San Francisco Van Life: What it's REALLY like.

[@erikleorga]

I go from watching a woodworker with excellent editing skills and good presentation to a wonderful travel documentary that makes me jealous of it all.

[@KarimElfouly]

Let me try and save a city’s reputation and then spend the first five minutes listing off the safety precautions necessary to park a camper on a side street 😂

[@SmoothJK]

"they are fear-mongering" but also "everyone my friend knows has had their car broken into"

[@ifollowjesus1667]

Exactly

[@JeannieMitchellMyers]

Exactly what many have experienced there and elsewhere.

[@ifollowjesus1667]

@@JeannieMitchellMyers I have never had my car broken into and I live in Florida.

[@JeannieMitchellMyers]

@@ifollowjesus1667 I lived in Michigan nad a car stolen twice!

[@darthlord4411]

As much as your videos, I’m sorry but major Democratic cities in the whole United States are a shit show. I’m old enough to remember when cities are up-and-coming and whether or not it seems to always be the same political atmosphere that creates that. If you’re basing your idea on a couple tourist places that you went to that makes a city. OK you should come visit New York City.

[@Cybnew]

I appreciate the sentiment, but as someone who lived in SF in 2007-2011….its a completely different city compared to what it once was

[@YoYoD4]

yep

[@darthfrancium1166]

OK boomer

[@Cybnew]

@@darthfrancium1166 so clever

[@jesses7010]

@@darthfrancium1166come up with your own joke

[@kryscat5481]

I see this sentiment a lot from people who live here for a few years and then move away. They have a brief snapshot of "their San Francisco", which is enshrined as "true SF" and anything that changes is "killing" the city. I've lived here since '95 and can tell you that in many ways it's really not that different, while at the same time it's constantly changing. We'll always have boom/bust cycles, and we've always been a place where young people go for a few years before moving elsewhere to complain about how "the good old days of SF" are over.

[@EirikMNewth]

Loved this video, and the part where you showed Penny the town was totally wholesome. 😻

[@MikeLaringo]

Ohhhhh, I just realized I must have walked past your van a bunch of times while you were parked in front of James Lick!

[@MorleyKert]

Haha amazing

[@pvic6959]

@@MorleyKert i live near SF, it would have been so cool to bump into you!

[@pileofstuff]

@24:31 That's Tim Hunkin's clock! There's a video on his youtube channel from when he was testing it many years ago.

[@enricoscichilone7949]

Love the video, from woodworking to 3d printing and now van life! Also thanks for changing my canadian media view of San Francisco:)

[@Hunter357mag]

Spring of '22 I spent two wonderful weeks in SF. In March of '23 I spent 5 awesome days in SF again. Parking at night where it was legal and in a couple of really nice areas during the day. ZERO issues for me personally. Again, I didn't park where it was illegal or super sketchy, but I was just careful-and had a wonderful time in a beautiful city. "Bad things" can and do happen anywhere. SF is an awesome place to visit and experience. Great video!

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks for watching! Sounds like you did it right 💯

[@GigaBit-i2j]

Luck.

[@olgablonski7139]

Okay that car driving with no driver just freaks me out 😂

[@Snail641]

living under a rock?

[@mind-of-neo]

I think you're the most optimistic youtuber i've ever seen

[@FixitFingers]

Argh memories of our honeymoon. SanFran was the last stop on our south-west US trip and the only place we'd have considered living... but still, compared to Australian cities the social challenges seemed very deep. Despite that we had a great time and it was one of our favourite stops. We never felt unsafe and it was pretty obvious where to avoid. For season 2 you guys should come to Oz and do a loop, you'd love it. It's only about 10,000 miles 😉

[@techguy38]

You are not from here so you can’t comment if it’s dead as you don’t know what it was before, Is there still people there? of course people still live there but in terms of the volume that San Francisco has from tourists and the tech industry it’s about 25% of what it is was prior which is huge. Restaurants would have lines out the door especially during lunch time, malls and stores would have endless foot traffic of people coming in especially on Market and by Union Square but that just doesn’t happen anymore. I was born and raised here for 40 years so I have seen the changes.

[@rentaspoon219]

The media haven't told me anything about San Francisco

[@tootietatum8737]

"The Media is Lying to You " - yeah, it's actually worse. I live here.

