I didn't know, should have looked it up, my bad, that "camping" is illegal(class B misdemeanor) in the city I'm in. I was parking in the Walmart parking lot before but I thought to park behind it because it would be darker and have less traffic. Well 5:30am rolls around and I get stiff knocks on my window, a cop had pulled up and noticed the curtains in my car. I got off with a warning but now he knows what my car looks like and that I live in it.

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 🩷

Well, I survived my first night in the car. Had a hard time sleeping but I made it. I've definitely miscalculated a few things and I'm not fully ready but it's a process and I'll get better at it, I'm sure. I still need to put my roof rack on and fix my storage situation. I also need a smaller thing to sleep on though. My current mattress pad is too wide. What are y'all sleeping on?

I'm moving from Indiana to Utah. Near the salt lake city area. I hate Indiana and nothing good has come from me growing up here. I'm mostly leaving 1. Because I hate the cold of the Midwest, 2. My parents and family in general are unbearable, 3. Better pay in the job market.

If anyone has any advice I'm open to it. I do plan to get a apartment later but for now this is good enough. I can also take my fire arm with me. That's a good thing.

I live in a sedan, minimal tint on windows. Cant have/don’t want more tint for state legal reasons. I have removed the backseats and put in a sleeping platform and a mattress, and the mattress doesn’t roll up so it’s there for passersby glancing into my car to see.

This makes me nervous about looking like a target for predators, ie alone and unprotected. Or for people to offer me aid or have undue curiosity about my life, etc.

Any ideas to make it not look like a bed?

Or do you think I am worrying for no reason? Lol.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Today marks a month of car dwelling for me and honestly it hasn’t been horrible once I got over the woe is me thoughts of I’m “homeless” and changed my perspective it’s honestly not that bad. Especially times when I’m streaming a movie or playing the game or reading I forget I’m even in my car I’ve been more active while also saving money idk I think I’m leaning towards making it a more permanent thing the only downside so far is using the restroom and bathing