My Story

I have a story just like everyone else... I have a job in fact I have in some opinions a great job...
I refuse to allow my income to be thrown away down the toilet... ..  I will be adding posts as time goes along

My Story

I am at the time of this post 37 a father of 6 and a husband of my wife of 10 years.. I am doing this because my job that I have to take is literally 560 miles North of where I live. The kids are established and the wife has a job so now you know the setup.

There are two type of vandwellers those that decide that they want to and those that have no choice.

Rather then up rooting the family I have decided to go up North by myself and come back home every weekend or every other weekend ( looks like the latter ).

With this job comes with one of the highest places to live in the United States (  San Francisco Bay Area )  I work as a safety engineer on a construction project. This project is slated to run two years...

After searching online to live remotely close to where I need to be is going to cost $1200 dollars and up a month... and thats just for the rent! Throw in food, Commuter Train fair, tolls, gas, electric, gas ( apartment ) and a number of other amenities and you are now in the 3000 dollars a month range...

NOT ACCEPTABLE!

The Plan 

After doing some research I plan on living stealth mode in or around about where I intend on living...
My vehicle of choice is a contractors van.. works great in city environments...

of course I am the type of person that wants to create and setup my own living arrangements 

so I will be installing water electrical and gas system, I even want to install a shower on board 

This will be a full on living quarters for me... 

The Why

The things that I am faced with I cannot afford to move my family nor do I want someone to be my Lord ( hence landlord) when it come down to it it's all for them... 

I would walk over broken glass for my family and will go through all the heartache in the world for them.

The Build 

I plan on building this parts at a time but I want to do it the right way that is for sure! I have seen plenty of other projects and the one thing that makes a good build is the time you put into it.. I actually want to work on my van while I am staying in it ( due to time constraints ).

I have never done this before so this is my first attempt... I believe I can therefore I am...

This is my personal preference you can go get a van conversion and or get a camper van but my situation dictates that this is the best way I feel I need to go.

I have been inspired by people that have build things like the one in the video below 

The Blog

I created this blog Urban Living as a resource and part documentary of my own experiences and in doing research to come up with great ideas and tips along the way... I appreciate feedback. Please leave your comments on the posts and leave me your questions... I have had some SUV dwelling experience and I was sleeping in my 2004 Ford Explorer when I worked as a security guard for a upscale assisted living community for nearly a year.

The job was 100 miles one way and being the salary was rather shitty I went ahead and decided to stay in my Ford Explorer and come home on the weekends. I saved a ton of money while supporting my 4 kids at the time...It worked out... 

My Goal 

There is a end to the means here I am a part time internet marketer and so I intend on building my side venture while I am working my full time job... Eventually I will be able to afford a lifestyle that most people envy. Even people like Getty, Rockfelller and Edison had humble beginnings. They struggled and so will I. I know its not a permanent solution I am looking forward to spending time at the beach ( only 20 minutes away ) and living the mobile lifestyle..