Avoid NYC Rent and just pay for a parking spot with a Camper

This used to be called homeless, and now its just practical.

I am retired and living exclusively on social security. I converted a 12 x 6 enclosed cargo trailer in 2019 and bought a 2002 Chevy Avalanche to pull it a year later. I pay no rent or electricity. I scrounge water and dumping trash is fairly easy. Cooking, bathroom and showers I deal with in multiple ways. Last memorial day made it 5 years I permanently moved in the trailer. I use solar and generators. I do not live free. Gasoline is my biggest bill. It substitutes all the expenses of an apartment or a mortgage. However it is a fraction of the cost of living in bricks and sticks. This is the way of the future. Cities suck so it is the wilds and small towns for me. With approximately $1500 a month coming in I save $300 regularly. You do not need 75% of the junk and space you are impoverishing yourself for. No debt and freedom what is not to love?

Live in a van down by the river. That camper is actually pretty amazing. And not having to pay $3,200 a month for a studio is a win.

For roughly 15 years I lived in a '77 Dodge Sportsman van that I partially converted, like adding a small sink and fridge, a double burner coleman stove and a composting toilet for emergencies. I also added a folding table by the rear bench seat that folded down into about a double sized bed. I kept a coulpe of lawn chairs and a habachi along with a roll up awning on the entrance side so I could pull up anywhere like a park or beach to chill and cook. It was just the ticket for me, being single and only having to worry about myself and my doggo. I eventually installed some small cabinets and other integated storage spots for clothes, dry goods, tools, etc. I put a 1/2" pad and office carpet in and some old shag carpet on the walls and ceiling with some 10R foam insulation behind it for noise reduction and a bit of insulation from the Florida sun. I had 12V fans at first and a bit later found a small ŕooftop AC/heater unit and put it in which made things much more bearable. I also put a small genny on the back with a half lenth luggage rack as a base and an insulated box around it. But, yeah, I was basically a beach bum for all those years, but I did hold down a job with my uncle's comstruction firm. The only real bills I had were gasoline and food. It allowed me to save up enough money to move to Ohio and buy a small house and 20 acres in the middle of nowhere outright with enough left over for some gardening and shop equipment and a hefty down payment on a '95 F-150. It ended up working out very well for me.

I'm from NYC and I remember a man who lived on a rooftop somewhere for over 10 years rain or shine. I hung out with him, he did a campfire, was the coolest thing, he was like Batman lol No rent, noone bothered him. Noone cared lol God Bless him. 😅

"I LIVE IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!", Chris Farley was a visionary

Dude probably has 500k in the bank, for those of you laughing at him.

Need to make sure. Door has double locks. Safety is number one

Hey when NYC implodes, this guy could just literally drive his whole house away to safety.

I DO live in a van down by the river. Sometimes. Or by the ocean. Or mountain. Or lake. Or desert…

Proud of you! I lost my beloved son in July 2017. You have to do what's best for you!🙏

When rent prices are outrageous, tactics like this are absolutely the move. You do you man, very awesome video! Your home and wheels looks cozy and comfortable!

Live in a van down by the river. Great to see this. He found a perfect parking spot! Smart young man ! All the best to him

Peace of mind is actually priceless. So good job on creating you peace in the city that never sleeps.

free in many parts of Queens - some parts where you don't even have to move for street cleaning. Get to know the home owners in the area, too, and you'll have a neighborhood watch of some sorts. Maybe even some 'adopted' grandparents to have holidays with.

the fact you can rent a parking spot on the street with both water and power is the amazing part, I was wondering the whole time how he gets his utilities and he finally answered it at 7:48

Live in a van down by the river. What a smart, happy young man! Living his best life.

i live in a van down by the river... keep the inspiration coming. I'm almost convinced that how other ppl/family will view my future decision to do something like this & minimalize my lifestyle (for a plethora of reasons), will not affect me. Im almost convinced their opinions won't matter. Middle aged, thoroughly self sufficient & have always had a "do unto other's as you'd have them do unto u" mindset & I'm still giving energy & merit to what others might think about me...smh...I get on my own nerves. After having more than I've needed most of my life & understanding the upkeep of said "stuff" is a task in itself, I'm over it. I want peace & I think, this is the way. Thank u for sharing, love ur content...its greatly appreciated...I'm learning

I remember checking out an ad for a roommate in NYC. The guy was renting out a space in his boat that was moored off the west side highway. You had to run across the highway, walk through an area with an aggressive looking German shepherd, crawl over a barrier and jump three feet over the water onto the boat. It had a great view of downtown waterfront and was cheap with fresh air and occasional parties.

It is truly terrible that people in America work as much as we do and still have to adjust to living in a space the size of a jail cell in order to save money and enjoy small pleasures. I am happy that he is happy but this is unfortunate overall.