Forums » Smalltalk » AMA: Living Homeless

1. Getting a job should be priority. If you have a job, you can save and ensure you have food instead of begging or always hoping for someone to be gracious. (It's doesn't occur often) Problem is you need an address. A homeless shelter could provide you with an address but, due to the stigma on homeless people, jobs often reject applications just by having a homeless shelter address. If you have supportive friends or family, see if you can borrow their address or stay with them. If that's not an option, get a UPS box. It looks like an official address, unlike a P.O Box, and can get you far. It costs around $100-200 but you only pay for it once every 3-6 months.

2. Stock up on warm blankets and clothing for the winter. With enough, you can successfully keep yourself warm. Take advantage of stores to warm up too but most places don't like it if you stay long unless you work there or buy something.

3. Take advantage of stores to cool off in the summer. Most times you won't have that and will be stuck in the heat for long hours. Best to find shady places to rest. Some restaurants, like Burger King, offer free water and ice.

4. Stay alert. There are other homeless and desperate people out there who will take advantage of you. Keep an eye out for stalkers and even "flags" on your vehicle. Homeless are seen as the "best" targets to rob even if they don't have much. Not every homeless person is bad though and some can become good friends and support.

5. Get to know the local homeless. There are more homeless out there than people realize and many will have advice to help you out or even be willing to help protect you. Just remember to use discretion to decide who is friend and who is trouble.

6. Asking permission goes a long way. People are going to chase you off and call the cops regardless but if you ask a church, business, etc if you can sleep in the parking lot, you'll find your less apt to be chased off. It's also wise to have to have multiple places to sleep.

7. Do your best to maintain hygiene. Baby wipes will be your friend. Truck stops or gyms provide showers for a fee. Gyms are more affordable. Cleaning out the vehicle regularly is advised too.

8. Save every penny you can. Life will always through something at you. If you have money saved, it will help in tough times.

9. Buy battery packs and know where to charge electronics. From phones to fans, you will need tech but without a house, charging is a chore. Coffee shops are a good place to relax and charge. Try not to charge off your car too often. It can burn out your alternator. (Learned the hard way)

10. Homeless shelters can be dangerous. I've heard from many homeless and former homeless to avoid the shelters. Rape, theft, beatings, and other violent crimes can be common there. One guy said he just saved enough to finally get off the street but when he returned to the shelter to fill out the paperwork and hand over the money, he was mugged and lost all his savings.

I'll be honest, I've never lived in a big city but have spent enough time in them to give some tips.

1.The bonus to a city is there's more places to get out of the rain but less places to escape the elements. In some places, cities will open certain buildings to get the homeless out of extreme weather. Watch for these and take advantage of them.

2. Keep Moving. The downside to big cities is the cops are more active in chasing away homeless regardless of if they are a problem or not. I have seen cops chase off homeless playing an instrument or doing something to work for their pay. In short, unless you're in a shelter, the city is merciless.

3. Still try to get a job. It will help.

4. Locate what you need, such as showers and restrooms, and try to stick around the area most of them reside.

5. Bikes are a good method of travel if you don't have a truck. I've also seen homeless use those bike trailers for hauling kids around to store their belongings. If you don't have a bike, packing a backpack and wandering like a hiker with your stuff is a good idea.

6. For those with nothing but their clothing, try to locate events where they hand out goods and other needed items. (I forgot what they're called)

7. Be wary of your surroundings, the people, and 'territories'. Homeless in big cities must worry more about gangs and other underworld types that could leave them severely injured or even dead. Learning who they are, where they meet, and what turf they claim can help one avoid them. Also, as tempting as it may be, try to avoid dealing with them.

8. I've noticed homeless taking advantage of campus areas. With more people, they seem more apt to get random acts of kindness.

9. Cardboard boxes and shopping carts have been used to create shelters. It's not much but should offer some protection from the elements.

Certainly! Spring and fall are the easiest seasons to deal with for me. Rain is bountiful but the temps are mild overall, though bit chilly in the northern regions.

Region also greatly affects the ease of seasons. I have been as far north as Canada and as far south as Northern Alabama. These answers are based on what I know of these regions.

Northern Regions

Spring: early, this season is rough due to the snow and wintery temps. Late spring is chilly but comfortable. Snow could linger through all of spring and the melt will not grant homeless a lot of places to rest.

Summer: early summer is comfortable while mid-late summer is hot. It's cool enough to adapt to though and find comfort in the shade. Frequent winds and breezes help cool one off.

Fall: early fall is comfortable and there's plenty of natural food cropping up to harvest if you know what to look for. If in the cities, the holidays can offer events where you might find free food. Late fall is chilly and often when the snow starts. Better have your winter clothes ready.

Winter: Nope! No way! It's fricken bitter! Unless you have loads of blankets, some form of shelter, and a heat source, surviving northern winters is going to be a test of grit and will.

Southern Regions

Spring: Easy! It's a little chilly after winter but it's staying over the freezing point. A hoodie should be enough. It will soon warm to the 70s.

Summer: Hell nah! Hitting 120+ heat index is ***INSANE***! You can survive but expect to be spending most of your summer napping in the shade and struggling with heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It's easier if you can visit stores frequently. You're lucky if the nights drop to the mid 70s.

Fall: Still hot early on but it the nights are starting to getting chilly. Pull out that hoodie and fall will be easy.

Winter: it's chilly but snow is rare and short lived. Freezing temps are not as common so hoodies, winter coats, warm blankets, and some hand warmers should be enough to keep you alive. It's tough but very doable.