When most people think about owning a car, they think about it as a means to an end. Whether it takes them from their house to work, from the the gym to the grocery store, or from a restaurant to a friends house, a car is meant to transport a person from one place to another. However, a growing portion of the population has begun turning their cars into homes.
Why people live in cars
Some people enjoy the nomadic “van life” aesthetic and choose to move out of their homes.
On the other hand, a good portion of people who live in their vehicles do so out of necessity.
Homelessness, in general, is on the rise in the United States. Specifically, sheltered homelessness (which includes people who live in their cars) has experienced a significant increase over the past couple of years.
And as the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment seems out of reach for those making minimum wage, vehicular homelessness (which describes individuals living in their car) can be seen as a cheaper option compared to buying a house or leasing an apartment. Living in a car can also protect individuals from getting to the point of unsheltered homelessness, and can help them reach financial stability sooner.
Take, for example, Jade, who was once drowning in $8,000 of debt. Now, after moving into a van and saving on rent, she is debt-free.
Even those who do not seem to be struggling, like employees at leading tech companies, sometimes cannot afford rent in expensive areas and must live in their vehicles.
There are a variety of reasons people choose vehicular homelessness. Whether it be to attain freedom or keep a roof over their head, living in a car has now become an option for individuals to pursue.
How do people turn their vehicles into homes?
One of the first and most important steps before turning a car into a habitable home is, of course, getting a car. While most people stick with the car they already have, as that is what they can afford, others look for one that is more spacious, cheap, and reliable.
As this one Reddit user suggests, one of the most recommended cars to live in is a Toyota Prius.
There is even an entire subreddit for individuals who specifically live in a Prius, making it a prominent option for those looking to live in a car.
Of course, vans are also ideal, with the term “van life” coming from people turning their spacious vehicles into homes. However, as vans are generally more expensive than cars, individuals who are struggling financially tend to go with the latter option.
Regardless of the vehicle, modifications can be made to make a car feel more like a home. A mattress, if it fits in the car, is a common addition. Storage for essentials will also be important, as most, if not all, of what someone owns will be housed in their car. Window covers are great for privacy, and can help temperature control if combined with reflective or thermal layers—an essential replacement to keeping the car heating or air conditioning on all night.
Cooking can also be a hassle, as a car will not come with a kitchen. This is why many people use coolers to store their meals, as well as propane stoves and grills to cook their food outside. For clean water, local water fountains and plastic water jugs can be used.
Laundry must also be dealt with, but it is relatively simple if a local, cheap laundromat is nearby. Otherwise, clothes can be hand-washed. As for the bathroom, it can be built into a van. But, as this is an expensive option that often requires a larger vehicle, most individuals do not take this route. Instead, they use public restrooms that are open 24/7, and public showers can be made available through gym memberships.
Safety concerns
When living in a car, it is important to consider safety. Parking a car in a parking lot overnight is a tricky task, as rarely anyone, like a neighbor, is around if something goes wrong.
Windows on a car can also be broken, and some thieves know how to break into a car by unlocking the doors. Though window covers can be beneficial at protecting privacy, they can also block a residents view of what is happening outside their car.
Everything an individual owns is in their car, so if it happens to get stolen or damaged in a crash, they are at risk for unsheltered homelessness.
Jade, the creator mentioned earlier, luckily has some tips to help individuals living in their car stay safe.
One safety concern that is difficult to get around, however, is the fact that a car can get towed—something that is increasingly becoming an issue as more and more states are cracking down on vehicular homelessness.
Legal issues
Over the years, as more people have started living in their cars, there has been an increased amount of discourse about whether these individuals should be allowed to park on the streets or in public parking lots.
For example, in California, the proposed Senate Bill 692 is hoping to make it easier to remove vehicles deemed “abandoned” from the streets. If passed, this bill can make it easier for officials to tow vehicular homes.
Officials in San Jose have also started towing live-in vehicles. While governments have been offering homeless services and compensation for towed vehicles, this support has not been unilateral and is often a short-term fix.
Car life is here
No matter what, car life is here. Once a sign of a desire for freedom, van life—turned car life—is starting to reflect a larger housing and financial crisis.
While the future is uncertain, one thing is for sure. People are starting to take the wheel on their own lives.
