$0 Costs 0 Friends, my life as a Silicon Valley Software Engineer living in a car

Hi everyone, welcome back to another entry of my journey. And thank you so much for all the support and encouragement on my first vlog-it truly means the world to me!
Instagram: / hannahwurld
Why did I choose to live in my car? Apart from what unfolded in the first entry, I realized I was caught in an endless cycle of earning and spending, chasing a lifestyle that others deemed 'typically lavish' for tech folks. But then, a serious illness nearly took my life. It forced me to take a hard look at my life and question everything I was pursuing-and more importantly, to search for the real meaning of my life.
After two months living in my car, I suddenly noticed that I wasn’t spending anything-my bank account was growing exponentially, for the first time in years, after always living paycheck to paycheck. I eat free meals at work and live in my car without paying rent. Even though I live in my car, I still feel I'm privileged. Thanks to the tradition of Silicon Valley tech companies providing free meals to employees, I have had the luxury of not worrying about food while living in my car.
Embarking on this journey has been about more than just cutting costs-it's about seeking deeper insights into what truly matters to me. Reviewing old videos on my phone and revisiting my past has been an incredibly emotional process. At times, it felt suffocating to see who I used to be. But perhaps this is what I need-a chance to re-examine my life from a third-person perspective, to learn and grow. Maybe the more I share these vlogs, the more I will uncover about myself.

[@Hylin79]

As a single woman living out of a car, I would recommend not vlogging too much about your night parking finds or safe spots, especially with the rising crimes in California. I think it's cool you are adjusting to your new lifestyle and making videos about it, but do it safely.

[@HannahWurld]

Thank you. I take my safety very seriously and I am fully aware of the information I share online

[@angeljohnson234]

It was nice (and smart) of you to warn her about the safety issues associated with her behavior. I completely agree with your advice.

[@MrRambee]

Yeah, youngsters are just too naive until shit goes down.

[@HotRod16]

Good advise here.

[@jjswigger8591]

old karen over reacting lol cringe

[@annat6249]

One of multi-millionaire once said in an interview, I forgot his name, “In your 20, you really do care what people think about you. You get to 40, you don’t really care what people think about you. Then in your 60, you realized no one really thought much of you in the first place” Don’t try too hard to make friends. In life, most people would be lucky to meet 2-3 best friends who really love and care for you as a person and want to be part of your life always. Everyone else is casual friend who come and go. So don’t put too much effort in casual friends.

[@riskbusin3ss]

Kinda sad

[@ToddDunning]

Comment of the year, from a 60 year old tech worker in SV

[@s75d84]

You dont need friends, just need a partner in life and have your own family. Use a dating app or something.

[@uytin99]

@@riskbusin3ss yeah it is sad. Most people would be lucky to meet 2-3 best friends? So don’t put too much effort in casual friends? Do you see these two sentences contradict itself?

[@winterheat]

capitalistic world. Everybody selfish to the extreme. They don't really care about another human being. Mostly they care about money or benefits and this is the end of sentence.

[@Sumire-rere]

Please don't get used to this. You're at the prime of your life. With your job, you really don't need to be so extreme like this. Even a small apartment for safety is good. Driving around looking for a safe spot every night is time that could've been spent connecting with others be it at interest groups/coffee meets, etc.

[@lizavavilova9879]

+poor dog the whole day in the car 😢

[@vivyrox7202]

totally agree

[@Brainjoy01]

with fake ass people spending money you need to save for a house? nah, stay driving, keep moving. very few people worth connecting with. real ones will sit with you at a park WITH YOUR CAR. And let you shower. Period

[@binaryutopia7946]

I feel that her main purpose of doing this is to make videos and be well known It is not part of her life although currently she may really live that that A person eager to share , but need some stories to attract attention

[@lyhthegreat]

why cant she park at the same safe spot everyday?

[@harikrishnanchandramohan4209]

From Emily in Paris to California homelessness life. One extreme will always lead to another extreme. Just like you got bored of the glam life, you will get bored of frugality as well. Moderation is key. A roof over your head is a must. Atleast get a studio near your workplace.

[@lizzabbott]

Yes ! From 1 extreme to another. The dog seems uncomfortable & sad, too !

[@mohitchaturvedi4556]

And then, one day you'd be bored of the Morderation as well.

[@Frugal637]

@@mohitchaturvedi4556Than you need a hobby

[@yujirohamna2430]

I'd disagree. I went to house to car 5 years ago and I never looked back. Saved soooo much money and I just can't bring myself to get go back. Maybe in my mid 40s lol. 33 now.

[@toshiodocs]

I agree, living in a car is very sad wtf

[@mr_smilegaming8842]

The hard truth is there is no real friend at work, probably acquaintances and some people to casually talk to.

[@gioacevedo5]

Im sorry you feel this way, but this doesnt have to be true. I met my best friend at work, he is my best man at my wedding, and someone I would consider a brother. Work does not determine if someone is a friend, you do.

[@julesm9081]

I also met one of my best friends at a job I had 16 years ago - sadly he passed away at new year, I miss him so much 💔 I didn’t know he was ill and had tried contacting him with no replies all thrigh December 💔

[@julesm9081]

But that was an amazing friendship we shared for almost 16 years. It is possible to find true friends in jobs

[@mr_smilegaming8842]

@@gioacevedo5 You can view any coworkers as your friends but it does not mean they truly see you as friend. Friend is someone who you can call and talk to without making an appointment one week in advance.

[@saramelle]

​@@mr_smilegaming8842 not true... my mom made plenty of friends at work and they tell me they're good friends and do a lot of things for her when she needs help. I even needed help for a project and they helped me because they're friends with my mom and it wasn't easy for them to help me but they did it anyways. You can definitely make real friends at work. You can do anything if you have the right mindset. Hope you make real friends at work one day ;)

[@bluefire5291]

Software Engineer here too and definitely feel the same way about friends. Making adult friends is really hard especially in a field full of introverts. My heart kinda broke when u said the person you setup a meetup ghosted you. I hope you find solace in the fact that many of us here are rooting for you!