[@jgoo4572]

I haven’t been to SanFran in years, but I have been to Portland and the homeless situation there is out of control. I think these guys visiting SF for a week can be OK because it’s just a week, but if you have to live in certain conditions over time, it starts to wear on you. They are seeing SF through a tourist perspective. Probably still a great place to visit, however this video did seem to have a preconceived goal of proving that the situation wasn’t as bad as the media reports even before they actually experienced it.

[@takorngameing4343]

no wonder why I thought I saw you! I was at the Japanese garden at the bridge and I thought I saw you.

[@MorleyKert]

Ayy!

[@divinecooperation4555]

Beautiful presentation😅thank you!

[@1944chevytruck]

"The Media is Lying to You " - yeah, it's actually worse.

[@garystovall4225]

enjoy your videos, im a woodworker so started following you there. Just wanted let you know that Starlink makes a set of strong magnets to hold the dish down.

[@jane.c.c]

When you mentioned the animals, It was like you read my mind cause at that moment I started thinking "The Animals" 😲 but I wasn't that worried cause I just know you're a good guy and will do right by them..

[@seven_o_savage]

Life is simple: I see Morley Kert video, I click. Good stuff man!!

[@victorsaenz9452]

I spent the last 2 years traveling for work and while doing it I was living in a RTT, well I ended up wrecking my truck and bought a subie, afterwards I learn that I'm getting sent to SF. I ended up rent a room near the beach for $1150/month which is cheap for SF and my weekly per diem is more than my monthly rent. I just learned that I'll be in SF for the next few years and I regret not buying a van. I miss the freedom and low cost.

[@quilleymemory]

I have a driveway you can park in for a bit. You can mooch my Wi-Fi too! I live in an area tourists love to visit so it’s a good location.

[@rachmuffins7]

This is my favorite van life video so far! 😊 loving more of Eden, and all the cuteness of your family of 4! ❤

[@Zamboni-0805]

I was born in SF and now I live about 1hr away. San francisco is not the same as it was when I was growing up. I personally try to stay out of SF these days. If you want to have fun go to Oakland Ca.......lol

[@andy_warb]

Did you see the maker space in the Exploratorium? I so wanted to go in there when I visited!

[@MorleyKert]

Just from the outside, it looked incredible!

[@Matt-xq6ow]

- Stays in one of the safest parts of SF - still needs to warn about theft/robbery "The Media is Lying to You about San Francisco."

[@juanmacias5922]

16:32 different company, but Cruise hit, and dragged a person under the car in S.F.

[@peterottes6900]

I've been traveling to and staying in SF for 40 years. It has definitely changed over that time to being more crime-ridden. My wife and I witnessed many car break-ins the last few times we were there. My family lives in that area and we were staying near the airport at our favorite hotel and there were many cars that were broken into. Around the DeYoung, Science Museum and Botanical Gardens, cars were broken into all up and down the road. And the homeless encampments were everywhere. I love the city but it is so expensive and there is a clash between elite, money and the average person.

[@Sand_29]

It’s a good vid, but can you explain the boat going sideways at 24:53

[@MorleyKert]

The bay has some crazy currents

[@ethanepstein921]

Lived in San Francisco for 5 years (bay for 9) until recently - glad you had a wonderful time in a great city. Thanks for portraying it in the light I've experienced, and good job hitting some of the best spots in the city. Was a little worried about the van (there's validity to the stories), so I'm glad you made it out (relatively) unscathed.

[@MANZANOADRIAN]

Im having trouble Finding parking. Do you have the cross st

[@MorleyKert]

Noe and Clipper!

[@BarbaraPappaAirsoft]

As a Swedish tourist who unfortunately visited San Francisco during the summer of 2023 I can tell that the city is as awful as the media portrays it....

[@kimkristiansson]

Hey, recently found your channel and love the content. Inspired me to do some crafting at home myself! On a very different note than woodworking and home crafting, …erhm where did you get that green jacket you wear when using the onewheel? Or what is the brand? Once again, love the videos and happy the 3D printed chair video blew up as mich as it did!

[@ramitarabichi2474]

more vlogs,youre so goo at this format!!!!

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you!

[@crashkg]

I like your travel video. I am surprised you didn't find a single thing to 3D print while in SF. Maybe print a public toilet ;-)

[@DrJimJim]

I hope you visited Adam Savage / Tested, while there, would be an incredibly fun collab video to watch. I think your combined energies would make a fun, but chaotic, video :D Either way, love this journey! I'm here for the maker stuff, but I do love travel vlogs aswell ;D

[@Cheeshsh]

Hey I have a question can you give me the link for the one wheel you have pls and thank you

[@MorleyKert]

OneWheel GT

[@elizabethkert3924]

I thought my comment had posted:) Great video and wonderful to have this very special couple visit! I also love my city though of course there are problems here. I do not minimize and am also grateful to be able to live here.

