To live in my car/camp full time??

[NevilleLuna]

28 and live in a shit area surrounded by drug users, alcoholics and the unemployed. I’m by no means judging but I just don’t fit in here at all and I begrudge spending a fortune in rent for somewhere I hate.

I’m actually debating living in my car/camping full time.

Slept in my car many times before and while it is small- it would be comfortable with bedding. I’d find safe areas to park up that wouldn’t cause nuisance for anyone else.

I’d cook my meals at work, charge phones/tablets at work. Shower when I go to the gym and do my laundry when I visit my parents every weekend.

I’d do it for a year or two which means I can save enough money for a house deposit

AIBU?

@nancy75 yes you are right. She works at our farm and the shed is at the farm. So certainly safe. I would not want to live in a car, I must admit. Though have friends who have lived in converted vans for many years. Really different prospect though

She is going to stay with her parents at the weekend so doesn’t seem to be an issue

And it may be because they're too far from her job to live with or I'm sure she'd have considered it as an alternative to living in a car.

She’s clearly not earning much, indicating she’s not in a Specialist or professional role so can’t see why she wouldn’t be able to resign and get a job elsewhere near her parents. You’re looking for excuses when we don’t even know there are any!

Noclue I was always fascinated with alternative lifestyles. Some one else I knew travelled the world for 5 years working on a yacht.

Could you perhaps get a quad room share with someone in a slightly better area? There’s so many variables it’s hard to advise.

I have to agree with the pp, if you’re vulnerable or you’ve got even the slightest of MH problems, please don’t do it. As it could be one slippery slope to being homeless.

Well there is no slope, it is homelessness

'always fascinated with alternative lifestyles' - yeah, me too! plus I think the price you have to pay to live a conventional or respectable life - if you aren't well-off - is often too high... so you have to get a bit creative!

Dont do it, your physical and mental health will suffer. Move into a house share in a nicer area, move back in with your parent, get a cheap caravan and find a site that will give you reduced rates, put up with the druggies and alcoholics. Anything is better than living in your car for 2 years.

Get a campervan! Totally doable that way. Not in your car though, that's shit.

We traveled around Iceland in a converted Renault Traffic Master van for most of last summer. It wasn't that warm most of the time, max 12c and as low as 5c at night.
If you were going to live in a van in the UK, you need at least a way of having heating in it, either have a parking heater (2nd battery that charges as you drive), or a little wood burner.
But then you'd need a chimney.
Lots of people in Bristol live in vans and campers on the streets, but they all work!
Best bet is to find a long term campsite or even a friendly farmer who will let you use a corner of his field.
You'd soon save up a healthy deposit for a new flat.
Hope you find a solution.

And don't forget a good quality 4 season sleeping bag with liner!

Sleeping in the car doesn't sound safe. It talks less than two minutes to break into most cars.

Why not look into the Tiny House movement?
www.tinyhouseuk.co.uk/
www.powertochange.org.uk/blog/birth-tiny-house-movement-bristol/
thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/

Takes less than two minutes. Siiigh. Butter fingers.

@poisonoussmurf - one of those in Bristol is my brother! I was doubtful when he told me, but it's been 12 months now so I guess he knew best! He bought a van and converted it himself so he has basic camping facilities, member of 24h gym (yes they exist apparently!) but he has a job, a PO box for mail and can use family members homes in emergencies etc. He rents a garage for his hobbies - making furniture and doing up old bicycles. For him it was a definite choice and a preference rather than being forced into it.
Don't know if OP is male or female, it shouldn't make a difference but it probably does. And a converted van is a completely different kettle of fish to a car. But the overall principal is not too outrageous.
Maybe move to Bristol, OP, and hang out with my brother! 😁

Where are you going to wee and poo?

What happens when it’s really hot/cold?

Why the hell don’t you just move areas?

Could you buy a cheap camper type thing

Maybe borrow a couple of grand and it would be paid back in saved rent in three or four months

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201808029076391#desc

you'd need to be careful where you parked as there are restrictions in place, and as log as you aren't trespassing on gov or private property you should be fine.

You won't be able to drink at all. If you are caught sleeping in your car while under the influence you can be charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle.

Another option would be living with an elderly or disabled person in their home, and committing to about 10 hours of household tasks each week in return for a low/no rent. It's called homeshare- homeshareuk.org

A friend of mine rents a room for quite a lot less than renting a full place (her XH left her with debt), she has a room with a proper lock on it, and access to a kitchen, bathroom and lounge if she wants. She's almost in a position to get her own place again now 🙂. Would that be an option? I can't imagine living in a car for 2 years would be safe or pleasant.

I think it would be a lot harder than you might think.

Please don’t do this, apart from being an utterly miserable existence it would be dangerous in the cold weather

Discodawn has a good sound inexpensive solution

Please don't. It sounds awful. There must be another way.

Not sure if your car insurance would still be valid without a fixed address.

Also, if you're considering a static caravan, please know it's illegal to live in a caravan on a holiday park.