I haven’t paid a penny in rent for 6 years because I live in a van…people call me a ‘homeless, lazy hippy’, I don’t care
A WOMAN has revealed that she hasn’t paid a penny in rent for six years.
Sunny, who is currently based in Montenegro, explained that she lives a nomad lifestyle in a van with her cat and dog.
Known online as ‘The Nomadic Sunny’, the woman often shares her tips and tricks for living on the road.
In one clip shared on social media, Sunny opened up about her budget lifestyle, as she said: “I haven’t paid rent in over six years - this is how!”
She then explained: “This is how I stealth camp in cities in my van with my cat and dog.
“And you should trust me, because I’ve lived in a van for six years and I’ve never got a parking ticket."
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Stealth camping is the act of camping in an urban area that is not necessarily meant for overnight camping.
While there are no ‘campsites’ where you stealth camp, there are plenty of legal places to park overnight in your van without drawing attention to yourself.
Sunny continued: “Before going to a city, I look up their overnight parking ordinances, and their RV ordinances.
“If there’s anything against parking or living in your car, I don’t go to that city.
“We cover our windows so that nobody can see inside.
“I don’t open my fan up all the way, because it could be seen outside.
“Before bed I put my van into drive mode so I can wake up in the morning and get out of here before anybody notices.”
Reflecting on her van lifestyle, Sunny later penned: “It’s more freedom than the monotony of working to survive and not enjoying life until I'm older.
“It’s hard and not for everyone though.”
Living in a van saved my life and I was homeless years ago
Sunny
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @thenomadicsunny, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 601,200 views.
But social media users were left divided at Sunny's van life.
One person said: “That's so smart.”
Another added: “This is some of the best advice I’ve ever seen on this topic.”
A third commented: “Freedom.... love it.”
Whilst someone else chimed in: “You’re a pro!”
However, not everyone was as keen on van life.
It sounds like a stressful life
TikTok users
One user penned: “What a way to live, no thanks.”
A second chimed in: “Lazy hippie.”
Whilst another user claimed: “Ah, so you're gentrified homeless.”
To this, Sunny replied: “Living in a van saved my life and I was homeless years ago.”
Is it legal to live in a van in the UK?
Yes, you can permanently occupy a motorhome, campervan, or van in the UK.
The only necessary condition is that your car has passed its MOT and is entirely legal for the road.
Depending on where you go, there might be limitations on where you can park and live, so do your research beforehand.
Local governments in the UK and other parts of Europe may have rules governing when it is acceptable to park in a street or lay-by overnight.
Consult The Highway Code guide if you’re unsure where you can and cannot park.
As well as this, one user wrote: “It sounds like a stressful life…”
In response, Sunny explained: “It can be. working to pay rent without any time to enjoy life is also stressful in my opinion.”
Meanwhile, someone else asked Sunny: “Do you miss having connections with people?”
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To this, she simply admitted: “This is a great question. Yes.”
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