[@Whatupdoc01]

Software Test Engineer here. Y'all software engineer can come and talk with us anytime. We QA don't bite. We just find bugs for you. Like you, I hope Hannah find the right person. She is beautiful and smart. Thanks "BlueFire" for sharing. Be safe Hannah.

[@mikeabbasi4551]

Era of gaslighting and ghosting

[@earlysda]

Pretty common for me-first Californians.

[@ceo_google]

@@Whatupdoc01 bro we never consider other engineers as hostile, we work together.

[@verabean905]

When I lived in California, people would say, " lets do lunch sometime" when they mean bye bye. Its a very strange and rude custom there. Dont take it personally.

[@emmalee9747]

Yes this I remember from the west coast. “Yeah we should totally hang out.” And then nothing. To be fair, I didn’t reach out either, but I guess it just felt like that was something everybody used to just say that they didn’t really mean. It was strange.

[@Nwladylaura369]

Yup, but some of us mean it and have good manners.

[@mishmish2261]

@@emmalee9747 lol, I've heard that one before many times. The awkwardness when you say to them..'well, let's plan something right now! What is next week looking like for you?' They always find a way out..confirming that they never intended on ever getting together

[@emmalee9747]

@@mishmish2261 the sad thing is in the beginning I would actually say wow, it’s awesome I made a new friend. Then after awhile, the pattern was evident that this is just considered small talk!

[@daniloribeiro5372]

We do it in Brazil too lol

[@LineLynx]

It's heartening to see that despite your lifestyle change, you kept Halo. I volunteered with a rescue for years, and a common excuse for dumping pets was "moving." It's still very, very common to hear, and often a death sentence. (In some places, especially big cities like San Antonio, even puppies are being put down due to the overwhelming numbers dumped. There are just not enough homes.) My heart melted a bit when you leaned towards the front seat and told Halo "good morning." It's sweet to see you care, and your dog look lovingly back at you. Good luck to you two!

[@maitreloup9081]

This is heartbreaking :/

[@LineLynx]

@@maitreloup9081 IMO, you've gotta appreciate the good people who love their pets when you can, or else people who don't will definitely break your heart. Because tbh I barely even touched on the bad stuff.

[@maitreloup9081]

@@LineLynx You're right. Seeing the glass half full :p There're always gonna be jerks abusing their pets but there're also people who love them and treat them well. Commenting that while my boy's taking a nap on my bed lol

[@LineLynx]

@@maitreloup9081 I'm guessing he's the German Shepherd in your avatar pic. Cute dog! ☺ One of mine is a German Shepherd/Husky, and he's currently napping nearby me too. But he's in a cushy chair that he's aaalmost too big for. He barely fits but he loves it.😆 (Btw, if you want to see him and the chair, I've posted him up before - playing by it with his sister. I called it "I have the high ground, brother.")

[@maitreloup9081]

You're guessing right! Huskies are sooo beautiful

[@TIMVESTMENTS]

Would recommend going to local dog parks to meet dog owners and build friendships. Also food banks, volunteering or classes (cooking/yoga) are great ways to meet people that you will regularly see. +oil from a fellow Chinese Canadian!

[@TeodorSpiridon]

I agree, and I think you can tell a lot about a person about the way they treat their dogs. People that are kind to small animals tend to have a good heart.

[@Useryuic]

Buck in the back seat like gianiass

[@AlinaCalifornia]

*5:53** - Girl, you are not alone! Look at this fluffy creature who loves you more than anything!*

[@lissettetaladay1692]

Came across your video, and it made me cry. Especially the part about realizing that material things in life don’t bring you happiness. My husband is a software engineer at MS and living in Seattle. A few years ago, i was dx with Lupus, I came to a realization that the lifestyle we are living with all the nice things don’t bring you happiness, friendships and love from within. It is all superficial. One thing I took for granted was my health. Now, I look back and I wish I would have done things differently. Thinking this way leads to nowhere. You are doing something about it, and that’s all that matters. I’m sorry that you are having a hard time making friends, I hope that changes for you soon. Sending you positive vibes and good energy!

[@betealvarez]

You can also live a simple and minimalist life having a safe humble home! Living in your car is dangerous and uncomfortable. Think about it!

[@James-io2kw]

Probably. But not as many people would’ve cared to watch her videos.

[@nile7999]

A safe humble home costs 48k per year where she lives. She can cut her age to retirement in half if she lives like this

[@rain-wanders]

A humble home isn't within a humble price range anymore.

[@cheewanng6138]

"I was trapped in this endless loop of earning and spending. I want to get out" I think this resonates with a lot of people. Usually a person will achieved certain wisdom to know how to navigate out of this through the years, but there are people that will never get out and that's really sad. And also about human relationships, you will also attain certain enlightenment and view it as "it is what it is". I wished happiness will flood your life sooner than you think. Take care and all the best!!

[@HannahWurld]

Best wishes to you too!

[@jerickr3090]

Bay Area Tech sucks for real human relationships. Signed a former Bay Area Tech worker, who also willingly quit the stupid cycle of earning and burning it all. Congrats on changing your life, and hope you do very well moving forward.

[@donnguyen8443]

Be strong, be well. Forget coworkers who don't want to befriend you. The workplace has always been a place for me to make a living/income, that's it. I never liked getting to close to my co-workers anyways. Too much drama and politics anyways. I go to work to make my money, be professional, and that's it. Make friends outside of work, is my advice. Find hobbies, and similar people with those same hobbies. Find you first. BTW, liked your sincere video with a thumbs up!

[@HannahWurld]

Thanks

[@eiddetham6157]

How about family?

[@mohammadmoaddi2268]

While I do agree that making friends outside of work through hobbies is more ideal than at work, but I think 8 hours a day for many years is a huge part of life, and I don't want to shut off social aspects of it. This is most of where my time will be spent. This is it -life-, so I will try to make the best out of it. I made very good friends at my previous work and we still talk to each other and we did so much together and made nice memories (We even travelled together!).

