Whatever you choose to do with your life, make sure you’re passionate about it. Find that thing you’d eat nothing but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for months to do, something you’d live in your car so that you could achieve. Something you’d work at time and time again because you want to.
I searched high and wide to find that thing, that motivational, inspirational dream that would lead me to feeling such a passion. And as I fetch lunch orders, go on runs, and stand at lock ups, I admire those before me who have reached success.
While I do have a permanent residence, I was called away for a week long job. During that time, it sounded really good to save a couple hundred bucks to sleep in my car rather than follow my usual AirBnb course of action. Since I never know when I’ll get my next gig, I wanted to bank as much as possible.
I know some people are against sleeping in one’s car, and I can understand that, for safety reasons. That’s why it’s safer to have darker tinted windows. Unfortunately I do not. I did read a few helpful articles online offering advice on the best way to go about living out of a car. They mentioned that you could also drape clothes over the windows while you’re sleeping. However, that could also alert passersby that you’re there, so I decided against that. Luckily for me, when I did wake up, the windows usually had fog/dew/frost on them anyway.
I wanted to share with you my experience in hopes that if you ever find yourself facing this challenge, you might feel more comfortable about it.
Bathroom/Shower: The first challenge I faced when planning my week was where I could shower and use the bathroom at any hour of the night. I read that 24-hour gyms were the best option for access to a shower, so I looked into nearby gyms and wah-la! I found a gym that offered a free 7-day pass. They also offered private bathrooms with showers. Just what I needed! I stopped in and picked up a key for the upcoming week. I felt much better after that.
Power: This also took care of my second challenge: charging my phone. While I used a car charger whenever I drove, sometimes that wasn’t enough. In the gym I could fully charge my phone at the sink outlet, as I showered, with no more problems!
Location: Next I had to decide where I’d park my car for the night. Finding the perfect spot depends a lot on the city or town where you plan to stay. For example, a Best Western parking lot further out of town might have a better layout and positioning to amenities than one in the city, or vice versa. The first night I tried a hotel parking lot because I’d napped in them before when pulling off the highway after working long hours. I usually choose a secluded spot away from the door. This time however, I kept hearing car doors closing around me, and I felt like someone might see me.
The second night I joyously found the perfect spot in a Walmart parking lot. I parked in the last row up against the woods, with a tree curb on one side, and a shopping cart on the other, so it was nice and quiet. Most of the nightly shoppers were parking about eight or ten spaces closer to the store. Sometimes a green car with a sun reflector in the front windshield would be occupying that spot when I arrived, so I’d have to park further out and position my car seats to block the lamp posts from shining in my face. A few other camping vehicles and the occasional semi-truck were parked further out than I was.
The Walmart also happened to be right next to a 24-hour gas station whose side door opened right next to the women’s bathroom, so I didn’t even have to walk in the front door! Lucky find! Every morning I’d drive over to the gas station, park on the side, and walk right into the bathroom (which I surprisingly had to myself every morning except once or twice). I had plenty of room to change my clothes in the biggest stall and room at the sink to brush my teeth, wash my face, and brush my hair.Heat: Another thing I’d prepared for was dealing with the lack of heat. It was November, and the first few nights got a bit frosty. Even while wearing sweat pants, a sweat shirt, thick fuzzy socks, a hat, and covering myself with a folded-over comforter, I would still wake up cold. I hate the cold, so it was hard for me to step out of the car in the morning, feeling stiff, to gather my clothes and bathroom items from my trunk, and race into the gas station. Luckily, only the first three nights were cold. It actually warmed up as the week ended and I didn’t feel the need to race inside anymore.
Space: I kept everything in my trunk, and while I tried to keep everything organized, it ended up in sort of a mess. I was glad when the week was over so I could clean out my car! I also had bought some air fresheners to hang on my rearview mirror just in case sleeping in my car led to some bad odors, even though I did shower every night! I decided to lay out my bed across the back seat, but since my car is small, I couldn’t stretch out all the way. This would ultimately lead to me having to contort my body in some position that, after a while, became unbearably uncomfortable. A few nights in I switched to reclining the front seat and stretching out there, which felt more comfortable.
I began to develop a routine. After work I would treat myself to a leisurely dinner out where I’d enjoy their heat before my cold night. I loved going to Ihop where I could order warm pancakes and hot chocolate. I love breakfast food! Sometimes I’d go to a nearby library and read or use the internet on my phone until they closed. If I felt like being alone, I’d lounge in my car watching YouTube videos.
Other times I’d go to the gym early and walk on the treadmill or ride the stationary bikes while listening to music. When it got late enough for me to feel tired, I’d load up my arms with shower supplies out of my trunk (it was hard to remember everything! clothes, towel, sandals, phone charger, hair brush, shampoo, key, bathroom things). Only two or three other people would be in the gym when I arrived so I’d happily take my pick of the private bathrooms and take advantage of the outlet to charge my phone while I enjoyed a nice long hot shower. That was my favorite part of the day. I could relax.
