How to find spots/places to sleep during wintertime? | Squat the Planet

How to find spots/places to sleep during wintertime?

Joined
May 17, 2013
Messages
218
Reaction score
137
Location
North Western Ontario
It's the beginning of November, me and my fiance are currently homeless. We have been surviving usually sleeping outside in a tent on the outskirts of the city, but winter is here now. My family won't let me stay with them due to personal reasons. The shelter house isn't a option for me or him. I'm open to suggestions on warm places/spots/alternatives to sleeping outside when homeless in general/during winter time. Really considering sleeping in abandoned cars, trucks, with warm layers of clothing, covering myself with wool blankets and sleeping bags and renting out a cheap hotel room every few days when its freaking freezing myself. I make about $20 every day, the cheapest for a hotel room is around $60-70 bucks. I'm open to all suggestions, doesnt matter how "crazy" or "weird" they are for "PLACES TO SLEEP DURING WINTER WHEN HOMELESS". Thanks so much :)
 
A

AlwaysLost

Guest
If you got a good spot why not just build a shelter? Buy some foamboard and line it with mylar.. with 20$ a day you should be able to cook up something and youd retain your privacy @Hillbilly Castro had a pretty good idea in the winter shelter thread.
 

Coywolf

Make America Freight Again
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Dec 12, 2014
Messages
2,528
Reaction score
4,993
Location
Mormon Country
Website
www.youtube.com
Have you considered leaving and going sonewhere south for winter, or is something keeping you where you currently are. And btw, where are you at?
 

Coywolf

Make America Freight Again
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Dec 12, 2014
Messages
2,528
Reaction score
4,993
Location
Mormon Country
Website
www.youtube.com

Hillbilly Castro

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2011
Messages
514
Reaction score
1,155
Location
Westernville, NY
If you're in Canada but aren't stuck in place consider heading out to Vancouver. They've got the mildest winters in Canada. You may even get away without any snow!

Would almost wonder whether Vancouver would kinda be like Miami / Key West is here in the US.. blown up with homeless folks because of the warmth
 
  • Like
Reactions: OutsideYourWorld

Will Wood

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
167
Reaction score
115
Location
Portland
Be on the lookout for a good down sleeping bag. Use a tarp to keep the snow off of your tent. If you need a visa to go to the US then start an application. If you can get to the US on only a passport, then go south. And if they catch you, just consider it a free ride home. There may be local churches that will let you in if the weather gets really bad. Or perhaps you can get a job on a fishing boat, and call that home for the winter.. Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: angerisagift

OutsideYourWorld

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 13, 2014
Messages
276
Reaction score
370
Location
Vancouver, Canada
Website
outsideyourworld.wordpress.com
Would almost wonder whether Vancouver would kinda be like Miami / Key West is here in the US.. blown up with homeless folks because of the warmth

Yup, it is. Pretty sure Vancouver has the most in all of Canada. Rumour has it that other cities give free bus tickets to homeless to come out here.

Mild winters for sure, in comparison.... But humid. Not a dry cold.
 
  • Useful
Reactions: Hillbilly Castro

ScumRag

me, hellarity, oak, ca. about 2006
Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Messages
292
Reaction score
278
Location
San Diego, CA
hey guys. i've been there - on the streets & in the woods in the thick of winter, like in a city that was partly wooded and partly citified... all i got to say about it is, CARDBOARD goes a LONG way. Seriously. You might see a lot of the old timers use it and laugh, but no... there's a science to it; as an insulator and also a great sleeping pad plus it keeps critters at bay. depending on where you are- city or forest, find an overpass or a place to get partial shelter and go from there. but for realz... cardboard is your friend. good luck... been there, and it sucks but keep the faith. you'll be okay.
 

Desperado Deluxe

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 20, 2010
Messages
1,287
Reaction score
1,437
Location
Karenfornia
tarp is a really good way to keep in heat. Stop by a gas/convenience store to fill a big bottle with hot water for tea/soup/whatever before bed. if you have the means a stove is nice. hand warmers..
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScumRag

Rich

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2017
Messages
14
Reaction score
8
Location
Bethlehem PA
You need a saw, spray foam, a tarp, cardboard, and zip ties. Build an A frame with saplings securing the joints with zip ties. Use the spray foam as an adhesive to attach the cardboard to the A frame making an insulated shelter. Remember to leave a door. Hang and secure the tarp over your shelter. A small space heater would be a helpfull luxury if you want but at this point the weather should be off of you and you should be well insulated. Remember layers make insulation so keep tacking on cardboard and insulate yourself from the ground.
 

About us

  • Squat the Planet is the world's largest social network for misfit travelers. Join our community of do-it-yourself nomads and learn how to explore the world by any means necessary.

    More Info

Help us pay the bills!

Total amount
$10.00
Goal
$100.00

Latest Library Uploads