Extreme Downsizing: I Went from Living in a 3,600 Square Foot House to Living in a Car

I recently celebrated one year of living out of my car. Previously, I lived with my significant other in a 3,600-square-foot house. There was plenty of room for two people, band equipment for two musicians, and four cats.

How did I end up living in a car? It starts with a familiar story about long-term relationships coming to an end. We had a pretty good run. There were plenty of fun times, great experiences, and some truly wonderful moments. But our paths diverged after the pandemic. People change. They move on.

After leaving, I stayed at an Extended Stay hotel for two months. The price was equivalent to a no-frills one-bedroom apartment without putting down a deposit or committing to a one-year lease. It served as a great transition.

During that time, I considered renting an apartment or buying a condo. I rejected both options because they were prohibitively expensive. I had some savings and could easily put down 20% for the condo, but interest rates were absurdly high, and my mortgage would have cost almost as much as renting an apartment.

I decided instead to go as small as possible and live completely rent-free out of my car. A big chunk of my paycheck would stay in my pocket instead of being handed over to a landlord or a bank. It would allow me to save considerably more money to buy a small condo in cash. I’m on track to reach that goal in another year.

A typical house or apartment has four basic functions: a kitchen for storing, prepping, and cooking food; a bedroom for sleeping; a living room for leisure and relaxation; and a bathroom for showers and toilet use.

All these amenities of a conventional home are available for free or nearly free when you live in a car. They are not as convenient, but I adjusted and got comfortable living this way. It was a matter of establishing a new way of doing day-to-day things and getting used to a new set of routines.

Living out of my car for the past year has been a surprisingly enjoyable experience. I have fully embraced this unconventional way of life. It has been quite a perception shift. I’m considerably less stressed about finances. It has done wonders for my overall mental and physical health. I feel better and more alive than ever.

I’m experiencing more joy, happiness, contentment, and peace of mind. I spend more time outdoors, connecting with nature. I regularly go on walks and hikes. All that regular physical activity has had a positive impact. I lead a less sedentary, healthier, more active lifestyle. I gave up a few comforts, but the benefits of this lifestyle far outweigh them.

The results of this radical downsizing and lifestyle change are liberating. It involves returning to the basics, stripping away clutter, and removing unnecessary things. I’ve embraced living a very simple, minimalist life. This lifestyle compels you to prioritize the essentials. You learn only to keep what you need. I have a deeper appreciation for the things that truly matter.

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I’m in my early 60s, and it shows that age is no limit when it comes to learning, growing, changing, and radically altering one’s life trajectory.

I have designed a way of life around a set of values that suit me. I’m at the most content and satisfying point of my life. I cannot recall a time when I’ve been happier. I love my life and how I am living it.

This brings me to a quote from psychologist Dr. Glenn Doyle: “I’ve seen people blow up their entire lives beyond recognition and start over and build something they love. It’s real. It happens.” Indeed.

=====

I have lived in my car since August 2023. You can follow my adventures on Facebook and Instagram