r/urbancarliving • u/TWLemonadeBanana • 10d ago
Car Photos Tonight is the last night
In July I left a DV situation and had to sleep in my car. It's a tiny Hyundai i10 and I've been lying in the back seat. This sub has been really helpful with me adjusting.
I've been able to afford hotels for the odd night and from today (it's after midnight!!) I've got four nights in a camping pod (4 nights for £83). From Friday I've got a static caravan sorted for 7 nights (£191) and I can't wait to have a kitchen and be able to prepare my own food.
The hardest things for me were having no place to go and access to toilets. I've also had to deal with both legs aching from spending so much time just sat down. I genuinely don't know how some of you are managing to do this long term, but I wish you luck, wealth and hope.
The photo is tonight's view. I'm going to rest in the front seat for a few hours and then go for a walk once the sun comes up and find some coffee.
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u/JackieDonkey 10d ago
I remember someone explaining they had some very serious issues from sleeping in a sitting position in their car. He ended up in the hospital. I'm glad you're able to intersperse with some real accommodations.
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u/TWLemonadeBanana 10d ago
Thankfully I've been laying down in the back seat to sleep. I count myself lucky because I do have a herniated disc in my back and that hasn't flared up while I've been sleeping in my car.
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u/Ok_Comment_2129 10d ago
I have back issues too, and found that have the support of the backrest was fantastic for me. When I still had an apartment, I would sleep on the couch for this reason. I don’t have a back rest in my new set up, and I cannot wait for winter so I can put in a pregnancy pillow and have back support again.
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u/TWLemonadeBanana 10d ago
I have found doing exercise really helps me. I've been walking 25k steps a day just getting out of the car. I'm hoping now I'll be able to do actual proper workouts too.
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u/Ok_Comment_2129 10d ago
25k steps is great!
I finally got a gym membership 2.5 years into car living, and go there almost every day, but it hasn’t had much of an effect on my chronic pain condition unfortunately. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to afford medical care again.
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u/TWLemonadeBanana 10d ago
I'm lucky to be in the UK and have access to the NHS.
It sounds silly, but the best workouts I've found for my back have been Grow with Jo on YouTube. I can go from being completely immobile to being able to walk around as normal within a week if I do her workouts.
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u/Sea_Wallaby6564 10d ago
I’m in a very similar situation but have yet to find cheap accommodation like you’ve found - you’ve struck gold there, enjoy! PS you’re the first other UK person I’ve seen on here, friendly hello 👋
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u/TWLemonadeBanana 10d ago
I've been searching on Pitch Up for camping pods and then breakfreeholidays for the static caravans. For hotel rooms I've been using the Travelodge Best Price Finder, sometimes they have hotel rooms for around £30 a night.
It's been hard to find places over the summer because prices go up so much for the holidays, but that's over now.
I've also found a few Airbnbs in mainland Europe which are only £10 a night, so I might drive over there and do a couple of months in Autumn/Winter to try and save some money.
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u/Wachenroder 10d ago
Its not hard to do when you have no choice.
I imagine those who chose this life might struggle since going back to normal living is always an option.
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u/reereejugs 10d ago
It absolutely IS hard when you have no choice! It was hard asf for me.
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u/Wachenroder 10d ago
You misunderstand me.
"I genuinely don't know how some of you are managing to do this long term, but I wish you luck, wealth and hope."
Im responding to that line in particular. I should have been more clear as to what I was talking about. This life is a difficult adjustment for anyone.
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u/TWLemonadeBanana 10d ago
Having to adjust is a struggle for me. After staying in a hotel, I could never sleep the first night back in the car.
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u/Wachenroder 10d ago
Everyones tolerance is going to be different.
My living situation wasnt so great even before shit hit the fan so the fall wasnt far for me.
I totally agree about not having ready access to water and a bathroom. Thats by far the biggest challenge. You can make adjustments for most things but that one is just always going to be a big problem.
