Newbie Just Starting Out, Lots of Questions

[giventofly]

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I have started thinking about living out of a travel trailer or similar. I was inspired by this website I found called cheaprvliving.com with guys who boondock on public land, after researching nomadic lifestyles in the US. I am thinking, is this right for me?

Here's a bit of a backstory. I'm finishing graduate studies next year, and the economy is not what it used to be. There's a lot of competition for jobs. I have read many stories of guys and couples going broke trying to pay the bills while living off savings in their apartments, searching for their first jobs in their careers. It can take a long time, even more than a year in some cases, to get an internship for experience and finally land a salaried position. In my case it will be as a high school teacher.

I've done camping and had some wild travel experiences while I was in college, so the whole "roughing it" is not an issue. I am content with just a pile of books and a laptop with internet to pass the time. Just need something to cook food, stay clean, and store extra food in a mini fridge. my plan on this is to get something under $10,000 to start and live off savings from student loans while camped out on public land, searching for jobs using satellite internet. I am not too familiar with terms but I guess this is called boondocking.

I have mentioned it to a few people and they think it's crazy. Then again they see nothing wrong with moving back in with their parents or accepting handouts. I'm done with that. The more I think about this though, the more I think it's a better idea than being saddled in a one year leased apartment or similar. Location (aside from climate considerations) is not an issue because I would go where the jobs are, the more it makes sense. I can't really predict where I'll land my first substitute teaching gig or real job, but I know for a fact that the income from that would not normally be enough to pay the bills.

I am an absolute newbie at this, and the budget as I said is $10,000 with minimal monthly income. It's different from retirement, this is a mobile base for someone not yet anchored down but looking to start. I realize there will be regular expenses from maintenance. All that being said, what would be the best type of rv for this?

[mike_t]

Put your big boy pants on. Give yourself some credit. Boondock living jeez. Go get a job. Work yourself up the ladder and you will do just fine. No one said it would be easy but it will be worth it.NJOY

[dboliek1112]

I understand your problem and your solution appears to be a creative one. The voices of experience, however, are speaking wisdom. The 'public land' thing and free parking sounds good, but as others have pointed out, it creates very large logistical problems. Good Luck.

[HappyKayakers]

giventofly wrote:

....while camped out on public land, searching for jobs using satellite internet. I am not too familiar with terms but I guess this is called boondocking.

Satellite internet has its own set of expenses. You have to either buy or lease the equipment, then pay a monthly fee for service.

You might be able to make this work but it will take a lot more research on your part. 'RV' does not always equal inexpensive. Unless you're very handy, repairs will be a major expense.

Driving all over the country chasing job leads is not cheap when you're towing a brick on wheels behind you.

[Shearwater]

There are a number of practical issues that you will have to face while boondocking.

You need a source of drinkable water.

You need some acceptable method for disposing of human wastes.

You need a place to boondock - private landowners will not appreciate your being there and most public lands will limit camping in some fashion.

You need sources of energy (gas, electric, or propane) for most of the things you mentioned.
The fridge runs off of either electricity or propane, the water heater runs off of propane, a furnace runs off of propane, the stove runs off of propane, an AC unit, if needed, runs off of a lot of electricity. To get the amount of electricity you will use will probably require a gas powered generator. Both gas and propane are expensive and RV's are generally poorly insulated. Costs may be higher than you assume.

The options mentioned above, work camping or a long term contract at a cheap RV camp, may be better than boondocking. However, check prices for long term contracts vs. rent (including the cost of the RV) and, if work camping, find out if you can leave for job interviews.

There are cheaper alternatives. Living at home is clearly the most cost-effective. It is also possible to rent a room in someone's house, perhaps defraying expenses by doing some maintenance work.

[2oldman]

What's monthly income?

[Vet_Man]

Maybe a work camper job would be right for you. They are all over the country. There are people on here looking for help, that provide an income and a site. There is a news paper available with jobs for work camping, and I am sure there is a web site.

[I_am_still_wayn]

I am afraid your plan is not well thought out. First RVing is not cheap. A sizable truck will be needed to pull a trailer. You will have to have a source of potable water and a place to dump the waste water. Unless you plan on parking in a RV park and paying their daily/weekly/monthly site fees, you will have to pay to dump waste water and refill fresh water every 3 to 7 days as well as the fuel to tow the RV to dump and refill. Next, you will have to have a source of electricity to power the laptop. A generator or solar will be necessary, bot are costly. Then you will need propane for cooking, refrigeration, and heat. You will have no air conditioning in the summer. Where will you get internet access? Then living "nowhere" means no address so future employers may not think much of your living arrangements.

Your best bet would be an extended stay motel. Gives you an address, suitable living arrangements, internet access, and the ability to move as a job offer comes to fruition. The cost per month is usually quite affordable, too.

[PapPappy]

I think you are best with a TT, as long as you have a vehicle that can tow it?
There are people who live out of vans (Class B), but that is really kind of tight, and honestly, they are fairly expensive.

As a High School Teacher, you can find a nice place to camp that is near the county lines of a couple of Counties, and then put your name on their lists for Substitute Teachers, to open your opportunities to more schools, but also allowing you less driving, when you do get some work.

Living on public land is one way, but you will want to have some utilities, so you may find that a long term deal at a CG will suit you better, or at the very least, head in and spend a night or two a week, to get your batteries charged, dump the holding tanks, and get a good shower!

As a parent, I can appreciate you not wanting to put an extra burden on your folks, but also realize that if they don't mind, take advantage of it....it will allow you to build up the nest-egg, so that you can get a better RV set up....maybe $15K or so.
You can still get the $10K RV, but you may find that you are investing the extra money in upkeep.....you get what you pay for!!:)

Good luck:)