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Now ye're talking - to a man living in his van

Boards.ie: Niamh

Our next guest is a full-time professional who lives in a van in an Irish city.

He has chosen to live in a van to avoid paying high rents, avoid living with strangers in a house share situation and to save for a deposit for a more permanent home in the future.
He converted the commercial van to a home himself, learning how to do things by watching videos online.

He is here to answer your questions about his experience of living in a van.

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I'm living in my van, AMA

handlemaster wrote: »

it must be a right turn off for the ladies ? Hows your love life proceeding with this life choice ?

It may well and my love life is stone dead at the moment.

But I have bigger things on my mind and Im on a mission.

And believe me, if a lady did not at understand at all where I'm coming from, we probably would not get on anyway. I'm a bit of an oddball anyway, and like other oddballs.

I intend to be dating soon/now, so fingers crossed.

Need to build my thunderbox first really before I bring a chick back...

ILoveYourVibes

Do you worry its unsafe?

Is this what you plan to do longterm?

Flippyfloppy

Do you sleep well?
Have you ever had to stop staying in an area due to noise such as anti-social behaviour or early morning traffic like vin collections etc.

Sounds like a great set up you have!

sydthebeat

Alpha_zero wrote: »

Next time your are complaining about your extortionate insurance costs, think of this guy and buying his house.

He is costing us nothing unless he makes a claim.

Donald Trump

What about finding parking? Do you commute to work in the Van?

Ever been clamped? Either when you were in van or away

Am I the only one who automatically made the association between a man with a mattress in his van and dead hookers? :pac:

Alpha_zero

Next time your are complaining about your extortionate insurance costs, think of this guy and buying his house.

I'm living in my van, AMA

Donald Trump wrote: »

Did you ever head out on the piss and just park it within walking distance of the pub beforehand

Done that loads and it was great fun, but I've actually quit drinking 18 months ago, shortly after I started doing this lark.

Drinking in the back of your van on your own is not a good thing, lol, that penny dropped, so I quit drinking.

Non Drinking is a massive advantage to living like this, always able to drive at any time etc.

Mam of 4

Don't have a question for you , just wish you the best of luck , stay safe .

completedit

Set up looks manageable. Id join a gym and workout in the morning.

I'm living in my van, AMA

Danzy wrote: »

Do you feel left out of the conversation when people at work complain about paying 1400 a month and you think that ****er went straight to your deposit account?

A tiny bit of guilt about not handing over hundreds a month - nope.

I got this down to science now, but its still a bloody mission doing it all, so anymoney Im saving, I feel like I'm nearly earning it twice , if you dig? No guilt.

sydthebeat

No questions, just wanted to pop in and say fair dues!! Brave actions that I hope are paying off for you... And watch out for that carbon monoxide... Especially if you got a micro stove (you will need some kind of air vent if you do)

mickuhaha

12v electric blanket for when you're sick and a second battery you can let run empty. It will keep you warm enough to sleep some of it off . Make sure you have fire and co alarm with a fire extinguisher.

I'm living in my van, AMA

Sonny noggs wrote: »

Any motor insurance implications?

See previous Post, but its Ireland, so probably. This is my main priority to sort out now.

I'm living in my van, AMA

Wheety wrote: »

Where do you receive post? What did you tell your insurance your address was?

I have a family home address I have been using for years anyway, as its a pain to keep changing details when renting. Family are good like that.

Evd-Burner

What exactly is your current power setup?

I assume you charge devices etc in work during the day?

Have you looked at joining a gym, something like flyefit would give you the roaming option and would be good for showering etc on the weekend.

Also regarding insulation, dampness and carbon monoxide. You should look at something like this, it could be easily retrofitted. It would get rid of the stale air very quickly without losing all the heat.
https://www.i-sells.co.uk/kair-heat-recovery-extractor-fan-12vac-selv-humidistat

I'm living in my van, AMA

Wheety wrote: »

Could you post any pics?

I dont want to blow my cover here lol ,
I am ripping this all out and redoing it to a better standard. but I think this is will give you an idea:

https://ibb.co/yp3ynbp

Alpha_zero

Donald Trump wrote: »

It's not really insurance fraud though is it?

It would only be insurance fraud if he made a claim and lied when doing so

It might turn out that he would try to make a claim and his insurance would be invalidated. But that's his own loss

What's it called when you don't provide full and truthful account to your insurance company, for example you fail to declare that you are living out and converting your van to accommodate this.

For example how you plan on heating said van, or will you be cooking in said van. People complaining about high insurance costs, yet everybody encourages this guy to omit pertinent information.

I'm living in my van, AMA

Tell me how wrote: »

How long have you been living like this? How long do you expect to continue in this way?

What do you work at?
How do you find keeping clothes washed, dried and suitable for wearing to work?
What type of insurance do you have on the van?

It was two years in Feb. I think another 18 months /two years until I reach my financial goal.

What do you work at?
White Collar , Professional.

How do you find keeping clothes washed, dried and suitable for wearing to work?

I use those Revolution Washer /Dryers. I say white collar, but its informal dress which makes it much easier.
If any serious stuff comes up, I usually buy a cheap new shirt in Dunne's or the like.

