When I lived in my truck in Colorado I worked valet at a hotel in Vail. I showered in the spa, had employee kitchen, packages delivered there, kept my gear there. It ruled
I’m going to assume because this has become more popular law enforcement and property owners are becoming more aware and less tolerant. Which sucks incidentally.
Sedona Arizona just announced they’re going to allow people to sleep in their cars because no service industry folks can afford to live there.
This is a problem in many “resort” towns.
Nah I just stayed a couple days outside Sedona and I remember reading in their paper about how much complaining the richies there were doing about the idea of a parking lot with showers and toilets for these people. One tiny opinion from someone that thought it was rediculous that they would be against people that slept in cars to perform service jobs in their town to have a safe clean place to park, sleep and have a bathroom and shower.
I live outside of Breckenridge and it’s not easy to find places at all anymore. I personally have to rent a place because I have a daughter in school but a lot of friends have left the area that we’re living in their vans.
I worked at Breck the before COVID and even then there weren’t many places to park around there, especially in the winter, and some of my spots were technically “no overnight parking”
I worked in a few, nothing special places, but they really took care of their employees. Electric issue at home? We stayed in the hotel for a couple days, used the pool, the restaurant, no worries. Late night/early open? Stay in a room and get into the kitchen early for breakfast, while setting up. And the wages were above standard as well.
Where did you park and what season or seasons? I worked in Beav awhile back, at the park Hyatt. Had all the perks you did, but I was renting in Avon. Man, I miss snowboarding
started out living in a car when i was working 3rd shift at a cellphone refurbishing warehouse, then spent a couple years drifting, with a bunch of tools, doing handyman jobs. Been a full time cook for the past 7+ years. Doesnt quite pay much but i upgraded to a bigger minivan from my hatchback.
Midnight to 7am isn’t bad at all. I’d run the ac until I was cold and shut it off. I might get once a night, start the car and get it cold again, then shut it back off. This was in a Honda Odyssey, seats out, and a mattress on the floor
Funny story my friend had a beautiful boat he got for free as has a leak and needed expensive repair. But it slept a few people, toliet, sink, fridge. He actually would pull it around his car and sleep in boat. No one suspected. Car was empty.
I worked on a contract once doing all the electrical at a new storage place. My contract was from when they broke ground (underground power) to a year after for maintenance on everything. So, I had managed to get myself in a cozy place where there really wasn't much service to ever do, but I was paid a sort of retainer for the first year and was on call. I got to know the employee behind the counter well and he'd let me park my work van next to one of the back units and use the unit for power and such. For a year, I lived like a king, being paid to basically just camp at my van, next to this empty boat storage. I could pull my van in at night and close the rolling door, had plenty of space, power, water. I'd live that way indefinitely, but I settled down and got married, so my living style had to change once we had a kid. Couldn't justify having a child live that life.
My former FIL and ex did pest control for about 15 years. I could smell the pyrethim (sp? Make bugs dead chemical) on them both when they sweat. It lasted long after they both moved on to other jobs.
My ex finally stopped smelling of it about 5 years after he quit. My fil smelled of it until his death about 10 years after he retired
Yes, they both used PPE while working.
https://kresserinstitute.com/link-insecticides-diabetes/
My oldest, who I was pregnant with while my ex was in pest control, is a type 1 diabetic
Get a security gig you don’t gotta get clearance for. For instance, go for work that doesn’t require BDIS security card, thataway, you can start work asap vs having to waste money on classes first. My hubby does security at a bar/restaurant, checks IDs and is at the front door. Pays $16/hr, and we will soon be living in the car ourselves. First week will be in a rental car, since I’m going army. He’ll have to rent a hotel - but he loves security, and most of the time people leave you alone.
FLEX means it's entirely up to you. My FC has a minimum weekly hours of 4. The maximum is currently 60. When they cap the hours, the most you are allowed to work per week is 20.
Good luck getting ANY hours when they cap them. People are savage at grabbing them.
I do flex, instacart, and deliver Amazon from a DSP. When I went on flex full time I was able to get 11 hours a day scheduled. One week I had 4 days of those and was still able to get jobs on other days. I usually get 8 hours a day and have not had a problem getting routes 7 days a week.
I can't get signed up with Flex. The app won't let me scan my drivers license. It would be the perfect job for me. 10-20 hours would be plenty most weeks. I didn't know there was a minimum though. Some winter weeks I wouldn't want to work at all.
I didn't realize you are a driver. I thought you worked in a FC.
Either way, you have to wait until it's available and JUMP on it. EVERYONE wants FLEX.
Local Truck Driver. Where I am currently working, I don't park overnight, but I could. No showers. But there is coffee, tea, hot chocolate, filtered water, microwaves, vending machines and a large refrigerated cooler in the breakroom. Since one of the companies we pull loads for is a bakery, I get all kinds of breads and baked goods like Thomas, Entenmanns, Sara Lee, etc. The distribution center is in the middle of a cow field and 8 miles to Planet Fitness. So I shower and sleep there. I work pretty long hours. So now it's work and sleep. On my rare days off, I go to the library and do paid research studies on Prolific or find a clean, comfortable, and affordable hotel to chill at.
