Living in a Van. Am I mad?

Alun

One of the major problems surely revolves around security. If you park somewhere highly visible, in order or maximize your (perceived) safety, you'll be easily spotted and probably asked, or ordered, to move on. On the other hand, if you park somewhere secluded, away from any "nosey parkers", it also provides the ideal cover for anybody intent on breaking in, or worse, attacking you.

Seriously, if it was that good an idea, everybody would be doing it ... it isn't, and they aren't.

endofrainbow

officially you will be *of no fixed abode* which could have serious implications further down the line.

BrianBoru00

endofrainbow wrote: »

officially you will be *of no fixed abode* which could have serious implications further down the line.

There's no official "of no fixed abode ". Status. She can just use her parents address

shaunr68

dont bother wrote: »

i second this.
not only is it illegal - you will be caught.

Illegal how exactly, what laws would you be breaking? Prior to moving to Ireland we spent several happy summer holidays tootling around the west coast in a motorhome without staying on a single campsite. Ireland is a great destination for wild camping in a motorhome, difficulty with disposal of domestic waste was the only problem we experienced, ended up recycling most things and taking a few small bags of rubbish home with us on the ferry!

EDIT: https://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/motorhome-chat/54293-touring-ireland.html

riclad

rents in dublin are expensive, Even with a large deposit its hard to get a flat or a house share .
Vans are mobile , you can park in a different space each day if you want ,
if you park close to a wall in a corner the windows on one side will be covered up ,
and the back window will be covered .
covered as in theres no space to open the window by an intruder.
i dont think the council cares if one van parks in a free parking space,
if its not on a double yellow line ,or blocking an exit or fire door.
my friend parks in a car park 3 nights a week.since 2011
outside a cluid building .in Dublin
cluid is a social housing housing charity.
He has never recieved any complaints from anyone .
its a public car park .
theres no clamping or tickets issued there to anyone.
How much will it cost to insure a van for a 20 year old student.
you have to pay insurance,petrol costs .
insurance for under 25,s is expensive .

Teyla Emmagan

Oh actually I do know of someone now who lived in a van. In the tiny car park opposite Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club. He was a member of the club so used to spend the night in there and then tipsily cross the road to his van. He was German I believe. They called him "the mad German", because obviously he was an out and out loon.

deadlydreads

It's great to see so many positive replies, if all else fails you will still have something that you can sell or just use for camping trips!
I would be a bit wary of parking in random spots, but that's something I'm sure you'll figure out. I'd definitely like to see a blog of your progress.
Best of luck with it all

Ashbx

shaunr68 wrote: »

Illegal how exactly, what laws would you be breaking? Prior to moving to Ireland we spent several happy summer holidays tootling around the west coast in a motorhome without staying on a single campsite. Ireland is a great destination for wild camping in a motorhome, difficulty with disposal of domestic waste was the only problem we experienced, ended up recycling most things and taking a few small bags of rubbish home with us on the ferry!

EDIT: https://www.wildcamping.co.uk/forums/motorhome-chat/54293-touring-ireland.html

Difference is is that's the west of Ireland....not Dublin City where the OP wants to set up camp.

Mickiemcfist

Ashbx wrote: »

Difference is is that's the west of Ireland....not Dublin City where the OP wants to set up camp.

What law exactly would she be breaking?

fxotoole

fxotoole wrote: »

By the way OP, have you thought about what address will you give to any companies you wish to purchase from or do business with, or any public services you may wish to interact with? Would you rent out a PO box for your post, etc? These are all things to think about.

Not sure why people see this as an issue he can just use his parents address. I haven't lived at home full time for about 8 years but it's still the address I use for all my mail, the address when opening accounts or anything at all really I just say I live at my home address as it's just handier.

There are a lot of issues and difficulties with the ops plan, having a mail address isn't not one of them.

The one point I would make on it is being able to head home for 3 or 4 night every week could be the difference between this being doable and not. Sleeping at home fri, sat and Sunday night every week and only travelling to Dublin on Monday morning thus only spending mon, tue, wed and thurs in the van would make it all a lot more doable. Some courses may even have fridays off from class (I know I had for 2 years in undergrad) so the op could be at home 4 nights if that was the case and only in the van 3.

He could also do all laundry, most of the weeks cooking etc at home and bring it with him for the week.

Ashbx

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

What law exactly would she be breaking?

I never said she would be breaking any laws. The post I replied to said it was easy to park up anywhere in the west of Ireland. I was pointing out that you cant compare the two really. Parking at the side of the road in rural Ireland is a lot different to parking in Dublin city.

