Living in a Van | Finding Safe Overnight Parking in the City
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- I share my experience of trying to find a safe and legal spot to park my van overnight in the touristy downtown area of Memphis. As a solo female nomad, I know how important it is to stay safe while on the road. After not being allowed to park at a truck stop, I finally came upon the perfect spot that allowed me to park overnight without drawing unwanted attention. Join me as I reveal my stealth parking spot and offer tips on how to find safe overnight parking in the city.
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Girl you are brave. Memphis is unfortunately not safe anymore. My family all lived in the upper Mississippi and Memphis area so going there as a kid was great. Now I wont even drive through it. Only one relative is there now. But he is moving back to nc soon Ive been to 48 of the 50 states and Memphis and St Louis are two cities I skip if im alone.
You know how when you're watching a movie you want to call.out to the girl "watch out". That's how I felt when you were driving thru some areas in Memphis looking for parking spots I wanted to call out, "No, No, Don't do it" 🤣🤣🤣
Good thing I made it out!! 😂
That's hilarious because I was doing the same thing. Most people don't realize just how crazy Memphis is. I was scared and I wasn't even there.
I’ve lived in Memphis my whole life and I was worried about you.
Me too!!!!!
Wow! I was yelling at the TV watching you in Memphis! One of the highest crime areas with gang activity in the country! I used to visit with a hotel chain I worked for and had to find rooms outside the area due to such high crime. We had armed guards and barbed wire fencing around our hotel. Had to install bullet proof glass at the counter! Many guests and employees were attacked! So glad you were safe and nobody messed with your van! You were lucky!
I guess I'm crazy but the semi noise helps me sleep😂 I'll be traveling that route ( Memphis than Tupelo and President Grant's museum) around end of December. Heading toward Alabama than Florida. Safe travel on your way west.
I am looking forward to this video. I’m in grad school and living in my suv. I have figured some things out but definitely have more to learn.
I always appreciate seeing the process of how you hunt for a safe, quiet, inconspicuous spot.
Memphis is dangerous! Stay in a very visible and busy place. I haven't seen your entire video but I'm hoping you don't go downtown! I used to have a client down there and it was sooo scary...during the day!!!
EDIT: I finished watching and I was holding my breath your entire night! LOL When I lived in Memphis I lived way out by Germantown, so out in the 'burbs. I didn't live in Memphis very long because I felt so unsafe and it was not a friendly town at all. I'm so glad that you had a relatively peaceful night. I worried you'd wake up to all your tires missing or hear gunshots. Phew!!!
Arkansas is beautiful. I went through just as the leaves began to turn last year. 💙🦋💙
I've often wanted to take a road trip around the US, but I've left my run too late now. But there's a new opportunity arrived in town and I can tag along with Allison for a look see, long enough to see most of it until I get too tired or Allison kicks me out from beneath the floor boards of her van🙂😉
Glad you found a safe and mostly quiet street. I’m sorry you won’t be staying on the East Coast. I’m in Connecticut and I’m hoping to start my van life this summer. So much to see in New England that I haven’t seen.
Girl! Born and reared there:(((( Memphis is a dangerous city. Be careful.
I kept thinking it was my mattress for my back pain. One night I woke up drenched in sweat with no fever. Following week, I could not breathe went to the hospital and find out I had Pneumonia.
I rather for you to be safe, so I think you made the right decision, great video and praying for you and for safe arrival to California's
Acupuncture!!! For your back pain! I've had 7 herniated discs and a broken vertebrae and Acupuncture Save My Life!!! Wishing you a speedy recovery! 🙏 LOVE your videos!!! 👍👍
I agree, Acupuncture really helped my back when it had gone out.
@@ladydi-lynn Acupuncture, estim, cupping = AmAzInG relief!!! 👍👍👍
I think the blue flashing light is a police surveillance camera. Love your videos.
Prayers for your back, your safety, & your overall well being. ☺️❤🙏
Thanks so much!