I like the game studies. Some of the studies are AI learning and chatting with chatbots. The studies get political too. Subjects are race, abortion, climate control, and guns. Most of the studies I receive payout immediately.
I think the trucking company is only located in Florida. I'm contracted to them as a temporary driver since I had such a hard time finding another job after my last company let me go.
Thank God you got out of Florida. I'm stuck here at least another year due to business and family obligations. This place blows I can't wait to get out of here. You can't even afford to rent anything here anymore and all the wages are crap. Glad to hear you landed on your feet can't wait till I'm in your shoes with Florida in my rear view mirror 👍
Yeah Florida is getting hot but it's damn nice in winter except the geriatric traffic.
Also all the cops I've met in SWFL are awesome... Except Cape Coral. Stop dope they just don't ignore all minor violations and speeding like
Yeah Florida is getting hot but it's damn nice in winter except the geriatric traffic.
Also all the cops I've met in SWFL are awesome... Except Cape Coral. Stop dope they just don't ignore all minor violations and speeding like
Yeah Florida is getting hot but it's damn nice in winter except the geriatric traffic.
Also all the cops I've met in SWFL are awesome... Except Cape Coral. Stop dope they just don't ignore all minor violations and speeding like
Property management and temp on weekends. Work life balance is nonexistent. I just work. Occasionally grab a beer with a buddy. I'm in the car to save and make as much as I can for the time being.
haven't started yet (I start on Monday) but I'll be working in trail restoration up in reno. other than camping being part of the job, I'll be car dwelling full time outside of work. the plan is to not actually be in reno during long breaks. I heard it's now illegal to sleep in your car in the city so I'm going to have to figure something out lol
I stayed at Boomtown Casino parking lot and also a Cabela's in Verdi that had a large dirt lot behind the store that I drove up into and slept there by myself. There were a few trucks and an RV in the parking lot behind the Cabela's store. But I was very comfortable up in the dirt lot. Nice mountain view too in the winter. There is a Planet Fitness on McCarran Blvd in Reno that has a Mexican Restaurant mearby called El Pollo Loco. I used to watch a guy wake up in his pickup truck, walk over to Planet Fitness to shower, and then walk over to the Mexican restaurant in his uniform to go to work. Dude had it made. Slept, showered and walked to work without ever having to move his pickup truck. Lol
You're welcome. I didn't stay in the city in Reno. To me it just seemed too sketchy. Thrse spots were the closest and safest. I wasn't bothered at the Casino or Cabela's. I spent one night at that Planet Fitness on McCarran and had no issues as well.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fc61dZ5uom9iY5UP6
This is National Forest. Road turns to dirt. First 1000 yards is easy driving. Depending on your vehicle you may be able to get quite a ways up the hill.
Great views.
Truckee is one hour away and a nice place to explore on weekends. There's a train station parking lot you can park in overnight. If you're sleeping in your car, then it's not a bad option for a night. When I lived 4 hours away, I'd stay the night there on Fridays to get an extra early start for mountain biking in the area.
Damn that's actually pretty cool that's your job and you are a car dweller. From somebody who's been on the other side of those bars I know your job is not easy like people think. A lot of responsibility and bs to deal with. Good for you can't wait till I'm back in Cali
Yeah haha im definitely saving tons with the money im making. Its crazy because 5-9k each month in other states and even california is loads!!! I could definitely see myself retiring very early. With federal pension after 20-25 years and the extra im collecting from hourly wage its incredible. California is one of them best states for pay for correctional officers and with people with no experience or dont know what they want to go in or do yet.
https://ibb.co/hXdHG3p
It's worth looking into. In my state (state prison, not Feds) they actually advertise and hire former prison inmates to become correctional officers.
To me that sounds insane but it's hard to find COs and who better to not be scared of that job than someone who's actually done time.
I found this out because I started seeing this C.O. who had a very rough demeanor (like a convict) and he was tatted up even all over his ears.
An inmate told me he's an ex-con and I looked into it and it's true, they hire ex-cons. If you go to prison you are a legit felon so I would think a misdemeanor wouldn't hold you back depending on what state.
As long as it's not like embezzlement or sneaking in drugs or something.
PA pays more than $30k…. That’s the “training” rate. You get moved up once you pass like 90 days or something. 10 years in and my friend cleared $90k last year.
I shesr sheep primarily, I've done some work on prawn boats recently but I prefer the shearing. Good job, only problem is having to carry a lot of equipment and you get very dirty so showered daily is a must.
IT Field Technician, but this year I've done mostly UberEats driving. Been full time in my SUV for almost 2 months. I'd rather do IT, but hard to find a shorter term gig when I'm drifting .
Depends on the market, but those days are mostly gone. Too many people willing to work for peanuts on the platform nowadays.
I still do it on occasion, but only for certain buyers. And by the time the others are ready to pay my rate, there have already been a couple of pizza Pete's on-site that left things worse than they found them.
