Well I'm going to have to say it straight out: Hi, I'm Seraffa; I'm not going into RV-ing because I feel my situation FORCES me to - I WANT to!

Now all that being said, I'm also getting out of a homeless shelter in NYC....and I'm doing this in a very unorthodox way by telling them I'm not going to waste my money on an apartment....that I'm going to make payments on a used RV, and then, *hasta la vista, baby*. I'm having a lot of problems between myself and the staff. It's a privately run shelter. They don't care what my choice is - they just want to know my "moving out date" and want something to show that I'm making an effort to secure this living space ( like a receipt of payment for it! )

Now I would never buy an RV in New York City, but I go to and fro every couple weeks to Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area of PA and there are TONS of used ones for sale.

I'm on a very limited budget at the moment, cos I just got employment for the umpteenth time without qualifying for unemployment compensation. It's like you have to grab those people in Albany by the throat and shake the money out of them or something....

HOWEVER, on the bright side I am part of a family-owned business where the owners obviously do care about my doing well and staying on permanently. The offer was made to me yesterday : "if you need any money, come to us!"

Normally I put that stuff right out of my mind because it can backfire on you later....but the current situation at my shelter is so bad that someday I may have to take up that offer of a loan should an emergency occur.

Anyway - I've no savings, basically, and I am going thru all these ads about camper-style or mini style RV's and there are even people selling ones from the 1970's era for about $600, even! (Imagine how cheap they might become in winter at that rate?)

Ok so a $600 towable house with heat and bath and extra sleeping beds sounds great....I would take pride in it, but I don't know where to start first.

I do know I would become a "full time RV'er" by conscious choice.

I don't feel bad making car repairs to my car.

Do you have anything to say about 1st time buying of a used RV? Seems people are very upfront in their ads about "needs work" or "has to have roof repair" or "appliances still function", or if there is a rebuilt engine.

What do I need to know before I go out looking at used ones?

What are the ones to avoid?

Will I have to buy a generator for my own heat inside it if winter comes? Where do you safely put the generator?

And finally - I don't exactly know where I would boondock it except on Staten Island.....but I don't think there are any hook-ups for RV's out there.

I wouldn't care tho if I knew alternative ways of providing the RV with energy?

I'm sorry if I sound so naive. But I've spent plenty of time living in my car before I came to this shelter, and at least know the gist of "roughing it" before. I just want to know what I need to prepare myself for. I will be happy afterwards. Please respond, and thanks!

Greetings to you Seraffa - If you can, check out these websites: cheaprvliving and freecamping.com We just met a gentlemen yesturday (in northern Pennsylvania) that is a former full timer and is going back to full timing in the very near future. Excluding his gas, it costs him around $200 a month to live in his camper van. His van is paid for and he is very frugal. We also met another gentlemen on Friday (a psycologist, who is married with grown children) He just purchased a 74 VW bus camper. He became ill and he and his wife are preparing for a simpler life due to the economy. Good luck with your dream, I know you will make it a reality. Ann

I think your idea is doable, but doubt that you will be able to stay in the NY metro area. I think the cops will hassle you too much. Get out of the busy, crowded Northeast though, and you're good to go! The lifestyle would also be easier if you go south and west. NYC winters would be pretty unpleasant in a RV, unless you had a newer well insulated model. Good luck,