Living in a van (Dublin)

NewCorkLad · 10-08-2018 4:55pm

RickDeckard wrote: »

Yes, its possible.

I work in Cork, a full time professional in a good status job and live in a van.

Been living in my van for a year. Nobody at work knows.

Brilliant, love this.

Harry Palmr · 10-08-2018 5:15pm

What happens when/if you fall in love? Hope he/she has a house?

Sounds pretty isolating to be honest, at some point you'll want to drop anchor.

Gumbo · 10-08-2018 5:51pm

10pennymixup wrote: »

Even if he hasn't informed the insurance company of the modifications? Never mind having them certified and passing a CRW. Surely that would nullify any policy and you'd be let chasing him personally?

Would it not be like some young yahoo knowingly insuring an illegally modified car as a bog standard car, after lowering the suspension, fitting over sized tyres that rub the arch, tint the windows to near black out, remove the small engine and fit some nitro fueled monster etc Basically turn it in to a non roadworthy death trap.

I would be delighted to hear the fraudulently obtained policy would still cover the yob, but surprised. I thought you'd have to go down the route of the MIBI.

Yes, even if he lied through his teeth, third parties are still covered. The insurance company can choose to take a civil case against the insured then to recover their losses.

Gumbo · 10-08-2018 5:52pm

10pennymixup wrote: »

According to your logic a disqualified driver can purchase a 3rd party policy and be insured. They're not, when caught they get done for driving without insurance. In the case of an accident the 3rd party claims of the MIBI.

Buying a insurance policy doesn't mean you're insured and like most right minded people deliberately driving whilst not insured is a justifiable gripe. Don't going using the fact that I can get recompense off the MIBI in case of a claim as a just reason for illegal off grid living.

Get a CRW for a properly certified campervan and proper insurance and park where it is legal, legally disposing of your "shyte" etc, and I don't have a gripe.

Third parties will still be insured where there is a policy in place. The MIBI fund is for uninsured claims.

RickDeckard · 10-08-2018 6:13pm

Windows - 2 of these :

http://www.rainbow-conversions.co.uk/rooflights-vents/fiamma-turbo-vent-premium-40-crystal.html

One with fan, one without.

I only plan to do this for a few years until I have monesy saved.

Paperwork - Its started out as a commercial van, Ive passed CVRT with as it is now.

Once I finish a bit of work on a few weeks, it will be fully registered to a camper van. The work I have to get done is to fulfill the legal requirement for re-reg.

Then I get camper van insurance. I have a small car as a 'primary vehicle'.

Yes, I will be in the camper van full time under the camper v
an insurance, you are not supposed to daily drive a campervan.

But that's the worst thing against the Irish state in what I am doing.

The goverment's policy pushed me into this , I want to be a 100% legal, covered and safe and legit as I can possibly be , but I'm in a grey area, and frankly this is survival.

To each their own, not everybody thinks the same and solves problems the same way.

Romance - If someone does not under stand where I am coming from on this then we would not click.

If /when I meet a nice person, for sure I'd share a gaff, if we could rent at affordable rate some whrere.

This is about me giving myself a competitive advantage in life at this time in my life, because no other fukk#r will give it to me, will they?

StupidLikeAFox · 10-08-2018 7:19pm

You will surely need a side window to pass the SQI inspection and have revenue accept the conversion?

pc7 · 10-08-2018 7:30pm

RickDeckard what a cool read, fair play to you. Best of luck saving.

RickDeckard · 10-08-2018 7:48pm

StupidLikeAFox wrote: »

You will surely need a side window to pass the SQI inspection and have revenue accept the conversion?

Ive heard both ways, Even if I have to put in a little side window, that's no problem.

RickDeckard · 10-08-2018 7:50pm

BarryD2 wrote: »

How do you manage this? Work colleagues, social friends must all surely ask where you live from time to time. Do you just make something up?