@@travelsnacks you're very welcome! ☺️❤🙏
Alison, in the name of God...my daughter and I are screaming ....that neighborhood looked scary for a woman alone. Pleaseeee be careful. Ya know we care about you. BE CAREFUL....OK ....
Granted, I’ve only slept in my van a handful of times, and you’ve slept in yours hundreds of times, but I have NEVER gone in and asked at a truck stop. If it’s busy, they won’t notice anything, but if the person is a petty bureaucrat who likes to wield power, they’ll say no just to spite you. I know it’s always recommended to ask at Walmarts and truck stops, but I’m an introvert, and why give them a chance to say no, when they aren’t going to care, really.
As I said, you’ve done it hundreds of times, and maybe you’ve gotten the knock at places when you haven’t gotten permission.
i’m with you.
I said the same thing to myself. It is always better to just be observant and see other vans there (like she did) and park accordingly. Better to ask forgiveness than beg permission. Any cop who shows up, you could literally point to the 5 other sprinter vans lol. I car camp on the weekends and I have never asked permission to park anywhere.
@Billy Flood 😂 I like your way of thinking 😂. I clear out that everyone else clears out to 😂
I'm from upstate NY now in Arizona living full time in my van. And if/when I decide to find an apartment, it'll most likely be Florida or Georgia! Very low taxes, so rent would be low. I'm retired now, But, the minimum wage there for people is like $7.25. Thats horrible. Anyways, have a great day.
Sorry rents bad everywhere lived in Georgia it's expensive
Your so blessed to have left NY. It’s beautiful in a nature aspect but everything else is 🙀😳😭
Rent is steady increasing. I’d take a mortgage payment for a few years over renting these days.
I’m in Florida. Rent is $3000 unless I want a one hour or longer commute.
@@darlene19668 Not as expensive as my state
That’s so strange that employee told you no parking at Love’s! Love’s & Pilot have always been known to allow anyone to sleep in their parking lots no matter the location… I even asked my friend since she’s a manager at one & she even said all locations allow it! She also told me some Love’s locations now have two different hookup packages should you decided you want electricity & I believe she said $48 & $68 would be the two type of fees per night or you can stay for free with no hookup…
I also worked at Pilot in KY & I do know that the police frequent the lots in Louisville looking for people without proper plates, tags, registration & of course prostitution! So at least those lots are safe…
I emailed and tweeted Love's and asked them about their overnight parking policy and they replied and said they do allow overnight parking at all locations. Just that you not park in the front by the main entrance.
I plan on use Cracker Barrel in a pinch. Not a fan of parking overnight at Walmart.
Girl I was afraid for you just driving down that street. If your Spidey senses say "Not good " then you know to not stop.
Except for the first time staying at a 24 hr truck stop I've never asked if I could stay overnight. I thought that it was accepted at all the truck stops. I love staying at the truck stops. I use ear plugs, I can hear someone knock at my door, but don't hear all the trucks and peeps. I bathrooms and coffee!
Yeah Love's told me via email and Twitter that all Love's allow overnight parking. Just not in front by the main entrance.
You are an inspirational and courageous woman! I think that you always make good decisions bout the places you choose to stay overnight. Greetings from Norway.
How funny! my boyfriend and I just came back from five days in Tupelo MS. We were there from the 16th and we left on the 21st so basically this is our first full day home. His mother is in a nursing home in a city called Pontotoc.I hope enjoy your trip! Be safe!
You’re pretty brave you want to stay in Memphis, I’ve been trucking for almost 20 years, and I won’t stay in Memphis. However, I do enjoy your videos, keep up the good work be safe.
Thank you for taking us on your adventures. ❤️❤️❤️ The only way I'd travel alone is if I had a gun and a dog with me. ✌️✌️✌️
I hope your back gets well and you’re feeling better soon! Thank you for the reminder that we need to live life because we don’t know how much time we have here and I appreciate that reminder! I hope you have safe travels, and God bless you!
checks out behind the curtains in the back and says oh so casually "no murderers. okay!"😂
I do it every time, it's a habit now! 😆
When I was 12, me, my brother and 2 uncles ran up and back down Stone Mountain in 45 minutes! We were so tired 😆 For some reason we were short on time but I can’t remember why. Tupelo looks cool 😎
I paid $6.50 for a veggie supreme on Monday. That $3 off stacked with the 50% off 😬
Sorry. I probably sound super cheap but I look for deals.
