wanderlovejosh
Well-known member
So, we have only been on the road for a couple months, but I think we have leaned a bit of info that can be passed along to others.
We have a pretty basic routine for finding places to park. If we are just traveling to a destination, then rest stops are the first go to, if none are around we search for hotels.. Pretty simple, if you slip in the parking lots after dark they don't really know if you're saying there or a guest, just be smart, don't take advantage and take forever, sleep and move on.
We don't really do wal marts, like some have mentioned they are kinda doing a reverse on overnight parking, too many people have taken advantage and it's ruined things, so we generally don't bother.
Some good staples are lowes and Home Depot, they both have wi do you can get from the parking lot, but the trick is stealth. Don't get super close to the building, be smart, if you stick out and look suspicious then there's a chance someone will notice you.
Also if the wi fi is what you're after, you'll find that it's weird in spots, we have been to some where you can be far away and get the wi fi, and some where you have to be close. Best advice, is to use the wi fi for what you need, then perhaps move to a more inconspicuous spot.
The other big thing is rotation, we rotate where we park if we are staying in an area for a period of time working. So one night may be a Home Depot, the next night lowes, then perhaps a grocery store, then we will go back to Home Depot, but not in the same exact spot we parked before. Yes someone make recognize your vehicle but as long as you aren't close to the building or doing anything that makes you're van look like anything than a parked van, you should be ok. Because a lot of places of work, not everyone knows everyone, so for all they know it could be a new employee.
Also we don't hang out in day time at the place we are gonna sleep at night.. If we do for whatever reason just decide to relax in the van, we might do so in a store parking lot for just a couple hours, not bringing attention to ourselves, the key is to not draw attention to yourself. Yeah we are living a life better than most, but society doesn't see it that way, and they think people in vans are just out to rob their grand mother.
Anyways.. I hope something in all these words have helped.. My laptop broke and I've been typing this all on my phone so it's been a pain in the ass. And I'm out of beer.
We have a pretty basic routine for finding places to park. If we are just traveling to a destination, then rest stops are the first go to, if none are around we search for hotels.. Pretty simple, if you slip in the parking lots after dark they don't really know if you're saying there or a guest, just be smart, don't take advantage and take forever, sleep and move on.
We don't really do wal marts, like some have mentioned they are kinda doing a reverse on overnight parking, too many people have taken advantage and it's ruined things, so we generally don't bother.
Some good staples are lowes and Home Depot, they both have wi do you can get from the parking lot, but the trick is stealth. Don't get super close to the building, be smart, if you stick out and look suspicious then there's a chance someone will notice you.
Also if the wi fi is what you're after, you'll find that it's weird in spots, we have been to some where you can be far away and get the wi fi, and some where you have to be close. Best advice, is to use the wi fi for what you need, then perhaps move to a more inconspicuous spot.
The other big thing is rotation, we rotate where we park if we are staying in an area for a period of time working. So one night may be a Home Depot, the next night lowes, then perhaps a grocery store, then we will go back to Home Depot, but not in the same exact spot we parked before. Yes someone make recognize your vehicle but as long as you aren't close to the building or doing anything that makes you're van look like anything than a parked van, you should be ok. Because a lot of places of work, not everyone knows everyone, so for all they know it could be a new employee.
Also we don't hang out in day time at the place we are gonna sleep at night.. If we do for whatever reason just decide to relax in the van, we might do so in a store parking lot for just a couple hours, not bringing attention to ourselves, the key is to not draw attention to yourself. Yeah we are living a life better than most, but society doesn't see it that way, and they think people in vans are just out to rob their grand mother.
Anyways.. I hope something in all these words have helped.. My laptop broke and I've been typing this all on my phone so it's been a pain in the ass. And I'm out of beer.
