I buy high mileage Honda minivans for no more than $3000 because they're dependable and cheap at high mileage.
I generally get 100,000 miles out of them, so 4 mostly dependable vans and 400,000 miles for about $12,000. You'll lose $12K in depreciation alone just driving a new car off a lot.
I've lived in them safely and comfortably for a total of about 3 years, living all over the western US from New Mexico to Montana. Rent $0. Rent saved? $40,000.
(There are costs, fuel, tires, etc., but negligible compared to rent (i.e. paying someone else's American dream).
Not sure. I love the fact that I can travel with the weather. Too hot? Go where it isn't. Too dry, go to beach. Forest fire surrounding your van in Northern California? Freak out for a couple minutes, and then drive to another forest. ;)
The temptations of the lifestyle are many; but, be careful. That much freedom can ruin. You might not be able to return to “normal life", where people supplicate themselves to unbelievable amoralities. Ex. "Two weeks vacation".
Two weeks? Sir, can I have some more, Sir?
I'm a chef. I wasn't always. I can find work anywhere as a chef. I guess that helps.
Also, re: lifestyle. You can live the van life like it's portrayed in Nomadland, but if you do it the woodsie way, you need to be comfortable in the woods. It's a cavernous silence, and you're often all alone for days at a time. You do, however, sleep the sleep of the dead because it's so quiet.
If you're comfortable with solitude, if you actively seek it out, you can be a rubbertramp, woodsie, etc. If you need people around, you better bunk up or get a dog, because it can be mighty lonely.
And if you know how to search carefully, you can put your camp right on top of great beauty, freely and legally.
I once camped for a month only a mile up a gravel road from Dunton Hot Springs, where big money pays really big money for food and glamping, surrounded by scenery that almost defies believability. I saw bear, elk, marmots (awesome little animals) and ate fresh trout every day from the river next to my camp. Cost. $0. Next door they were paying $5000/day.
It's ruined me to such an extent in that regard that I can't do 9 to 5 at all. I'd just be staring at everybody in disbelief - You work how many hours a week? I don't work that many hours a month! - and would probably be burned as a heretic.
I find a spot in a national forest and make it my home for a week or seven. If it has decent cellular reception, I can stay there indefinitely, until I run out of supplies, usually water.
No one messes with you in the forest. We woodsies know every Honda minivan also has 12-gauge shotgun inside, for squirrels, tasty, tasty squirrels, and errant humans crazy enough to walk up to your van at night.
:)
Just stay out of the city and you'll be fine. Every square inch of the city is owned by someone, so you're never comfortable. Not so the forest. All Americans own the national forest. We can all use it responsibly and for free.
<smokey_the_bear>
No campfires, please. No fires period. We're running out of trees to burn in the west.
Apparently not 100% of National Forest is freely usable. I learned this lesson painfully not long ago. I planned my overnight campout "carefully"... but there were still things I didn't know, even after reading everything I could find online. Namely: there are "pay to stay" campgrounds. You are not allowed to camp within the perimeter without a temporary permit. And even if you try to simply drive through, you might find gates closed.
Somewhere, people have collected this wisdom, I'm sure. Any pointers?
I keep it really simple. I look for a national forest on Google Maps and drive there, adapting as needed. I'm generally looking for one sign: Welcome to X National Forest, and then I'm woo hoo! Home sweet home.
I don't drive deep into the forest (couple miles max), as cell service drops precipitously the further you are from main roads.
I do follow the signage. I want to sleep without worry, and rangers will not hesitate to wake you up at 3 am to move your car.
When in doubt, visit the website for whatever national forest you're in. Most of the information you need will be right at your fingertips, including important warnings like weather/fire risk.
Most national forests have what's called dispersed camping. Those are areas specifically reserved for camping and are almost completely unimproved, but I often find they're too deep in the forest for my liking. Just because there's a dispersed camping area doesn't mean you can camp only there.
Is national forest? Yes.
Is campsite? Yes, but doesn't even need to be a campsite. Park anywhere that's safe and doesn't obstruct, unless restricted.
Is empty? Yes.
Is unrestricted? Yes.
If restricted, abide? Yes.
Is safe? Yes, mostly. Remember bears and bear etiquette. Remember the zero-worry rule: If you're worried about where you're parked, leave. Don't assuage your worry as paranoia, listen to it and find another spot. Even if you unpack your whole van and setup camp. If you're worried, pack up and go find another spot. Peace of mind, especially if you're alone, is worth the aggravation.
Internet? Two bars. Woo hoo!
Trees/shade? Yes.
Score!
Is mine for now, so don't burn it down.
When I exit, not so much as a toenail do I leave behind.
If campgrounds are what you want, the online reservation system for USGOV campgrounds countrywide is here: recreation.gov. Off season you can snag a campground reservation same day sometimes; not so on-season.
Logging roads in the national forest are usually fair game, unless otherwise restricted.
Those intimidating signs that say “Logging Permit Required” are meant for loggers, so try not to get caught with an industrial chainsaw in your van.
Loggers wake up too damn early. Prepare for (what sounds like) a military invasion at 4 AM when the equipment shows up to turn beautiful, innocent trees into money.
Honda Odyssey minivans that are about 11-15 years old, give or take. An arbitrary range, but that's where I roam.
I buy them up to 225,000 miles on the odometer, depending on the condition. Less is generally better. Prices start to jump a lot below 200,000 miles.
Also, my post makes it sound like I drive them to dead and then get another. Not so. I generally sell them and go back to being a muggle with a real life for a bit, then buy another. I've never actually killed a Honda. Haven't tried either. Got one to 357,000 and was still going strong. Zombie cars. Made to last. The older they get, the more character they have. Almost as loved as the Volkswagen van and far more dependable.
Good luck finding one for $3K right now. Used car prices are silly inflated, and people are starting to realize they make dependable homes on wheels, once you take the seats out.
Fair enough, but I mean tiny relative to the purchase of a new car. That is, a new car is disproportionately more expensive than 4 used vans at 3k each. And the vans will collectively provide more mileage than one new car. Why are you making me explain this? I must dispatch George the Rottweiler on a contempt charge. Old Honda vans need love too. There.
I generally get 100,000 miles out of them, so 4 mostly dependable vans and 400,000 miles for about $12,000. You'll lose $12K in depreciation alone just driving a new car off a lot.
I've lived in them safely and comfortably for a total of about 3 years, living all over the western US from New Mexico to Montana. Rent $0. Rent saved? $40,000.
(There are costs, fuel, tires, etc., but negligible compared to rent (i.e. paying someone else's American dream).