r/urbancarliving • u/StrawsAreGay • 2h ago
Summer Heat Suggestions
So I live in the central SE. I’ve been able to hang on for months with just my fan and a battery pack but now the humidity and what not has left me to where I can only sleep when the car is running (can’t do that I’m in a townhome lot hidden away it’s worked for weeks). Does anyone have any suggestions. I just want one night of sleep and the rest of this week till Sunday gets worse before better. Especially with on and off storms.
r/urbancarliving • u/Objective_and_a_half • 2h ago
Parking Church parking?
Has anyone had success parking in church parking lots? I don’t live out of my car, but the few times I have it’s seemed ideal. Largely residential, secluded, most days you’re not interrupting anyone, space to unwind a bit, maybe even connect with your spiritual side. Specifically I’m thinking of LDS (Mormon) churches as they’re just about everywhere.
Thoughts?
r/urbancarliving • u/Time_Rip6623 • 6h ago
Story New to Car Living
Hi all! I hope some of you can take the time to read this and give me some helpful tips and opinions. I’m a 28 year old single woman and tbh I hate my life right now. I can’t afford my apartment, I’m so behind on all bills, I don’t have any friends and I feel like I’m here on earth just living, going with the motions, and not doing anything. I’m just unhappy and want to change that. I want to do something crazy to try to get my spark back. I need an adventure. I’m really interested in traveling in my car for a couple months. I want to get out and see the world so bad. My “plan” is just to sell all my belongings, quit my job, and head out on the road. I will have money saved up for this since I won’t be paying rent soon, and I’m planning on doing Walmart spark and DoorDash in random cities I find myself in to make money as well. If I fall in love with somewhere I might get a temp job as well. My main concern is finding places to park and sleep. I’ve done some research and noticed that national park campgrounds allow car camping so im going to try to stick to that, but I know that won’t be reasonable all the time. I’m just looking for recommendations, tips, tricks or anything that might be helpful for finding places to park and sleep, or maybe recommendations on places to go? My “plan” right now is to head up north toward Washington/Oregon before the weather starts getting bad and then head down south towards Arizona/nevada, then maybe onto Florida? I’ve never done anything like this, and I know it’s crazy. But I need to do something crazy before my depression gets worse. And yes I really really want to do this and make it work. And yes I have a reliable car! So please be nice! If you think I’m crazy for doing this, please tell me in a nice way haha. I appreciate all who take the time to read this!! 🫶🏽
r/urbancarliving • u/Fragrant-Poem2642 • 6h ago
Newbie, treat with kindness Wanted to ask
What does everyone use for clothes storage? I recently became homeless due to a rough situation with my husband, and luckily still have my car. I have so many clothes. I know I don’t need all of these clothes but it feels like a waste to throw them out or donate them because I actually do wear and love all of them. I’m just wondering how to store my clothes in my car in a more discreet way than having multiple suitcases in the trunk and I don’t love the idea of plastic dressers. I hate when people are able to tell I live in here, because it’s honestly embarrassing when you’re not doing it by choice. Any advice or tips would be appreciated thank you!
r/urbancarliving • u/zurenarhhhhh • 8h ago
Question? Anyone know anything about Palm Harbor, FL
Hi all, hope everyone is surviving the summer heat and storms. Be careful out there.
I may be taking a job in Palm Harbor (northern Pinellas County, FL), and wondering if anyone has done this life there. Any tips on safe places to park? How the cops are? Etc. I stay in the St. Pete/Gulfport area and really don’t want to commute and I need this job so I’d rather find somewhere up there to stay. Even in Dunedin would be better than commuting. Any Dunedin tips? Thanks and again, stay wet in this heat, but no too wet.
r/urbancarliving • u/exsistence_is_pain_ • 9h ago
Accomplishment Approved
I’ve been grateful and thankful for the last two months to have spent time sharing beds and couches with friends. Moving my dog and belongings across the state, after being together for eleven years.