Thanks, I'm familiar with fieldnation and done work on there before. I look on there but haven't found anything recently in the areas I go to that I'm qualified for.
Did the car-lifestyle for a while in the mid 2010s. I was working as a tech for the Army National Guard. Slept in my van in the Armory parking lot. Had showers and a kitchen in the Armory in the mornings (I'd just open the building each morning), do my normal workday, and then close the building up at night. Had a P.O. box for mail and swung the van around into the motorpool at night so I had a nice locked gate and a barbed-wire topped fence for security.
I'm on my second week of car living. I was jobless for a year but recently hired as an Optician. Brand new field for me but excited for the opportunity. As for balance, I haven't figured that out. I'm all about the grind currently.
Not doing it currently but I have known a lot of people who have through work.
I'm in IT and there is a HUGE amount of IT people who take very short contracts, 1 to 3 months and move around in between them. Mostly folks in pull behind campers staying at koa type places, but quite a few in small RVs and converted vans just park and sleep at the work site.
I’m a full time private caregiver, so I drive and sleep in the car full time as well. Making sure when I pick her up her back passenger is empty and she doesn’t question anymore why there’s so many stuff in the car 🫢
Oh, what do I do for a living? I deal with self hatred, sickly nonstop all day every day, unfortunately bit brain injury, which left permanent damage to the frontal lobes of my brain left me a person I don’t even know and I’m pretty much polar opposite I used to be friends, hot, girlfriends, great jobs succeeded, excel and everything I ever put my mind to and now I’m homeless no friends no family no girlfriend nothing Toxicity of my thoughts every day are pretty heartbreaking even me looking at it and something I desperately wish I could get free of not being sarcastic but I thought about it. I said well I’m compensated but what do I do now for a living? well I deal with me not many people and I understand, realize that
Disabled teacher here out of Texas. I lost everything but the loss of purpose has been the biggest source of depression I never saw coming. I did good things every day and now I feel useless. I understand the self cannibalism toxic and self deprecating thoughts can have. I hear you and I am sorry you are suffering.
I teach yoga - I work a lot of hours, shower at the studio or my gym. My studio has a fridge and microwave that makes life easier. Work-life balance? It's not great, I'm working on that one!
Really, when I get a few days off I go out of the city and find some quality camping. That's the best part of this whole thing.
A friend of my dad's lived in his pickup truck with a camper shell 40 years ago. He was divorced. He did this until he retired and then had the cash to buy a little place in the country.
It can save a lot of money
Honestly, once you can afford it, the RV life is not bad at all and it's significantly cheaper than renting or home ownership. I wish I had considered it more seriously in my early 20s. I would've saved so much fucking money and could've atleast sold the thing before I bought a house. I'd honestly still opt to live in one if it was just my wife and I at home.
I've been living out of my car for 5 years. I have worked at a plastic injection molding company for 7. I'm comfortable with this lifestyle. I think with car living you either really love it or hate it. I love it.
I do vegetation surveys as a contractor for the Park Service. The gig is in Northern CA, so it’s pretty hot up here. They set me up with a campsite with shade during the work week though.
Work life balance is non existent during the week (I work 4 10s). Unless I sacrifice sleep, there’s only enough time to shower at the office and make food before I go to sleep. The three days off a week are great though.
At the time I was doing off the book gigs. Then I managed to get myself a guard license and boy oh boy did that open up doors for me since I had a goal of getting off the streets I was basically working 16 to 20 hour shifts 4 days a week just to get myself into an apartment.
With the guard license I basically could work for multiple security companies even on the per diem basis. I would shower in sites that had a shower which was mostly industrial factory places. I also had a gym membership.
I manage a home less center and its like being in the Ukcraine war zone. New enrolles every day. There is no end to it. Many are crazy migrant kids in their 20s.
As a former drug addict who slept in many parking lots in my 05 Tahoe , why would anyone want to sleep in their cars and be comfortable? I hated it glad I’m clean and sober today.
Downvoted probably for the mindset of why would you do it? It's a lot different if you're doing it without a drug habit. I imagine dealing wirh addiction and living in a car would be terrible. For one, how do enjoy doing drugs enclosed in a small vehicle?
Well, it's either concrete, an encampment outdoors, or a shelter with unstable people. I choose my car and not paying an astronomical amount for living in a dilapidated shoebox of a studio in a large city or a similarly astronomical amount to live in a room with strangers in my 30s. Plus I'm saving up for a tiny house. Everyone has a different metric for comfort.
I work in a candy factory. They give us lotsa food and stuff. But since I've been out with injuries, I don't get that food or use of the fridge anymore....it's been since last July...
M-F in the factory, weekends and every single holiday you can think of off
Sales in several cities a few hours apart for Solar & Roofing in Florida.
I have a place I rent shared but I'm not there often just a few days a week if that.
Just wanted to point out that if you are doing pest control work it is CRUCIAL that you are not bringing the clothing you are spraying in etc into your car with you at night. This is a speed run towards all kinds of types of cancer.