Afterwards I’d drive to the Walmart, pick a spot, and leave a movie playing on my phone until I fell asleep. In the morning I’d stop in the gas station to get ready for the day, and off I’d go again!
From the whole experience, I would say it wasn’t the worst thing, even if I did become a bit lonely sometimes. I’d do it again, but not for a while. If I had a bigger vehicle where I could stretch out in the back, and it wasn’t so cold outside, I’d say it wouldn’t be such a bad lifestyle for saving loads of money!
When I returned to my apartment I really really really appreciated having a nice bed with plenty of space that was feet from a bathroom I didn’t have to walk through the cold to use, with an adoring cat, convenient kitchen, and friendly roommates. A temporary stay in your car might not be so bad if you’re safe and smart about it!!
Yehh you are right, you should let somethings for otherthings. Iam agree whith that. Thank you for sharing this with us. @theawkwardcat
I think there are couple of famous stories that google engineers living in van to save money. This story is interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I slept once in my car, hope will never have to do it again.
@ctyptouniverse I'm with ya! The loneliness was actually the worst part for me.
What kind of car do you have? I'm thinking to buy a Berlingo Multispace with a view to stealth camping in it when I need to go down to my University every other week for a couple of months. You can fold the back seats down and set it up as a mini-camper with a bed in the back. It has quite a following as DIY mini-camper in the UK.
Awesome. My ex and I took off around the South West of the UK in Peugeot 406. we had a fantastic time and got the stealth camping bug. I have an LDV convoy now in construction yellow with no windows. the height is a handicap for some car parks but looking like a commercial van means I can park up anywhere and no-one knows.
I think a Berlingo is a good choice but consider kiting out a small van. Because if you insulate it you can stay warmer easier. These days LED lights can be bright with almost no power drain.
PS: followed - I want to see more pics of that Convoy! ;)
Well you see, now I have to reveal my master plan!!
The Berlingo would just be a stop-gap measure, something I can save a few nights airbnb/hotel/bnb/short-term rent with, maybe bring to a few festivals, but also be able to use it for my ecology fieldwork next summer, as well as being able to park it in my sister-in-laws road without annoying all her neighbours with an enormous space-consuming vehicle. Also as I'l be effectively commuting once a week between the north and south of England I want something economical. I won't really have much funds or money to do much to it beyond kitting up a bed and some curtains. I've been wondering about quick cheap quick easy heating/insulation solutions as obviously it's coming into winter, any suggestions I'm all ears!
I think I'll get a 2001/2002 Berlingo so i can convert it to run on waste veg oil.
Meanwhile in the longer run, potentially starting next year, I want to save up and buy and convert a Fiat Ducato LWB hightop into a tiny home style camper to live in for the foreseeable future (when I'm not staying at my parents/friends/in Brazil), which will hopefully allow me to travel Europe at my ease in between working gigs and perhaps save up enough to buy a bit of land in the back waters of Ireland to actually park it on!
I've already planned out the Ducato layout, including an elaborate DIY drop down electric bed. Here's some rough plans for my ideas that I did recently to show a friend. Any constructive suggestions welcome :)
Are you going to make some blog posts about your own build with the LDV Convoy, I'd love to see!
I can relate to wanting to avoid rent costs, but I just can't sleep in car seats no matter how tired I am. It kills my back and neck!
@rknirvanna Yeah that's what trying to sleep across the backseat was doing to me. Reclining in the front seat wasn't as bad when I could recline far enough back and put a pillow under my back in the dip between the bottom seat and back rest.
Memory foam mattress toppers are inexpensive and can really help cushion the seats and smooth out lumps.
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STOPYou are a strong girl so able to walk and sleep in the car for a week. For the second time sleeping in the car has become your habit and become your lifestyle. Enjoy
How would you deal with the heat if it were one of the warmer months? Never figured out how to not sweat absurdly in a car at night with the windows up.
Yes! @stonedbenots The cold was better so that I could pile on the blankets and the warmth helped me go to sleep. Trying to sleep in a stuffy, hot car is darn near impossible! I would buy a battery operated fan (maybe two depending on the size?) to circulate the air, aim it straight on me, and blast it. The noise might help me sleep also.
My boyfriend also came up with an idea for his truck (which has no air conditioning) to put ice in a Styrofoam cooler, cut a hole in the top and put a small fan blowing air through there. Seems like a great idea too.
Thanks for sharing your experience! That was quite brave of you and awesome job for staying committed to do that for the whole week!