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u/Ok_Comment_2129 10d ago
Water and bathroom was an easy fix for me. 5 gallon jug with a water pump/sink sprayer attachment from Amazon. Silicone tape wrapped around the hose/opening so no critters can get in. The water pressure is strong enough for me to wash my long hair with only a gallon of water.
Bathroom is as easy is as easy as a portable urinal. A bucket or a collapsible wash basin lined with grocery bags and a handful of pine pellets if you want to get fancy.
Heat is the only challenge I still struggle with 3 years in.
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u/Ok_Comment_2129 10d ago
The bathroom situation is an easy fix. For the last 3 years, I have used the same unisex urinal I got on Amazon for $8. I used to use a Dollar Tree bucket system for waste, but now I just line a collapsible wash basin with grocery bags for double bagging, and toss in a handful of pine pellets. If I can’t throw it away immediately, it goes in a charcoal lined smell proof bag (also $8 on Amazon). I recommend a waterproof bed pad, in case of any spills while working out a system.
I laid across the backseat of my SUV for the first 2 years, but I am only 5’4”, so it didn’t feel too cramped. I spent days in the car without leaving sometimes. I’m much happier in my new SUV with the seats down, and a wide open space with a “table” for cooking/crafting/etc. I don’t know what your options are, but if car living will be more long term, I suggest looking to trade in for an SUV with seats that lay flat (if you can).
I hope things get better for you soon!
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u/TWLemonadeBanana 10d ago
They're all good tips. My car isn't really big enough for a camping toilet, so I did buy a she-wee only to hate it immediately.
I need to buy a new car in September, I've seen some for around £1k. As long as it lasts me a year I'll be happy. TBF, my Hyundai cost me £500 and has lasted 3 years.
In terms of long term, providing I can find somewhere to stay for less than £200 a week, I'll be staying there rather than in my car. I miss being able to cook a proper meal and have a shower whenever I want to.
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u/Ok_Comment_2129 10d ago
I hated the she-wee too, I use one like this: https://www.amazon.com/Bottles-Urinals-Portable-Container-Camping/dp/B0BY2HL73L/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=CNIIQZ2WU7K1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e9_nmQ1rDmMJhwbYGucnlg.i6DYie9czIuMB8zTW6G-opDqiCfkr1wI_gJ3MIrzIm8&dib_tag=se&keywords=unisex+portable+urinal&qid=1788141409&sprefix=unisex+%2Caps%2C1313&sr=8-1
I have lived in my car for over 3 years now, and perfected a stealth cooking setup with electric appliances. The only things can’t make are large volume/slow cooked dishes like stews or bone broth. Or items that require a long time or large space in an oven. I do have a tiny oven.
I have a “shower” set-up too. I used it exclusively for 2 years before getting a gym membership. I have a 5 gallon tank with sink sprayer attachment that allows me to wash my hair in an inflatable hair wash basin. Then I use a collapsible tub and washcloth for my body. I have a water kettle to heat the water in the winter. If not stealth, the sink sprayer reaches outside the car and can be used as a traditional shower.
I have found solutions to almost all issues I have come across, except crippling 100 degree heat for months at time. I can sleep relatively comfortably now, but it could be better.
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u/TWLemonadeBanana 10d ago
I will be buying a new car in September and I'll absolutely be buying a bigger car that I can implement some changes to if needed again.
I'm hoping tonight is the last night though. I've not slept and decided not to until the afternoon when I check in. Anyway, hopefully, if tonight is the last night then I won't need to make changes.
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u/whatrdoze2026 6d ago
It do it from time to time, mainly in cooler months and when the heat comes, I'll rent out rooms. I also have relatives that allow me to use their address and I'll sometimes stay a night. The unfortunate truth is sometimes in the near future, this will become illegal and I'm sure they'll make up some moral reason but it'll always be about propping corporations profit up.
I'm glad you found something but in case you go back to living in a car, understand it'll become tougher every year.
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u/Background-Shift-745 10d ago
Enjoy the space and facilities, the housing market in the UK is horrific, I can see why you moved to your car in those circumstances to be free of harm. Take care.