Frequently Asked Questions 

Please note I am happy to share my firsthand insights and experiences yet I do not share advice to strangers. If you wish to book me for paid consulting, please contact me.  

 Q: How do you….? 

When I am vanlifing

•I eat at restaurants  
•I shower at gym or couch surf 
•I access wifi and electricity for laptop at public libraries 
•I use public restrooms (preferably in nicer, cleaner stores) 
•I park outside of apartment buildings where I can blend in at in neighborhoods less likely to have crime problems. Otherwise I park overnight at retails stores or 24/7 gym parking lots if I observe other vans/semi trucks obviously already parking there seemingly to sleep. 

 Q: Is it legal to… Is it safe to… 
   
A: I don’t give legal, mechanical, or medical advice. I don’t give advice on matters of personal safety. I think it's a good idea to obey laws and follow parking signs instructions to avoid tickets and towing. 

When I seek answers about whether or not vanlife or camping is legal in areas I’m considering going to, I online search “ask a free legal question to lawyers.” I include “please cite your source” when posting questions on those types of sites. For health matters, there are similar “ask a free medical question to doctors” type websites. If I am in doubt about the legality of something (such as the legality of self-defense choices), I call police departments and ask questions in hypothetical ways. 

I think it’s a good idea for any roadside resident to research how to prevent accidental deaths caused by carbon monoxide, fumes, candles, and other heat sources. 

 Q: Can you share your experience with… 
   
A: To access my insights more directly, please add Roadside Resident to your entertainment budget and sign up for my Patreon or Locals community.  

 Q: How can I connect with other vanlifers? 
   
A: I’ve online searched “vanlife forums” and “vanlife apps.” I avoid forums that do not allow users to delete past posts. Redditt vanlife forums appear to allow website members to delete old posts. I feel this is important for safety. 

 Q: How do I find shelter when I really need it?   
   
A: Two vanlife hosting apps/websites I know of are Couchsurfing and Vanly. 

Couchsurfing hosts typically host for free yet the website has a monthly or annual fee. My experience with this service has mostly been positive.  Obviously it is harder to find hosts on holidays. In my experience, Couchsurfing hosts don't want pity stories or people seeking shelter as refuge from stress or hardship. Couchsurfing hosts tend to want to host people they might do an interesting activity with. Prior to arriving at the home of a host, I send them a message and ask if they prefer a gust who is quiet and keeps to themselves or wants a guest to socialize with. 

Vanly on the other hand is more akin to Airbnb with overnight parking costing a fee per night. I have no experience using this service yet. 

I wish you safe travels. Thank you for riding along. 

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