There's a great book called The Gift of Fear. It teaches that you have natural senses of fear that need to be treated with respect and are for the purpose of which they were given to you. Too many people brush it off and their instincts were correct. Too late by the time they realize it. Now I'm sure people think I sound paranoid lol. In other words, trust you gut!
I usually plan my trip around avoiding a stay in Memphis. That's not a comfortable city by any stretch of the imagination. When I drove a semi, I had to stop there twice, and if I recall, I couldn't get a wink. The only other city I recall being that uncomfortable was Birmingham Alabama. I'm sure there's spots that are fine, but I usually try to bypass those locations if doable. Then again, I've never embarked on a van life journey. I only traveled over the road as a professional driver, and with a travel trailer on leisure trips. You aren't stealth camping at all in a travel trailer. It certainly narrows the selection of places. Many of which cost to stay overnight.
You know? When my husband was in the hospital, I stayed all night. Now I was in his room, but many cars in the parking lot and plenty of light. I bet you could go to a hospital to sleep and get good rest as long as you do not park near the emergency room.
That Elvis portrait was fantastic ❤
Have you ever looked up how to secure your vehicle doors with the seatbelts. Looks like a good idea for extra security.
Glad you found a quiet place to rest. :-)
Times like these, I'm grateful I can sleep through fire alarms; I've slept a solid 9 hours two different times at the Bass Pro pyramid. The bridge noise, train noise, and traffic noise didn't bother me in the least.
Have you checked to see if you have gall stones? They can cause shoulder and back pain (near the shoulder blades) as well as stomach and/or side pain. If you’re experiencing pain after fatty meals that could be the problem.
Hi Allison, So happy your over night worked out. Hope you get your back issues resolved or at least relieved. Take care, safe travels & God Bless you. 🙏💜✌
I like Lowes. Well lighted. Great public wifi. Im a veteran so proudly park overnight in a Veteran's reserved spot.
Suddenly you dont trust I-overlander- interesting...🤨 Quiet makes me nervous when I am car camping. I like noise and folks around. I dont want to be in the middle of no where isolated. The more noise the better for me lol but to each their own. Safe Travels!
You, both as a person and looks wise, are beautiful. Absolutely stunning!
That was a nice tour of Tupelo. It was even chilly in Central Florida for a few days. Those conversations are great! Yeah, Quincy.
Love your adventure and real feeling about your experience 💕
I've visited Elvis Birthplace there in Tupelo & it's very nice & beautiful there. His tiny first home place, a little museum & a little church plus beautiful grounds to walk.
I always like seeing your walking/hiking/exploring videos. Be safe as you drive back to California. You're in my daily prayers. May our Lord stretch forth His healing hands and remove all the pain in your back, in the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen. Remember He took our infirmities and bore all our diseases on the cross ✝️ ❤ 🙏
Thank you Tatiana! I appreciate the prayers and receive it. 🙏🏼
That’s very nice but thousands of others Jews also died on the cross
Hello! I am new to your channel, only watched about 2 or 3 videos so far, it seems like finding parking can be difficult. 😮 Have you ever though to try a hospital parking lot? Hospitals usually are available 24/7 and have large lots, that is if it's a large hospital of course.
She addressed Hospital parking in her 27 places to park overnight
...that place u parked in Memphis looked a little freaky to me. 😮 Too empty; at least it was quiet. 😊
Tupelo is a cool town. I'm from MS. Wish I would've bumped into you while you were in the neighborhood. I'm glad you slept safely in Memphis. It's really gotten bad. Was that cat totally covering up a plopper-doodle by the curb?
you go for it just started watching your blog tryd it myself once for three to four months really enjoyed it still miss doing it you take care from all the people of scotland
Looks like you picked a good spot to stay.It looks peaceful.