Don't see anything particularly odd with it, after all some people travel in camper vans for months on end. I'd have thought though that a permanent arrangement with someone to park up would take the daily hassle out of it?

I'm self employed contractor so I can remain quite private at work, of course friends know, as its all I talk about. I keep a fairly tight line on private life v work life anyway. I don't find its an issue, I just mention town X where I lived before.

riclad · 10-08-2018 9:23pm

We are in the midst of a housing crisis,
there simply not enough rental housing for everyone that needs it.
Some landlords were put out of business due to the banking crisis ,or borrowing too much.Even people with a good job are finding it hard to
find rental accomodation.
Its hard to save for a deposit on a house if you are paying 1000, euro rent.
Theres always articles about people living in vans or
travelling in converted vans on daily mail uk.
Its possible to eat in mcdonalds or buy a small gas hob .
Theres a shop in mooore st that sells kitchen equipment,
mini gas stoves .
I cannot remember it being as bad as this ,
its so hard to find good accomodation.
The change in rules to ban bedsits reduced the supply of rental units
and made it harder for single people to find rental accomodation.
It makes sense to save money for a deposit,
rather than spend it on rent .
If you have a paln to buy in a few years .
see here http://thevanual.com/
http://www.buildagreenrv.com/diy-rv-conversions/diy-van-conversions/

Most of the new rental units being built in dublin are designed for student
accomodation and they are expensive.

10pennymixup · 10-08-2018 9:25pm

kceire wrote: »

Yes, even if he lied through his teeth, third parties are still covered. The insurance company can choose to take a civil case against the insured then to recover their losses.

Thanks for that. Strange practise though, no wonder insurance premiums are so high.

Arcade_Tryer · 10-08-2018 10:04pm

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Sounds pretty isolating to be honest, at some point you'll want to drop anchor.

Indeed, but at least they will presumably be in a decent position to do so at that point due to the rent they have avoided.

Alkers · 11-08-2018 12:02am

RickDeckard wrote:

Yes, I will be in the camper van full time under the camper v an insurance, you are not supposed to daily drive a campervan.

Try Richardson's, not all policies have that limitation

CollyFlower · 11-08-2018 12:46am

If you have parking in your work place and they allow you to have your vehicle parked there permanently would you still need to have it taxed and insured?.. If you rented a 24 hour access storage unit / area.... If it's off road would it still need to be taxed and insured?

blindside88 · 11-08-2018 4:58am

Op would you not consider renting outside of Dublin and commuting in or renting a room in a shared property?

Tipsy McSwagger · 11-08-2018 6:58am

RickDeckard wrote: »

Yes, its possible.

I work in Cork, a full time professional in a good status job and live in a van.

Been living in my van for a year. Nobody at work knows.

Fuc*ked if I am giving all my money to rent gangsters and I am to old to share with randomers. I also have my dogs which stay with me often.

Best move Ive ever made.

For full time - You need a long wheel base, high roof van, gas cooker, insulation and most overlooked - ventilation, damp in a bitch in the Winter.

I choose a Sprinter.

You need a 100Ah 12v battery to run your laptop, lights and USB stuff, all charged by a Voltage Sensitive Regulator hooked to the engine. Solar is a possibility.

If you can shower at work - that is a huge bonus, I am putting in a shower /toilet soon in mine.

Build yourself a decent fixed bed with a real mattress.

You need to be willing to learn how to do the basic conversion and stuff, I had NO experience in any of this and have learnt everything along the way.

Everything is on google. Be brave and tear into it. It can be done quite cheaply, my sprinter was E3500 once I had it serviced and on the road, and maybe another E1000 for basic conversion so I can start to live in it.

Once your in it, you can keep tipping away at the conversion , by the time Im done, my van will be nicer than 90% of small apartments out there, I a have a lot of plans still.

Tax etc - Insured as a commercial and taxed as private van, this is a huge dark area , I am re-registering the van as a camper for tax and insurance before Winter. Paperwork and official Ireland is the tricky part of the whole set up.

