Van Living: One Man's Solution to His California Housing Dilemma

Van Living: One Man's Solution to His California Housing Dilemma

When a twenty-something-year-old bemoans their quarter-life crisis, the reaction from others usually involves eyerolls or rather unsympathetic nods. But times have changed. Candice Nguyen reports.

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50 Comments

  1. Luis on February 22, 2023 at 7:42 am

    Although his ideas are awesome. That is not the solution to the root of the problem. What will happen when anyone steal his vehicle or rob him while he is inside? What will happen when he wants to meet anyone? Is he going to raise a family in a van? No, because the problem has not been solved yet. He only delayed how this problem affects him.

  2. Russell C on February 22, 2023 at 7:43 am

    Blurs plate. Then later shows it. 😂

  3. Frankie Medina on February 22, 2023 at 7:44 am

    The politicians in California say they’re trying everything they can do to lower housing prices in California… They are not!!! They do not care about me they do not care about you they could care less about what happens with our lives that’s why the prices continue to go up nothing is done no regulatory measures put in place nothing. The fact that they wanna outlaw and they try and paint their answers with a different kind of paint every single time we’re not outlying homelessness we’re trying to protect them we’re trying to make it this that and the other they aren’t ! They’re not trying to do anything but fill their pockets and conduct their business to their bottom line they want the rich in the poor out and if you’re poor go after yourself we don’t care about you anymore you have no voice you are not recognized we do not care about you I wish they would just say that out loud.

  4. J Martin on February 22, 2023 at 7:45 am

    Get rid of that arrogant woman. I’m glad her life is peachy!!

  5. Ruairi Joseph on February 22, 2023 at 7:45 am

    Why move to an area with the most expensive property & rent? Why not just move some place else…. America is a big place

  6. private private on February 22, 2023 at 7:46 am

    Or should be outlawed to prioritize PROFIT over basic civility 😡😡😡😡

  7. Joe AC on February 22, 2023 at 7:54 am

    So the council member is generalizing and conflating drug use and transient homelessness with van life? There’s a big difference in the two communities. This councilmember lives in a cushy million dollar home and refuses to acknowledge the nuances in the housing crisis. Great job!

  8. DPWian on February 22, 2023 at 7:55 am

    What a garbage state

  9. DennisTV on February 22, 2023 at 7:55 am

    it’s not the housing crisis, it’s the freakin too many people in the statecountry now. that’s what you get with unfettered immigration policy.

  10. Cheekyoziechick on February 22, 2023 at 7:56 am

    Then create parking areas..and waste disposal places and stop bitching about those who are trying to find a solution to this madness.

  11. Rick Johansson on February 22, 2023 at 7:57 am

    Bet he’s hating life now when it’s 110 degrees outside

  12. shatain on February 22, 2023 at 7:58 am

    He looks like he would be a scientist

  13. 24sumo on February 22, 2023 at 8:00 am

    being homeless isn’t a pivot lol

  14. In Vino Veritas on February 22, 2023 at 8:01 am

    Schiiiet !! If this keeps up all the landlord will be out of business !!!! 🤣😂😁

  15. KEVIN on February 22, 2023 at 8:01 am

    So, I guess the council woman wants to criminalized van life but not looters in CA.

  16. DIDAmnesia on February 22, 2023 at 8:02 am

    It’s called being homeless. Stop putting a good spin on it.

  17. Denny L on February 22, 2023 at 8:04 am

    Wow that looks like the American dream.

  18. Krusty on February 22, 2023 at 8:05 am

    There are Solutions … get a real college degree with earning power (Astrophysics, lol.. might as well be Basket Weaving)

  19. J Martin on February 22, 2023 at 8:05 am

    Santa Cruz SUCKS!! I worked there and lived in the area, and those stupid city council people have ruined that what once was a nice place to be. Now, you can’t even look at the ocean from almost anywhere in the city without seeing, I mean hundreds, of stupid little no parking signs, like every 20 feet sometimes 10 feet! Lame! You know what the real problem is?? Stuck up silicon valley tech people, overpaid, with money to burn. Yuppie City! I would not even visit anymore, what a shame! Used to be cool

  20. Nikki Jabs on February 22, 2023 at 8:06 am

    My fixed expenses are approximately $700 per month. The only extra money I spend is food and gas. If gas get out of control, I park for a few weeks. I love my vanlife lifestyle. My condo is being rented out to a tenant for 24 months back in Detroit. I always have a home to come back to when I’m done living in my van.

  21. Jeremy David on February 22, 2023 at 8:07 am

    they want to ban all the oversized vehicles so make sure you vanlife is a minivan or a prius and you golden!!

