r/urbancarliving 11h ago

Summer Heat Just about done with the windows...

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114 Upvotes

Here are some pictures of the two sides blackout and silver reflectix. These made a HUGE difference. Literal life saver! It pretty hot out right now at 1:40 here and I'm parked in the shade not running with these in and a door open and the hatch open for air, and it's honestly not bad in here now. And, no more people looking in too!

Thank you very much for this idea everyone!


r/urbancarliving 11h ago

 Advice They are trying to ban being homeless

117 Upvotes

Many counties are tyring to pass laws making being homeless or sleeping in your car a form of a crime.

where you live are you having any issues regarding this?

is this an ongoing thing where you live?


r/urbancarliving 3h ago

Summer Heat How do you deal with bug bites?

14 Upvotes

I'm in southern Mississippi and I have to sleep with all the windows open, i wake up with terrible itching bites all over my body, but its super hot so I have no choice. I don't want to run the ac cause it uses gas and I'd have to run it all night since it never cools down enough to close the windows.


r/urbancarliving 7h ago

Relocating In a year, I’ve decided I want to move to WA or OR

8 Upvotes

I’d love to hear anybody’s experience from moving out of their home state, what to expect, and tips or things someone might forget to think about, costs for registration and new plates, etc.

For some context, I’m in my early 30s, single, no kids. I grew up in northern CA for the entirety of my life. I love the cloudy, dark, rainy weather. I know the snow is something I’d have to get adjusted to especially driving in it.

My first choice is Washington state, second Oregon. My biggest question is WHERE? What are some affordable cities (I know everywhere is getting expensive) considering someone like me move to. Preferably no college towns but I’m open minded. I still plan on car living so an exact destination doesn’t have to be a thing, but general areas. I know I’ll still have to do some research on my own.

I like to go to the movies, farmers markets, music events, love to eat good food. I’d like to get into hiking or something outdoors. I am more introverted and reserved but that’s something I’m hoping I can work on.

For work I’ve experienced retail, grocery, hospitality. I’d like to break into working in hotels or even the airports.

How much should I realistically save until I can find a job?

I’m open to every and any ideas or input you may have. I don’t have family or a lot of friends to talk to about this. So I appreciate this group.


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Summer Heat First night

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245 Upvotes

First night sleeping in my car. Starting in my parents drive way and than tmrw going to Bloomington Indiana who knows what this journey will bring. It helps that my Honda element has a sunroof I can crack open while I sleep. But because I have a Honda element as you can see I have to get creative with the privacy shades.

Why am I doing this? I want to not live with my parents at the age of 24, I’m in bad medical debt and can’t get an apartment cuz I have bad credit. Oh well I love travel!! My goal is to get the the upper peninsula of Michigan maybe New Mexico too.

I sustain myself with DoorDash and my astrology business.


r/urbancarliving 18h ago

Advice Living in a minivan with lower back pain makes me wish I had a gun to blow my brains out.

33 Upvotes

Title.


r/urbancarliving 21h ago

Story I Envy You Guys

30 Upvotes

Good morning everyone, I'm a long time lurker of this sub. It's strange what some people, like myself,can be jealous of. What am I going to do with the second half of my life? I tell you what I'm not going to do is continue being unfulfilled and living how society expects one to live.

I'm a 48 yr old female, have a good career (sometimes I do gig work), both my children are in college, I reside in a nice area (Gwinnett County, Ga), etc. My entire life I've always focused on others. The thing that I envy about you all is your freedom.

Yes, I take vacations but I want to be free!! I know that car dwelling isn't all glitz and glam but I'm literally craving the lifestyle. In the next 2 yrs I want to be on the road, visiting new places, see new things, eat new cuisine, wake up by the ocean, hike and relax.

I'm currently in the process of looking for a van to purchase. I think I can have a good setup if I have 2 years to work on it. I'm finally ready to take the leap.See you all out in the wild. Have a great day


r/urbancarliving 7h ago

Power PPB charger connected

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1 Upvotes

I finally got around to hooking up the charger and everything is working perfectly. I still have to figure out where to permanently mount the charger. Simple set up, just connect the positive and the negative to the battery and waalllaahh. Now I can charge while driving. Just need to figure out my layout.


r/urbancarliving 9h ago

 Advice Window covers

3 Upvotes

Hey again everyone. I'm moving into my car in two weeks hopefully and I've been dealing with a dilemma about window covers. Everyone seems to be using them for privacy and to be more incognito but I've noticed since they are all silver it's fairly obvious what's going on and I'm just nervous that someone will mess around with my car overnight because of this. Would anyone know where I can find these window cover or even better if they know how to buy or make black ones


r/urbancarliving 7h ago

Parking Any sweet nighttime parking spots in ocean springs Mississippi?

