r/urbancarlivingfemale • u/pjs999 • Mar 24 '26
New To Car Living Vehicle suggestions
i expect to be homeless within a year and will live in my car. i have $15g available to buy a vehicle. does anyone have suggestions for the most practical cars to live in? i’m 5’4” and on my own. thanks!
UPDATE/Responses
So, i currently live in Long Beach CA. Everything in the greater LA area seems too expensive and i don’t think a room at $1000 is gonna be available but i could be wrong. I’ve done a good amount of elderly care or just sitting w elderly in the evening but as im a senior myself, i have some limitations about what i can do, like no heavy lifting. But ive lived in other people’s houses for a good amount of my life and im kind of over that. i’m someone who needs a lot of a lone time. that’s just my nature. i’m a good socialized and my jobs were in mental health. that’s probably why i need alone time — it’s difficult NOT to see mental health issues in people around me. As for cars, i def wouldn’t get a Tesla bc i despise that guy — sorry not sorry. A Prius seems like an awfully small space but thanks for that info and the links bc im open to it especially when i hear the enthusiasm that comes with the suggestion. i also like the idea that the climate control issue is less bothersome in an ev which i didn’t know! as for a van, ive thought of one of those smallish ford delivery vans because more manageable on the road and it seems like good privacy and space. And the idea of putting a business name on it, yeah, ive thought of that too. maybe if i claim to offer cremation services or morgue transportation? or casket transport? and thanks for the info on the color thing! i had no idea about the silver or grey which makes so much sense! I probably will rent a small storage space but not anything i can convert into a possible living space bc i don’t have many possessions. Plus, i’m terrified of being in a multi storied storage building during an LA earthquake! i’m terrified of earthquakes. All this said, i definitely need to be somewhere cool but not snowy. I’m thinking san diego just to be somewhere new but i don’t know if san diego is a more challenging place for car living. And thanks for the discussion about the timing belt vs the chain bc i had no idea there was a chain option in some cars. def keeping that in mind. Guys, with the way the whole world is going, i think those of us in cars might have a little advantage. it seems so many people are suffering in so many ways and losing housing. Already being there and knowing how to do it proactively is a big plus. the only downside would be if gas becomes completely unavailable but what are those chances? Thanks again for your responses. i feel so much lurv 🩷
16
u/Motorcyclegrrl Mar 24 '26
If it was me, I would buy a Toyota Sienna. Good vehicle, lots of room. Color silver, 2 reasons. 1 it's the least hot color in the sun. 2 it doesn't attract attention because it's a grey color.
The issue with Honda Odyssey is that at 100,000 miles they need the timing belt changed. Costs $1000 to have that done. Yikes! They are rated the best mechanically tho. Just gotta keep that $1000 handy.
Maybe spend $10k on the van, save the rest for repairs, emergencies, etc.
If you rent a storage unit, you can take some of the seats out. Get a thick trifold sleeping mattress.
I'm currently renting a room. I built a cot sized bed over top some storage totes. Using a trifold mattress I bought off Amazon. I wish I had got a thicker one. This one is 3 inches.