[@Saavik256]

It's been 20 years since I was States-side, and SF was an entirely different beast back then. The only place I disliked more than SF on that roadtrip was LV. Also, I find it interesting that bike lanes are painted green. In my country, they're painted red.

[@WoLpH]

Is one of the outlets of your coffee maker clogged or were you parked on a hill? I just had to ask...

[@MorleyKert]

Parked on a slight slope - if we’re parked on too steep of a hill, it won’t work at all and we have to slightly elevate one side.

[@WoLpH]

@@MorleyKert That makes sense. Idea for a future build, a constrained hanging tray for your coffee maker so it's always level and always works flawlessly? ;)

[@11_credits]

I took 3 waymos when I visited, first one was wierd and a little scary, second one went up and down steep hills and was fun, third one was 40 minutes long at night and incredibly peaceful

[@chrisrodriguez8899]

19:46 that wrap or burrito looks amazing where did you guys get it from?

[@MorleyKert]

Papalote!

[@gregoryjasongranado5248]

Did you get stuck in the protest on the Golden Gate bridge?

[@cjcoveco]

I’m just curious to how this is all financed?

[@MorleyKert]

I am a full time content creator and make money from ads run on my videos, etc.

[@oldgeezer3269]

Wrong video I know but just watched the van build subbed and pelican ❤

[@clapclapscream]

5:27 there is a lesson here. Funny clip!

[@geogmz8277]

Waymo did kill somebody in Phoenix, AZ, in its early days.

[@imbue]

I stayed in San Francisco in 2021 not long after Covid and it was one of the worst trips of my life. Such a shame to see a city like that. I’m sure things are bit busier and better now but it was a crime ridden ghost town. Every single shop around the main square had been boarded up and had police on the door. I think there had been a crime spree the week before. I’m from England by the way. Enjoyed your video though! ✌️

[@duffthepsych]

No commentary on the description of the city, but I thought the sound design was particularly good in this edit.

[@scottgriz]

SF is an amazing city. That's cool you got to see the eclipse. Too bad you didn't time your trip to be somewhere in the path of totality. It's an incredible experience.

[@kaytoka717]

Fortunately they should still be young / fit enough to catch the next one in 2033 in Alaska and 2044 in North Dakota and Montana if they so choose. 😊

[@juanmacias5922]

30:55 I believe big tech influenced the housing costs, and when people started to work from home, and realized they didn't have to live in S.F. that's when the talk of "S.F. is dead" started.

[@DaeliaVanlife]

Im suprise u didnt print a roof mount for ur starlink

[@jgoo4572]

A lady not to far from my old neighborhood in Tempe AZ was killed by a self driving car, but that was in the early stages. AI technology is going to ruin a lot of things, but there is also an upside. I think self driving cars will be a good thing. My parents are elderly and this would help them out in keeping their independence.

[@maryleigh8990]

Good luck man.

[@RYwoodview]

Looks like your cat "house" training was successful!

[@jaminvanderberg5300]

How dare you not 3d print anything :D

[@RSolleyPhD]

Thought you might 3-D print the replacement side mirror!

[@olgablonski7139]

Hey thinking of you guys all the time. Hard to keep up with all your adventures. Give the babies a big hug. ❤

[@Spoolingturbski]

I probably shouldn’t be a hypocrite and say don’t ride a bike in sf because I ride a bicycle, scooter and motorcycle here. But I would strongly advocate not to do so. I’ve seen people get run over and knocked off their bikes and then the driver hits and runs. Many people are on drugs or are drunk especially the surrounding areas of the tenderloin which is basically the heart of the city. Fun Fact: I have had my windows broken into in broad daylight just from entering a Walgreens for 5 minutes.

[@rob.mcccarrick]

I love this video. Did you drive past Adam Savage's cave while you were there? I'd love to see a collaboration between you all!

[@stevejeffrey11]

just scrawl FREE CANDY on the side & scare everyone away and get out of San Fran as quickly as you can..