I luv these kinds of videos! 👍
Glad you like them!
My back pain was result of an arthritic hip. Had no idea until I went for rehab on back ache, and physical therapist diagnosed it. X-rays proved him correct. New hip equals no more back pain.
Get home safe, hope your back feels better soon!
I worked for an insurance co. & a law corp., so, yes - it's smart to ask if you can sleep there if you don't want the local popo or an angry owner pounding on your windows at 2/3 a.m. Some or most property owners will be worried about liability or damage. They could be worried about pretty much anything. It's their property, so they're calling the shots. Good idea to ask. 👍👍
Good tips find a overnight parking lost
I love Myrtle Beach! I've lived in SC since mid-80s
Hi allison did you arrive in tupelo in a Sunday? Didn't see any people 😅 Memphis is a pretty rough city that street you were driving down looked really run down. I hope you enjoy the motel nice informative landmark. Please be safe thank you for sharing
I know what you mean but lot of time I was so happy to find what I hoped was a safe place. I did not hear. A train! 😮
Please be really careful. Memphis is rough. Several areas are very dangerous.
Yeah I was there about 19 years ago and yep, it’s rough from what I saw. I wouldn’t want to sleep anywhere near that pyramid thing, very evil vibes
I only stayed one night, then I moved on!
I hope you know I am just thinking about your safety and not trying to scare you. I live just a couple of hours south of Memphis and it's really sad how bad it's gotten over the past few years. My Aunt lived there around 30 years ago back in my 20s and it was quite nice then. It always amazes me how fast a city can go to pot that fast. Anyway good luck on your journeys. I enjoy seeing the places you travel to.
Yes, it's Detroit South!
@@alwaysaa4199 yes I appreciate the concern! It was my first time there so I didn’t know it was so bad. Thank you 🙏🏼
Hi Alison hope you are having a Blessed week
Thank you! You too! 🙏🏼
I get domino’s twice a week. If you order in the app you get a $3 off coupon to use the following week. You can stack it with their $7.99 carry out special for a medium 1-topping (any crust) bringing it to about $5.40.
You can get half/half toppings and they count as 1 topping.
Smart with the water, because you need that!😉✌️🙌🙏🇺🇸👍
The Jerry Lee Lewis ranch is up in Germantown Tennessee about an hour and a half from tupelo. Just south of town.
Do you think maybe the repetitive driving might be causing your increased back pain?
I like following you on your adventure's Allison. Pretty cool. 🥰
maybe you can find a place to buy that's more central in the country on a big lake instead of ocean that's more affordable and more accessible from wherever you roam.
There’s a Cracker Barrel just over the river in West Memphis Arkansas. I know there’s reports that West Memphis is rough, like Memphis BUT, I’ve slept in that Cracker Barrel parking lot at least 4 times, I always stop and eat there when I drive from Dallas TX, to WV.
Hello Travel Snacks, I stayed at the Civil Rights Museum last month coming from Quartzite, AZ. I hope you checked out the museum the next day. What an experience. Finding a place to stay is always a challenge. ~M
You're right I don't live that lifestyle yet. I can tell you we have traveled and found that you can ask locals in that area were there are no pay camping near by that is family friendly. At least here in missouri. I am not sure about other states. I watch other van lifers who sign up for year round passes through wineries, cheese factories (locals not big factories). I hope this helps.
You're driving back to CA to see a PCP ? I'm looking for a base so I appreciate being able to look around with you. Memphis is probably Not a great place to park. I'd drive through Memphis. High crime. But that spot you found did seem pretty good..
Praying for you Allison and hope it goes very well with the doctor 👩⚕️ regarding your health. All the best wishes to you.
Thanks Praveen! I appreciate that.
Ruby falls in Chattanooga. TN AWESOME. YES Tupelo is the birthplace of Elvis. Great visitor place.