Mentally, you need to be open minded, not judge yourself for doing it - I think I am ahead of the game here and surviving well in a tough environment.

IN NO WAY DOES MY LIFE CHOICE MAKE ME FEEL A FAILURE / LESSER THAN OTHERS. I get a kick from beating the system a bit.

Maintain your social life in the evenings - so you are not in van all the time. Embrace it and pat yourself on the back for being gung ho and thinking outside the box. So many Irish are total judgemental conformists.

URBAN VANNING:

Keep the van low key, mine looks like a commercial goods van outside, windows in the roof, none in the side. Plenty of light and no on knows I'm in here.

Parking - You will find a few spots around the place if you look, open your eyes and get on google maps.

Night Parking Golden Rule - Get to your spot late and leave early. Do not get out of van once parked for night, be invisible.

Ive had ZERO hassle from Guards, drunks , anyone, and I am parking in the center of Cork.

I am proud of the life I have carved out, I am saving for a deposit for a house, and actually getting somewhere.

My running costs are food, fuel and I do service teh van twice a year as I rely on her so much.

You will develop a bond with the vehicle, beyond a mere van.

I think its very, very ,much like being on a boat. You MUST be clean and tidy, this will not work if you are a slob, small spaces get destroyed quickly from day to day living.

I'm glad someone else is thinking this, Just do it, if it dont work out for you, at least you tried.

Think outside the box, have faith in yourself and do it, and FU%K what society thinks.

No it won’t. If you had a choice you would be in an apartment and not a cramped little van.

Graces7 · 11-08-2018 3:35pm

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

No it won’t. If you had a choice you would be in an apartment and not a cramped little van.

He is perfectly correct actually and has made a brilliant choice. Choice means within possibilities.

Idbatterim · 11-08-2018 5:54pm

We would have the advantage of not paying rent as a result but we are paying some utility bills. However one disadvantage is that I now have an 80km round trip commute to work vs a 20km one before so my fuel cost has gone up but the savings make the commute well worthwhile.

would it be worth getting a leaf?

RickDeckard fair bloody play! There is actually no point in Dublin, renting any more, unless you absolutely have too. Anything sub E1500 for a one bed apartment, will be a kip. The amount of money you have to land out for the crap it gets you, is insane! from one bed apartment to several bed house...

honestly, there are log cabins, 5x5m going for a five grand. A detached property with a garden, done to your own taste. You can get broadband and all utilities from the house. No landlord, no rent hikes, no ****!

Idbatterim · 11-08-2018 5:56pm

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

No it won’t. If you had a choice you would be in an apartment and not a cramped little van.

people do have a choice, most just dont have the balls! They pay a fortune, for **** apartments! Is that their long term plan? or your simply live dirt cheap for a few years and take control of your own situation. No point in waiting for the politicians to sort anything in this Banana republic...

Idbatterim · 11-08-2018 6:01pm

blindside88 wrote: »

Op would you not consider renting outside of Dublin and commuting in or renting a room in a shared property?

I dont see a point, youd be commuting, still paying a good chunk on bills and rent if you want to live alone. If there purpose is to save money, what kind of a kip would you be living in, if you just want to rent based on cheapest cost alone? Its half assing it...

con___manx1 · 11-08-2018 6:05pm

Rent somewhere roughly an hour from dublin and commute like thousands of others. You will save a few hundred a month anyway.

Idbatterim · 11-08-2018 7:34pm

con___manx1 wrote: »

Rent somewhere roughly an hour from dublin and commute like thousands of others. You will save a few hundred a month anyway.

An absolutely crap option compared to what rick is doing in my opinion and I’m sure he has weighed up that option ...

Graces7 · 11-08-2018 7:40pm

Reminds me of the Australian Grey Nomads,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tSARHRkA1o

Wondrously equipped vans..