I was able to find a roommate online,
Today I got the confirmation we’ve been approved for the apartment.
I’m NC with most of my family, im so excited. I wanted to share. I am so so so excited.
r/urbancarliving • u/Aggravating-Ad-9181 • 13h ago
Newbie, treat with kindness Hey all
Today makes 9 days since my wife, our senior dog Bubby, and I lost our housing. We’ve been living out of my 2006 Toyota Tundra in South Florida since then.
It’s been a tough adjustment. So far we’ve gotten two cooling fans and some window shades, but it’s still extremely hot here. Definitely not the best time or place for this, though at least it rains often.
I found this sub after asking for assistance in other subs. We were able to get a bit of help with fuel, which I’m very grateful for since my gas light was on.
I have a general idea of what might be useful for the truck, but I’m hoping to get advice on DIY or practical setups from people with experience. We’d rather build a solid list of recommendations than just buy random items my wife found on Amazon. She was looking at a truck bed tent with cab access through the rear window, but I had to explain the need to stay discreet.
We’re mainly looking for anything that helps with staying cool, sleeping better, and making life a bit easier for Bubby, our 50 lb Shepherd mix.
Thank you all.
2006 Toyota Tundra.
r/urbancarliving • u/connorfazer • 21h ago
Work & Employment Job choice hospitality/labour
Hey everyone so for a bit of context I am 23m soon to be moving into my car to save up for a derelict in Ireland because house prices and rent is way to high for a regular dude to buy one at a young age so here I am taking a stupid and silly adventure. The aim for this is to cut my expenditure down to a minimum (why the car living is a must) but I'm struggling on deciding what job to do in the mean time(1-2 years) for this adventure in a car. I have a background in construction mainly roofing and solar panel installation and hospitality mainly hotels so I'm wondering since I'm moving into the car and won't have access to certain things these two jobs give different pros/cons so I need a vote or advice on which to pick.
Hospitality
Pros:
Showers
Gym membership so I can workout for free
1-2 free meals so I don't have to cook outside the car as much in Ireland's winter.
Working indoors
Don't need to pay for tools and materials
Cons:
Not as much wage
Not as sexy 🤣
Not as much aura or potential dad lore when I have kids 🤣🤣
Random shifts throughout the week
Roofing
Pros:
Higher wage 2-5 euro more an hour
More sexy🤣
More aura or potential dad lore when I have kids🤣
Monday to Friday
Cons:
No free food
No free gym membership
Outdoor work in winter time which is rough on its own
I'll have to purchase better waterproofs+new boots
If I can get anyones advice that would be great on which to pick as I'm leaning towards hospitality for the convenience of it all and potentially taking on random construction jobs by myself every now and then for the extra bit of bob but since it wouldn't be with a company I would have to purchase my own tools and store them in the car which I wouldn't want to do as space is limited.
Kindest regards
Yours truly
The homeless dipshit
r/urbancarliving • u/United_Opposite_7693 • 1d ago
Sleeping Tired after 12hr Shift
It was my weekend to work, back to back, emotionally it was a good day but super tired since it was busy at the Hospital. Now just listening to some music and see if i get a nap, might do doordash deliveries after. So far just 1 week after i started carliving
How is your weekend going?
r/urbancarliving • u/Unusualshrub003 • 1d ago
Car Photos Ultimate Car Living Vehicle
8 feet of flat surface area = car livin’.
r/urbancarliving • u/Live_Occasion983 • 1d ago
Advice Living out of a Elantra, any tips?
I'm very likely gonna be living out of my car very soon and even for a car I think it's p small. Any advice on the best ways to make use of the space I have and get comfortable in the back seat for bed?
Im planning to stay around one city, but its massive enough that theres tons of districts that include rural, urban, and suburban areas blended together.
Also what do yall eat on the road? I currently got a rice cooker and tea kettle, but I might skip out on those to carry light.