  22. kiwigirljacks on February 22, 2023 at 8:07 am

    I get not wanting to have massive 5th wheelers etc parked outside your home… but I would not give a jot if a van like a Sprinter was parked outside my house… go for it! Let me know if you need some extra water or something plugged in 😁👍

  23. thewkovacs on February 22, 2023 at 8:08 am

    HE LIVES IN A VAN….DOWN BY THE RIVER

  24. Sanchez S on February 22, 2023 at 8:11 am

    It is more of a crime to live in your van and off the grid then be a child molester or dope dealer here in California

  25. sandyvonkitty on February 22, 2023 at 8:11 am

    I wonder how it’s like in this heat though? I’ve been thinking of getting a Van 🚐

  26. Tony LeaL on February 22, 2023 at 8:13 am

    Yea you don’t own the streets that ppl who pay property taxes for.

  27. Brian Caddel on February 22, 2023 at 8:18 am

    Your home value is more important than freedom…

  28. Gary21259 on February 22, 2023 at 8:18 am

    A van costs a much as a small condo theses days.

  29. Emily Walker on February 22, 2023 at 8:18 am

    Or provide affordable housing for California residents!! 🙄

  30. In Vino Veritas on February 22, 2023 at 8:20 am

    I want Evan to pimp my ride !

  31. Jason Sandifer on February 22, 2023 at 8:21 am

    *Newly Updated Safety Suggestions;
    I just happened to see your channel, and others similar channels recently, and I think that you, and others sharing their actual reality, and some have expressed some of the up, and down sides to van, RV, or vehicle living.

    Although, I just noticed your YouTube channel, and other similar channels, displaying van living.

    I just wanted to remind everyone to Aware Be of your surroundings and Alert, I just posted this anyway to help anyone who may benefit from these suggestions

    I believe that it is very helpful, and beneficial to others who may be thinking about this type of living without actually thinking through, about the some of the realistic problems that could occur with vehicle or van living etc…

    People need to know what up sides there are, as well as some of the down sides of vehicle living.

    I believe this channel, and other channels have been informative to others, including myself.

    Although, I am NOT living in a vehicle or anything like this.

    I feel that you , and others YouTubers sharing this with your viewers will be very helpful.

    I wish you ALL the Best with your traveling endeavors.

    I shared this with several other travelers, as I watched their YouTube channel for the first time, as yours, and I shared with them this information that may be helpful to you as well to others.

    Therefore, I would also like to suggest a few Safety tips, and items that may help you, or others in your viewing audience.

    Although, you may have knowledge of this already,
    I am not sure, so I hope this will be helpful to you, others or someone.

    *Keep a Extra working cellphone with you or in your vehicle.

    You can purchase inexpensive phone with a very low monthly price between 25, 35, 45, dollars a month with unlimited data and text, and some have Nationwide coverage

    Do your research for the best fit for you

    Carry Several Extra portable phone chargers, and cables.

    Consider theses items:

    *Mini portable power charging station.

    I have also seen outdoor portable solar powered power stations, that can be recharged from sunlight this may be very useful to have, to power your devices.

    *Invest in a Cellular signal booster for outdoor use, and camping situations to boost or amplify your cell signal and reception.

    Consider also the purchase of a WiFi signal booster to also boost your WiFi signal.
    Research to see what you prefer.

    *Very Inportant:
    Invest in a SOS distress electronic signal device, this a kind of device can send out a distress signal with your exact location.
    There are various types of these devices, and including devices that can be used when boating or camping situations.

    *Some have emergency Strobe lights SOS signaling with location alerts, and location updates that can be sent to your family, and emergency first responders.
    Some can be synchronized with your smart watch or phone.

    There are some satellite SOS texting messaging, locator devices that will send messages with your phone even if there isn’t any cellular signal, or WiFi. With this device your can still text, and communicate with others in a emergency.
    Check online.

    You can check online, and on Amazon, research what SOS devices will be a good fit for you.

    *Mini portable vehicle battery jumper charger

    *vehicle battery jumper cables

    *Vehicle Jumper cables

    *Keep a Fire extinguisher handy
    Carbon monoxide detectors can be helpful

    *Mounted Dashboard camera front and rear possibly.

    Exterior vehicle cameras
    Interior vehicle cameras

    *Flashlights or pluggin spotlights

    *Portable spotlights, and lanterns

    Keep a few whistles around with you, and in your vehicle possibly in your vehicle’s center console

    *A set of long range 2 way radios, walkie talkies, to communicate with others during trips, some have 100 mile radius keep for emergencies.

    Use your own discretion regarding the use of any weapons.

    Don’t forget to bring
    Bear Spray
    Pepper spray
    Where is allowed

    If you own a drone you can use it to survey your area for animals etc.

    However, Please Be Safe and Beware of your Surroundings.

    Stay Alert, and Be Safe even when stopping at Rest stops, Truck Stops, and conducting your various tasks.

    Keep in often contact with your family, friends etc.