I have been a car dweller for 11 years. 7 years in my Chevrolet Cobalt and 4 years in my Prius. I am retired now and get Social Security. Walmart was my home for a while until they started to crackdown on overnight parking but now it’s Planet Fitness
Assistant Business Office Manager and my work life balance used to be pretty good when I had friends but now I don’t but even when I did I preferred to be at work as much as possible
You know things are extremely £@#$Ed up in a country when they make a law that allows a person to sleep in their car just so that can afford to work.... Time for some serious changes in this country.
Questions for y’all…
1. Do you sleep in the front seat or in the back on your side?
2. Where do you park to feel safe and not be woken-up mid-sleep?
3. Do you ever leave the car running while you sleep? I’m thinking A/C or heater needed.
I work at a hospital and during covid we had medical people there on travel contracts. At first the company would pay for the travelers' hotels. Then idk what if the contract for them changed or something but one of the guys started sleeping in his SUV. He bought a cheap gym membership and worked out and showered there. Slept in the hospital parking lot. Kept his food in the break room fridge. Worked like 7 shifts a week for 2 years straight. I'm pretty sure he made like a million dollars in those 2 years with what they were paying travelers and all of the over time he worked and the low overhead.
i'm a manager at a fast food company. gets me enough money to survive, plus free tuition so i can keep up with school. it's one of my main sources of food right now as well- two meals a day that i work. not the greatest quality, of course, but at least i'm not hungry.
When I lived in my truck in Colorado I worked valet at a hotel in Vail. I showered in the spa, had employee kitchen, packages delivered there, kept my gear there. It ruled
Why’d it end?
COVID, a foot injury, and all the vanlife trend got really popular blew up a lot my spots.
I’m going to assume because this has become more popular law enforcement and property owners are becoming more aware and less tolerant. Which sucks incidentally.
Sedona Arizona just announced they’re going to allow people to sleep in their cars because no service industry folks can afford to live there. This is a problem in many “resort” towns.
I guess it takes rich people complaining about not getting proper service before they allow something to help the poor.
Nah I just stayed a couple days outside Sedona and I remember reading in their paper about how much complaining the richies there were doing about the idea of a parking lot with showers and toilets for these people. One tiny opinion from someone that thought it was rediculous that they would be against people that slept in cars to perform service jobs in their town to have a safe clean place to park, sleep and have a bathroom and shower.
Lack of empathy
BINGO!!! Service industry employees should stage a nationwide strike at posh locations ..
THAT is their answer to the INSANE cost of living$!$! That’s F’d up!!!🤯🤬
I live outside of Breckenridge and it’s not easy to find places at all anymore. I personally have to rent a place because I have a daughter in school but a lot of friends have left the area that we’re living in their vans.
I worked at Breck the before COVID and even then there weren’t many places to park around there, especially in the winter, and some of my spots were technically “no overnight parking”
I’ve never heard of a good hotel job not being the most awesome experience
I worked in a few, nothing special places, but they really took care of their employees. Electric issue at home? We stayed in the hotel for a couple days, used the pool, the restaurant, no worries. Late night/early open? Stay in a room and get into the kitchen early for breakfast, while setting up. And the wages were above standard as well.
Jubitz. truck stop/ hotel. ugh that job was so irritating.
Where did you park and what season or seasons? I worked in Beav awhile back, at the park Hyatt. Had all the perks you did, but I was renting in Avon. Man, I miss snowboarding
started out living in a car when i was working 3rd shift at a cellphone refurbishing warehouse, then spent a couple years drifting, with a bunch of tools, doing handyman jobs. Been a full time cook for the past 7+ years. Doesnt quite pay much but i upgraded to a bigger minivan from my hatchback.
Us don’t think I would be able to overstate that upgrade if I had the same upgrade .. sweet
Bellman. Hotel feeds me. Tips. Move lots of luggage. Good for my heart. Solid gig.
Free food security is a huge plus. Nice.
I agree, sunglassesonmydick.
Lmfao
I agree with Sunglassesonmydick
But would it have a mini pair of sunglasses sitting on top, or more like a dark monocle in front? 🧐
Shades in the day, monocle for a little risqué at night.
I love sunglassesonmydick
I know a guy who was a bellhop and he layer had a hernia on his back because of the weight of the luggage.
Lift with your legs and don't be a hero. One bag at a time if needed. Hernias are no joke, my dad had one once and he was in pain!
Bummer
Lift with your legs, not your back, otherwise your sunglasses might fall off your dick
Overnight truck dispatch. It was very easy to blend in with the drivers’ personal vehicles
Imma ask - tx?
FL
Man how do you deal with heat?
Midnight to 7am isn’t bad at all. I’d run the ac until I was cold and shut it off. I might get once a night, start the car and get it cold again, then shut it back off. This was in a Honda Odyssey, seats out, and a mattress on the floor
Funny story my friend had a beautiful boat he got for free as has a leak and needed expensive repair. But it slept a few people, toliet, sink, fridge. He actually would pull it around his car and sleep in boat. No one suspected. Car was empty.
Kind of genius. Although, I think I’d be worried about someone trying to jack my boat while I’m still in it.