She wouldn't break any laws that I am aware of but she would upset some people if she tried to park in a housing estate etc.

riclad

Theres plenty of free parking spaces if you look around dublin.
The main issue i see is security .If you drive around dublin theres still alot of empty buildings and derelict buildings in the city centre .
its obvious they are empty as they are boarded up and unused by the owner.if i wanted to park in an estate i would speak to the local people
i ask them is it ok ,
but i see no reason to park in a housing estate .

fxotoole

Taylor Sparse Bicyclist wrote: »

Not sure why people see this as an issue he can just use his parents address. I haven't lived at home full time for about 8 years but it's still the address I use for all my mail, the address when opening accounts or anything at all really I just say I live at my home address as it's just handier.

There are a lot of issues and difficulties with the ops plan, having a mail address isn't not one of them.

The one point I would make on it is being able to head home for 3 or 4 night every week could be the difference between this being doable and not. Sleeping at home fri, sat and Sunday night every week and only travelling to Dublin on Monday morning thus only spending mon, tue, wed and thurs in the van would make it all a lot more doable. Some courses may even have fridays off from class (I know I had for 2 years in undergrad) so the op could be at home 4 nights if that was the case and only in the van 3.

He could also do all laundry, most of the weeks cooking etc at home and bring it with him for the week.

Using your parents house as a glorified PO box and laundry service might not go down too well with her parents.

Besides if you're gonna go down that road, why not just live with your parents?

fxotoole

fxotoole wrote: »

Besides if you're gonna go down that road, why not just live with your parents?

Her parents house could be 3 hours drive from the college.

I do however agree that if it is commutable from her parents to college then that's bar far the best option.

El Tarangu

Taylor Sparse Bicyclist wrote: »

Her parents house could be 3 hours drive from the college.

I do however agree that if it is commutable from her parents to college then that's bar far the best option.

Almost sounds like she would be better off renting a room in a flatshare and showering an doing her washing whenever she felt like it...

El Tarangu

El Tarangu wrote: »

Almost sounds like she would be better off renting a room in a flatshare and showering an doing her washing whenever she felt like it...

Very good ........... throw in a few subway lunches and some snack boxes and SORTED.

Shadylou

Op I think it's an amazing idea if planned for properly....... it's definitely something myself and my partner have considered. He has a small plot of land, too small to build a house on so we are seriously thinking of getting a van and renovating it for us and the family (2 kids and 1 on the way)
We need a van as opposed to a mobile home because we need to be able to move it every 28 days to get around planning issues

listermint

Shadylou wrote: »

Op I think it's an amazing idea if planned for properly....... it's definitely something myself and my partner have considered. He has a small plot of land, too small to build a house on so we are seriously thinking of getting a van and renovating it for us and the family (2 kids and 1 on the way)
We need a van as opposed to a mobile home because we need to be able to move it every 28 days to get around planning issues

Can tell if serious...


You cannot fit five people in a van. That is ludicrous

Pelvis

Shadylou wrote: »

Op I think it's an amazing idea if planned for properly....... it's definitely something myself and my partner have considered. He has a small plot of land, too small to build a house on so we are seriously thinking of getting a van and renovating it for us and the family (2 kids and 1 on the way)
We need a van as opposed to a mobile home because we need to be able to move it every 28 days to get around planning issues

A van, for two adults and three kids?

I'm going to be frank, you're kids should be taken away from you if you actually go ahead with that “plan".

Shadylou

listermint wrote: »

Can tell if serious...


You cannot fit five people in a van. That is ludicrous

How do you know?.....we have researched it very carefully, my partner us a carpenter and can do s lot of the renovations.
We are looking a vans that we can fit 2 bedrooms, a kitchen/diner and sitting room
It can be done

DoozerT6

Shadylou wrote: »

How do you know?.....we have researched it very carefully, my partner us a carpenter and can do s lot of the renovations.
We are looking a vans that we can fit 2 bedrooms, a kitchen/diner and sitting room
It can be done

That's called a CARAvan!

Shadylou

Pelvis wrote: »

A van, for two adults and three kids?

I'm going to be frank, you're kids should be taken away from you if you actually go ahead with that “plan".

Judgemental much?...... you have no idea of what we're planning and to suggest my kids should be taken out of a living home is disgusting

Pelvis

Shadylou wrote: »

Judgemental much?...... you have no idea of what we're planning and to suggest my kids should be taken out of a living home is disgusting

Yes, when you voluntarily move your 3 children into a VAN then I'm most certainly going to judge you. No amount of planning will make a van suitable for a family of 5 on a full time basis, it's absolutely bat **** insane.

listermint

Shadylou wrote: »

How do you know?.....we have researched it very carefully, my partner us a carpenter and can do s lot of the renovations.
We are looking a vans that we can fit 2 bedrooms, a kitchen/diner and sitting room
It can be done

No you can't. Unless you don't know what a van is and are misconstruing what is Meant by the term van five people cannot live in a van.