Thank you! I was glad that I was able to do it, but I was SO happy to be back in an apartment again afterwards!! I kept myself motivated by telling myself that it was only for a week. So it helped that I knew it'd be over soon too.
Sounds like you made it into a bit of fun. From your description, it didn't sound bad to me. You're the Urban Camper now!
Haha yesh! It actually was probably better that it was chilly out, so I could pile on the blankets. Sleeping in a stuffy, hot car is much harder to accomplish! I'd have to buy a battery operated fan to do that.
Awesome story! Getting out of your comfort zone like that makes you appreciate all the things you have at home. Just like backpacking and hitchhiking.
I agree! Afterwards I appreciated my room and bathroom and heat and kitchen and bed with room to stretch out and having a private place to relax a lot more!!
Amazing post! The showering in the gym was really smart. I thought about sleeping in my car before while traveling, but lacked to find a place to shower. Will keep that in mind.
I showered at an Anytime Fitness, and they offered a free 7-day pass, which was perfect for me, open 24 hours, and private shower rooms! That's what sold it for me.
Just look up where you plan on going, and search the area for 24-hour gyms with showers! Even a one-month membership wouldn't be that bad.
Sounds like an interesting experience. Sleeping in a car isn't terribly bad. It's not difficult for me to get comfortable though. The cold would deter me more than anything I imagine. Kudos for sticking it out. You make it sound quite pleasant in some ways.
I mean, as long as you don't plan on spending too much time in your car, and have places to be during the day, then it's not like you're driven crazy by being STUCK in your car. Just using it for sleep isn't too bad. Again, it'd be more comfortable if I had a bigger vehicle and not a tiny car, but just one week was okay.
I have a feeling this might come in handy some day ;)
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! You come to discover the few things you really need: shower, bathroom, a safe location spot, power, a little bit of space, and blankets for cold or fans for heat!
Great advices! I think I only slept in my car once
It's not bad for the occasional rest!
you are very brave 👍💪
Thanks! I was worried about someone coming up to my car, but I had my pepper spray in the middle console next to me and luckily it seemed like the parking lot was used by other campers.
I'd get my bedding ready at the gym before I drove to Walmart so when I arrived I wouldn't be putting on a show to other people to see I was preparing to sleep in my car. I'd try to be as discreet about it as possible!
I love this post! Voted and followed
This is an idea I have always toyed with but the idea never made it to fruition. I guess the shower thing is what sets me waaaay back. But I may try a few days someday, you didn't make it sound as bad as I imagined.
Yeah once you break it down to the simple things, it's not that bad. Just consider how much room you'd have to stretch out in while storing your necessities, a safe location, the temperature, and then places to go for things like shower/bathroom/power.
I was on the road as a musician for almost 30 years. I too, have spent many a night in my car. Sometimes it can be fun, but sometimes you can get freaked out by innocent things like an animal coming to investigate. I followed you!
Thanks! Followed you back!
Well done you!! Sounds like a well thought through adventure, giving you the opportunity to appreciate what you have, as well as saving money.
Thanks! :p Yes, some adventures are more fun without all the pre-planning, but I prefer to pre-plan things like this and prepare myself!
Well, I had several opportunities to sleep in my car, 5/6 times was when I was very drunk and couldn't bother going home to either my parents back then or my girlfriend, so I just took a nap in the car. Point is this one time when I wasn't drunk, but was driving to Germany alone I had to take a nap because it was a pretty long drive to rest I felt discomfort, although when I was drunk I didn't even remember how I was falling asleep :D
Wow! Be careful! A nap once in a while while traveling in the car is helpful because you usually have some place you can go the next night for a place to stay.
Well that was insightful, you are much better at planning than I am, I doubt I'd have done so much research, probably end up cold with no power and nowhere to pee. Yeah, classic me.
Haha yes, this is the type of thing I felt compelled to over-plan (as I tend to do) to make sure I was well prepared because I knew nothing about it!
I'll try to be more like you then.
Good tips! We sleep in an RV and sometimes camp out in Walmart's, which aren't too bad.. but haven't tried only sleeping in the car yet ;)
That's cool! It probably isn't as comfy as an RV because you are limited on sleeping positions and you just have to make it work. Usually by making yourself really tired so you can fall asleep right away instead of tossing and turning uncomfortably.
Well done! I admire you and upvoted for you!
Thanks! Following :)
I find sleeping in a van / car one of the most rewarding ways of traveling - If spent months in Australia sleeping in the back of a spacewagon and it was the most awesome way to see the continent :-) Power is challenge tho, I agree :-) Thanks for sharing
Wow, I don't know if I could spend months doing that, but I'm sure it was an amazing experience! As long as you're not stuck in your vehicle during the day also, and you can be out doing things, then that makes it better.
Great post! I slept briefly in a car once... I was lucky not to crash!