Graces7 · 11-08-2018 7:41pm

con___manx1 wrote: »

Rent somewhere roughly an hour from dublin and commute like thousands of others. You will save a few hundred a month anyway.

:eek:

oceanman · 12-08-2018 6:48pm

con___manx1 wrote: »

Rent somewhere roughly an hour from dublin and commute like thousands of others. You will save a few hundred a month anyway.

the whole idea is to not do "what thousands of others" are doing.

Eric Cartman · 12-08-2018 8:06pm

http://www.sprinter-rv.com/the-great-canadian-diy-sprinter-conversion/
http://www.sutterfinewoodwork.ca/picture-gallery.php

check this conversion, its very possible to do an excellent van conversion to live in. Id probably sacrifice some leisure space to fit a shower / sink / toilet combination, they come as a module you install with their own supplies.

do it with a lab sprinter as they seem to be the best for this.

https://www.donedeal.ie/commercials-for-sale/mercedes-benz-sprinter-313-cdi-lwb-1-year-warra/16167656 25k and you'd be away with a semi-stealth camper.

z0oT · 12-08-2018 8:47pm

Idbatterim wrote: »

would it be worth getting a leaf?

A Leaf would be perfect for my commute. There are employee charging points I could use at work free of charge too. It would mean the running cost could be zero if I did all the charging at work which I could do. Having worked it out, it would be a saving of 1500-2000EUR a year.

But... I don't fancy having to deal with the inconvience of the ~100-150km range if I was to do a trip up to the North of 300km+ all on the motorway (which I do relatively often).

I'll change my car after we have a house bought. Been considering an Ioniq, but I'm leaning towards a Hybrid because of range anxiety for longer journies plus it'll be all Urban driving after we move. I'd like a PHEV, but they're just too expensive as I like to buy new usually.

Anyway... getting it back to being more on-topic with a question for RickDeckard - Is it worth buying an actual campervan instead? Does it work out cheaper than converting it yourself? I guess the main disadvantage would be the lack of discretion. A campervan is obviously a campervan when you even glance at it.

riclad · 12-08-2018 9:11pm

She is trying to save money,
i presume she does not want to spend 2 hours every day commuting to
a rural area.
The log cabin idea is good if you know someone who will let you
put a cabin on the back garden.
it seems a good idea if it means you can save for a deposit,
You will need to be good at carpentry or know a carpenter.
for internet you can use the tether function
on a phone to set up a wifi connection to give web acess on a laptop or tablet.
Most librarys have free wifi,and are open 10am til 8pm.
The government needs to plan 5-10 years ahead.
In terms of providing funding for council housing and set up
tax incentives for landlords to provide rental propertys in
dublin and other area,s .
The system we have now seems to encourage investors to
build student housing or office space.
Rather than low cost rental units.

Eric Cartman · 12-08-2018 9:12pm

riclad wrote: »

She is trying to save money,
i presume she does not want to spend 2 hours every day commuting to
a rural area.
The log cabin idea is good if you know someone who will let you
put a cabin on the back garden.
it seems a good idea if it means you can save for a deposit,
You will need to be good at carpentry or know a carpenter.
for internet you can use the tether function
on a phone to set up a wifi connection to give web acess on a laptop or tablet.
Most librarys have free wifi,and are open 10am til 8pm.
The government needs to plan 5-10 years ahead.
In terms of providing funding for council housing and set up
tax incentives for landlords to provide rental propertys in
dublin and other area,s .
The system we have now seems to encourage investors to
build student housing or office space.
Rather than low cost rental units.

Those will not get the required planning permission here, it is not possible.

John Hutton · 12-08-2018 9:36pm

This thread is scary.

I understand WHY people are doing this, but that you basically HAVE TO is an absolute joke.

I think I would get depressed living in a van or even a campervan for an extended period of time. I could do it as a starving artist moving around the place and living a bohemian lifestyle but not when holding down a 9 to 5... this country is a joke.