WE ARE VERY FRIENDLY IN TUPELO!!! Should have stayed in TUPELO❤️❤️❤️
Could be they thought you were referring to an RV taking truck parking. Maybe in future instead of say campervan say van to see if that makes a difference.
Memphis has a very high crime rate now. Be careful staying on the streets there.
I’m sorry you’ve had all this back pain. Don’t u think it is just part of van life. ? Take care Allison.
👀Thank you for showing me Mississippi❤ I can't ever go as it highly unsafe for ppl of color. It's a beauty of a quaint lil town.
Safe healthy travels.
Like, krogers often has “reduced price” items.
I was really sad to see that cute area of shops, etc. in Tupelo with no one on the streets. It looked like a ghost town, did you ever see many people? Lots of towns like that are trying to revitalize their business centers and hopefully people will support them instead of just going to Target, Sams Club, Walmart and Costco. It looked really nice and someone has put a lot of effort and money into those shops.
Wish I had seen you in the Atlanta area, I would have stopped you and invited you to dinner and a guest suite, I live in Alpharetta. Hope you have a safe trip back to the west coast and most of all, I really hope you are able to get help for your back problem, no bueno!!
You’re brave…
Just going to start van living in Milwaukee, I'm nervous cause I'm not sure how much police can do when our if they catch ya sleeping in your minivan
That whole area looked so sketch. I'm glad no one messed with you, I wouldn't have slept there 😳
I don't like this road....lol
Phew...You made it! I'm happy!!
Lol…”no murderers.” 😂 You’re funny!
Hey, I gotta check! 😆
Tupelo- the birthplace of one Elvis Presley
I'd of skipped right past that city
Me Too asap
Been there
Go see Elvis Presley home! Tupelo Mississipi have fun! Stone Mountain. I live around there. Atlanta Georgia. I see the big stone
Obviously she's not an Elvis fan (unlike me as I'm a huge fan for years) as she didn't know this was his birthplace :(.
Check out hot springs Arkansas
Eureka Springs is nice too
Both of these towns are so lovely and spring would be a nice time to visit! 🌿❤️🌿
2 👍👍 up beautiful stay safe out there 🤞💕🥾🇺🇸
Thank you, I will! Blessings to ya.
2.79$ for gas unheard of!!! Gas is like 5.50$ in California.
I sweet guy from the hotel showed me around Memphis. And told me not to get out of the car at the place where martin Luther king was killed. He said the because I am white it’s dangerous
I’m sure you’ve already thought about this but what if you were to park across the street from a police department? Praying for your trip back to our crazy state, lol.
Anything with Gouda will be Good
Better to ask forgiveness than permission if all you are doing is crashing in your vehicle at a truck stop. IMO if you are a customer they shouldn't care.
In terms of security, have you thought about putting cameras on the outside of the van. I watched a build where the guy had used what are essentially blind spot cameras as security cameras so they blended into the van in terms of being stealthy. He had a 360 view of the outside of his build from from a tablet he could hold in his hand.
wow, where did everyone go there? The street are so quiet.
I used to be homeless in Phoenix Az. I had to find safe places to sleep every night. One night I found a place behind a deserted house in the middle of a field and around 11:00pm I awoke to headlights of two police cars who were sitting behind me about 20feet away. They never came up and said anything to me and then left. I stayed there for the night. I had a bicycle for transportation.
I can totally relate.
Van like is hard on your Heath check with your doctor gym helps I use to be dancersize instructor in my 20 s be safe
Hope you had a great sleep ❤
My niece is disabled do to an ovary tumor. HPV. Fibromyalgia. Incredible back pains. Kidney stones. High testosterone. Diabetes.Chronic fatigue . Irregular periods. Fatigue . The virus hides in the nerve linings. God Bless
I wonder if you just asked if you could park overnight because you are traveling, if the attendant would have agreed, and just say you have a van rather than a camper van. I always think of a camper van as a Winnebago type van.
Elvis had a twin who was stillborn before he was born.