Living in a Car - How anybody can make it in the UK

[@michalkalinowski5008]

Doing it right now in the UK after splitting with my wife on New Years Eve and leaving with one suitcase. Somehow I feel happier now ;)

[@51North]

Best of luck in your future brother

[@KarenSmith-ls2gj]

I am doing the same mate, it's tough, but I am much happier.

[@mikeb3315]

Same here, I split with my partner, been in my car since the covid-19 lockdown lol. Also never been happier, I pick and choose when I want to work. Had one knock on the window by the police about 3 weeks ago. Hard to find spots to sleep without being bothered by someone.

[@Marie.M68]

@@mikeb3315 Hi, i just wanted to ask you how were the police with you when they knockedon your window? Did they move you on? Hope things are going well anyway. ATB

[@mikeb3315]

@@Marie.M68 I just told them this was my 1st night out, because I had a argument with the misses lol...it worked out okay, because I told them I lived there. And said I'll be going back in the morning. All is good thank you, haven't see the police since.

[@tatemitchell1479]

Soon as I grab my driving license, I’m gonna purchase a car and start this lifestyle. I want freedom more than anything in the world. I’ve already started my savings for this project!

[@milkyvanlife]

I live in my van. Life is so sweet. No major bills, no paying the government. I worked so hard all my life and I've spent it all just on living, given all my cash back to society. Now all my cash is spent on me mostly. My head is clearer, I don't work full time, I love being out in nature. But once more people start doing this the government will try make it hard for us. If they can't make money off us they will ban us doing it. It's also hard staying on the streets. Ive got a van and people tried breaking in, had stuff thrown over my windscreen, cops knocking on being nosy. I found a farmer who lets me stay in his yard next to a field for very little monthly cost. My mins now at peace. I contemplate regularly, I'm in control of my life and it feels amazing

[@paulwhent1370]

This was really good advice thank you. Its something I've been thinking of to pay debts and save money. I appreciate you putting this together as everything I see is usually from the u.s so to have first hand from the uk really helps. Thank you.for the honesty and helping me realise this is do-able

[@51North]

Thanks. Good luck to you.

[@S.G..E555]

I used a Sainsbury’s with unlimited parking.. they must of had a full night shift as there was a few cars so it didn’t stand out as a car alone.. ✌️

[@niamhnortheast7413]

I don’t actually know how to drive and I don’t have a car but after being homeless for around six months I got really interested in the van life and vehicle dwelling as I’ve had such a transient lifestyle and it’s nice to see someone from the UK make videos on this

[@niamhnortheast7413]

@R S123 I know everyone says there’s going to be like a 2 year wait for tests and I never even thought about that

[@Preeno]

Very informative precise, to the point video, on lots of aspects of car living. Really liked this fella. I thought I was the only one who didn’t like sh*ting in public toilets. Lol.

[@peteberry2427]

What cool down to earth gutsy fella a true Brit 👌🏻 This guy is so on the ball `what’s the betting after A few years of this he will be living ok 👍🏼🇬🇧

[@51North]

Thanks. The time I spent living in the car allowed me to save a sizable deposit for a house. Onwards and upwards.

[@bobevo2000]

Hiya something no one ever mentions is what address do you register your driver licence with ??? and your car insurance ??? as im sure you need a fixed abode ??????

[@asweeney101]

Did you ever try renting a garage and parking your car inside it?

[@nicholasmassey6941]

I'm severely contemplating this. I have a storage unit (indoors) that i need for my business, which i can house all my own possessions in, so the car would pretty much be empty as i wouldn't need to store things in it. I think i may take all of the seats out and just have the one seat so i can lay down nicely. And yeah tint lol. I have a chair and desk in my unit too, i think it could work. Not sure how i would cope in 30-degree summer though as cars go like ovens then.