Muahahaha · 12-08-2018 10:07pm

Yeah it is pretty sad that things have got so bad that people who work full time feel the only way they can survive is to live in vans. Fair play to them and everything but it really is a sorry indictment on our governments housing policy. Plus it wont be getting better anytime soon, NAMA are still selling to vulture funds in bulk who then rent the apartments at extortionate rents. Irish people are not even given a chance to buy these properties while vulture funds get tax breaks to do so.

Eric Cartman · 12-08-2018 10:10pm

Muahahaha wrote: »

Yeah it is pretty sad that things have got so bad that people who work full time feel the only way they can survive is to live in vans. Fair play to them and everything but it really is a sorry indictment on our governments housing policy. Plus it wont be getting better anytime soon, NAMA are still selling to vulture funds in bulk who then rent the apartments at extortionate rents. Irish people are not even given a chance to buy these properties while vulture funds get tax breaks to do so.

The administration costs of individuals buying these properties at retail would wipe out the difference in what NAMA is selling them for.

The 'vulture' funds are buying non performing loans to get them off the Irish banks books so they can borrow more and at a cheaper rate to lend to Irish people who can afford their mortgage.

The rents are all pretty much capped and at market rate, these 'funds' are no more greedy than any other landlord and in many cases will break up the loan fund and sell the properties back, to Irish people.

Muahahaha · 12-08-2018 10:15pm

Defend Fine Gael housing policy all you like Eric but this thread makes it clear how much of a failure it has been. A generation of Irish people who hold down full time jobs are pinned to the wall with high rents and cannot save a bean towards owning their own property. That is a government policy failure and it hasnt come about by accident, its happened by design.

Idbatterim · 12-08-2018 10:20pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Those will not get the required planning permission here, it is not possible.

If neighbors don’t object, the council turn a blind eye ... spare me anyway. They create this ****ed situation and you think I care what those scum deem legal?

Graham · 12-08-2018 10:46pm

Idbatterim wrote: »

If neighbors don’t object, the council turn a blind eye ... spare me anyway. They create this ****ed situation and you think I care what those scum deem legal?

Mod Note

Forum charter cares.

Tone it down please Idbatterim.

Caranica · 12-08-2018 10:46pm

Idbatterim wrote: »

If neighbors don’t object, the council turn a blind eye ... spare me anyway. They create this ****ed situation and you think I care what those scum deem legal?

The law is the law. Whether you like it or not. Councils have been cracking down on illegal dwellings over the past two years. Money down the drain for anyone who invests in such a structure and then isn't allowed to live in it.

oceanman · 12-08-2018 10:59pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

The administration costs of individuals buying these properties at retail would wipe out the difference in what NAMA is selling them for.

The 'vulture' funds are buying non performing loans to get them off the Irish banks books so they can borrow more and at a cheaper rate to lend to Irish people who can afford their mortgage.

The rents are all pretty much capped and at market rate, these 'funds' are no more greedy than any other landlord and in many cases will break up the loan fund and sell the properties back, to Irish people.

are you having a laugh there...

listermint · 12-08-2018 11:03pm

Muahahaha wrote: »

Defend Fine Gael housing policy all you like Eric but this thread makes it clear how much of a failure it has been. A generation of Irish people who hold down full time jobs are pinned to the wall with high rents and cannot save a bean towards owning their own property. That is a government policy failure and it hasnt come about by accident, its happened by design.

I'd half agree

However the van living is a big push by folks to live mortgage free in entirety. You only have to look at the volume of YouTube channels with people with tiny houses. Trying to live a lower cost sustainable life with far more expendable cash than you will have.

It's not all this dire vision of homelessness for many it's an ideal of YouTube style living with ability to travel easily.