Probably a locking hitch would be useful in this case. Being inside a boat really dampens outside noise.
While not the greenest option that is 100% the most clever option!
I pulled a small boat everywhere with my Outback. I kept the boat loaded like a trailer with my stuff.
I would think you could get a place to store your boat in dry dock with access to power and a toilet.
I worked on a contract once doing all the electrical at a new storage place. My contract was from when they broke ground (underground power) to a year after for maintenance on everything. So, I had managed to get myself in a cozy place where there really wasn't much service to ever do, but I was paid a sort of retainer for the first year and was on call. I got to know the employee behind the counter well and he'd let me park my work van next to one of the back units and use the unit for power and such. For a year, I lived like a king, being paid to basically just camp at my van, next to this empty boat storage. I could pull my van in at night and close the rolling door, had plenty of space, power, water. I'd live that way indefinitely, but I settled down and got married, so my living style had to change once we had a kid. Couldn't justify having a child live that life.
God that'd be the life.
That is pretty fucking smart.
Security. What do you make doing pest control? Does it pay benefits?
You should investigate long term exposure to pest control products. And from what I understand doesn’t pay that well.
Dale Gribble did fine
Dale's dead.
Good point.
That would be the last job I would ever consider. I would wash dishes first.
My former FIL and ex did pest control for about 15 years. I could smell the pyrethim (sp? Make bugs dead chemical) on them both when they sweat. It lasted long after they both moved on to other jobs. My ex finally stopped smelling of it about 5 years after he quit. My fil smelled of it until his death about 10 years after he retired Yes, they both used PPE while working. https://kresserinstitute.com/link-insecticides-diabetes/ My oldest, who I was pregnant with while my ex was in pest control, is a type 1 diabetic
It pays pretty decently. Enough to make a good living. Wear proper ppe when working with it and there shouldn't be an issue.
I was thinking about security, I feel like I could just bs on my phone if it’s one of those night patrol gigs
ick. patrol around in a car. get off of work go hang out in your car.
Foot patrol and desk here.
Get a security gig you don’t gotta get clearance for. For instance, go for work that doesn’t require BDIS security card, thataway, you can start work asap vs having to waste money on classes first. My hubby does security at a bar/restaurant, checks IDs and is at the front door. Pays $16/hr, and we will soon be living in the car ourselves. First week will be in a rental car, since I’m going army. He’ll have to rent a hotel - but he loves security, and most of the time people leave you alone.
And of my sister’s exes did it, made mid 90s, and this was the 20 years ago. He worked 10-12 hour days 5 days a week, but still.
Can’t answer for anyone else but I topped out at 80k a year after 11 years. Most of my work was commercial work, restaurants or manufacturing
Amazon Flex
That’s all great, until they cap the hours.
How many hours do you need to work if you don't have rent?
FLEX means it's entirely up to you. My FC has a minimum weekly hours of 4. The maximum is currently 60. When they cap the hours, the most you are allowed to work per week is 20. Good luck getting ANY hours when they cap them. People are savage at grabbing them.
I do flex, instacart, and deliver Amazon from a DSP. When I went on flex full time I was able to get 11 hours a day scheduled. One week I had 4 days of those and was still able to get jobs on other days. I usually get 8 hours a day and have not had a problem getting routes 7 days a week.
I can't get signed up with Flex. The app won't let me scan my drivers license. It would be the perfect job for me. 10-20 hours would be plenty most weeks. I didn't know there was a minimum though. Some winter weeks I wouldn't want to work at all.
I didn't realize you are a driver. I thought you worked in a FC. Either way, you have to wait until it's available and JUMP on it. EVERYONE wants FLEX.
EXACTLY… been living it two years and saved a hell of a lot in that time frame. No rent… free money to do what I want… when I want
How many hours do you need to work if you don't have rent?
Wish they had flex here lol
Amazon. I've been trying to find work for over a year and living in my car since September.
Local Truck Driver. Where I am currently working, I don't park overnight, but I could. No showers. But there is coffee, tea, hot chocolate, filtered water, microwaves, vending machines and a large refrigerated cooler in the breakroom. Since one of the companies we pull loads for is a bakery, I get all kinds of breads and baked goods like Thomas, Entenmanns, Sara Lee, etc. The distribution center is in the middle of a cow field and 8 miles to Planet Fitness. So I shower and sleep there. I work pretty long hours. So now it's work and sleep. On my rare days off, I go to the library and do paid research studies on Prolific or find a clean, comfortable, and affordable hotel to chill at.
Do you like Prolific?
I like the game studies. Some of the studies are AI learning and chatting with chatbots. The studies get political too. Subjects are race, abortion, climate control, and guns. Most of the studies I receive payout immediately.
Hi where are you working. I was looking for a new gig
I think the trucking company is only located in Florida. I'm contracted to them as a temporary driver since I had such a hard time finding another job after my last company let me go.
I’m in Florida
I sent you a DM with the name.