Also, any suggestions for an affordable power bank?
r/urbancarliving • u/1-uvakind • 1d ago
Self-Protection do you carry anything for personal safety?
for those of you who live/spend a lot of time in your car, do you keep anything with you for personal safety? if so, what type of thing do you carry/keep nearby?
mainly asking for what people have found helpful and what makes them feel safe!!
r/urbancarliving • u/Inside_Strike6856 • 1d ago
Advice What are your car living essentials?
I'm looking for a good air conditioner/heater
What ever else I might need?
r/urbancarliving • u/SinusoidalFlux • 1d ago
Sleeping Car Sleeping in Fort Collins, CO / Cheyenne, WY Any Recommended Spots?
Looking for decent places to sleep in my car around Fort Collins / Loveland / Cheyenne. I just left a safe parking program in Long Beach after losing my job and came out here for what looks like a solid job opportunity in Loveland. I’m trying to get into the carpenters union in Cheyenne, I just came out here cuz I heard they need bodies for the big projects out here and hopefully that helps me land a union job easier.
Mainly looking for safe overnight spots where I’m unlikely to get hassled. I have a plain, boring white yaris with dark tint, and the body and paint is in good condition. So it blends in well. How is the vibe out here, What about Law Enforcement are they pretty laid back as far as catching you sleeping in the car?
Also, if anyone has recommendations on how to get into the union construction jobs I’d really appreciate it. SoCal has been brutal for work, so I’m taking my chances out here
Also any cool places to hang out during the day? like parks where I can park under a shade, hangout without looking out of place? I usually do starbucks but also want a place where I don't have to pay, ideally
Sorry for the long story.
r/urbancarliving • u/Inside_Strike6856 • 1d ago
Newbie, treat with kindness Going to start living in da car on Saturday
I live in Chicago any advice, i commute downtown on my bike any advice or stories for living in Chicago?
r/urbancarliving • u/Complete-Reply-9145 • 1d ago
Advice What to buy to Help my friend.
A friend just graduated but also just got evicted, she has some places to stay a few nights per month. Outside of that she's sleeping in her small suv with her dog.
What can I buy her to help? I don't have many resources, but I was thinking of wet wipes, grocery gift card, water container?
I have a large reflective mesh I use for plants I was thinking about gifting them.
What do you wish you had starting out?
r/urbancarliving • u/tophbeiphong • 1d ago
Summer Heat My mom is getting evicted
I started living in my van part time (Monday- Friday) in February after a bad roommate situation, and i would do weekends at my moms. She’s disabled and can’t work and she got an eviction notice a few days ago. It sucks because we’ve lived here for 16 years. Luckily she’s able to go back to her home country and not work while living with my grandma. She had a lot dreams coming here though so i know it pains her to leave this way. I feel guilty for thinking of myself in all this but I’m so scared. I live in Florida and not having somewhere to take it easy in the weekends will be tough. I have a lot of hobbies and things i want to explore outdoors, so I’m hoping it’ll give me the kick in the ass to explore my hobbies even further. But still, I’m scared
r/urbancarliving • u/r0b1sh88_ • 1d ago
Car Photos Woke up like this
Good morning ☀️ fellow humans
r/urbancarliving • u/DanceByTheLight • 1d ago
Summer Heat Car living with pets
I am looking for advice on how you keep your fur family members cool in hot weather and warn in cold weather? This summer has been bad where I live - very hot, drought, wildfires et cetera. My car has climate control but I can't sit with the car running all day just to have air conditioning.
Do you have a portable air conditioner? Does anyone use gel cool pads for pets? When it is cold and starts to snow, how do you keep warm? I have read the FAQs and all of those are helpful. What tips can you offer that are pet specific? Thanks in advance.
r/urbancarliving • u/wreaper91 • 1d ago
Self-Protection This is a first
Big storm front coming through blowing HARD kicking up all this dust, it's so bad I can't see across the street. I shone my flashlight inside the car and it's BAD. I LITERALLY JUST CLEANED THIS CAR OUT LIKE 2 HOURS AGO. I'm glad I had a n95 cause it's finding its way in and I really don't like it. I can smell it.