Free living so to speak.

bladebrew · 12-08-2018 11:07pm

I am currently travelling in Europe in a campervan but only because it a cheap way to see a lot of places, living in it full time would drive you mad! Ireland is way too cold, a diesel heater is a must but they make noise, chinese ones are cheap but a branded one is €1000ish, there are a few people living in a van with no shower or toilet posting on youtube but I have no idea how, I assume they are using public toilets which are not always the cleanest, and when you wake up at 5am in a thunderstorm it's nice to have a toilet onboard,
One public toilet I went to use in France turned out to be a squat toilet absolutely destroyed in crap! I have a cassette toilet in the van, you could put one in a van, but you need somewhere to empty it every few days, and there needs to be a door to slide it out of,

Vandog is one of those people who I like but says that you don't need a shower everyday and that's not what humans are meant to do etc, that is rubbish if you don't have a shower for a few days in any kind of heat you feel horrible and smell horrible,

Insurance is a massive grey area, Dolmen is a popular insurance company that prohibits the van being your full time residence, so you need an address, I doubt they have anyway of knowing that you are living in it but it's still lying to them, you need a car policy aswell,

Our van has over 100 litre fresh water tank but we need to fill it every few days, small vans have no where near this capacity in most cases, sink water goes into a grey tank which again needs to be emptied every few days, I don't know anywhere in Dublin or Cork that has this facility? Apart from campsites,

It's a pity campsites don't allow people to live in vans on site, if you were parked hooked up to mains, with a shower and toilet block and a heater you could definitely live fairly comfortably in a purpose built campervan, but living in a panel van in a city centre sounds like a nightmare,

Edit: Fulltime van lifers never mention rain for some reason, you have no idea how loud rain is until it's 3 foot above your head! From rainy rainy Sweden!

Eric Cartman · 13-08-2018 12:09am

bladebrew wrote: »

I am currently travelling in Europe in a campervan but only because it a cheap way to see a lot of places, living in it full time would drive you mad! Ireland is way too cold, a diesel heater is a must but they make noise, chinese ones are cheap but a branded one is €1000ish, there are a few people living in a van with no shower or toilet posting on youtube but I have no idea how, I assume they are using public toilets which are not always the cleanest, and when you wake up at 5am in a thunderstorm it's nice to have a toilet onboard,
One public toilet I went to use in France turned out to be a squat toilet absolutely destroyed in crap! I have a cassette toilet in the van, you could put one in a van, but you need somewhere to empty it every few days, and there needs to be a door to slide it out of,

Vandog is one of those people who I like but says that you don't need a shower everyday and that's not what humans are meant to do etc, that is rubbish if you don't have a shower for a few days in any kind of heat you feel horrible and smell horrible,

Insurance is a massive grey area, Dolmen is a popular insurance company that prohibits the van being your full time residence, so you need an address, I doubt they have anyway of knowing that you are living in it but it's still lying to them, you need a car policy aswell,

Our van has over 100 litre fresh water tank but we need to fill it every few days, small vans have no where near this capacity in most cases, sink water goes into a grey tank which again needs to be emptied every few days, I don't know anywhere in Dublin or Cork that has this facility? Apart from campsites,

It's a pity campsites don't allow people to live in vans on site, if you were parked hooked up to mains, with a shower and toilet block and a heater you could definitely live fairly comfortably in a purpose built campervan, but living in a panel van in a city centre sounds like a nightmare,

Edit: Fulltime van lifers never mention rain for some reason, you have no idea how loud rain is until it's 3 foot above your head! From rainy rainy Sweden!

what you're effectively describing is trailer park living , like in the US, which is a very viable option and considering the amount of land we have is quite viable for housing people, however negative connotations brought about by the travelling community and the overall disgusting state of haulting sites in Ireland mean there is a lot of stigma attached to it.

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 1:15am

keithdub wrote: »

Have you thought of getting a camper or caravan and looking into a small storage yard the explain to the owner your situation he might let you stay it's extra security for me also

Thank you, yes i’ve also considered this...at least the parking part of it as I think that’s what’s stumping me the most. I mean I could park late/move early and not stay in the one spot for more than a night at a time, but am trying to come up with a more comfortable solution that might also offer a better sense of security.

