative.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/us/02cars.html</ref> However, note that in Australia, due to past murders of nurses, you may attract police attention by parking in a hospital car park. You may be asked to move on by security.<ref name="parking" /> |
#*If you can establish rapport with the manager of a retail store or restaurant, they may not give you problems about staying overnight, especially if they see your presence as a form of overnight security. | #*If you can establish rapport with the manager of a retail store or restaurant, they may not give you problems about staying overnight, especially if they see your presence as a form of overnight security. | ||
#*Try a hotel parking lot. Hotels and motels along the interstate allow cars to park until 11:00 a.m. the next day (checkout time). As long as your seat reclines fully, no one will notice you. However, you'll need to keep moving on. | #*Try a hotel parking lot. Hotels and motels along the interstate allow cars to park until 11:00 a.m. the next day (checkout time). As long as your seat reclines fully, no one will notice you. However, you'll need to keep moving on. | ||
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#* Gyms can be an expensive option. Many gyms range in cost from $35 a month to a more typical cost of $55 a week. This is pretty expensive just for a shower. Many councils, churches and support organisations have free showers. It can be a false economy to use a gym just for showers, particularly as there are many free ways to keep in shape without a gym.<ref>http://www.carliving.info/myths.htm</ref> Try to remember the flip flops or water shoes as not to get a foot fungus and let the towel dry out in the car. | #* Gyms can be an expensive option. Many gyms range in cost from $35 a month to a more typical cost of $55 a week. This is pretty expensive just for a shower. Many councils, churches and support organisations have free showers. It can be a false economy to use a gym just for showers, particularly as there are many free ways to keep in shape without a gym.<ref>http://www.carliving.info/myths.htm</ref> Try to remember the flip flops or water shoes as not to get a foot fungus and let the towel dry out in the car. | ||
#* Community or Recreation centers that have gyms and showers are a cheaper option than the nationwide chains. Many Rec or Community centers yearly memberships cost about the same as the monthly memberships at a national gym. You may not be able to store your items as safely in these places though. | #* Community or Recreation centers that have gyms and showers are a cheaper option than the nationwide chains. Many Rec or Community centers yearly memberships cost about the same as the monthly memberships at a national gym. You may not be able to store your items as safely in these places though. | ||
| − | #*The next best choice is to check into an affordable caravan park one or two days a week. These usually range from about $18-$26 a night in Australia, possible more in the USA. You will have a spot to park your car, you can do laundry (usually an extra fee), fill up on water, have a shower and even pitch a tent if you have one. They usually have powered sites, so you can recharge your electrical devices or run a fan or heater.<ref>http://www.carliving.info/parking.htm</ref | + | #*The next best choice is to check into an affordable caravan park one or two days a week. These usually range from about $18-$26 a night in Australia, possible more in the USA. You will have a spot to park your car, you can do laundry (usually an extra fee), fill up on water, have a shower and even pitch a tent if you have one. They usually have powered sites, so you can recharge your electrical devices or run a fan or heater.<ref>http://www.carliving.info/parking.htm</ref> |
| − | #*Another option, though possibly more expensive, is to book into a cheap [[Find a Cheap Motel or Hostel|motel or hostel]] once or twice a week and clean up thoroughly there (if you can afford it). | + | #*Another option, though possibly more expensive, is to book into a cheap [[Find a Cheap Motel or Hostel|motel or hostel]] once or twice a week and clean up thoroughly there (if you can afford it). |
| − | #*Swimming pools have showers, depending on whether they have private stalls or are set up gang style, they may provide a discreet place to shower. | + | #*Swimming pools have showers, depending on whether they have private stalls or are set up gang style, they may provide a discreet place to shower. Another option to consider- when you can't shower, use unscented baby wipes to clean up, or take a "bum shower" in a public restroom where you feel comfortable doing so. You also could learn local establishments that have single-person restrooms. Use them to washing you hair or face. Bring a towel to dry your head and the sink area, and be quick. Alternate between establishments. |
| − | #*At a truck stop, you can ask around for a shower coupon, if you feel safe allowing people to know that you're without a place to stay. Truck stops are good to sleep at too. Truck Stops can be noisy at night though, so ear plugs are recommended.<ref name="101htm" / | + | #*At a truck stop, you can ask around for a shower coupon, if you feel safe allowing people to know that you're without a place to stay. Truck stops are good to sleep at too. Truck Stops can be noisy at night though, so ear plugs are recommended.<ref name="101htm" /> |
| − | #*Some toll roads, especially state turnpikes, have large rest areas with free showers for truckers. Since these are usually open 24 hours, these plazas are also good places to sleep. | + | #*Some toll roads, especially state turnpikes, have large rest areas with free showers for truckers. Since these are usually open 24 hours, these plazas are also good places to sleep. |
#*Keep an eye out for community college athletic field houses—they don't always check IDs, and can be a good free shower option. Check their fee schedule—sometimes you can take a single class for a nominal price, thus becoming a legitimate member of the college community, with access to their gym, library, WiFi, employment office and other resources (in addition to learning something). | #*Keep an eye out for community college athletic field houses—they don't always check IDs, and can be a good free shower option. Check their fee schedule—sometimes you can take a single class for a nominal price, thus becoming a legitimate member of the college community, with access to their gym, library, WiFi, employment office and other resources (in addition to learning something). | ||
=== Staying under the radar === | === Staying under the radar === | ||
| − | # Be discreet. Keeping your situation under wraps minimizes the embarrassment and helps avoid becoming a target for police officers and criminals alike. | + | # Be discreet. Keeping your situation under wraps minimizes the embarrassment and helps avoid becoming a target for police officers and criminals alike. |
#*Rotate among several parking locations to avoid getting noticed. | #*Rotate among several parking locations to avoid getting noticed. | ||
#*When you move around in the parked car, move slowly to avoid rocking the car. | #*When you move around in the parked car, move slowly to avoid rocking the car. | ||
