This has been a topic that I touch on every now and again, and it's one that I have not really been able to get the information that I am looking for on. You see, most the blogs out there are about American Vandwellers, and not only that, but usually retired snowbirds. No matter where they are, they move on down to warmer climates when the mercury starts to dip.
As much as I love these blogs, and the information I read on them, they do not quite apply to someone like me. Someone who is a young professional, with a fantastic, well paying job that he doesn't really want to leave. At least not for a while. That's who this blog is for. The guy or gal who chooses to live in an unconventional dwelling like a van, when they can afford to live in a stick built with ease.
I am locked into my location here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada year round. The summers are hot, the winters are cold. Recently, a forum post that I started and never got a response on (for good reason, no full timing Canadians on the board in a climate like mine), recently got a response from a new member who happens to live in Ontario (Their winters may be "milder", but are brutally cold because of the humidity there, I'm blessed with dry cold). Wealth of information so far from this gentleman. It appears that he's done it. He has lived in a vehicle in the Canadian Winter, and was fine. This brings me hope!
I still need to update the insulation, but finances have been less than ideal trying to get debt down while living in this awful stickbuilt. All in All, I'm paying close to $1000 a month to live in my place, including utilities, but not food. Then, I have food, internet, car/home insurance, life insurance, savings, etc eating up most the rest. I miss living in the van, and rent WAS my car insurance (and gas).
Looks like there could be hope for me yet!
Wish I had something to offer, but am still looking forward to learning how you cope in the winters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve. I'll be sure to blog about it when they start to show up come December! Although the fall comes about August/September, December through February are the coldest months. Especially end of January into February.
ReplyDeleteCurrently vandwelling in Michigan, weary about the coming winter. 2000 Caravand it in Maine until mid December couple years ago. Brutal. 89 Econoline Class B now though, fiberglass insulation. Stays fair inside there down to about 42 degrees F. Wont help me from December till March, though. An infrared heat map of the van in winter would be excellent. As would a truckload of space heaters.
ReplyDeleteespar air heater. im getting one!
ReplyDeleteHi Arathi:
DeleteHubby and I are not van dwellers but have a Eurovan. Just a thought about Calgary- very cold in the van (but a dry cold thank goodness). What about the idea of offering to be "on-site secrity"..? Not sure if this is a fit, and perhaps one needs to be careful for sure, but there is a vacant doctors office that is for lease, and 2 truck and campers were staying there. They were able to plug in, and seemed ok there for 2 - 4 months. Perhaps they were just friends of the building owners, or snowbirds who had permission. But, they may have been on-site security, as well. All the best, and yes renting is soooo expensive. Be safe and all the best to you ! :)