[@the_awe]

depending on what kind of industry that you are in. I have met so many "team players and team leader type of people" ever since I joined the hotel industry.

[@davepaturno4290]

Ideally, your best friend will be your future spouse. I was 30 when I found mine. She was 28. 36 years later, we are still together.

[@oodo2908]

She seems very humble. I don't think she will depend on a stupid checklist for dating. She will meet someone else humble and have a nice marriage, I'm sure. Men don't care if women are homeless if they are clean and dress well. And she's making savings and works. She's not at all useless. There's nothing stopping men from approaching her.

[@HailAzathoth]

Pfffft

[@MariadeJesus-dt4ql]

She just want friends to do activities with.......you might need a spouse to be happy..........not everyone is like you. Dating is not the solution.....

[@davepaturno4290]

@MariadeJesus-dt4ql It appears that you never experienced a long-lasting, happy marriage and children of which you are very proud. If so, I am saddened for your future.

[@Mari35678]

@@davepaturno4290not everyone want children especially nowadays

[@Chingleton]

As someone that's super introverted, my bit of unsolicited advice is to not focus too much on the making friends aspect. I think that sort of thing happens best when its organic in nature. If you have any hobbies or anything you have wanted to try do, maybe see if there's any activities through like meet up groups to foster those relationships that you feel you're lacking right now. But I think what you're doing is interesting and yea just keep safe and enjoy your life! :)

[@HannahWurld]

When I first started working in tech, I was thinking I needed to have all the best things. I thought, 'Yeah, after years of grinding, I finally "made it."' So, I should live the life expected of tech folks-make money and spend it. Thus, I spent most of my take-home income on housing. But after a year, I realized that I wasn't saving anything at all! Plus, I was also spending on many lifestyle items and status symbols. Now, after my phase of pursuing materialism, I’ve come to see that nothing is truly real; it’s all about our perception. Looking back at those videos of me and even sharing them publicly is emotional, but I think it's necessary. If I want to grow and learn, I need to confront myself so I can become a better person❤

[@Fidddle2Pie]

reached the end of your video. might help to take some hobby-related classes for finding new friends

[@Valiryon]

​@@Fidddle2Pie+1 to rock climbing. It's by far the most social activity I do.

[@langzelahtaw]

Cry out to Jesus. He will shows you what's the meaning of life.

[@HannahWurld]

@@2RosarioVampire Thanks. With my dog, renting a shared room isn't an option, and any studio in the Bay Area costs around $3K. Given the series of events I've faced-from moving to LA and encountering rental scams, to relocating to the Bay-I've decided to give this lifestyle a try. I don't see living in my car as suffering or abnormal; it's simply a different way of life.

[@jayronn.christian]

I see you work in MSFT. I would advise you to maximize ESPP and enable DRIP on your investment. This is a feature in your stock brokerage.

[@alcionetauri]

I'm pretty sure Hannahs problem is living on each extreme. She went from spending a lot, to spending anything at all. Any of those extremes is unhealthy

[@cookieo4874]

You meant unhealthy ?

[@phantasqLiving]

I think it’s healthy. Everyone else is just crazy.

[@nini1588]

I was thinking the same exact thing. You don’t need costly living by buying a cheaper apartment or investing in a house, you can spend money on events every once in awhile, you can save money by cooking your meals at home, so why cut everything all at once? It seems extreme.

[@phantasqLiving]

@@nini1588 It is extreme statistically. But so what?

[@mluu510]

Yep, she went to extreme. She's already saving a lot by living in her car. Go spend that money on fun activities with friends/dates

[@bwest6275]

I feel you. "making" friends is hard work. and usually unrewarding when it comes to learning about how people can generally be so inconsiderate. IMHO what works better is living your life without any expectations, and if people really want to be friends, you will find them as people who put in as much effort and consideration.

[@portermedley8343]

Hannah, you will make friends when you least expect it. As several people in this thread have said, find places where like minded people hang out. The first forty years of my life, I moved on average every other year and always had to make new friends. It's not easy. Wishing you the best!

[@sincerelaughter1561]

I live in my car too. Before taxes I earn $160,000/year. I use planet fitness for showers. I set a budget of $200 for gas and food each week(and guilt free spending) I have people friendly to me, invite me out and stuff. I have no friends because finally it took so long for me to learn, I prefer it this way. I am a loner and once I accepted that is me by choice, it made being alone easy easier. Saving money is easier and my decisions are influenced only by myself. I rent a storage unit to free up more space in my car. Also I use a 1000w portable battery to charge phone and other items. Lastly, my vr headset makes car camping that much better. I literally forget I’m in a car when I put my headset to watch my favorite shows and feel like I’m in a living room watching on a 96” tv. Hopes this helps anyone. And great video

[@HannahWurld]

Yes similar logistics

[@richholm9297]

Which VR headset do you use?

[@user-lt5no1xt1z]

Sad life

[@sincerelaughter1561]

@@richholm9297quest 3

[@toshiodocs]

But why? Life is too short, we're all going to die and the state will get all your money, be happy rn and enjoy your life

[@jkjklluiolu]

You have a friend and thats Halo. Dogs are the most loyal friends and a beautiful gift. Good Luck!

[@maitreloup9081]

My thoughts exactly.

[@MissyMuthaTruckiN]

yup, I was homeless in my car for a few months, kept my german shepherd with me no matter what

[@totofreelance2213]

I have ear plug when I am sleeping, it helps a lot. You'll need soft ear plug to be able to sleep on the side on your pillow.

[@Alexandru-y5t]

I see ppl jugging her too much but only the people that has gone through bad times in their life can understand this. I really admire her and I also live in a car when I go to festivals because everything can get so expensive. I also want to buy a van, wake up in another place and work from there, having my other half with me ( that i didn't find yet ) doing that and living life at the fullest is one of my dreams. Keep it going Hannah. Much love from Romania ! 🤗🤗🤗

[@kurainimusic]

Whatever we're going through in life, life will humble us (especially in our 20s and 30s), that's how we'll really learn how to live and know what's really important in our life.