Shadylou

Pelvis wrote: »

Yes, when you voluntarily move your 3 children into a VAN then I'm most certainly going to judge you. No amount of planning will make a van suitable for a family of 5 on a full time basis, it's absolutely bat **** insane.

You know nothing, it's all about compromise and at the moment both myself and my partner are working all the hours we can just to barely keep our heads above water, we can give the children a much better quality of life while still having my partners parents house close if we need anything ie washing showers etc
You need to broaden your horizons and have a look at what can be achieved here

Shadylou

listermint wrote: »

No you can't. Unless you don't know what a van is and are misconstruing what is Meant by the term van five people cannot live in a van.

Yes we most certainly can,you know nothing

irelandrover

Shadylou wrote: »

Yes we most certainly can,you know nothing

How can 5 people live in the back of a van. Its 4m x 2m. Its basically 2 double beds.

listermint

Shadylou wrote: »

Yes we most certainly can,you know nothing

Im going to quote you directly.

This is a quote you wrote on a previous thread.

'Children need to feel secure at home and at school'


You cannot live out of a transit with your partner and three kids one of which is a newborn.

I think you need to wise up.

DoozerT6

Shadylou, I genuinely admire your optimism and determination to give it a go. But realistically, two adults, two small children and a newborn in a van, even a BIG van? I'd give it one wet, cold weekend in February when you are all cooped up there together for you to reconsider your choices. You say your parents are nearby? That's handy for emergencies, but if you decamp to their house for daily chores, I have a feeling you'll be spending more and more time there as time goes on, (especially in winter), and less in the van (your actual home) with your small children. Your parents may be delighted with this, or you may find yourself rapidly outstaying your welcome, especially as you have a 'home' to go to, but cannot fully live there if you have to go to their house for baths, laundry etc.

Sam Kade

Pelvis wrote: »

Yes, when you voluntarily move your 3 children into a VAN then I'm most certainly going to judge you. No amount of planning will make a van suitable for a family of 5 on a full time basis, it's absolutely bat **** insane.

You'd get a heart attack if you were around in the the 70's and see the conditions some people lived in also smoking in pubs big difference to someone smoking a meter away from you out doors.

Pelvis

Sam Kade wrote: »

You'd get a heart attack if you were around in the the 70's and see the conditions some people lived in also smoking in pubs big difference to someone smoking a meter away from you out doors.

It's called progress.

Sam Kade

Pelvis wrote: »

It's called progress.

And there was me thinking it was called snowflake.

SteM

Shadylou wrote: »

Op I think it's an amazing idea if planned for properly....... it's definitely something myself and my partner have considered. He has a small plot of land, too small to build a house on so we are seriously thinking of getting a van and renovating it for us and the family (2 kids and 1 on the way)
We need a van as opposed to a mobile home because we need to be able to move it every 28 days to get around planning issues

What you're proposing is very different to the OP.

Day Lewin

Did any of you ever read "Little house on the prairie"? Ever have an ancestor raise a family in a thatched cottage?
(without benefit of electricity, gas, or the internal combustion engine)
Ever see the size of a Tokyo flat? An Ethiopian hut? A gypsy caravan?

Of course it is possible and millions do it every day. Modern motorhomes have all sorts of gadgets and gizmos, not to mention the ability to travel round to places that have flush toilets, showers and swimming pools, launderettes and libraries.

I'm amazed again by the narrow complacency of the bourgeoisie. Adventure and initiative are what makes the world go round. Possessions are NOT what life is about. Maria the tealover and Lou the shady are courageous and imaginative and I say they should go for it.

Even if it doesn't work out, so what? Lots of useful experience and nobody dead, eh? Sell on the vehicle, start scanning DAFT, and join the dreary rat-race of owing your salary for the next thirty years.

DoozerT6

Day Lewin wrote: »

Did any of you ever read "Little house on the prairie"? Ever have an ancestor raise a family in a thatched cottage?
(without benefit of electricity, gas, or the internal combustion engine)
Ever see the size of a Tokyo flat? An Ethiopian hut? A gypsy caravan?

None of those examples are relevant to either the OP's or Shadylou's situation though.

Pelvis

Day Lewin wrote: »

Did any of you ever read "Little house on the prairie"? Ever have an ancestor raise a family in a thatched cottage?
(without benefit of electricity, gas, or the internal combustion engine)
Ever see the size of a Tokyo flat? An Ethiopian hut? A gypsy caravan?

Of course it is possible and millions do it every day. Modern motorhomes have all sorts of gadgets and gizmos, not to mention the ability to travel round to places that have flush toilets, showers and swimming pools, launderettes and libraries.

I'm amazed again by the narrow complacency of the bourgeoisie. Adventure and initiative are what makes the world go round. Possessions are NOT what life is about. Maria the tealover and Lou the shady are courageous and imaginative and I say they should go for it.

