this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2023
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A Boring Dystopia
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It's normal to me, I've been living in a van for 3 years, I love everything about it, in fact I read your comment which reminded me this is a novel atypical lifestyle, which then reminds me that many people take exception to it, are uncomfortable that we exist, which is the only thing I don't like about this lifestyle, that mainstream society stigmatizes us.
But for those of us who get a thrill out of living tiny, and living anywhere/everywhere, and freedom from rent/mortgage, aaah this is FREEDOM
I'm glad you're happy. However, virtually no one else would be. I mean a statistical blip of humanity would be happy living in a van.
The reason I'm uncomfortable that you exist is that people I know who live out of their cars are mentally ill individuals who have convinced themselves that they enjoy something which is, very clearly, sad and terrible.
That may not be you, but I'd be willing to bet it's a majority of van-dwellers. It's just not a healthy lifestyle for most.
You're not wrong. ideally we van/RV people would love to have a house AND a travel option, but realistically money prevents most people from having everything they want,
so when it comes to choosing a lifestyle whether in a static location or freedom to travel, most people have to choose one or the other.
Life is difficult and full of challenges no matter what you do, so you might as well go all in on the one thing you'd prefer most, and just deal with all the pros & cons just like everything else in life.
And hey there are tons of sad confused mentally ill people who live in houses too. maybe the ones living in cars would have felt the same way living in a house, but they're saving hella money by not having to pay rent or mortgage. And money saved up over time, you know what that becomes? Money can indeed buy happiness.
I would totally live in a van except for the lack of wired internet. :(
Why is wired internet necessary?
I have unlimited data, and a hotspot that up to fifteen devices can connect to, including my laptop.
And solar panels charge all my electronics.
How reliable is the mobile service, and how much are you paying for it? I've found Tmo shoddy at best for anything more than my phone...
I have a full strong 5G signal right now but a few minutes ago I was parked in a canyon in a shadow and only had one bar 4G so I had to move up here to the top of a hill where my signal is stronger. In cities I usually get a great signal. Out in the middle of nowhere It depends on how near I am to a cell tower. I rarely have no signal at all and if that happens I just move somewhere else.
When I was younger and dumber a few years ago I got locked into a Verizon contract that is extortionate so I am paying more than I need to be paying. $124 a month. July 2024 I will be free of this contract then I'm going to find a more economical plan like T-Mobile or Mint or something.
But ultimately my goal is Starlink, which has an upfront cost of a few thousand dollars and then every month probably the same as I'm paying right now. The benefit of starlink in this nomadic lifestyle is wherever you go, even if you're in the middle of nowhere, as long as you have open sky above you, you get a strong signal.
And a strong signal is invaluable because often Vans and schoolies and RVs have meetups out on BLM land in the middle of nowhere and there is no signal, and I go crazy without the internet because I just want to be on Reddit/Lemmy all the time.
And also of course in survival situations when you're out alone and get stuck in the snow in the middle of nowhere, you're going to want to have a strong signal.
Mostly just to download videogames, tbh.