[@Rolo3939]

I'm planning to do this in a Mazda 6 Estate in the UK next year. Thanks for the tips mate 👍

[@robhingston]

How things living in your car

[@Rolo3939]

@@robhingston thanks for asking.. it tested my terrible organisation skills to start with, but they have since improved! Now being mostly on top of all of that it's great and I'm enjoying it especially with the warmer weather!

[@09o0o10]

Hey nick! I noticed you recently replied back to a comment here and I wanted to ask.. are you still living in your car? Could we connect on a messaging platform at all? I have some questions.. thanks man!

[@WilderhopeAdventures]

While not living in cars (mostly) there is a large group on FB of women who camp in cars so there are a lot of women who are dealing with a lot of the peeing issues...Shewees and bottles are apparently a great option

[@theyjustwantyourmoney4539]

If its long term like more than two years its better to get a camper van coz you will need to cook

[@51North]

Yeah camper van is idea, although depending on the area, possibly harder to park and more likely to be broken into. I'd love a camper though

[@Purple9721.]

Go to an outdoor shop and buy a mini stove and gas canister

[@thebaddest3452]

For women. Pee in ur car in a bucket (something wide so no pee splashes that stink the car up) then throw it out immediately

[@louh2893]

Any tips safety wise for females? I want to do this for atleast 6 month jan- June/July to save money but worried about safety

[@51North]

I felt safest in areas with a steady flow of people, hotels like premiere Inn, tinted back windows so people can't see in. My plan if on the very small chance someone did break into the car was just to scream as loud as possible! I think it would frighten any intruder who isn't expecting someone in a car they break into!

[@louh2893]

FullThrottleHappy thank you for your reply :D

[@51North]

Why does she need 30k, it's a good experience and worth doing for that alone. I saved about 15k though

[@highgatehandyman6479]

@@51North did you save 15k from driving for uber eats?

[@51North]

No I was working a employed full time job at the time.

[@rufustfirefly7389]

How do you get insurance if you've no permanent address and you've no parents/siblings? There's the usual question of "where's it parked overnight" from insurance companies. Are there any organisations like a shelter or religious organisation who will let homeless use their address for insurance purposes or even to offer parking?

[@51North]

What's your next nearest thing to a permanent address? Where would you stay if not camping. Many insurance companies don't send out documents by post any more especially the discount insurers. I'm insured with OnCall and everything is online.

[@rufustfirefly7389]

I got insurance rom Sterling Insurance.

[@michaelbrooks2939]

Great video, I'll be doing this soon once Ryanair can get me back to the UK.

[@lee-oo1dd]

Just split from my other half of 15 years now living in car wat do I need to expect I'm in Northern Ireland

[@Admiral_Jezza]

Yeah but how would you do basic stuff like having a bank account without an address? PO boxes count? Or will they just let you once you tell them of your situation?

[@51North]

I can't say, I used my parents address for bank and job etc

[@michaelreynolds6543]

vanpost

[@greenmanbotanicals1828]

@@51North ahh right, so actually you lived at your parents house and just slept in your car.

[@user-vp5iy8ec9q]

i gather a coming new law, UK police can fine sleepers right? (GOV need money after lockdown in all areas)

[@Marie.M68]

Ed, yeah you're probably right they'll try everything to take our money. ATB.

[@coolhand06405]

Brilliant video and tips …thanks very much 🤘👍

[@lee-oo1dd]

How were u able to iron your clothes this is my delema

[@jaygallagher9195]

How much were you earning while living in your car to save 30k? Not being knosey just gives me an idea what I can save, I earn 40k ish would living on 10k be possible in the car ?

[@51North]

About £27k main job basic salary and about £4k in a part time job. I'd take over time on the main job if it was easy low stress work, and that would come out at about £300 for a 11 hour shift in the good times, but never took the stressful overtime as would have taken too much of a toll. By no means anything out of the ordinary wage wise, but if you make saving your main goal the world somehow starts providing money making opportunities. You can easily live on 10k assuming the car costs such as insurance aren't too high

[@gopherbar]

I live in my car, no job but some savings. It’s hard I just tell the police I’m homeless and they leave me alone. The difficulty is where to wash and shit as toilets are hard to find after hours.

