Woman has lived in her car for nearly 600 days and expresses no regrets about her situation. Here’s how she manages to do it

With homes becoming increasingly pricey, individuals are looking to alternative possibilities. It’s probably not a coincidence that as property costs have risen, so has interest in van life. While some vans come equipped with beds, toilets, and sinks, others are merely minivans without seats. Some van lifers take things to the next level, converting an old school bus into a small mobile home.

Most people who choose to live on the road are childless and have made a significant financial investment to begin their journey. But what if you don’t have enough money and don’t own a van? Taylor Bowen-Loven has found out how to comfortably live in her car for almost 600 days, and she wants to share her experience with other single women who want to tour the country without paying rent.

@tayloruntamed0 Back to full time car living! This lifestyle isn’t bad at all once you get the hang of it! #carcampingn #carliving #livinginmycar #granolagirl #ontheroad #carlifestyle ♬ Walking Around – Instrumental Version – Eldar Kedem

Car living isn’t for everyone, and it’s especially unsuitable for people who value the amenities that only a permanent address provides. Others, however, may be willing to live in a shoe if it meant not having to pay a couple of thousand dollars in rent every month. If this describes you, you might be interested in learning how it is done. After nearly two years of living in a car, Bowen-Loven has become something of an expert in the unconventional lifestyle.

The 34-year-old moved into her car for a variety of reasons, including need and choice. She says in one of her older videos that after being provided a room to sublease by a friend in Texas, the situation rapidly turned bad, forcing her to think on her feet. She was not ready to return to her family in North Carolina, nor was she prepared to put her mental health at danger in an unpleasant living environment, so she sought advice on how to convert her automobile into a habitable area while traveling the nation.

Along the way, she saved a significant amount of money by not having to pay rent and utilities, allowing her to visit locations she would not have been able to afford otherwise. The woman shares her trip on her social media profile, revealing what she finds to be a waste of money and what works well. One of the first items on the checklist is safety. Because she sleeps in public settings, she employs sophisticated shades to darken up her windows, preventing anybody from seeing inside. She also keeps a variety of self-defense tools within easy reach in various parts of her car, regardless of her location within the vehicle.

@tayloruntamed0 A fellow nomad showed me how to make these! They are a lot better than the flimsy relflectix ones I made. I couldnt get the old ones in without taping them while standing outside which is a giveaway I sleep in my car. These I am able to put up while in my car and they are a lot better no tape required. #nomad #carlife #livinginmycar #solofemaletraveler #vanlife ♬ Calm background music with acoustic guitar and saxophone(1288148) – ame

As a solitary traveler, she likes to park in public areas such as truck stops, 24-hour gas stations, and large retail businesses with all-night security patrols. She also attempts to make long-term parking agreements with business owners, but vehicle life isn’t always simple. The woman describes how she lost one of her long-term parking spots when the company owner changed his mind about allowing her to park on his lot.

Bowen-Loven also has a career that does not need her to remain stationary, allowing her to live a nomadic existence. Instead of signing in for a nine-to-five job that requires her to live in one area, she uses DoorDash in the city she is currently in. If you’re wondering about the nomad’s washing, hair styling, or personal hygiene procedures, she has a gym membership that allows her to use facilities in any state.

@tayloruntamed0 My first morning as a nomad in the desert! I now see what all the hype is about. It is absolutely stunning out here and I love the radiant sunshine ☀️. #nomad #livinginmycar #carlife #carcamper #desert ♬ In The Forest (Acoustic Indie No Copyright) – Instrumental – Lesfm & Olexy

Bowen-Loven also uses the Rover app to pet-sit. It not only gives her another source of money, but it also provides an air-conditioned place to stay during the hotter months, allowing pet owners to go on vacation for a week or two at a time. It’s ideal for someone who lives in a van and wants to take a brief break from sleeping in it. Instead of staying in her native state of North Carolina, Bowen-Loven travels to warmer climates to avoid the colder months.

You don’t need a huge SUV or to spend more than $30k a year on a home. Bowen-Loven makes it work with her Prius, and until her brief return to apartment life, the car accommodated her and her service dog, Sugar, who died last year. The nomadic lady believes so strongly in living the life you desire that she produced an ebook titled Nomad Unlocked: A Solo Female’s Guide to Living on the Road.

@tayloruntamed0 Replying to @Ladyplague Such a great question and I will definitely add this to my E-book I’m working on that tells everything beginners need to know on how to become a nomad and live the nomad lifestyle! Comment “nomad” if you’d like me to direct message you when I launch my e-book an receive a discount code! #nomad #nomadlifestyle #livinginmycar #carliving #cardwelling #carcamper ♬ Storytelling – Adriel

When one lady stated that vehicle life wouldn’t work for her family of seven, Bowen-Loven didn’t hesitate to reassure her, saying, “Nope, not in a car, but I have seen large families do bus and RV life!”

In another remark, someone answers to her video, asking whether renters are alright, by replying, “No, I am not okay.” This is especially true for those living in a seaside town in Southern California. “I’m seriously considering purchasing an RV.” Bowen-Loven answers, “Girllll.” I don’t want to inquire about the rent 😭. I want to purchase an RV, too!!! There are applications mentioned in my booklet that are also useful for discovering decent RV parking locations. But, in my opinion, the RV and nomad lifestyles are far superior!!”