Serious Question Where can you stay REALISTICALLY for almost no money?

[domakkah]

Dead Serious question: (yes, I know this is just an internet forum - thought I'd give it a shot) Where can one REALISTICALLY stay for, perhaps weeks, for almost no money - say in Arizona or California?

I have a car that gets say 15 miles to the gallon (but selling it is not an option)

I am currently unemployed, so I cannot afford to rent even a cheap place. I have perhaps $100 available to me. I have one electric guitar that I may be able to pawn for maybe another $200 if I'm lucky.

For reasons that I do not care to share with you, I am to be out of the house "on vacation" for an undisclosed period of time. (No, there is no breaking of laws, nor violence involved, no scuttlebutt, no larceny - she asked me to give her some space and I love her enough to do so)

Currently, Family in California aren't open to the idea of letting me stay with them (they don't quite understand the situation), and I've no friends to stay with, so I'm on my own.

So - Those of you who have had to "Rough it" - what are my realistic options? Do I go looking for a homeless shelter? Do I risk sleeping in the car parked under a tree? I know ways to eat cheap, thats no worry. I'm just worried about a place to sleep!

[sydney]

I lived in pup tent in a national forest near Prescott for one summer in 1982. I sneaked into the local community college to take showers. Found the occasional part time construction job to earn a little cash. I had a little Datsun that got about 30 mpg but gas a was a lot cheaper then. Actually had a great time... one of the best summers of my life.

Good Luck

[Deadcenter]

You can usually camp in one place for two Weeks at a time, borrow a tent, go camping, see nature in all its glory.

[uriah1]

Didnt Joan Osborne or Jewell live in her car when she 1st came down from Alasaka to Cali?

Other than that (the Y, state parks.fed parks, county parks,some hostels)

[Buckocaster51]

Monastery?

Odd Thomas has done that...but only in books.

[emu!]

Ye Ole Gray Bar Hotel.

I'm sorry, you said serious.

I had a friend who backpacked Europe and stayed at peoples houses. She did a few chores for them to pay her way (don't really know what she considers a chore ). This was like 25 years ago, though.

[Thundersleet]

If you'll willing to work for it you could try WWOOF - World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

[cellrebral]

Originally Posted by Thundersleet

If you'll willing to work for it you could try WWOOF - World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.

Very good advice. Maybe something like this will help the OP. You could even keep the guitar as meals and lodging are provided.

[Arbiter]

Slab City. It's rough and tumble but it is free.

If you have a car - er, mobile apartment - your problem is largely solved. Park in industrial areas, they get a lot fewer cops. MAKE SURE YOUR TAGS ARE UP TO DATE.

If you have an RV, you can park in WalMart parking lots for up to a week at a time.

Good luck, been there - without a car, no less. Sucked but I survived.

[Slow Reflexes]

There may be co-op opportunities available on Craigslist.

Aside from that, I've stayed for rather a long while at Flying J. They don't even look at you funny if you're in a van or something that could be construed as a commercial vehicle.

[uriah1]

curious...dont take wrong...
but how are you online...
at library..?

[Guit-jitsu]

At first I thought you were talking about a short trip, and I thought of couchsurfing.com ... probably wouldn't work for longer durations. Unless you wanted to travel cross country!

[domakkah]

THANK YOU ALL! This is great & useful info! The camping in a tent and the WWOOF especially, but all very good, helpful suggestions - thanx!

Originally Posted by uriah1

curious...dont take wrong...
but how are you online...
at library..?

because I haven't left just yet, we JUST discussed it last night - so I've got a couple of days, give or take.

[BobbyZ]

Find another girlfriend.
You are a guitar player right?

[63dot]

Originally Posted by BobbyZ

Find another girlfriend.
You are a guitar player right?

That's kind of a harsh solution, don't you think? However, without knowing all the circumstances, certain unknown facts about this situation here may make this a viable option. Only the OP knows.

[Toto'sDad]

I need some space. Harsh, but translated, I have a boyfriend and you're cramping our style. Get out, I'll stay here, if I like living here without you, I'll let you know and you can stay gone. You go down that road, you ain't never going to like yourself very much. It's time to move on, start a new life. Living in a car, while your lady is snug at home sleeping in your bed? Head games deluxe man. Get a life, you need one. Sorry, but that's the truth.

I ain't just whistling Dixie. Been there done that. Instead of living in my car, I went to Vegas, got a job and a divorce. I ain't got time for that kind of sh... Met a new woman, the living thing worked out fine.

[domakkah]

Originally Posted by BobbyZ

Find another girlfriend.
You are a guitar player right?

*sigh* I knew I'd get some of these replies. Sorry, no. She's my wife. Yes, there's a lot I'm NOT tell y'all in this thread, and I'm NOT going to. There are, TO ME, valid reasons for her request, and my granting it. They are NOT the focus of my questions for this thread. I thank you for your concern.

But the info and suggestions PRIOR to this one have, indeed, been quite helpful, and exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. Once again, thank you.

[studio1087]

Cool website that shows free or near free campsites in the USA.

http://freecampsites.net/usa/

I remember when tent camping at State Campgrounds with hot showers and toilets cost about $4.00 per night. It's more now but it's still a great deal.

[63dot]

Originally Posted by domakkah

*sigh* I knew I'd get some of these replies. Sorry, no. She's my wife. Yes, there's a lot I'm NOT tell y'all in this thread, and I'm NOT going to. There are, TO ME, valid reasons for her request, and my granting it. They are NOT the focus of my questions for this thread. I thank you for your concern.

But the info and suggestions PRIOR to this one have, indeed, been quite helpful, and exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. Once again, thank you.

I sincerely hope things work out for the better. It's probably close to impossible to state all the facts from all the parties involved fairly without us jumping in half cocked with no context of your situation. Life, true life, is much stranger than fiction.

I hope you eventually get back home and that the issues get resolved. Time has a great way of healing what may seem like impossible impasses at the moment.

[BobbyZ]

Originally Posted by 63dot

That's kind of a harsh solution, don't you think? However, without knowing all the circumstances, certain unknown facts about this situation here may make this a viable option. Only the OP knows.

Sorry but I have been there and that is exactly what I did.