Even if it doesn't work out, so what? Lots of useful experience and nobody dead, eh? Sell on the vehicle, start scanning DAFT, and join the dreary rat-race of owing your salary for the next thirty years.

Little House on the Praire??? You do realise that's based in the 19th Century? Any idea what the mortality rate was back then? How about you have another look at the size of their house.

Ethiopia? You do realise that's a third world country?

I'm sure Tokyo flats have plumbing and insulation at the very least.

None of these examples really help your argument.

We're also not talking about a modern motor home, we're talking about a converted van. Millions do not do it every day.

meeeeh

Day Lewin wrote: »

Did any of you ever read "Little house on the prairie"? Ever have an ancestor raise a family in a thatched cottage?
(without benefit of electricity, gas, or the internal combustion engine)
Ever see the size of a Tokyo flat? An Ethiopian hut? A gypsy caravan?

Of course it is possible and millions do it every day. Modern motorhomes have all sorts of gadgets and gizmos, not to mention the ability to travel round to places that have flush toilets, showers and swimming pools, launderettes and libraries.

I'm amazed again by the narrow complacency of the bourgeoisie. Adventure and initiative are what makes the world go round. Possessions are NOT what life is about. Maria the tealover and Lou the shady are courageous and imaginative and I say they should go for it.

Even if it doesn't work out, so what? Lots of useful experience and nobody dead, eh? Sell on the vehicle, start scanning DAFT, and join the dreary rat-race of owing your salary for the next thirty years.

How you can be sure nobody will be dead. My main objection to living out of a some self converted van would be safety, especially fire safety. Once you squeeze too many things and people into small places there is way bigger chance something will happen.

shaunr68

irelandrover wrote: »

How can 5 people live in the back of a van. Its 4m x 2m. Its basically 2 double beds.

Vans come in different sizes you know.

The longest panel van I'm aware of (Iveco Daily XXLWB) has a 5m load space and that's before you consider Luton box vans and such, furniture removal vans which can make very nice motorhome conversions due to their dimensions.



My preference is for a large wheelchair accessible minibus, I've my eye on one of these if I ever do a self-build motorhome conversion again.

Nermal

Day Lewin wrote: »

Did any of you ever read "Little house on the prairie"? Ever have an ancestor raise a family in a thatched cottage?
(without benefit of electricity, gas, or the internal combustion engine)
Ever see the size of a Tokyo flat? An Ethiopian hut? A gypsy caravan?

It's weird how after decades of progress, not only are we accepting of declining living standards, we're actually cheering it on and pretending it's liberating or cool. It's the beginnings of a mass delusion.

Shadylou

We have spent the summer travelling France in a converted 4 berth van and found it just fine, we encountered some bumps along the the way but sorted them out fairly quickly ( much as you would do with a house ie plumbing, heating etc)
Were looking at the iveco model and weve added up the square footage and made plans that should work for us as we only need to have a compost toilet because we will have use of showers, I will not need to work as at the moment all my wages are going on rent and childcare and I work such long hours i do tend to rely on convenience food a few days per week so we can make savings with me being at home every day.

listermint

shaunr68 wrote: »

Vans come in different sizes you know.

The longest panel van I'm aware of (Iveco Daily XXLWB) has a 5m load space and that's before you consider Luton box vans and such, furniture removal vans which can make very nice motorhome conversions due to their dimensions.



My preference is for a large wheelchair accessible minibus, I've my eye on one of these if I ever do a self-build motorhome conversion again.

Don't care what you say. That's a truck in my book.

J Mysterio

Shadylou wrote: »

you know nothing

Cyrus

This thread is mad ..

Vans are for delivering goods people

liam7831

Just tell yourself it's a van shaped house and you will be fine

shaunr68

listermint wrote: »

Don't care what you say. That's a truck in my book.

Isn't truck an American term? Fair enough we're getting into semantics here, but I'd say that top one is a large van and not big enough to qualify as a lorry - a lorry is something much bigger with a GVW of over 7.5 tonnes which requires an HGV licence to drive. A very large box van based on a panel van chassis doesn't fit into that category.

We do tend to refer to furniture removal vans, not furniture removal trucks or lorries - at least I've never heard the term used that way.

Anyway, nit picking perhaps but I'd say it is a van, albeit a big un!

Meanwhile I've found this very nice 6 berth motorhome based on a Luton, which shows what can be achieved. More bells and whistles than my house! Just a matter of finding 60 grand down the back of the sofa

https://www.gumtree.com/p/campervans-motorhomes/2010-renault-exploris-955r-6-berth-professional-lorry-conversion/1182203488

Paulw

Mod Note: I think the OP has been given more than enough advice here. Thread closed.