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Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

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Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#11

Post by dcposch »

In 2001/02, my family spent two years travelling around North America. All four of us lived in a bus-style Monaco RV. Instead of middle school, I was home-schooled by my mom. We drove as far north as Alaska and as far south as Belize and had adventures---it was a great time.

I just wanted to say: Walmart deserves credit for being very cool toward travellers. We spent many nights parked for free in their truck spots.

Walmart gets a lot of hate here in the bay area, but I really like them. If I may wax philosophical for a minute... I see Walmart as basic infrastructure. They are everywhere; they're always open; they sell everything, nearly at cost; they employ 2.2 million people, many of which would otherwise be on welfare or disability; and when you need a place to spend the night, even if you find yourself in Winnemucca at 1am with a 40-foot long vehicle and no RV park reservation--they're always there for you.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#12

Post by rjbond3rd »

dcposch wrote: post #11

In 2001/02, my family spent two years travelling around North America. All four of us lived in a bus-style Monaco RV. Instead of middle school, I was home-schooled by my mom. We drove as far north as Alaska and as far south as Belize and had adventures---it was a great time. I just wanted to say: Walmart deserves credit for being very cool toward travellers. We spent many nights parked for free in their truck spots.…

> many of which would otherwise be on welfare

I get what you're saying, but Walmart employment is (alas) very compatible with being a welfare recipient, and rather than preventing welfare, Walmart is actually subsidized by it (at least according to a recently popular theory).

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#13

Post by logn »

maxerickson wrote: post #8
recuter wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not from the US but I plan on doing a cross country adventure at some point. Let me ask you this; If my vehicle of choice was a delivery van of recent vintage with an artistic decal of a well known soda brand, would that help with avoiding such encounters? At worst I could claim to be an Andy Warhol fan, would that fly?

If you are stressed about it, there really are Walmarts pretty much everywhere. There's also lots and lots of campgrounds that are something like $15 a night (you can save that much fueling a smaller vehicle...).

Yes, campgrounds and also backwoods camping. Many of these are government run (state and national parks) and many others are privately run. If you want to live in the backwoods, most parks have rules you need to follow, such as moving your tent every so often, disposing properly of waste, restrictions on lighting fires, and obtaining hunting/fishing licenses (meaning: do not carry fishing rod without a license).

Also, on every highway there are rest-stops and trucker rest areas. Some of these have pay-per-use showers and most have a parking lot you can park overnight in and free toilets.

The national/state parks are beautiful and are very welcoming to visitors.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#14

Post by dl_terp »

recuter wrote: post #7
austenallred wrote: post #3

I lived in my car for three months this summer in Palo Alto as we were getting a startup off the ground, then when I headed back toward the Valley a few weeks ago for startup school I decided to relive it all again - from sleeping in my car to showering at the YMCA. On the drive over from Utah I stopped in Elko, Nevada to sleep for the night, and as I had before I found my "spot" in Palo Alto, I drove off into a less…

I'm not from the US but I plan on doing a cross country adventure at some point. Let me ask you this; If my vehicle of choice was a delivery van of recent vintage with an artistic decal of a well known soda brand, would that help with avoiding such encounters? At worst I could claim to be an Andy Warhol fan, would that fly?

I think the worst thing that would happen is that you'd be asked to leave. I don't think anything worse than that could happen (though don't quote me on that).

I've done something similar one time when a minimalist surfing trip took a wrong turn. I learned that if you (a) have a car where the seat goes down flush with the trunk or hatchback (b) have a good sleeping pad (think REI) and warm sheets, then you can get a great night sleep and look pretty inconspicuous from the outside (no one can see in very easily since you're below the window line).

Also, placement within the parking lot is important, not too close, not too far away.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#15

Post by clarebear »

Some people love to hate Walmart (and poor labor practices give good reason). However, providing a space to sleep and not get arrested is an example of something that is probably good for the nation's poor (as well as RV enthusiasts). Apparently Walmart is also one of the first places that half-way house parolees can get a pass to go. If Walmart is acting a portal for transitional people to rejoin or create there own (harmless) society, that is a tangible social good.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#16

Post by protomyth »

rjbond3rd wrote: post #12
dcposch wrote: post #11

In 2001/02, my family spent two years travelling around North America. All four of us lived in a bus-style Monaco RV. Instead of middle school, I was home-schooled by my mom. We drove as far north as Alaska and as far south as Belize and had adventures---it was a great time. I just wanted to say: Walmart deserves credit for being very cool toward travellers. We spent many nights parked for free in their truck spots.…

> many of which would otherwise be on welfare I get what you're saying, but Walmart employment is (alas) very compatible with being a welfare recipient, and rather than preventing welfare, Walmart is actually subsidized by it (at least according to a recently popular theory).

The local Walmart pays better than the local grocery store or any of the small businesses on main street. There is a reason that so many apply.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#17

Post by protomyth »

throwmeaway2525 wrote: post #6
austenallred wrote: post #3

I lived in my car for three months this summer in Palo Alto as we were getting a startup off the ground, then when I headed back toward the Valley a few weeks ago for startup school I decided to relive it all again - from sleeping in my car to showering at the YMCA. On the drive over from Utah I stopped in Elko, Nevada to sleep for the night, and as I had before I found my "spot" in Palo Alto, I drove off into a less…

Walmarts and hospitals--I'm going to file this new information away, just in case (you never know where life will take you).

Most Walmarts. For example, the Walmart in Williston ND had to chase everyone away because of all the problems they were having. Boom areas with housing shortages tend to have problems.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#18

Post by SteveGerencser »

My folks RV half the year. Walmart is their one night stopover destination of choice. There are books out there that tell you which Walmarts are best to stay at and the love it for quick grab some sleep before pushing nights.

They make great rest stops too. Dad hops in back to get a nap while mom heads inside to do a little shopping or get some food at the deli counter.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#19

Post by jdub2000 »

austenallred wrote: post #3

I lived in my car for three months this summer in Palo Alto as we were getting a startup off the ground, then when I headed back toward the Valley a few weeks ago for startup school I decided to relive it all again - from sleeping in my car to showering at the YMCA. On the drive over from Utah I stopped in Elko, Nevada to sleep for the night, and as I had before I found my "spot" in Palo Alto, I drove off into a less…

Any tips on places to car-sleep in Palo Alto? I'm often hacking there late into the night and would appreciate any suggestions.

Re: Meet the American Nomads of Walmart's Plentiful Parking Lots

#20

Post by jamesbritt »

rjbond3rd wrote: post #12
dcposch wrote: post #11

In 2001/02, my family spent two years travelling around North America. All four of us lived in a bus-style Monaco RV. Instead of middle school, I was home-schooled by my mom. We drove as far north as Alaska and as far south as Belize and had adventures---it was a great time. I just wanted to say: Walmart deserves credit for being very cool toward travellers. We spent many nights parked for free in their truck spots.…

> many of which would otherwise be on welfare I get what you're saying, but Walmart employment is (alas) very compatible with being a welfare recipient, and rather than preventing welfare, Walmart is actually subsidized by it (at least according to a recently popular theory).

Another view on "subsidizing Walmart":

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/06/10/if-the-we...

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