[@burymeinbrooklyn5329]

They’re definitely NOT LYING about SF. I lived there on and off the last 8 years in Lower Haight. The Mission, SOMA, Downtown, TL are all complete nightmares. SF is a small city but if you go out to North Beach, the Marina, Presidio or Outter Richmond and Sunset it’s kind of ok but I’m the middle in the areas I mentioned it’s an absolute apocalypse

[@Chiefsfansb4]

I resent the implication that Mark Rober would lie to me about anything!

[@CodeOptimism]

Yay van espresso machines. 🥰 I went with the 9Barista, you can't get smaller than that! Fits in a drawer. Harder to use and sometimes terrifying, but the engineering just blows my mind and I love that.

[@MorleyKert]

Yes!!

[@FerscMoses]

I think you understood "curb your wheels" wrong (wrong direction in video / if hit for example - car should roll into curb) :P ♥

[@wilsonpereirasmart8687]

Sim, San Francisco é um lugar lindo e seguro pra se viver e trabalhar. Exatamente como era há 10 anos atrás..... Os governos com portas abertas para a migração indiscriminada ajudam muito para que a Bela San Francisco continue segura como sempre foi. (contém ironia).

[@castcrus]

Yea, I'm good with living in Sydney

[@oldgeezer3269]

Kert where did you get that planner from for the pallet work? its a good bit of kit

[@bearmerica6668]

It's not fear mongering, it's real. On the regular is a band losing their instruments when visiting San Francisco and they post on Yelp to help get their stuff back. Anyone with a van be warned. Anyone with a car too. 😂

[@jzhen001]

wheres that place at 28:14?

[@juanmacias5922]

Wait, did you actually fall? 5:30

[@MorleyKert]

Haha yup

[@Borret]

Im a highschool student which cant support you financially, im not in the market to buy or live out a van, and yet this video is inspiring. Thank you, and this was my attempt for some emotional support.

[@MorleyKert]

Watching the video is support enough! Thanks for watching 😊

[@JJ-xz8dk]

What did you write on the van?

[@kaytoka717]

Be aware of Dog

[@YoYoD4]

its not only the city it's Oakland,Berkeley and the whole bay

[@ciccn512]

Elizabeth, I can see your house from here:)

[@Iebaxos]

I loveeeee San Francisco. But I don’t like driving in the city.

[@joshuemanuelavalosgomez9104]

that sopund right there i can stand it

[@SouthernArtist77]

San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

[@joeygproducedit7863]

lol thats not even close to how hard it can get. you have leg room when you sleep. come back when you wake up with cramped legs and 4 hours of sleep....

[@lorisneupert2101]

If they ever travel to switzerland, they gonna wanna stay here too😂😂

[@pcc404]

wait... san francisco is where open sauce is happening isn't it?

[@CARTUNE.]

*KZbinr panders to his audience that’s doesn’t live here trying to convince them that our city isn’t a shit-hole.* - This ad was paid for by the city of San Francisco.

[@nintendolunchbox]

Broke my heart when adam savage got his car broken into there. They took his Indiana jones whip.

[@schodown4036]

Ened blink twice if you’re under duress

[@Michael-vk3es]

Lettssss goooo

[@Locd4life707]

I live in the Bay area and my son works with the homeless in SF. The city actually do alot for the homeless people there. It just said some people turn down the resources that are offered. I was born and raised in the north bay area and my hometown does little to nothing for the homeless. Everyone isn't on drugs, you know some people just can't afford the high rental rates. Then you have other's who need assistance to cover the cost of living in an apartment or house due to low incomes. We do get beautiful weather here. I've been living in my van for two year's and I tell you. I sleep well the weather isn't an issue for me. I just add another blanket if it really cold. I sleep better in my van than I did in a house!!!!!! I wish I would of started vanlife sooner. Yes there is a lot of stealing, car thefts, smash and grabs. Most of the crimes in San Francisco is done by out of towners. Regardless of where you go it's always good to pay attention to your surroundings. Peace, love and protection to you! Safe travels always!

[@Uncle_Baby_Billy]

I went there and it was a 💩 hole. i don't know if things have changed in the last year or so, but thinking positive and ignoring problems doesn't solve anything.

[@oBCHANo]

Fear mongering, bro, you literally just said your friend's friends have all had their car broken into, lmao. Then family have all had their bikes stolen. You're even having to go out of your way to park in a safe place. It's definitely not fearmongering, there are gangs who literally just walk into shops and steal everything they can before just casually walking away because the police won't do anything about it. There are massive homeless camps in the streets with rampant drug use and violence. SF used to be an amazing city, in reality it's now a dying dump that is getting worse by the day. It's basically the next detroit.