[@51North]

Yeah toilet etc is high priority. 24 hour gyms, service stations etc all depend on your location

[@Themis33]

I live in my TT with two dogs. Epic. 😬

[@51North]

Sounds cosy!

[@Themis33]

@@51North 👀 lol. Congrats on achieving your dream. Bet you're loving your home.

[@Themis33]

@@51North lasted one night. Couldn't fit. Couldn't sleep. Ended up in a hotel. Hahaha

[@21don20]

Hello I’m sleeping in my car right now after being kicked out of 1 bedroom flat it’s not cold right now but in the winter months I’m worried is there any certain sleeping bag I should get

[@51North]

I was using a British Army 'bouncing bomb' sleeping bag, very good in the cold. Not sure how much they are second hand, otherwise get the equivalent rated civvie one from a camping supplier

[@S.G..E555]

Make sure you get decent wool sock gloves and bobble hat .. if you watch bob wells he has some more tips about car dwelling.. also park near hedges or with a built up area where your not as open to the elements.. xx have a drive while your sleeping bag is open before bedding down so it’s all warm when you ready to kip.. ✌️✌️

[@on_the_mooch2708]

Are you ex army?

[@greenmanbotanicals1828]

How do you insure your car with no address? And also manage DVLA?

[@51North]

Use the address of where you otherwise most be, parents, siblings, friends etc.

[@mrdeliveroo]

Great

[@ChristianParkesArt]

Prius are meant to be good for this

[@stefanzagloba5774]

But they fucking expensive to buy

[@jambononi]

When you finally do meet a woman, "Your estate or mine?" "I just need to powder my nose..." gets out a SheWee. Yeah must be soooo much harder as a woman!

[@Rolo3939]

Currently living in a Vauxhall Zafira in the UK, so happy to have total control over everything in my life now... thanks for the video man

[@wendiddd6065]

Where do you normally park your car overnight? And how did you manage going to toilet ?

[@Rolo3939]

@@wendiddd6065 usually supermarket car parks (lots have signs but for a small fee you can stop overnight) hotels, van life park ups. I tend to go toilet before bedtime using Supermarkets again. If needed a dedicated bottle that gets sanitised.

[@wendiddd6065]

@@Rolo3939 wow. That's a good strategy. Sometimes I came up with the idea that it might be better to park in a new build area. Definitely quiet and no parking fee.

[@Rolo3939]

@@wendiddd6065 thank you! It's worked out so far. New builds is also a good shout, especially when there's always new cars appearing all the time. Are you doing this yourself, or looking into it?

[@wendiddd6065]

@@Rolo3939 thank you. I am looking to do it next year. Also looking to get 308 sw estate. Did you have modification like tinted rear windows or just took car as it was.

[@selfesteem1942]

Do you have any good tips for car curtains?

[@51North]

Never used curtains, I highly recommend tinting the back windows for privacy though

[@S.G..E555]

If you get cheap black out curtains and look online you can use stationary clips to hang them.

[@robhingston]

Personally I wouldn’t use curtains because it might make it a bit obvious that somebody sleeping is the car ... tinted windows seems to make more logical sense because It’s normal to see Windows tinted

[@thomasskeffington4539]

What about laundry?

[@kronos4136]

I wondered if living in a car was the answer ...until I discovered the hokey Cokey......that's what it's all about !! You're welcome :)

[@colinderbyshire9902]

Are there any cheaper options for showering

[@51North]

Some service stations have showers but don't know the procedure for using one, you could enquire with your local council as some offer shower facility at leisure centres

[@mediaiweb]

hmm i'm thinking of getting a night work and sleep in the bus during the day lol dont need a car lol

[@lukemontana9860]

Love what you have done, What did you do for addresses i.e Bank address, insurance ect?

