Wiley's Urban survival guide

[WileEcoyote]

As some of you may know i left the middle class comfort almost a week ago to join the ranks of the so called "Homeless".

Actually i have a perfect home it just has four wheels.

Assuming two fates lay ahead of us I may be ahead of the curve actually.

1. Should the economy tank as a result of herbert Hoover/George W. economics? Well then you will NEED this guide.

2. Hopefully I'm wrong and a whole tone of green jobs will result from a democratic Administration and Congress. That underground buildings will save heat and energy, free medical care and those who drive will own bio diesel powered carrs that get 200 MPG.

IF you find yourseolf out of a job, screwed up by a deadbeat room mate (as was Wiley), get sick of your landlord or just hate paying the friggin rent or mortgage every moth here is the guide

A. Some kind of vehicle is a must. While a whole book could be writ about living on the streets or eating food from eatable plants in the wilderness? Your best bet is to live in a reliable car.

B. Cleanliness is important. You can rig an old 4 cylinder SUV to shower (as i did). there are some local spots where the homeless bathe. However a little used bathroom can be used. Just wash hair and body parts over the drain.

C. Parking is a bitch. The main difficulty here: keeping away from the cops! Homelessness is a "crime" and the overpriviledged do not want any "Squatters" in their hood. Your best bets are Hospitals and motels parking lots. Park far from the entrance and put some kind of screening around.

D. Food. In major metropolitan areas there are hundreds of free food bonanzas. the food being better than i was used to at home. Sure there are a fair amount of whackos in there but a lot of nice folks too. hint: Just eat and thank the sevrers (St. Vincent and others). make conversation ONLy with those you feel comfortable with.

E. G/A, unemployment and food stamps: Get these. fudge your resume if you have to. use the EBT (foof stampd program) only as a supplement. It isn't enough to live on month to month.

F. Do not telll your friends you are living in the wilds. You can keep up appearances and no one will ever know. You could also save a fortune in rent.

G. Join one Church, Synogogue or whatever and attend qweekly services. Even if your an atheist. Most are nice people. DO NOT tell these people you are homeless. Wait for them to ask you what you do for a living and such. Then offer to help a few people for free or low cost.

More later...

[villager]

1. Hang in there and keep posting, Wiley!

One question might be whether this is a *warm weather* city you live in...

[WileEcoyote]

3. DARN! Knew I forgot something

Yes yes YESSSS! Most important factor is to choose a warm weather city! I shoulda put this first on my list.

Exposure can kill. Shit my first night in the urban jungle was during that near hurricane storm that lashed San Francisco last week. Not in a vehicle? I'd be dead meat. The dogs and me. The other dogs that is. And that's without the cold of New England.

If you have a little money it is always best to PLAN ahead for living vehicularly housed. This time i was near broke, but the last time i bought a school bus.

Problem with a large RV or truck though is the CONSPICUOUS nature. While an SUV will usually be ignored anything as big as a cement truck will stir the Bourgeoise elite and "Les Gendarmes" who are among their employ.

Pets: Both a plus and a minus. A cat is useless except for company and a sure sign of something odd. No one takes their cat to work. So leave kitty behind in a good home.

Dogs are both helpful and a problem. In addition to needing to be walked often the car can make them too warm if you have to leave them alone for extended periods during the day. Like a job. It's not fair for them unless you can take them to work as can I. Doggy day care is a possibility.

And while there is nothing a thief or bad guy fears more than a mean barking dog (like mine) a dog draws attention. They bark at anything that moves at night. So they become a concealment issue.

Social life: I hate to say it but the idea of living in a vehicle does not appeal to any woman i've ever met. Some may choose through need or whatever to live that way themselves. However no woman i've ever met wants to meet and date a guy who is vehicularly housed. So scratch that idea off your social agenda.

For me that isn't a problem. Would rather take a swim in a pool of Lamprey eels than invite in another woman to share my space. Maybe that's just my luck of the draw, but they always expect me to pay for everything. All the ones I've met in 52 years. main reason reason I'm homeless. My last room mate? She wouldn't work or spend a dime of her own money.

Maybe you experience will be different. To me a spouse (of any variety) is like a piranha.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. Kicked and Bookmarked!

I have the terrible feeling that many more people will need these tips in the near future.

Wiley, if you're ever in the great Northwest, I got a hot shower and a comfy couch with your name on em. :hug:

[fed-up]

4. you can take showers at your local college's gym-head to your local bookstore or

library for a nice warm place to read.

Or you can join a health club and have showers, hot tub, pool and a sauna in addition to work out equipment for around $50-$75 a month. Ask for the "corporate rate"...which they freely give out to most anyone.

[knitter4democracy]

5. Man, that just sucks.

I'm so sorry you're in that situation. It sucks. Is there no one to help?

Here are two I know:
Tea often can get another cup of hot water to stretch it out and keep warm, too.

Depending on the church, you can ask the pastor/priest/whatever for particular help to pay certain bills or for food. Most have a discretionary fund for that kind of thing that they don't have to explain to the church board.