[@rinner2801]

And then we reach 50 and realize we never did try any of those things we learned in our 20s and 30s. ;)

[@HannahWurld]

Life will humble us ❤

[@Miracle__Boi]

I am living as an expat from Russia living in Germany for >2 years already, working as a software engineer. I can totally get your loneliness feeling. Was feeling and feeling exactly the same way, for me it is also this cultural difference, which is totally frustrating. The best way to get through this is to set ambitious goals, make a plan and to live a life according to it. Then you understand, that what you are doing is not something useless. I hope you will get more bright colours in your life, hug Halo from me!!

[@reallyrecap]

Are you in NRW? Chat anytime

[@gaynzz6841]

Wenn du unsere Sprache gelernt hast, sollte es nicht schwer sein Freunde zu finden?

[@ronburgundy3172]

I have a hard time making friends too even people of my same gender it's embarrasing

[@daven6883]

Seriously get out of California. As a Software Engineer you can live very comfortably in many places in this country and still afford your own place -- not living out of a car (unless that is an actual goal). God bless

[@catamountmpls]

I wish you luck and happiness. I'm pretty much a loner, and went out to San Francisco for a month on a whim. It wasn't for me. One thing to always consider in America, you're a job away from losing health insurance. This is a brutal country to have health problems in. Many procedures are outpatient, so you need a friend to drive you home after most surgeries. Insurance often won't pay for overnight stays. In the US, you are just a $ number, even when it comes to health. If you stay here, do consider building a reliable network of friends, because some day you will need them. I would love the health care that Canada, and most western countries have. You also don't have the gun violence, and violence in general as the US. It can be brutal here, but the heart knows what it wants. You were looking for something different, you definitely found that. As you've also learned, northern California's weather isn't Los Angeles. It can be downright cold in San Fran and Silicone Valley. Best wishes, and look forward to seeing more vlogs.

[@TheOnlyElephantInTheRoom]

I happened upon your channel and instantly, I could feel so much of your energy & emotions. If I may, id like to encourage you to continue to be that strong woman you are! You're resourceful and such an understanding of your journey. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your story, and kudos to you for having the courage to share this journey with the world. New follower, new fan. Aloha, Luka🤙

[@KrazyKrzysztof]

sleeping in the car with rain is like the best white noise environment

[@ethantran3765]

not really

[@RoxanneGutierrez010]

That's your opinion. ​@@ethantran3765

[@techbeauty2450]

+1, I'm also very sensitive to noise, but rain makes me sleepy all the time

[@vitaAutLetum]

Helps me sleep too.

[@winterheat]

rain on a roof is fine. rain on a car top may not be.

[@kevincywu999]

Crazy, woke up at 5am eastern time zone, went on youtube to watch the Dodger last game highlights, and your video pops up. Thanks, KZbin algorithm. Watched your video and read the comments, and it is an eye opening for me how working and living have changed for your generation of tech workers. Love your dog and wish you the best on this journey. You got this like that American girl worker poster back in the days with her arm rolled up in a worker jumpsuit.

[@TheAlwayslearner]

A pre-owned liveaboard boat is a previously owned boat specifically designed or suitable for living on full-time. These boats typically have living accommodations, such as sleeping quarters, a kitchen (galley), bathroom (head), and often a living area. Here's what you generally find on these boats: 1. **Sleeping Quarters**: Often called berths or cabins, these are spaces designed for sleeping, and they can range from simple bunks to more luxurious bedrooms. 2. **Kitchen (Galley)**: Equipped with basic kitchen amenities like a stove, sink, refrigerator, and storage for food and cooking utensils. 3. **Bathroom (Head)**: Includes a toilet, sink, and often a shower. The facilities can vary from basic to quite sophisticated. 4. **Living Area**: A space to relax, eat, and entertain. This can be a small dining table, a couch, or even an outdoor deck area. 5. **Storage**: Since space is limited, efficient storage solutions are often integrated into the design. 6. **Navigation and Control Systems**: The boat will have areas for navigating and controlling the vessel, typically including a helm or control station. Pre-owned liveaboard boats come in various types, including: - **Sailboats**: These use sails for propulsion and are popular among those who enjoy sailing as a hobby. - **Motor Yachts**: Larger and often more luxurious, these use engines for propulsion. - **Houseboats**: Designed primarily for living rather than extensive cruising, often featuring more home-like amenities. - **Trawlers**: Known for their fuel efficiency and stability, making them ideal for long-distance cruising. Buying pre-owned means the boat has had previous owners, which can significantly lower the cost compared to a new boat. However, it's crucial to thoroughly inspect the boat's condition, possibly with a marine surveyor's help, to ensure it's seaworthy and suitable for living aboard.

[@kishonhochee3058]

Please post more videos like this! Loved hearing your story about living paycheck to paycheck and not finding real connection, kinda going through something similar right now. Keep trying to meet new people! It’s so hard to do, but kudos for trying, and keep holding people to a standard, in the long run those little issues in friendships become big down the line. Thank you for sharing, and best of luck to you on your new adventure! :) Hoping for all the best and safety out there!!

[@HannahWurld]

Yeah, I think one thing I realized is that when I was chasing the 'glamour' life, a lot of the connections I had were just people looking to profit from each other, not real friends. Maybe that's why I'm struggling now - wanting genuine friendships.

[@darkside1881]

​@HannahWurld I am also looking true friendship

[@francescaetc]

Don't ever expect anything from anyone. Only leads to disappointment

[@andywhitted]

Word

[@oodo2908]

Absolutely. Just the golden rule and you won't mislead yourself.

[@nile7999]

this mentality is a sign u need therapy btw.

[@francescaetc]

@@nile7999 I think that everyone could use some therapy TBH

[@nikriedel]

Yeah, this applies to society in general. But this mindset can get in the way when you find people that you can actually rely on

[@oliviad5746]

hey girl, I actually work at your office lmao. I don't come in super often, but let me know if you want to meet up and get lunch! :)

[@sleepyapolloh760]

avoid this lady she could be like Lois Reiss

[@drawsomenow7427]

@@sleepyapolloh760 who is that?