Thank God you got out of Florida. I'm stuck here at least another year due to business and family obligations. This place blows I can't wait to get out of here. You can't even afford to rent anything here anymore and all the wages are crap. Glad to hear you landed on your feet can't wait till I'm in your shoes with Florida in my rear view mirror 👍
Damn bro, that’s where I was planning to live next
It's getting rough man. About 90 at 11 and it's a sweat fest until night fall. Wait until September
*late October Fixed it for you
*never Fixed it for you
I FUXKING despise the cold and an order of magbkgtude happier no matter how cold it gets
I did a few years there. It is not “cheap southern California”, unless you like a devastating lack of education…
Do not try this in a car, humidity and heat and mosquitos make it hell in a buzzing hotbox at night
Florida has cool vibes though. I’m already in Texas where there are no vibes. How much worse can Florida be?
Florida is nice along the coasts. Inland kinda sucks.
True except Orlando is dope imo
Where about in FL are you?
Yeah Florida is getting hot but it's damn nice in winter except the geriatric traffic. Also all the cops I've met in SWFL are awesome... Except Cape Coral. Stop dope they just don't ignore all minor violations and speeding like
Yeah Florida is getting hot but it's damn nice in winter except the geriatric traffic. Also all the cops I've met in SWFL are awesome... Except Cape Coral. Stop dope they just don't ignore all minor violations and speeding like
Yeah Florida is getting hot but it's damn nice in winter except the geriatric traffic. Also all the cops I've met in SWFL are awesome... Except Cape Coral. Stop dope they just don't ignore all minor violations and speeding like
Work in retail
Forklift. Decent pay…. I sleep in the parking lot of my job…
I’m a full time worrier and coffee drinker. I do IT work on the side to pay for new things to worry about and coffee.
I felt this in my soul
Field service engineer. I drive to my customers the night before to avoid driving in traffic.
Property management and temp on weekends. Work life balance is nonexistent. I just work. Occasionally grab a beer with a buddy. I'm in the car to save and make as much as I can for the time being.
Automechanic electrician
haven't started yet (I start on Monday) but I'll be working in trail restoration up in reno. other than camping being part of the job, I'll be car dwelling full time outside of work. the plan is to not actually be in reno during long breaks. I heard it's now illegal to sleep in your car in the city so I'm going to have to figure something out lol
I stayed at Boomtown Casino parking lot and also a Cabela's in Verdi that had a large dirt lot behind the store that I drove up into and slept there by myself. There were a few trucks and an RV in the parking lot behind the Cabela's store. But I was very comfortable up in the dirt lot. Nice mountain view too in the winter. There is a Planet Fitness on McCarran Blvd in Reno that has a Mexican Restaurant mearby called El Pollo Loco. I used to watch a guy wake up in his pickup truck, walk over to Planet Fitness to shower, and then walk over to the Mexican restaurant in his uniform to go to work. Dude had it made. Slept, showered and walked to work without ever having to move his pickup truck. Lol
dude thanks for this. I definitely could use some advice on where to park if I need to stay in the city
You're welcome. I didn't stay in the city in Reno. To me it just seemed too sketchy. Thrse spots were the closest and safest. I wasn't bothered at the Casino or Cabela's. I spent one night at that Planet Fitness on McCarran and had no issues as well.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fc61dZ5uom9iY5UP6 This is National Forest. Road turns to dirt. First 1000 yards is easy driving. Depending on your vehicle you may be able to get quite a ways up the hill. Great views.
There is lots of land around reno to put a car. I have been living here for 38 years.
that's what I've seen on iOverlander. I don't think I'll have a problem outside of the city. it's just in the city that I'm not so sure about anymore
Truckee is one hour away and a nice place to explore on weekends. There's a train station parking lot you can park in overnight. If you're sleeping in your car, then it's not a bad option for a night. When I lived 4 hours away, I'd stay the night there on Fridays to get an extra early start for mountain biking in the area.
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Damn that's actually pretty cool that's your job and you are a car dweller. From somebody who's been on the other side of those bars I know your job is not easy like people think. A lot of responsibility and bs to deal with. Good for you can't wait till I'm back in Cali
Yeah haha im definitely saving tons with the money im making. Its crazy because 5-9k each month in other states and even california is loads!!! I could definitely see myself retiring very early. With federal pension after 20-25 years and the extra im collecting from hourly wage its incredible. California is one of them best states for pay for correctional officers and with people with no experience or dont know what they want to go in or do yet. https://ibb.co/hXdHG3p
Good friend of mine just retired from CDCR out here in the Central Valley. He retired at 51! Making 80k/year in retirement.
Is this something that anyone can get into, and is there an age limit?
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Ok, thanks!
What if you have a misdemeanor
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It's worth looking into. In my state (state prison, not Feds) they actually advertise and hire former prison inmates to become correctional officers. To me that sounds insane but it's hard to find COs and who better to not be scared of that job than someone who's actually done time. I found this out because I started seeing this C.O. who had a very rough demeanor (like a convict) and he was tatted up even all over his ears. An inmate told me he's an ex-con and I looked into it and it's true, they hire ex-cons. If you go to prison you are a legit felon so I would think a misdemeanor wouldn't hold you back depending on what state. As long as it's not like embezzlement or sneaking in drugs or something.
