Van Life Guide for New York City

Here's a source for water. At 72 st and Central Park West is the entrance to Central Park. Go in and in about 60 ft in on the left side is a fountain. It's only working when the weather is above freezing but who wants to be living in the street in the winter anyway.

Another lifelong NYer here. First thing, get out of Manhattan. Brooklyn, Queens, or certain areas of the Bronx are much better for parking and Van Life. Also, I would have a few neighborhoods where I would rotate my stays. You don't want people to know your routine. That is a good way to get your van broken into while you are away. If memory serves, there is a street in Brooklyn, I believe Red Hook, where van lifers stay. It is referred to as Van Alley. I have not been there but hear that it is a great place for the van community.

For showers the cheapest gym membership I found is city recreation centers. $100/year so $8.33/mo. I think I’d sponge bathe inside the van, but I have seen low height van showers using curtains velcroed to the ceiling, garden sprayer to push water, sit on a folding stool, drain into a shallow basin that doubles as storage. Rechargeable battery garden sprayer is a bit more convenient.

For water get a “water thief” from RV supply. Allows connecting a hose to most any water faucet. It’s a rubber cone that fits snugly around a faucet outlet. I think I’d also have a funnel and try drinking fountains in parks, would require holding it patiently. Haul water with a 5 gallon solar shower bag tucked into a rolling suitcase, can even take that on the train :-) If 5 gallons is too much, fill it partway. I think I’d only use this water for washing; Filling from public sources seems like asking for bacteria. Another possibility: water delivery either to your van or to a friend or nearby store and pay them a little for the privilege. Could do both; Packaged water for drinking and cooking, tap for washing.

Thanks for the tips

I'm originally from NYC and I would never have even thought of doing "van life" or living in a car there. I lived there in the 70s, 80s & moved in August of 1995. Do yourself a favor, go upstate. Definately get out of The 5 Boroughs. Good luck to you!🎉

If I were to live in a van in NYC I’d install a J1772 connector (with AVC2 board) to recharge the batteries and use stage 2 EV chargers after 6p when they’re less busy. A used Tesla battery module gives 5.2kWh, costs about $1500, weighs 55lbs, dimensions 12x3x27”. Couple of those bad boys and you can run a 5000BTU window unit, sleep at a charging station. Day parking wouldn’t need a sunny spot so is more flexible.

I remember driving my 2015 Sienna to NYC, i parked in Bushwick Brooklyn and pretty much walk anywhere or take the subway. I didn't really need to drive out there but move for street cleaning. I would definitely suggest to tint all window for more privacy and since there alot of foot traffic. As for the restroom i would keep a empty bottle and pee. As for #2 in rare emergency i woild keep a bucket and large bag with toilet paper. Once done i would tie it and throw it out. Never really did that since i manage my eating habits on daliy basis. Best part i live in my van rent free for 3 months. Saved $3K. After drove back to Cali

One thing to add about being in your car to avoid tickets, “Don’t be sleeping!” I was in my car waiting for a relative in Midtown and I fell asleep in the driver seat no tint they put a ticket on my windshield didn’t wake me up or try to lol so make sure you are awake..

New Yorker here! Get ouuuuuuuuuuuuut of Manhattan! That's your first mistake. You won't have trouble finding parking in BK or Queens, as long as you aren't super picky or need a specific spot consistently. You'll also find more sunlight. For getting around the city, all you need is your phone's Apple Pay (or equivalent) or a credit card to tap on. As for figuring out which routes to take, do NOT rely on Google Maps. The gold standard for New Yorkers is CityMapper, an invaluable tool that I rely on daily to find the fastest routes and avoid headaches. Welcome to the City! PS - yeah actually I think the humidity just recently hit. And it will get hotter, just wait! June was surprisingly cool and dry this year—I often found myself needing a jacket!

Awesome video ❤ Dreamer here Still an university student Dreaming on van life when I’ll start working full time

Dude, stay out of Manhattan! Better to stay in Queens or Brooklyn. Try College Point, Queens—not far from LaGuardia Airport, lots of industrial areas for parking, but also not far from shops and the gym to get what you need. More open space to charge your batteries. And there are plenty of parking lots and street parking! Some places are also free from alternate-side parking rules (but you’ll have to check; some places are not).

Thank you 🙏

Van life in NYC 😊. You are built different.

I recommend while you live in New York. I live in New Jersey. And I do Van life in New Jersey. Not full-time but most of the time does put me a pocket but you gotta keep moving my friend. Keep moving, don't pop in the same place every day. You attract the attention over time.

The main issue with Van life in NYC is just parking. Otherwise there's 24hrs businesses like gyms, groceries, public transportation, etc. I would say its only doable in the fall, spring and summers though.

And don't park in the same place where you're going to sleep. Because you're more likely to get that knock on the door if you do that, keep moving and you'll be fine.

Buddy just showed me a Ryobi 18v fan that he runs all night in his van. Then takes the battery to work for a charge. AMZN or HD. Heater? Dickinson from CA. Propane but silent. Windows are the worst thermal points so cover them come winter.

Just found you and Thanks for this Info... Can you give me an idea of where you parked ? I never find st parking other than with a limit.. Thanks

were you there for the 4th of july fire works? id like to see that in person one day