[@L337f33t]

“Tonight on news 6, local KZbinr and maker personality Morley Kurt had his entire life stolen when thieves raided his modified van in San Francisco. Mr. Kurt had been living with his wife and cat in their modified van turned mobile living space. No word yet on suspects or whereabouts of the van.”

[@reedoburrito7456]

This is made up?

[@L337f33t]

@@reedoburrito7456 yes I’m sorry I forgot to say that this was a joke. People in San Francisco have things stolen from their cars often. And Morley has a lot of things in his car to steal.

[@mind-of-neo]

Jesus christ password locked "public" restrooms. What a world.

[@Tallweimaraner1776]

A lot of times its better to not put up a beware of dogs sign because if your dog does bite someone breaking in the court and lawyer cant say the homeowner or owner of the vehicle knew that the dog was dangerous!! Air quote air quote !! and say that clearly they pet owners knew that the dog was dangerous so they put up a sign next thing you know you're in hot water also might want to at least carry a knife in san Fransisco better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it after all it is the city and san Francisco i would carry at least a knife if not a concealed carry gun maybe even some pepper spray or Taser

[@imHani]

I'd totally buy a lil panther

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

Little Panther!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Thank you so much for countering the propaganda. Coming from the Bay Area, I get this all the time when I meet new people. SF is one of the greatest cities in the world. Awesome video.❤❤❤

[@MorleyKert]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching

[@CoachAlexK]

A lot of these comments seem like they're following in the wake of that politically-charged media coverage that you mention in the beginning of this video. I've lived in the bay area for 39 years and while some things have gotten significantly worse, many other things have massively improved, and any area with millions of people will be in a constant state of flux. I feel like you did a great job of showing the good, the bad, and the ugly, and summarizing your experiences at the end. If you're ever back in the bay send me a message, I run a huge ninja warrior gym with a workshop and have some fun video ideas! [Edited for typos and clarity]

[@TheBeeWolf]

What exactly has "massively" improved? The dude had to spend minutes covering precautions you have to take so you don't fall victim to crime on a daily basis. That is INSANE!! I don't have to be told by the media that retail stores are closing in Southern California at record pace due to crime. The stores are announcing that themselves.

[@juanmacias5922]

​@@TheBeeWolf Tbh, I would take these precautions in every city, and using political rhetoric to condemn particular cities is hilarious. The reason retail stores are closing is a combination of rent being too high, stores realizing they don't need to be on every corner, and online shopping. Theft is already accounted for in their margins, they are being disingenuous.

[@peachy-tay]

@@juanmacias5922 exactly. theft and crime and dirtiness happen in every city. SF isn't even in the top 10 of most "dangerous" cities in the US lol

[@KyleT1990]

Because crazy liberals don’t understand how insane their cities are compared to the rest of the world. Ask anyone who’s moved to a red state how shocked they were to find out how much better life can be.

[@jesses7010]

@@juanmacias5922you don’t have to worry about every tourist location in other cities. You shouldn’t have to leave absolutely nothing in your car. We left a breast pump in the car and it was stolen. Sorry, thought it was just human decency to not have a mother’s way of nursing from them. Also, Morley parked in residential areas they knew had a better chance of less crime. Not everyone has the luxury of a friends bathroom and a $150k camper.

[@Zuul47]

Last month I went to Oakland to pick up family at the airport. I pulled off to go get something to eat...first thing I saw was a guy peeing on the sidewalk, further down were several cars with broken out windows. I'd rather not travel to the bay area in general lol

[@fredib70]

LITTLE PANTHER!!!

[@LilCripplingAnxiety]

I used to watch Casey Neistat back in the day, at the same time everyone else did, when his vlogs were massive. This video really has a lot of the good vibes of his videos that I remember from that time, only with more van life lol. I'm glad to be reminded of the (potentially rose-tinted) memories.

[@climid]

Like many woodworkers here, i come from a small town and let me tell you, so is definitely a no go zone .

[@jsmrgen]

This video was painful to watch. I don't need Fox to tell me this city is in the gutter. Not the same City I know. It might just be that your lifestyle and way of thinking fits right in with the direction the city is going.

[@jesses7010]

The guy gets to ride his onewheel and go to posh markets. I like Morley but it’s a bit out of touch to say SF is being lied about. Also, I thought it was cleaned up a bit for when the Chinese Ping came for a visit? Is that wrong?