A YOUTUBER has shared her tips for living as a nomad out of a car as rent prices and overall cost of living continue to rise….CONTINUE READING
YouTuber Alyssa Vanilla has been living out of her car for the last three years after finding apartment living wasn’t for her.
YouTuber Alyssa Vanilla goes over the essentials of living out of her car
Her bed, clothes, shoes and toiletries are neatly packed away
However, she admits that going from having a roof over your head and all the amenities to nothing but a head liner is rough.
While it is a rough transition for many, she’s hoping to ease those on the fence into car life with a few simple ways to get started.
First was having a comfortable bed setup.
“Not getting good sleep affects so many things,” said Alyssa. “Like your mental, physical and emotional health. Being comfortable and sleeping well is so important.”
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She explains that many people, herself included, don’t need a ton of space – but just enough to roll over and stretch your legs is perfect.
Being able to completely cover your windows is essential to, as it’s a matter of protection and privacy.
“Sleeping in your car is illegal in most places, so if people can’t see you, that makes it more likely to not be harassed,” she adds.
A gym membership, usually not costing more than $20 a month, was a game changer for her car-life journey.
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Twenty-four-hour gyms like Planet Fitness are great places for showers, free WiFi, and overnight parking
At a gym, she was able to shower, use their free WiFi, and charge some of her devices.
Twenty-four-hour gyms, like Planet Fitness, also have 24-hour parking – and as long as you’re stealthy and clean, Vanilla says you can often park overnight at the gym.
She mentions that while she did not use the membership to work out, she encouraged it to help maintain her sanity.
Arguably most important is being able to scout for parking spots before even going to your destination.
Alyssa says it’s also important to never get too comfortable parking at a certain place for more than a day, as it can make your car appear suspicious.
Lastly, Alyssa mentions that keeping your important devices charged, like your phone or your laptop, makes everything so much easier.
And she does so with a portable power bank that she can charge with her car, or another particular model she uses can be charged with add-on solar panels.
It took a while for her to adjust to the lack of space and amenities, but by following these five tips, she was able to stay sane and acclimate much quicker….CONTINUE READING