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 1:20am

RickDeckard wrote: »

Yes, its possible.

I work in Cork, a full time professional in a good status job and live in a van.

Been living in my van for a year. Nobody at work knows.

Fuc*ked if I am giving all my money to rent gangsters and I am to old to share with randomers. I also have my dogs which stay with me often.

Best move Ive ever made.

For full time - You need a long wheel base, high roof van, gas cooker, insulation and most overlooked - ventilation, damp in a bitch in the Winter.

I choose a Sprinter.

You need a 100Ah 12v battery to run your laptop, lights and USB stuff, all charged by a Voltage Sensitive Regulator hooked to the engine. Solar is a possibility.

If you can shower at work - that is a huge bonus, I am putting in a shower /toilet soon in mine.

Build yourself a decent fixed bed with a real mattress.

You need to be willing to learn how to do the basic conversion and stuff, I had NO experience in any of this and have learnt everything along the way.

Everything is on google. Be brave and tear into it. It can be done quite cheaply, my sprinter was E3500 once I had it serviced and on the road, and maybe another E1000 for basic conversion so I can start to live in it.

Once your in it, you can keep tipping away at the conversion , by the time Im done, my van will be nicer than 90% of small apartments out there, I a have a lot of plans still.

Tax etc - Insured as a commercial and taxed as private van, this is a huge dark area , I am re-registering the van as a camper for tax and insurance before Winter. Paperwork and official Ireland is the tricky part of the whole set up.

Mentally, you need to be open minded, not judge yourself for doing it - I think I am ahead of the game here and surviving well in a tough environment.

IN NO WAY DOES MY LIFE CHOICE MAKE ME FEEL A FAILURE / LESSER THAN OTHERS. I get a kick from beating the system a bit.

Maintain your social life in the evenings - so you are not in van all the time. Embrace it and pat yourself on the back for being gung ho and thinking outside the box. So many Irish are total judgemental conformists.

URBAN VANNING:

Keep the van low key, mine looks like a commercial goods van outside, windows in the roof, none in the side. Plenty of light and no on knows I'm in here.

Parking - You will find a few spots around the place if you look, open your eyes and get on google maps.

Night Parking Golden Rule - Get to your spot late and leave early. Do not get out of van once parked for night, be invisible.

Ive had ZERO hassle from Guards, drunks , anyone, and I am parking in the center of Cork.

I am proud of the life I have carved out, I am saving for a deposit for a house, and actually getting somewhere.

My running costs are food, fuel and I do service teh van twice a year as I rely on her so much.

You will develop a bond with the vehicle, beyond a mere van.

I think its very, very ,much like being on a boat. You MUST be clean and tidy, this will not work if you are a slob, small spaces get destroyed quickly from day to day living.

I'm glad someone else is thinking this, Just do it, if it dont work out for you, at least you tried.

Think outside the box, have faith in yourself and do it, and FU%K what society thinks.

Thank you v much for such a comprehensive reply, your confidence in your decision to do this is inspirational too. You’ve touched on a lot of points i’d been considering / started researching already and really appreciate all the great pointers too. Fair play to you. Your reasons for doing this are identical to mine for considering it.
If I could rent a habitable space and be able to save for a deposit I would be doing it...but since I can’t, this seems a viable way around the issue.
Thanks again & wish you continued success with your goal

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 1:25am

kceire wrote: »

Renting a parking spot usually means it’s in a private, management company controlled estate. If the neighbors see that you are living in this van, they will report you and the permit revolked.

I see what you are trying to do but I fear you’d be constantly driving to different sites and parking spots throughout the city to make it work.

Thanks yes that’s my main sticking point, the parking aspect. From a comfort (preferably not having to park late/leave early/move every night) and security/peace of mind at night standpoint. Thinking a lockup type space or something similar to park in would be better. Research in progress...