[@SRose-vp6ew]

Look it up, but a woman who was nicknamed, “the great pretender.” She seemed like a sweet lady, but it turned out she was on the run after killing her husband. I am not saying this lady is that, just explaining the comment. With any relationship make sure God is a part of it, if you’re concerned about something or cautious pray and listen to the response. Jesus said, his sheep listen to his voice and they do not listen to another. If people did a better job being a friend of Jesus and listening this world would actually be a better place. Reaching out to someone and being cautious in how you do it can both be instruction from God. However fear or ignoring someone in need is not of God. Read the Bible to better tune into the voice of God. Start in Matthew or John.

[@oliviad5746]

@@SRose-vp6ew dawg it’s not that deep 💀💀💀

[@egypt4214]

Beautifully said! ❤​@@SRose-vp6ew

[@TheDibsLife]

Making new friends as an adult is very difficult.❤

[@Brian-3000]

Hi Hannah, thank you for sharing this raw and honest experience you've had so far. I also live in the bay area and tbh it's really hard to make friends at work if they all have their own friend groups and families already. I'd suggest joining a run club or going to some local gym/classes or even tennis/pickleball to meet people more casually outside work. People are quite friendly in those kind of settings and it'll be easier than trying to make friends at work imo!

[@purplewildflower]

I went through these feelings about 5 years ago. I also gave up all the material possessions and the "hustle culture". I'm now all about a simple, minimal, and slow living lifestyle. I've been dreaming of living in a camper van but I'm from the midwest and not sure how warm I'd be able to stay in the winter. My youngest is 16 so, who knows, maybe once he leaves the nest, I'll give up the house and live in a van. Stay safe out there.

[@user-ku7mv5lk6i]

Never give up your house. This is the best asset you have. Do you want to live in a car when you will turn 65-75-80 ? You will not make through the freezing winter. Keep the house if you can afford it. You will be very sorry if you loose it. Please, don't make huge mistake. You can rent a camper and try it for a month. Put it on your driveway. You might change your dream.

[@jimgraham9450]

May I suggest looking for either a campground or mobile home park. If you can find either at a reasonable price you can buy a used camper trailer or mobile home. Along with it being far safer you would be far more comfortable. I have traveled back and forth across the US with a pickup truck with just a shell on the back. That was far more comfortable than a car and I always stayed in campgrounds. One of my previous coworkers lived in a motorhome. in a campground. He changed jobs from Maryland to Texas, so he just drove away. I am a retired software engineer around the Washington DC area and my friend group was always my coworkers. My fiancee is a Sister of one of my coworkers. Best of luck and stay safe.

[@vchiu9560]

Old French guy here. Have you considered renting a bedroom in a shared house or in a family like some students do ? It may not be as expensive as a full apartment while providing a bit more safety and more interaction with people than overnighting in your car. If you have specific interests (playing a music instrument, reading, modelling, drawing, anything else... ) there may be clubs you could join to meet people who share this interest. That could be a starting point. That being said, If I had to move to the US, I would move to a large city like NY or Boston. For me, West Coast seems to be a lonely place to live .

[@jml9550]

Exactly what I was thinking. She can rent a room from empty nesters here in the Bay Area, gonna cost her at least $1k a month.

[@dennisarvizu]

Came across your video, and recognized your office right Away. I developed the entire food and beverage program at SVC. If I was still there, would have been great to meet you. Keep your story alive and well. Silicon Valley is a rough place at times, but your are not alone in the journey. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@XiaoxiaoYuyu-ug3gy]

一般人不喜欢我，喜欢我的不是一般, 靠人人會老,靠山山會倒,唯有靠自己最好, 有一句話人無絕路,路是自家走出來的

[@Yazevo]

Stay strong =) love your story, you go girl, do what you need to do and make the best out of everyday! YOU ROCK!

[@jennie7]

My father worked in IT. Almost all his friends died young, in their mid fifties to early 60’s. The stress was hard on their bodies. One died in front of their computer by a heart attack. I say this, because it’s important for people who work in tech to try to retire early. Those men didn’t even get to live long enough to enjoy retirement. The trick is work hard while young but get out in time where you don’t loose your life. Take care, blessings ❤

[@emilyjones4736]

too much sitting

[@danieldemicco783]

At times I regret getting into teaching and not making much money, but with a job like mine it's easy to meet friendly people and get my required amount of socializing in. My advice to make friends is to start taking in person language classes. The nature of these classes is social, language practice requires peer communication, and often these classes are filled with more extroverted sorts. Plus even if you don't meet anyone you get to learn a new language and have fun (assuming the teacher is good).

[@PulcherIkhthyes]

I hope you're doing this to save money to buy a home of your own. I can't envision living in my car for too long. It can cause long-term back issues and other health issues. I wish you the best and hope you will achieve your dreams. Make sure to stay safe.

[@weallperfect]

Hi Hanna, my name is Nhung. I’m maybe three times older than you. But I understand how you feel. I just want you to know that nothing wrong with you. Neither you don’t have high standards or expectations. Those people don’t respect you, then they don’t deserve to be your friends. Don’t waste your time thinking about them or feeling bad about yourself. Do you know that many people, young and old, male and female, all over the world, be alone and happy to be alone, rather than with phoney friends. They just make themselves like they are more valuable than you. Don’t change yourself to fit in with any group. You are perfect for being who you are! You are loved by yourself and by all of us! ❤❤❤

[@dinophage]

Hope you keep going and stay resilient on finding friends! It certainly is tough, but you'll find your people. Also as others have mentioned be safe posting maps of where you're at. It's a great point in thinking about finding safe places as a part-time job that saves money, but it also might be easier to make friends if you had a place. Perhaps that time could be spent looking for a small home base that's a little remote to your office and you could do some nights in the car and some nights at the home-base. Good luck!

[@roortiz2893]

About people reaching out to you, it's perfectly understandable standard you have. It more about the other people being considerate to you.

