====== Staying for free in one place ======


Hopefuls often ask there is somewhere out there they can stay for free indefinitely.  There are problems with long-term stays in general, even if you do find a place that allows it. 

  * can you handle the different weather seasons in the place?  Most vanfolk [[camping:snowbirding|follow mild weather]] for a reason. 
  * can you source water and dispose of your waste?
  * can you make your own power, or pay for power when available?

Assuming that's all covered, let's consider the possibilities.

===== slab city =====

The only real unlimited camping is [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slab_City,_California|Slab City]].  It's not everyone's cup of tea and gets unbearably hot in summer. 

Slabbers police their own and may not suffer fools gladly.  


===== friends and family =====

It is conceivable there are **friends/family willing to donate a backyard or driveway**.  But if OP had that option they wouldn't be asking the question.  

Note that even if the friend/neighbor allows it the city or neighbors may object. 

===== commercial options =====

There are **RV parks** with long-term rates but they cost money.  Many don't take campervans or anything other than relatively new commercially-built RVs.  Is your [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] setup already built?

There are [[camping:ltva|LTVA]] you can stay at for months on end but they cost money.


===== boondocking and stealth camping =====


You can [[camping:stealth_camping|stealth camp]] in cities but you will need to be discreet and have //many// rotating spots.  

You can [[camping:dispersed|boondock on public lands]], usually in 14-day stretches.


===== buying your own land =====

Buying land is not free, of course.  And people are amazed to find out that citys/towns/counties often have rules governing what you can do //on your own land//.  [[https://www.google.com/search?q=laws+regarding+living+offgrid+on+your+own+land|Research local laws and codes]] before buying anything.  

Shouting "but muh fr33dom!!!" won't do much when the local govt levies fines or seizes your property.