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 1:32am

Xterminator wrote: »

Hi Op

it would play havoc with your eating habits and restrict your ability to cook healthy foods etc. might also take a toll on mental health.

would you not consider living in a caravan? IE you have a bed, cooking and showering facilities , TV et without the mortgage/big rent price tag?

On the surface that seems more practical alright yes but the issue I identified is that there are no campsites (at least I havent been able to pinpoint one) around Dublin / the greater Dublin area/surrounding county areas within reasonable commuting distance that allow you to pitch up for more than a few days at a time. Since i’d therefore have to keep on the move anyway, a commercial looking van would look inconspicuous and therefore allow me maintain closer proximity to the city/be in the city

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 1:35am

o1s1n wrote: »

Big issue would be cleanliness. I wouldn't fancy sitting in work beside someone who sleeps in a van with no running water. :eek:

I’m not considering that an issue in the slightest. I’ve showers at work and would also join a gym to cover weekend showers. Also i’d plan to have a small sink in my conversion. I’m 100% sure no one i work with would consider for second that i’d be living in a van

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 1:41am

_ZeeK_ wrote: »

Would you consider a boat?

More space & comfort than a van and perhaps easier to find a fixed location on which to base yourself.

I thought about this yes, but where to buy one (I looked around last year briefly) and where to moor it? I was told that Grand Canal Dock is closed to new moorings ...
If you’ve info / experience please do share. All suggestions welcome. At the end of the day I’m just trying to find a way to live in an affordable comfortable space (I don’t care about the size) as a single person and be able to save towards a mortgage at the same time. Currently impossible in the Dublin market. Even out in Kildare, Wicklow and Meath the rents are almost the same as in Dublin and you’ve to add travel costs on top which makes even less sense

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 2:04am

M.Cribben wrote: »

Full time workers looking at the option of living in a van.
Families of 7 sleeping in Garda stations.
The system is well and truly f**ked and the sad reality is the government seem either apathetic or powerless to do anything about it.

It’s disgraceful. But I have to say, it appears I’d be better off and would have more options available to me and a better quality of life if I had 6 kids and was not working than I do as a singleton with no kids working long hours payment for which is cut in half by the taxman. Its not hyperbole...the last place I lived in (it was later sold), two women who were neighbours of mine had 13 kids between them, i knew the kids individually as they were always out playing in the road or messing around outside. Neither of the women had jobs, nor partners, yet both had houses to rent (via HAP i assume) but what really baffled me was that one drove a 3 Series, the other drive a Landcruiser and most evenings that I saw them on my back in from work they were laden down with bags of shopping from Pennys or what not, and when out walking late in the evenings i’d regularly see them down at the local chipper or going in/coming out of the pub. At least from a financial/affordability standpoint, their quality of life and mine seemed totally incomparable.

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 2:07am

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Many google workers in SF live in caravans and trucks in the parking lot

that woman was offered a home and declined it.

This is the reality of city living costs now, if you don't have a partner to split the rent with , you're basically screwed.

you can get a 3 month mooring at grand canal dock for a houseboat.

Do you have info/contact details re mooring there? I was told (when I enquired, as I work near GCD) that it was closed to new moorings :-(

HippyAtHeart · 13-08-2018 2:09am

Graces7 wrote: »

There was an excellent item on youtube about this; works out better than you would think.

Link??? (Out of interest mostly)

Eric Cartman · 13-08-2018 2:11am

HippyAtHeart wrote: »

Do you have info/contact details re mooring there? I was told (when I enquired, as I work near GCD) that it was closed to new moorings :-(

The waterways ireland sote says that its 3 month mooring and you buy a pass, contact them i suppose as their mooring may be different to the other moorings (theres a few a ablut there) , there are also moorings for houseboats on the sea near the eastlink toll bridge, it would be a bit chopier but close location yet not as in demand

Living in a van (Dublin)

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