[@Tesavista]

Hey Hannah, I am living in Tesla for more than a year and I love it now. Go where ever I want. I am in the software engineer field too. May be if you switch to working remotely and able to explore more and find connection with nature like going to national park and state park will help a lot with mental health 😊

[@1LotusBorn1]

What a sweet woman. Hannah, if you ever see this know that you deserve all the connection and friends in the world. You are taking charge of your life and making positive changes. May you experience all the beauty life has to offer 💜

[@jimbyrom1992]

Wow, this was so brave of you to upload and share yourself and your life. People will love to judge you for not wanting the same things as them, but you are clearly thoughtful, intentional in your decisions and are going to grow and make friends with your open outlook. The right people will come along, please don't give up - you're very sweet and not demanding too much of others! What a shame that those people let you down! Keep trying even though it's so hard, introduce yourself to more people, you've got this :)

[@bLittlegato]

i wish i was there to be your friend. Here in france where i work in Paris there is less pressure, and speaking with people is easy (maybe not in the full paris but at least in my area) I also do not appreciated someone cancelling at the last minute, always feels like they didnt care or didnt gave that much serious to meeting but i feel very happy on not having much friends there at work, because then you have to open yourself and at a time you realised you said personnal things to the wrong person

[@BibBobBibOnVacation]

Finding friends is very difficult,☘️, and living in a car is also difficult, oh my… 🎈stay safe, all the best for you 🎈

[@normdouglas]

Seeing this breaks my heart for young people. The greatest accomplishment in my life is not monetary... but family. My wife my daughter and now my grandkids are the greatest thing ever. I have career success but none of that would matter without the other.

[@arielleshort2072]

CPS will take your kids if they don't have a sepereate bedroom from the parents. So that is at minimum 2 bedroom apartment. A lot of us can't even afford a studio. I just looked up buying a piece of land and 0.3 acres are 7k at the lowest. No house, just land. 1 acre of land can go from 12 k to 30 k. Even in boondocks locations. Many wants kids but we literally can not have them. I'm not even in a rich state. I can't imagine the land prices in cali.

[@ObsessedWithDogs]

Your dog is soooo cute! Making friends at work is tough. I feel like work friends are really just acquaintances that you rarely hang out with outside of work.

[@briansotobassist]

I'm not an software engineer but I'm an power engineer. Idk but most statistics says you make like 30k to 50k more than me yearly. But with what I make i have a house in the city, a family (no kids) and a truck. Yes I only save a little but why save 4k monthly? I mean.... I work in an office seated I only need to speak and think to do my job, 30 years in the future I will be making the same and making money. Your work maybe is the same secure and safe than my job. Why to save a lot of money? Btw friends are difficult, most people will have less accomplishment than you, most of time you will be the most smart and wealthy of the bunch and having only professional friends is to be always alone because most of them are working. People who are the best and the winner of the life needs to know that you will give more and receive less. You are the pillar of your friends and probably of your future family.

[@TanPham-sn3fc]

I am surprised that your coworkers wouldn't want to have lunch with you. I used to work for a big corporate and at lunch time, the whole team would seat around talking to each other as if we were close friends and my job was a software engineer.

[@kiwizhan]

I recommend you to wear AirPod Pros 2nd for sleeping if it’s raining heavily outside, the noise cancellation is so good

[@leotan5686]

you can do it! take it easy and friends will come your way.. most of my good friends (not much) are from ex workplaces and not current workplaces

[@nghiagip3181]

Living in car is definitely an experience, you gotta take the good with the bad. I've lived out of my vehicle while traveling and working random jobs. There is something wrong with our society, a software engineer is priced out of place to live in California. A change needs to happen, our future depends on it Nevertheless, keep your spirits up. So you can ride out the storm. Although the pessimist side of me says it will get worse before it gets better. Take care

[@jasontomica8938]

That's a lie. She just wants people to feel sorry for her. She probably makes 200k. A year or a little less, she can easily afford A. Nice apartment anywhere in the Bay area. I can do it and I make three times less than her, so she's absolutely ridiculous living in her vehicle

[@arielleshort2072]

Í have given up on the housing situation to "pop". Simply put no one will own anything in the near future, at least not for our generations

[@xoxolorae]

I don’t wanna seem negative but for some reason this content seems offputting. I’m guessing it’s because of all the creepy thirsty men in the comments section and also because it feels like a rich person cosplaying a poor person. A software engineer in SF would make $150K or more a year. I’ve seen plenty of living in car content but it’s mostly from people who have no choice. Just seems extreme to do this unless you’re in a lot of debt and then that sorta makes more sense. I also had a friend doing van life with a very humble van (not like those fancy ones you see all the time) but enough room for a small bed and tiny fridge, and I feel like that’s a little safer. I also don’t understand how she is not using window covers??? How can you be that brave? And does the dog stay in the car the entire day? It just feels like something doesn’t add up. It feels more like a social experiment to me or perhaps a way to alleviate extreme debt. Because saving $4K a month to live like this is not sustainable. That is $48,000 a year, which is a good savings but it’s not enough to retire or to buy a house. She would have to do this for several years. It doesn’t seem sustainable or realistic for someone with a tech job and a large dog.

[@fkm512]

I agree, it’s truly bizarre. Seems like she thinks there’s no middle ground between spending all your money lavishly and spending absolutely nothing

[@chankero4776]

Because it's a scripted video for views. It's mindbowing to me that anyone believes anything nowadays on the internet. She ended the whole video like some goddamn K-drama episode

[@productionoutages]

There's a word: larping

[@vdhlivwypm5500]

Right? I was looking for a comment like yours because no matter how careful she worded her frugal with no friends situation, it doesn't seem like she had no choice at all. It looks like she wanted that life for some reason she did not disclose. If someone who's literally living in their car because they cannot afford rent and utilities likely due to minimum wage or something similar, this definitely looks tone deaf.