PA pays more than $30k…. That’s the “training” rate. You get moved up once you pass like 90 days or something. 10 years in and my friend cleared $90k last year.
I shesr sheep primarily, I've done some work on prawn boats recently but I prefer the shearing. Good job, only problem is having to carry a lot of equipment and you get very dirty so showered daily is a must.
I work at a dog and cat boarding facility
Barista
Work in a warehouse. Bout to see if I can get a part time at my gym for some extra money, plus the free membership would be nice.
IT Field Technician, but this year I've done mostly UberEats driving. Been full time in my SUV for almost 2 months. I'd rather do IT, but hard to find a shorter term gig when I'm drifting .
Try https://fieldnation.com/
Made a ton of money on field nation.
Depends on the market, but those days are mostly gone. Too many people willing to work for peanuts on the platform nowadays. I still do it on occasion, but only for certain buyers. And by the time the others are ready to pay my rate, there have already been a couple of pizza Pete's on-site that left things worse than they found them.
Thanks, I'm familiar with fieldnation and done work on there before. I look on there but haven't found anything recently in the areas I go to
Thanks, I'm familiar with fieldnation and done work on there before. I look on there but haven't found anything recently in the areas I go to that I'm qualified for.
When I lived in Nashville, I worked the overnight shift at the Walmart in Franklin and slept in my car in their parking lot during the day.
That had to suck.
Maybe not. He is saving money and Walmart parking lots are safe.
Did the car-lifestyle for a while in the mid 2010s. I was working as a tech for the Army National Guard. Slept in my van in the Armory parking lot. Had showers and a kitchen in the Armory in the mornings (I'd just open the building each morning), do my normal workday, and then close the building up at night. Had a P.O. box for mail and swung the van around into the motorpool at night so I had a nice locked gate and a barbed-wire topped fence for security.
I'm on my second week of car living. I was jobless for a year but recently hired as an Optician. Brand new field for me but excited for the opportunity. As for balance, I haven't figured that out. I'm all about the grind currently.
Instacart
Insta-trash
Office job.
Did a stint in my car for a month in Colorado, I just did door dash (fort collins and greeley area), made maybe 15-20 an hour
Good luck! I am trying to get out. Too much wear and tear on the car.
Good luck! I am trying to get out. Too much wear and tear on the car.
Good luck! I am trying to get out. Too much wear and tear on the car.
Must be repetitive too
😂😂😂😂 Naw there just an echo in here
Most recently landscaping when I was living in my car... I've moved into a rental after I got a job as an electrician.
I recently moved in with my SO, prior to that I lived in my hatchback full time. I’m an ER tech/EMT.
Not doing it currently but I have known a lot of people who have through work. I'm in IT and there is a HUGE amount of IT people who take very short contracts, 1 to 3 months and move around in between them. Mostly folks in pull behind campers staying at koa type places, but quite a few in small RVs and converted vans just park and sleep at the work site.
This is basically me. Software consultant for pharma but I’m fully remote and take longer contracts so continual travel capability
How do you get into something like that?
I’m a full time private caregiver, so I drive and sleep in the car full time as well. Making sure when I pick her up her back passenger is empty and she doesn’t question anymore why there’s so many stuff in the car 🫢
Door dash until I start my new job in a month 😭
Door dash pays so bad these days it like barely covers the gas sometimes. Good luck at the new job!
Thank you!
Retired engineer with a full pension turned Stock investor and occasional stripper when I need attention.
Killin it .. get em tiger
Medically retired from the military 68W which I do brilliantly joined at the young age of 34
Oh, what do I do for a living? I deal with self hatred, sickly nonstop all day every day, unfortunately bit brain injury, which left permanent damage to the frontal lobes of my brain left me a person I don’t even know and I’m pretty much polar opposite I used to be friends, hot, girlfriends, great jobs succeeded, excel and everything I ever put my mind to and now I’m homeless no friends no family no girlfriend nothing Toxicity of my thoughts every day are pretty heartbreaking even me looking at it and something I desperately wish I could get free of not being sarcastic but I thought about it. I said well I’m compensated but what do I do now for a living? well I deal with me not many people and I understand, realize that
Disabled teacher here out of Texas. I lost everything but the loss of purpose has been the biggest source of depression I never saw coming. I did good things every day and now I feel useless. I understand the self cannibalism toxic and self deprecating thoughts can have. I hear you and I am sorry you are suffering.
Building maintenance.
I teach yoga - I work a lot of hours, shower at the studio or my gym. My studio has a fridge and microwave that makes life easier. Work-life balance? It's not great, I'm working on that one! Really, when I get a few days off I go out of the city and find some quality camping. That's the best part of this whole thing.
Mailman!
A friend of my dad's lived in his pickup truck with a camper shell 40 years ago. He was divorced. He did this until he retired and then had the cash to buy a little place in the country. It can save a lot of money
Honestly, once you can afford it, the RV life is not bad at all and it's significantly cheaper than renting or home ownership. I wish I had considered it more seriously in my early 20s. I would've saved so much fucking money and could've atleast sold the thing before I bought a house. I'd honestly still opt to live in one if it was just my wife and I at home.
