Introduction: Surviving by Sleeping in My Car

In 2013, I found myself doing something I never imagined — sleeping in my car just to survive. I had a degree in marketing and communications, some corporate experience, and a lifetime of work behind me, yet there I was, living out of my vehicle in San Diego.

At that time, I was earning barely $2,000 a month working as a limo driver and one of the very first Uber Black Car drivers in the city. For nine months, my car wasn’t just transportation — it was my home.

This is my story of how I got there, how I survived, and what I learned along the way.

From Arizona to Hawaii — and Back Again

My journey into car life began when I sold my house in Tempe, Arizona, in 2012 and moved to Kona, Hawaii. I had visited before and believed it was the place I wanted to live. But when I arrived, it didn’t feel right. The island vibe wasn’t as welcoming as I’d hoped, and after only two months, I made the tough decision to leave.

By September 2012, I was back in California, temporarily living with my mom in Rancho Cucamonga while I tried to figure out my next move.

Struggling to Find Work

Despite my background, finding work wasn’t easy. I picked up odd jobs to keep myself afloat:

Delivering cheesecakes to elementary schools for fundraisers.
Canvassing neighborhoods for solar panel installation.

Neither lasted long. The solar canvassing ended abruptly when I injured my knee during a yoga class, likely tearing a meniscus. By February 2013, I was stuck again — unemployed and uncertain.

Discovering a New Opportunity in San Diego

I’d always loved San Diego, and with limited options, I decided to move there in April 2013. That’s when I landed a job as a limo driver.

At the time, Uber was brand new. Before they became a rideshare giant, they partnered with limo companies under the name Uber Black Car. I was one of the first 50–100 drivers to hit the streets in San Diego.

The limo company required me to pass a test on San Diego’s freeways and landmarks. With only a couple of visits to the city under my belt, I crammed to learn the roads. Somehow, I passed — and I was in.

What It Was Like Driving for Uber in 2013

The limo work mostly meant airport runs and occasional events. It was slow, and Uber filled in the gaps. The problem? Almost nobody had heard of Uber yet. I would start my mornings from the Miramar area and drive to the northern city of Oceanside and drive down south, to San Diego city, driving down the coast waiting for an Uber beep. And waiting, and waiting………

I was actually enjoying the job and freedom it was offering. I wasn’t using my own gas, so I was able to get to know all the unique coastal towns along the way. I’d grab a coffee and drive through Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs and Point Loma. Amazing places to just waste time. I just needed to make some money.

When I started, the company promised drivers could make $400–$500 a week — but it wasn’t guaranteed. My first paycheck after two weeks was only $200. And again, I really enjoyed the work and getting to know the beautiful, spectacular cities and towns that make up San Diego.

That’s when I made the tough decision: to cut expenses completely and sleep in my car while I worked.

Sleeping in My Car: The Survival Plan

At first, it was humbling — even embarrassing — to live in my car. But it was the only way to stretch my income.

My routine: I worked the 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift, which meant lots of airport runs. The night shift (4 p.m. to 4 a.m.) paid more, but I didn’t want to deal with the party crowd and drunks.
Where I slept: I found quiet, safe places to park and catch rest before the next long shift.
Food & hygiene: I ate on the cheap and used public gyms (I have a grandfather membership at LA Fitness for $19 a month with multiple facilities at my disposal.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept me in the game.

What I Learned During 9 Months in My Car

Over time, I built up to averaging around $500 a week. Combined with my 30% VA disability pay, it was just enough to get by.

Sleeping in my car taught me resilience, patience, and adaptability. It also forced me to get creative — not just in how I lived, but in how I thought about my future.

After nine long months, I was finally able to move into a small apartment close to the University of San Diego in the Linda Vista area. It was close to Old Town and the center of San Diego and close to the airport. I thought ideal for Uber rides.

A Turning Point: Expanding into Bus Driving

In 2015, I earned my Class B license, which opened new doors. I started driving buses and taking groups to incredible places like:

The Grand Canyon
Yosemite National Park
Las Vegas
San Francisco

It wasn’t the day-to-day taxi driving in a car and it provided a little bit more money coupled with some cool experiences. The whole experience showed me that sometimes, survival is just the first step toward growth. I knew there was something else out there for me, I just didn’t know what.

Conclusion: Surviving to Move Forward

Looking back, 2013 was one of the hardest years of my life. But sleeping in my car also became a foundation. It forced me to simplify, survive, and eventually find a new way forward. I actually found that I was less stressed with life because it pulled me away from television and watching the depressing news, which was a favorite activity.

What I didn’t know then was that only a few years later, I would sleep in my car again — but under very different circumstances. By 2016, I was making $70,000 a year working for Google, and car life became a strategy, not a necessity.

This post is part of my Nomadicstan reinvention series. Don’t miss the full story in [Post 3: From Car Life to Van Life to Global Travels].”

👉 Read Part 2 of my story: Sleeping in My Car While Working at Google: Why I Chose Car Life to Save Money and Find Freedom.