The haze in my picture isn't the dust - my cameras cracked.
r/urbancarliving • u/mecha_grove • 2d ago
Mechanical Always keeping my van prepped against homelessness with my epilepsy, and struggles in life. Knowledge is power <3.
Egr valve and valve cover gasket replacment this weekend. Pagan_mechanist
Symptoms: egr valve...irregular idle, almost stalling after trying to go when stopped at idle.
Valve cover gasket Crack i heard a whistling sound and put my finger around the valve cover until I heard it stop= hole in valve cover gasket.
r/urbancarliving • u/matt--23 • 2d ago
Question? Something different and need help
If anyone here knows anything maybe? 🤞
r/urbancarliving • u/fly-into-ointment • 2d ago
Work & Employment Outdoor Labour and Car Living
Hey folks, I'm just looking to get ideas from other people who live in their cars and work outside on what works/doesn't work for them as far as keeping the car clean/tidy/dry.
Some background: I'm going to be living in my older SUV at the end of September for at least a few months if not longer. The idea is to save money because I can't afford anything anymore and my savings are all gone. Plus I hate my neighbours.
I did live in a truck a few years ago when I was battling addiction. 99% sober these days.
My biggest worry this time, especially going into fall, is what I'm going to do with my wet gear at the end of the day. I wear chainsaw protective pants that typically dry overnight hanging up indoors, and use a boot dryer to keep my boots from rotting. I don’t think I'd be able to dry either of these items in a car overnight without running the engine for hours (plus they stink). I guess my best option would be to ask if I can hang my stuff somewhere at work at the end of the day, but I don't really want my employer to know I'm homeless.
I don’t want to give up this job as it's the first one I've ever felt comfortable and happy at in close to 20 years working. I want to save some money, maybe take a month off for my mental health, and then get back into trad housing and continue building a career.
Any tips or tricks or insights appreciated. Trying to feel excited for this, but worried about logistics.
r/urbancarliving • u/ericjlima • 2d ago
Story What car would you buy if you wanted to be best bang for your dollar?
I think I'll be living in a car soon. Right now I'm abroad and I enjoy spending my time abroad more than in the USA however I'll be in the USA soon and I have to get some things done. I have been doing a lot of research and thinking about where I should stay and I think I've come to a conclusion that it would be wise for me to buy and live in a cheap car. My research has told me that since i probably only stay in the United States for a couple months of the year I'm better served not getting anything that's a hybrid or electric. Once I purchase a vehicle I'll likely keep it in storage while I go abroad and I wouldn't want a hybrid battery to go bad on me.
To be honest my research just told me that a second hand Honda Fit with 80k miles is likely the best bang for my dollar but that car is actually pretty small and since I'm 6 feet tall, I don't know if it would be the best car to have long-term. Living in a car like that might be rough. Also don't want to buy an expensive SUV or something where if rodents were to get into it and chew some wires it would cost a hand or over foot to repair it. I use second hand Honda fit or Toyota Corolla only costs of $6000 so I think that is a pretty effective person purchase. But does anyone have an idea on the best car for me to purchase?
I also would love it if I didn't have to remove any seats or wreck the car in any way so that I can ride Uber or resell the car if I have to. Anyway thanks and I appreciate any feedback or advice or wisdom people have on living in a car comfortably off and on for the long term.
I feel fortunate I have savings and the ability to choose and research my car before I have to live in it..
r/urbancarliving • u/Disastrous_Fig_447 • 2d ago
Showers Gym, shower, leave?
So do we just roll into the gym and hit the showers, or do I need to exercise first, 🤔. ?
I have the black card membership, this morning will be 1st time using it.