Living the Car Life: A Biology Student's Parking Lot Experience
Hello everyone, I'm Mimmy, a biology student and travel enthusiast working in California. Instead of renting or buying a house, I've chosen to live in my car. Many friends have asked about the conveniences and facilities available while living this way. Today, I'll share my experiences and demonstrate what life in a parking lot entails.
Why Live in a Car?
The biggest reason for my unconventional living situation is the extremely high cost of rent and housing in California. Rent for a shared apartment can range from $1,500 to $2,000 per month.
Campground Membership & Costs
I opted for a campground membership, which cost $9,000 initially, with an additional $800 annual fee. However, I only live at the campground for six months out of the year. My total car-related expenses, including the membership, amount to roughly $800 per year.
Essential Amenities: Water and Electricity
Electrical Hookups
General campgrounds usually have electrical installations. They typically offer:
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50 amp service (left)
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30 amp service (middle)
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Standard 110 volt household power (right)
I purchased a plug-in adapter to charge my Tesla.
Water Supply
Accessing water is straightforward. Campgrounds have water hookups.
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Connect a tube directly to the water intake on the car.
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The car usually has two holes, one to directly connect to your water tank for filling, and another outlet.
I usually fill only a little at a time, turning off my water tank when full.
Campground Facilities: Bathroom, Laundry, and More
Bathrooms
The parking lot offers bathroom and shower facilities. If I don't want to shower in the car, I can use the public showers. These stalls provide a bench and space for toiletries. There are usually multiple shower stalls. It's typically not crowded as most people have showers in their car.
Laundry Room
The laundry room provides washing and drying machines. It costs approximately $1.50 to wash and $1.50 to dry, totaling around $3.00 per load. The laundry room is equipped with solar panels to provide power to the machines, refrigerator, heater and air conditioner.
Wooden Houses
The parking lot also has wooden houses. People can book a wooden house online, which are very practical and convenient.
Additional Amenities & Recreation
Beyond the essentials, the campground offers a variety of amenities:
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Swimming Pool: A large swimming pool with changing rooms and showers.
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Amusement Park: An amusement park with facilities such as a roller coaster and sand area.
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Indoor Recreation: Indoor activities like TV, mini basketball, and party space.
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Outdoor Recreation: Facilities for ping-pong, international chess, and football.
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Rest Area: A place to relax with sofas, tables, and a large screen to watch sports.
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Fire Pit: A communal fire pit for social gatherings.
Campground Summary of Facilities
In summary, this parking lot provides a comprehensive living experience.
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Water, electricity, and public transport for cars.
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Toilets and bathrooms.
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Laundry facilities.
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Outdoor activities like mini golf, beach volleyball, and a swimming pool.
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Indoor activities like a spa.
Overall, this campground meets my needs. What do you think of this lifestyle?