2 Upvotes

Hello. I'm new to this.

im looking for some safe places to park in ocean springs.


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Car Photos Thank you to everyone that is helping!

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95 Upvotes

I can't thank yall enough.. the help with information and nice words has definitely given me some hope.

I made a lot of progress today, got my windows almost done with the reflectixs or whatever is call from Lowes and some black cloth and spray adhesive like the person suggested on a post I saw here! Man, that works great!

Im almost done. I just got to do 4 more to have two layers but I got the first ones done today and will finish the rest in the morning. I have settled on the battery bank (bluetti AC180) as the newest one is just a bit out of reach right now considering I have to get a panel and charging stuff and a new refrigerator too all in one day.

I hope it all goes well. Im planning on. The bluetti AC180, the 21qt bougeRV refrigerator and the BougeRV 200w panel that was suggested. And i am DEFINITELY getting some fans! Haha 94° today... and humidity was crazy here too! Here are some pictures of my progress today.

Forgive my cheap pattern material. It was stuff from my robotics and mechatronics apprentice class and ladder logic... i did NOT expect to be using that for THIS! Haha

Funny how things work huh? I hope everyone had a great day today and thank you very much again!


r/urbancarliving 6h ago

 Advice Mould

1 Upvotes

Hey again everyone. I'm moving into my car soon hopefully but I'm extremely nervous about mold. I have wind deflectors and fans for ventilation but how do ye fully prevent mold. I'm planning on staying in the car for about 2 years if all goes well. I'm in Ireland and it's very wet here so any advice is more than welcome.


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Accomplishment Tomorrow is the 1st and I'm not tripping

36 Upvotes

Gonna treat myself to 10 wings and large drink.. I'm balling like a bit*.

Probably my last month not having to pay rent. I'm going to enjoy it one last time.


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

 Advice Simple stealth hack

14 Upvotes

This is a simple thing that most people may or may not know.
One of the things a lot of cars have is fog lights or running lights.on some models the lights never turn off or doesn’t have a switch .
Well actually if you activate or pull your e brake , most cars will in fact shut off all exterior lights.
Not sure if this is helpful but maybe it is !


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

 Advice Type of vehicle

6 Upvotes

Hi I briefly lived in a van for a summer, and I currently sleep/ camp when I travel in my Kia soul. I currently stay with family, but I’m so behind on starting my life and can’t afford rent and frankly don’t know where I want to be in the world so don’t really want to. I think my kia is getting to the end of the road, and the repairs are starting to cost more than the vehicle. I want to get something spacious, but I need something easily and preferably somewhat cheap to fix. I’ve started googling stuff, but I’m getting lots of conflicting opinions which I’m sure may happen here too. I just wanted to know if there’s a reliable vehicle you guys would recommend. I have also thought about getting the early ford transit van, but I’m worried I might stick out and won’t be able to blend in as easy. If anyone thinks differently, I’d also love your opinion on that. Thanks for any help in advance!


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Question? Looking for advice for sleeping in my sedan

6 Upvotes

Hi r/urbancarliving, first time doing this

I will soon need to sleep in my car (a ford fusion 2016) for only one night. I figured that I would be better off sleeping with my head in my trunk while the backseats are lowered because I would have more leg space. The only thing bothering me is that I'm scared that I would suffocate from a lack of oxygen or some kind of fumes from the exhaust or whatever. Would I be good if I leave a crack in the window or will I die?

Advices are welcome and thank you!


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Car Photos After a year of living in a travel trailer I’m back to the car living lifestyle

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322 Upvotes

Built my truck bed into a insulated air conditioned space for me and my dog


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Announcement Sex, dating, and car living.

374 Upvotes

I removed the recent post about sex, dating, and finding partners while living in vehicles because the discussion quickly devolved into women being called “bitches,” being referred to as “pussy,” and people being talked about as disposable.

Talking about dating, sex, relationships, and finding partners while vehicle-living is completely fine. What is not fine is turning those discussions into degrading or excessively vulgar threads that other members have to wade through.

We can talk about adult topics like adults. I’m also not going to sit and sort through hundreds of comments once a thread has descended into harassment, objectification, and crude nonsense.

Keep it respectful, keep it relevant, and remember that people of all genders use this community.