What type of insurance do you have on the van?
Covered this sticky one above

gussieg

fair play for the lateral thinking , may i suggest a little portable projector takes up no space and works with all things esp a samsung galaxy s5 phone
i spent about 2 years in my car, due to not wanting to part with my pet, and also not get into ridiculous sharing scenarios at my age. have a place now , but also a car that doubles as a mini camper when needed.

I'm living in my van, AMA

eviltwin wrote: »

Is it not really cold at night?

Totally honest- I've learned the hard way.

My First Winter - in town was early Feb, I'd done a ****ty job on insulation, did not do my research, had no heating, no ventilation and a rubber mattress.
It was bloody horrible, I can take the cold, its the damp that kills you. I did that for a few months.

I had spent every cent on getting the van, and had to move to start the new job, in the van.
Defiantly questioning wtf I was doing at that point, lol

My second Winter - this one just passed - I had sorted out the insulation ( Heavy industrial bubble foil) , cut three windows in the roof - No more damp, at all.
I only got a cheap Chinese desial heater in March this year, which is awesome, but I got away with it this Winter as it was not that cold.

Burning the two hobs, with a big Aluminium Reflector bouncing the heat at me was enough, basic , but with the good insulation it worked. Crack that Window tho or you die lol.

In next few weeks Im putting in a micro solid fuel ( Wood/Turf) stove in it, along with the Diseal Heater and the decent insulation, I will not be cold or damp again. Winning!

Donald Trump

Alpha_zero wrote: »

Are you advocating insurance fraud

It's not really insurance fraud though is it?

It would only be insurance fraud if he made a claim and lied when doing so

It might turn out that he would try to make a claim and his insurance would be invalidated. But that's his own loss

I'm living in my van, AMA

Sonny noggs wrote: »

Do you go to the toilet in a bucket? Do you slop out in the morning?

I have covered this above, you can do this like an animal I suppose if you like , but with the price and availability of camper van stuff, no reason not to be as civilized as you can make it.

Ben Done

I presume you don't have a vent for your gas, given it's a stealthy setup - hope you have a Carbon Monoxide alarm at least?

I'm living in my van, AMA

Cushtie wrote: »

Do you feel safe at night parked up somewhere in the city?

Pretty much, I mean, its Ireland!

A little bit of cop on goes a long way, and once you get familiar with your little rat runs , it all becomes routine. Like, this is totally normal to me now and I dont think about it at all anymore.

At the start, I was pretty nervous and full of self doubt doing this. It took me a while to get used to the vibe of it and sleep easy.

No, I feel safe, but I always have my eyes open and the radar on, and do not get myself into hassle in any way.

[Deleted User]

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Are you upset some posters just assumed you like ladies without knowing anything about you?

Are you upset that Johnny's trying to hijack your great thread and make it about some other BS?

OT, OP, have you ever had any times when you've been worried about your safety kipping in the van somewhere? What about security generally, do you take particular precaution to safeguard personal belongings?

I'm living in my van, AMA

Does your insurance company know of the conversion?

Bit of a grey area, I have a few things I need to do to register the van as a camper. Once that is done - like in the next few weeks, Ill get camper insurance and tax and be legit. I actually have to buy a small car first to get camper insurance.

I am not comfortable doing this but my insurance is paid fully and I am trying to sort this out pronto.
At the start of me doing this and for a good while, it was basically a mattress in the back of a commercial van. Eternally it looks commercial still.
I dont want to cross lines or break rules, but felt my back was against a wall and I had to take some control when I started all this, Ive had some debt to clear,now thats done, I can sort all of this out, cause this stuff is actually expensive ironically.

Have you had issues with people noticing?

One nice lady asked me to not park in front of her view, she was very nice, I moved immediately, I did not actually notice her Window.

One chancer one night knocked on the door and tried the handles, I gave him a shout to ask what he wanted and he said 'Sorry , I thought you were locked in buddy' I think I surprised him, lol

Have you been moved on by the five O....

Actually zero trouble , ever, from the Police. I always have full compliance on the windshield , and change the lightbulbs when they blow etc.

I keep off their radar as much as possible, not that I am doing anything wrong.

Heres Johnny

Are you upset some posters just assumed you like ladies without knowing anything about you?

nibtrix

How long did the conversion take, and was there anything that didn't work out like you hoped?

Alpha_zero

Viscount Aggro wrote: »

Its a stealth camper van, right? Blackout windows.

Popular in the UK. Theres always a couple for sale on Donedeal.

Trick is to move around. Nobody would notice a transit van parked in their estate overnight.

Insurance? None of their business.

Desperate times, demand desperate measures. I would putting away serious wedge for a couple of years, then move on your cottage plan. Check out the guy on Youtube, Mossy Bottom.

You are a badass.

Are you advocating insurance fraud

Danzy

Alpha_zero wrote: »

Wow such an interesting topic, cause no one have ever lived in a van before, go on youtube nobody does this. I mean how do they come up with this stuff.

Christ but the whole thing is very black, pointless, stupid, black I tell ya.