    Keep up with the latest Weather Updates, beware and prepare for unexpected Weather events and conditions.

    Keep your vehicle gas filled
    Don’t chance your Safety by running your vehicle fuel or gas too close to Empty.

    Fill it up anyway, it will save you alot of time, and headache later on.
    Remember to keep up on routine maintenance, check your tires for wear, keep up with your fluids for your vehicle, like oil levels, washer fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze.

    Remember Because you are on the road riding for sometimes very long distances, and long periods of time, I would suggest investing in 2 sets of tires, and a spare, the extra set to rotate.

    Check the mileage ratings on your tires they all very.

    Conduct visual inspections of your tires often, check for damage, wearing, air pressure, etc

    Keep a pressure gauge to check your tires pressure and a tire pump.

    Keep towing insurance to Be Safe if you ever need it.
    It Doesn’t cost much try to get National coverage if available, or where you will be traveling.

    Keep Extra financing, and savings for any unexpected issues, vehicle repairs, and overnight stays, in a emergency or if you need to rest indoors.

    Keep Enjoying Yourself,
    Keep Enjoying the outdoors, and Nature

    Just..Please continue to
    Be Positive, Safe, and Alert..
    Wishing Success, Well-being and Happiness You All.

    God Bless You, and everyone
    Traveling, or living in their vehicles, Vans, RVs, etc.

    Please Be Safe…..

    Author Advocate for Humanity,
    Safety Advocate
    Jason Sandifer,
    Michigan
    10/06/2022,
    10/02/2022
    10/08/2022,
    10/10/2022,
    10/16/2022

  32. Appomattox Ross on February 22, 2023 at 8:23 am

    Great. Until your new girlfriend finds out. Oh well.

  33. Chelsea Kerr on February 22, 2023 at 8:23 am

    I lived in a 1995 Nissan cefiro for 2 years straight

  34. Pra2503 on February 22, 2023 at 8:23 am

    There is no philosophy for a country that can’t house its citizens and yet spends 1 trillion dollars on their army and the police.

  35. Jeremy Altom on February 22, 2023 at 8:23 am

    “You will have nothing and be happy “ 😂😂

  36. Tairone Wassup on February 22, 2023 at 8:26 am

    How do they allow homeless encampments that are dangerous and try to ban this

  37. Gachimon2000 on February 22, 2023 at 8:26 am

    That lady just insinuated that people who live in vans are fucking Heroin addicts like what?

  38. Sentri Institute on February 22, 2023 at 8:28 am

    Notice that these severe problems are only in Democratic majority states? The same people that vote for end to homelessness and helping the poor are the same people discriminating against them. Am I the only one that sees this hypocrisy?

  39. Roxanne Rolls on February 22, 2023 at 8:30 am

    Where have you people been? I’ve been living full time in my van for 4 years. Californians are so behind the times.

  40. Momo's Breath on February 22, 2023 at 8:30 am

    Just move out of California, let’s see how California deals with very low population.

  41. Jeong-hun Sin on February 22, 2023 at 8:31 am

    So … how do they go to bathroom? For number 2?

  42. youarehere0 on February 22, 2023 at 8:31 am

    Welcome to communism. United States of CCP with your dictator potato, Xiden! Yay! Remember. Nobody voted for this, so it’s like a real dictatorship! Hooray!
    🇺🇸 🇨🇳

  43. MojoKiss on February 22, 2023 at 8:31 am

    I always tell my friends, buying a house is the least secure thing you can do.

  44. Kenneth Ken on February 22, 2023 at 8:33 am

    Richest country on the planet and its citizens and soldiers are homeless, cool

  45. VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY SERVICES LLC on February 22, 2023 at 8:34 am

    That Santa Cruz council member is just beyond it. I bet I could find a homeless encampment near by producing tonnes of garbage, dangerous waste and filth. Yet not a single idea being proposed to solve that. What a pathetic attempt to raise revenue by a complete ignoramus. For all its wealth and green initiatives government on every level has woefully failed Californians.

  46. potatochobit on February 22, 2023 at 8:37 am

    it would be nice to live rent free but sleeping in a vehicle overnight is pretty much illegal in most places unless you are at an RV or trailer park.

  47. Charles Smith on February 22, 2023 at 8:37 am

    This can’t work. Pigs will track you down and give you tickets to make sure you fail. Pigs want people to fail. Pigs are there to fuck people over.

  48. simon assouline on February 22, 2023 at 8:38 am

    Marketing promo video! Sales Representative for mini van motor home!

  49. Chris Whoop on February 22, 2023 at 8:38 am

    This is the consequences of people voting for their democrat leaders. They are destroying California and if already destroyed

  50. kiwigirljacks on February 22, 2023 at 8:38 am

    His in-depth tour of his van is epic! It’s amazing how he designed it. Definitely check it out.

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