Thank you.


r/urbancarliving 13h ago

Question? Is rent more affordable now

0 Upvotes

Someone people wa saying that rent is now more affordable

Do you believe is this or is there any proof to back this up?


r/urbancarliving 1d ago

Sleeping Looking for parking spots in orange country

1 Upvotes

First time being homeless living in my car I need spots that I can stay at overnight or sleep at


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Car Photos Tonight is the last night

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181 Upvotes

In July I left a DV situation and had to sleep in my car. It's a tiny Hyundai i10 and I've been lying in the back seat. This sub has been really helpful with me adjusting.

I've been able to afford hotels for the odd night and from today (it's after midnight!!) I've got four nights in a camping pod (4 nights for £83). From Friday I've got a static caravan sorted for 7 nights (£191) and I can't wait to have a kitchen and be able to prepare my own food.

The hardest things for me were having no place to go and access to toilets. I've also had to deal with both legs aching from spending so much time just sat down. I genuinely don't know how some of you are managing to do this long term, but I wish you luck, wealth and hope.

The photo is tonight's view. I'm going to rest in the front seat for a few hours and then go for a walk once the sun comes up and find some coffee.


r/urbancarliving 23h ago

Pets Moving into my car and debating keeping my dog with me

0 Upvotes

EDIT: people mentioned dog daycares for my 24 hour shifts! Idk why I forgot this was a thing! This is what I will be doing while I’m working and I will keep my dog with me!

TLDR; I work 48 hours a week, 2 12 hour shifts and a 24 hour shift, would it be crazy to keep my dog in my car if he got bathroom breaks?

I will be moving into my car at the end of September to get ahead of my debt and oddly enough I genuinely think it will be better for my mental health for the time being, I have a Tesla model 3 with a good sleeping situation and my work is open 24/7 with free charging and showers and bathrooms.

I don’t want to keep my dog in my car for space sake and his quality of life sake, I work 12-24 hour shifts, on my 24s atleast my dog could be let out for bathroom breaks over the course of my shift. My 12s would run partially over the time where he would be normally be asleep. and I’d have one 24 a week and two 12s. I have a friend willing to take him into his home but it’s in the next state over. My dog is ten and I’m dreading being apart from him. I’m hoping to find a local option before times up but so far I’m not seeing much. I’m trying to reason that while I’m not on shift he would always get to be outside now and spend his time doing a lot more than with us in the apartment. Does this sound reasonable? Am I being crazy and grasping at straws?


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Car Photos Crew cab sleeper

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96 Upvotes

I work out of state for 2 months at a time. I sleep in my truck to save on money. It's a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. I've seen plenty of people setup sleepers in the bed under a camper shell, but haven't seen many people sleeping in the cab. I took the passenger seat out and built a platform that stretches the entire length of the passenger side. I'm 6'0" and I sleep comfortably with my feet in the passenger foot well. I sleep on a klymit static v wrapped in a blanket and cover up with a sleeping bag. I made custom window shades from reflectix and black fabric (they are on laying on top of my bed in the photo). I also made bug proof window vents for the back windows from some $3 gutter guards from Lowes that I cut in half and painted one side black. I have one of those vents for each of the rear window. I hang a fan at each vent with one blowing in and one blowing out. I slept in a Prius v before I got this truck. The Prius had more room so I'm still getting used to it. I may end up building a sleeper in the truck bed and get a camper shell. Does anyone else sleep in a truck cab?


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Winter Cold What's winter like

15 Upvotes

I'm in freezing cold Canada and I'm worried about when summer ends. I have a small SUV and no seats in the back. I also have a storage unit. And my setup is a tri-fold mattress, a pillow blankets and a couple bags full of stuff. That's it. How does anyone survive the cold winters if they don't have heaters or solar


r/urbancarliving 2d ago

Power I need some help please.

13 Upvotes

Im unfortunately now living in my car and need power.

Im not going to be using tons of power. But, small fridge constant use so I don't need ice everyday. Small fan, and small laptop use every now and then ( thinkpad) and phone.

Im concerned about heat in the car while working or away from the car. So what would you say my best option are agm and all that jazz inverter and charge controller or just get a bluetti and hope for the best. I will be charging solar.

Any fire concerns with Bluetti or powerbanks? Would it be safer just to go AGM?

What's everyone running in theirs?

Any info would be great.

Also no idea the region as this will most likely change a lot.

Thank you for reading and i hope everyone had a great day today. Edit.. autocorrect....