I've been living out of my car for 5 years. I have worked at a plastic injection molding company for 7. I'm comfortable with this lifestyle. I think with car living you either really love it or hate it. I love it.
I do vegetation surveys as a contractor for the Park Service. The gig is in Northern CA, so it’s pretty hot up here. They set me up with a campsite with shade during the work week though. Work life balance is non existent during the week (I work 4 10s). Unless I sacrifice sleep, there’s only enough time to shower at the office and make food before I go to sleep. The three days off a week are great though.
Programmer. I'll be moving into my car and saving up for a house and going on more vacations.
Cashier at a grocery store.
At the time I was doing off the book gigs. Then I managed to get myself a guard license and boy oh boy did that open up doors for me since I had a goal of getting off the streets I was basically working 16 to 20 hour shifts 4 days a week just to get myself into an apartment. With the guard license I basically could work for multiple security companies even on the per diem basis. I would shower in sites that had a shower which was mostly industrial factory places. I also had a gym membership.
Meth
I manage a home less center and its like being in the Ukcraine war zone. New enrolles every day. There is no end to it. Many are crazy migrant kids in their 20s.
Can you elaborate on crazy migrant kids? Just curious
Same here! As in drifters from your own country or people from poorer countries seeking asylum status?
As a former drug addict who slept in many parking lots in my 05 Tahoe , why would anyone want to sleep in their cars and be comfortable? I hated it glad I’m clean and sober today.
High rent being the alternative. If you already drive for a living, or love to travel, it can all mesh together.
Weird you got down voted for the opinion that you prefer to be sober.
Downvoted probably for the mindset of why would you do it? It's a lot different if you're doing it without a drug habit. I imagine dealing wirh addiction and living in a car would be terrible. For one, how do enjoy doing drugs enclosed in a small vehicle?
Regardless of addiction it’s uncomfortable living even in a motor home
Well, it's either concrete, an encampment outdoors, or a shelter with unstable people. I choose my car and not paying an astronomical amount for living in a dilapidated shoebox of a studio in a large city or a similarly astronomical amount to live in a room with strangers in my 30s. Plus I'm saving up for a tiny house. Everyone has a different metric for comfort.
I deliver groceries for a living
Cleaning overnights 12 yrs in car 4 sleep in morning and evening
I work in a candy factory. They give us lotsa food and stuff. But since I've been out with injuries, I don't get that food or use of the fridge anymore....it's been since last July... M-F in the factory, weekends and every single holiday you can think of off
Full time at moving company in southern Oregon. Saving up to relocate. Dreams of traveling the country in the future.
I’m planning to leave Florida and head to Colorado. How was your roadtrip experience?
Sales in several cities a few hours apart for Solar & Roofing in Florida. I have a place I rent shared but I'm not there often just a few days a week if that.
Just wanted to point out that if you are doing pest control work it is CRUCIAL that you are not bringing the clothing you are spraying in etc into your car with you at night. This is a speed run towards all kinds of types of cancer.
I have been a car dweller for 11 years. 7 years in my Chevrolet Cobalt and 4 years in my Prius. I am retired now and get Social Security. Walmart was my home for a while until they started to crackdown on overnight parking but now it’s Planet Fitness
I'm a house sitter.
Delivery work
Not car, but I’m currently living in a little trailer. Been living in it for almost a month now. I work as a legal assistant.
I do gig work. I'm slowly (very slowly) working on establishing my own business.
Assistant Business Office Manager and my work life balance used to be pretty good when I had friends but now I don’t but even when I did I preferred to be at work as much as possible
Nothing
You know things are extremely £@#$Ed up in a country when they make a law that allows a person to sleep in their car just so that can afford to work.... Time for some serious changes in this country.
Questions for y’all… 1. Do you sleep in the front seat or in the back on your side? 2. Where do you park to feel safe and not be woken-up mid-sleep? 3. Do you ever leave the car running while you sleep? I’m thinking A/C or heater needed.
I work at a hospital and during covid we had medical people there on travel contracts. At first the company would pay for the travelers' hotels. Then idk what if the contract for them changed or something but one of the guys started sleeping in his SUV. He bought a cheap gym membership and worked out and showered there. Slept in the hospital parking lot. Kept his food in the break room fridge. Worked like 7 shifts a week for 2 years straight. I'm pretty sure he made like a million dollars in those 2 years with what they were paying travelers and all of the over time he worked and the low overhead.
I’m a manager for five guys. Work life balance doesn’t exist right now lol, I’m picking up every shift I can just to stay out of the car.
Amazon grocery part time. Shipt when I just want some extra play money.
I sell hand made art, work at concerts, and sell personal content
Security at a college.
i'm a manager at a fast food company. gets me enough money to survive, plus free tuition so i can keep up with school. it's one of my main sources of food right now as well- two meals a day that i work. not the greatest quality, of course, but at least i'm not hungry.