[@51North]

Parents address

[@anthonyalandoyle]

Which sleeping bag you buy?

[@51North]

I have a cheap Halfords one at the moment, but my favourite was a British Army 'bouncing bomb', really warm and comfortable

[@ultimatechakra3162]

I want to do this but I am scared to drive

[@manchesteryoutube2108]

I'm now officially homeless and tonight is my first night. I have a Toyota auris estate that is my Uber taxi car. So I'll be living and working in my car so I can't have too many things in the boot that's my issue. Not sure how to be setting this up I have a gym membership I'll be going there for shower etc

[@51North]

Is there a quiet, safe area you could leave the stuff while you work, hidden under a tarpaulin or something

[@manchesteryoutube2108]

@@51North that's something I'll have to search. I can have a sleeping bag and pillow folded up in the corner boot and also in my gym bag I have toiletries and towel etc. I'm hoping this should be sufficient

[@manchesteryoutube2108]

@@51North all my clothes are at my kids and their mums house I have to get them out tomorrow then I am putting them on a storage unit

[@jimjones8808]

Out of curiosity, how much were you able to save per month and what kind of job/income did you have at the time? Thanks a lot!

[@51North]

I was earning £1700 a month after tax. My living expenses were around £500 (food, petrol, phone bill, car running costs etc). I also worked some part time hours making around £150 a month, and sold loads of junk on ebay, all money going into savings.

[@jimjones8808]

@@51North Thanks a lot for the reply! I've seen a few of your other videos. You have a mortgage now right and you work for uber eats right? Has it been tough to pay your mortgage and other bills whilst doing uber eats because the salary isn't the biggest? Sorry for the question as I know it's a bit personal. It's that I'm thinking about living out of a van whilst on a lowish income and saving for buying a house down the line myself but trying to work out if it's viable financially.

[@51North]

It's not so much the wage of Deliveroo/UberEats, it's more the security and stability (one day you can make a fair bit say £15/hour, one day you might average a couple of pounds per hour) I'm going back to a standard full time job in 2020, just because it's easy and you don't have to think, and spend creative time making KZbin videos, and work on sideline businesses

[@51North]

If I didn't have a family I'd continue in the gig economy most likely

[@jimjones8808]

@@51North Thanks mate. Have you been able to live okay on uber eats money or have you had to have side hustles going on?

[@cunningstunt9226]

How did you deal with washing clothes?

[@51North]

My work at the time had a utility room with a washing machine and dryer, I'd save a weeks washing up and do it on a night shift, so that worked out perfectly at the time, otherwise a laundrette

[@kandacepatterson7965]

And if your car breaks down?

[@Purple9721.]

Yer fooked

[@Yo-ItsYo]

If you're working, you can deal with a breakdown. Get it fixed, and have a night or 2 in a hotel..

[@cic-jakevanddalgeemyers.2739]

Kool

[@nazmulmiah7513]

WHATS A IDEAL CAR FOR LIVING IN YOUR CAR

[@51North]

A big estate, or a van

[@nazmulmiah7513]

@@51North the van will normal sized van be fine let's vw mini van

[@51North]

Yeah nice

[@peterpacciani666]

*ikea for the win*

[@hamzaamir6704]

It ok but were you take bath shower 🚿

[@renesho507]

What about taking a poo?

[@Troll_the_Trolls]

Find a discreet tree

[@RhetoricalMuse]

Just stay at your parents for a year. I mean...it's easy.

[@annebracher1843]

What if your parents are dead? Not so easy 🙄

[@nickburse]

$ik 👽

[@BigVVS]

👃

[@High.Vibe.Living]

I think if a person ever wanted to do this, but still had at least has a bit of money behind them, then staying in car only from march to november would be ideal and using hostels/hotels for months like Dec,jan,feb as its too cold. dealing with ice would be a proper headache And just saving to buy cheap property like a studio flat/ apartment. mortage/own that.... live there for a while. Save... Then buy a house in future, and then rent out the flat :D