[@xoxolorae]

And just to be clear, I don’t think it’s stupid to live very frugally to save a lot of money, tech job or not. I know people who make good money who are extreme minimalists and have nothing in their apartment but at least they have a roof over their head. Living in your car is a last resort kind of thing. I have been homeless in the past and I didn’t have a car to live in so I had to couch surf with complete strangers at times. Also very dangerous. I think my chances with strangers was less scary than my chances of something happening while in a car every night. It’s just very extreme, almost like an experiment. A limit test if you will. But to make that much money and live in your car is not realistic so I’d think she has mental issues or this isn’t real or it’s a short experiment.

[@Ptzou]

One thing I noticed when I first moved the US was how most people don’t care about being late or just pull a no-show when you make plans with them.

[@adon-jonline7255]

In this society, we live a life where friends are hard to come by but don’t worry because a friend will come to your life

[@oleksandrlytvyn532]

I'm not from US, but according to KZbin's algorithm recommendations i've seen quite a lot of violence in California lately. In theory there is a possibility to rent small apartment with room-mate to split the costs of rent and other expenses 50/50. I would say that taking personal safety and security is quite important these days. Wishing you best of luck

[@user-ku7mv5lk6i]

She is a programmer and get paid a lot. She can afford to rent apartment without any roommates. It will cost about $3,000 per month to rent 1-bedroom apartment. She earned minimum $10,000- $15,000 per month. She might just saving money for the down payment for a house. Houses are extremely expensive in Silicon Valley. She needs $450,000 for down payment.

[@kennelson1269]

HI. I live in San Jose. I hope your situation has improved the last couple of months. Try going to a gym , great way to meet people. I truly wish you the best!!

[@gaynzz6841]

A gym is a great way to meet people?! Really? I go there to work out, not to hang out. As most people do.

[@kagayakuangel5828]

My dad lived in his car for 7 years. No job nothing. Eventually it stopped working. When I got a nice data analyst job after college, I took him out and then he got paid out a relatively significant settlement from our government (because they stole his property and he was fighting them for 30 years). His life there was terrible and I don’t regret getting him out at all. It was hard for me as I was living with him because he can be really miserable lol He’s getting better now though! But eventually my psycho landlady evicted me and I moved in with my mom and then moved out again and now Im alone at last with true peace.

[@tim_means_heart]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I am on an exchange and have been studying in SF for a month already but I still feel quite lost here since everything is so expensive (I have a steady income thanks to the company that is sponsoring me). It's easy to meet new people here in the States but building meaningful connections is another story. Cheer up and stay safe, you're not alone! PS: Try to not show too much of your sleeping spots and their surroundings, internet is a wild place.

[@Exodus004]

I'm sorry but your job is unfortunately not the place to make friends. A lot of people prefer to keep strict boundaries between themselves and their coworkers, usually for good reason given the political nature of the corporate world.

[@user-ku7mv5lk6i]

Yes, they are just your competitors, not friends.

[@ricardokojin7]

@@user-ku7mv5lk6i it is not just that, conflicts with coworkers can lead to HR issues and losing your job. (even more so if you are a man dealing with female co workers)

[@ennmin]

More episodes please. Love it. Eventually I feel your vids could be monetised because ppl just love watching it. Stay strong!

[@HannahWurld]

Thanks. Right now, I am not monetizing it because I want to see how long I can keep this up, similar to my car living concept, lol

[@TenTenJ]

Please don’t encourage her to continue this.

[@TenTenJ]

@@HannahWurld I don’t know you. I don’t know why you came on my playlist feed. But I really don’t want you to continue this lifestyle. Can you get a room in someone’s home and save money that way? How is this good for your health? I don’t even think your dog is happy. Don’t try to make friends at work. Make friends outside of work and at work sometimes go to lunch with people. But don’t try to make friends with them. If they become your friends anyway, then they deserve your friendship. If someone doesn’t give you the consideration to let you know that they’re not going to lunch with you, keep your distance. You don’t have to brush them off entirely so they know you’re offended but know that that person is not a good person. There are plenty of public programs to help people get affordable housing if that’s your concern. Please, Hannah, it doesn’t have to be one extreme or the other. Find a safe place to live.

[@geribriggs6713]

My heart is breaking as I listen to you talk. I can recommend getting out and volunteering, working with people with disabilities, seniors anything to connect you to people. Isolating yourself can increase feelings of loneliness. I hope you think about connecting to a volunteer opportunity that would make you feel welcome and valued :) There is always seniors too :)

[@Leotk98]

Loved this vid ❤, you are not alone, I'm sure that many who watched the video will enjoy following you on this beautiful journey.

[@brybryBillions]

Your dog is the cutest!❤

[@Relativetoyou]

Your journey really resonates with me. The endless cycle of spending and earning is toxic but almost felt necessary in our 20s and 30s in this materialistic world. I hope to change my lifestyle too. Also just personal experience, I’ve had a lot of friends who moved to LA for the sunshine yet not many stayed. For some reason it is really difficult to make friends there unless you already have a solid group. I would suggest SF or Seattle if you are looking for alternatives or trying a Meetup app for people who wants to do activities together. Good luck on your journey and stay safe ❤!

[@HannahWurld]

At one point, I wondered if, because LA is the City of Angels, it naturally draws a mix of both angels and less benevolent forces.

[@__thytran]

My heart goes out to you. Having a sickness in the US is extremely heavy feeling one has to go through.

[@a.k.salazr]

I’m an introvert and I’m picky with the people around me. I get it. It’s hard. You’re brave- living in the car. Props to your dedication. I love that you have your doggie with you. How do you manage to take your dog everywhere including your job, restaurants and movie theater? I can’t find anywhere to take my dog with me. I live in Chicago. I wish I was a software engineer. Seems like it’s good money and everybody is an introvert.

[@Kristuhhh]

Man this video got me feelings on my situation. I’ve been laid off since Nov 2023 and no luck on a role since lay offs. I hope you’re safe and well. If you need a safe place. I’m from San Mateo/Burlingame about 30 mins from Mountain View area . The peninsula is usually a safe place ( just look out for the restricted parking areas) it’s a cute place with plenty of people our ages and lots of yummy food within the span of each other ! Hope that helps ! Stay safe✨

[@Damon_Mah]

keep applying for jobs, and don’t worry about many rejections, you’ll get one soon

[@HannahWurld]

Best wishes to you!

[@camu29]

its so cool how you include your dog in everything you do.

[@HannahWurld]

He is my universe

[@TheSummer750]

It is her "service dog". Not a pet. It is trained for her disability. LMAO she is a fraud.

[@LiveInnerCity]

So relatable! Sometimes you have to re-evaluate everything to find happiness.

[@ditherdather]

Your expectations for communication are not unreasonable. Giving someone ample notice that you will not be able to keep a commitment should be common courtesy, that way the other person can make alternative plans. I completely agree with you.

[@webguy943]

I find the rain incredibly relaxing. Id be sleeping like a baby. 😂 Come back to LA. Im here, i can be ur friend.

[@JetFeng]

your dog stay in your car during working hour?

[@ztp913]

i find that its easiest to make friends regularly doing a hobby that you enjoy, rock climbing has been an excellent option since there's downtime and you can slowly build a community supporting each other at all levels. that's just one idea though, you could find communities anywhere. Good luck! If you ever come to the east coast, lemme know

[@farrisbuellersweekoff]

Making friends is hard but you can be the person to reach out and confirm at the start of your day, I do this when I sit down to work I organise my calendar. Often people are just shy or forgot, you sound organised, most people are not. Someone said to me: give someone 3 chances, after that tell them “hey seems like we have tried to meet up a few times but it hasn’t worked out, hope one day when you are less busy we can hang out” and let it go.

[@luckieme517]

I get that you’re doing this for views, but going to the other extreme is unhealthy too. Also, is your dog living in the car too? That’s unfair to the dog. I would never do that to my dog.

[@Sarahthompson2237]

What part is unfair??

[@luckieme517]

@@Sarahthompson2237 you’re clearly not a dog person

[@geor4569]

It’s a service dog so when she Is working she brings it everywhere with her some people don’t abandon there dogs or give them to shelters to be put down soon she will find an apartment

[@darryltom1]

Great video that helps to give me more perspective on how you developed your resilience. Thinking you might lose your life makes you have a better perspective and able to handle your current challenges. Your values will keep you grounded. Be your own best friend and just keep going. Others on the hedonic treadmill might not relate well to you.

[@anncokafor]

@@luckieme517 A dog just needs it's human. Plenty of people live in really tight places but still have pets.

[@lvlaTr1X]

Hey Hannah, thanks for sharing your life online! Always interesting to see someone living out the kind of life which I wished I could experience. I know how it feels being alone and sometime "lonely" but as we age, I suppose we are wiser to know who really is our true friends and probably better off without those "fake" friends. Looking forward to more of your sharing!

[@james21ap1]

I did this for 2 years while working in the Bay Area. My family was in San Deigo and didn't want to move knowing this is short term. This was before covid, and I would not do this now, seeing how bad it there and i wouldn't feel safe.

[@brandiguarino1778]

Hey sweet lady. I respect you for your question to find meaning in your life , I went on a similar quest. I also understand your disappointment with trying to find friends. I wish you luck. Please don’t feel alone. I’m sending you a big hug from North Carolina. Hang in there.

[@redbunnyclassic]

Salute to Anton Daniels for shouting you out! I wish you Godspeed on your journey!😇

[@otspears2326]

Same!

[@VuQuang1973]

I see no point of living like this. Software engineers make $100k in my area and rent for a decent apartment is $1500. There’s no excuse for you not to move to a more affordable area.

[@user-ku7mv5lk6i]

You are right. Programmers in Silicon Valley get paid a lot more than you. But rent is minimum $2,5K- $3K. She still can afford it.

[@LifeWithRilla]

Commuting in that place is literal hell bro

[@TS.007]

As she mentioned in her video earlier, she lived glamorously but didn't find it meaningful. She is just experimenting with her current lifestyle, which is commendable, as it's not easy to choose this path knowing she can afford an apartment and live "decently". If she finds it meaningful, who are we to judge? She is in search of a meaningful life, and if we cannot support her, the least we can do is be kind in the comment section.

[@ZdzichuRaczka]

@@TS.007 "meaningful life" its just another ilusion just like faith. But someone told me that everything is an illusion, so we dont need to prefer true or false thing. Just have fun with life =) .

[@artemisworshiper2010]

She has health issues bro. The has health bills to pay. It can happen to anyone.

[@radley3519]

👋🏿 youre awesome! I live in my promaster city on the east coast..work for a software company...all that to say i can relate. I pray you thrive and live your best life !!! New sub

[@stan188]

I from Vancouver, work in IT too. Love how brave you are and love how you always bring your dog everywhere. I'm also battling with an illness. Lets 加油！

[@bowennn]

Kind of feels like you jumped from one extreme to the other

[@FilCanGil]

Hi Hannah, invest in a good pair of corded ear plugs……it works wonders for me especially on noisy evenings💪🏼🙏🏼

[@balancedL]

Thank you for sharing about turning away from materialism. This kind of change can be very lonely at first, but I think good friendships will develop! 😊

[@XMG3]

try ear plugs for the rain, i even use it at home sometimes, i know some people don't like to wear them but once you get used to it, you can get a good nights rest

[@marisadelrosario6257]

KEEP POSTING, soon u will be FAMOUS. Then everyone will want to be your FRIEND.

[@Gamess0000]

what about showers?

[@masably]

Ah, the quiet ones, they're the ones who truly matter in times of crisis. You see, they might take a little time to warm up, but once they do, they'll be there for you through thick and thin. I've been in those lonely situations myself, feeling invisible in some jobs. I know the pain of being overlooked, of being seen only for the good I could do. But at least, I had my trusty pup by my side, walking with me through the darkest of times.

[@chingon3461]

Be patient, and we usually don't need a lot of friends to be happy, but they will come because its seems you are a kind person. Wish you the best.

[@victoriatam1173]

Exactly.