How a $40K Van and a Google Job Led Me to the Freedom of Van Life
In 2016, After working as a Class B limo driver and Uber driver with no real traction, I accepted a job with one of the biggest tech companies in the world—Google. I left the hustle of Los Angeles and San Diego and took a new job in the Bay Area — driving shuttle buses for Google. It sounded like the dream. Good pay, benefits, a tech company name. But I quickly found myself living in my car, trying to survive the area’s astronomical rent. What I didn’t expect was that this journey would lead me to van life — and a sense of freedom I never imagined.
Bay Area Reality Check: Rent, Work, and No Space
Rent in the Bay Area was completely unaffordable. I couldn’t find a room under $1,500, and that was for shared housing. San Diego is an expensive city and nicer, I was blown away by the rental prices. I had just started my job and didn’t want to take on massive debt. So, after speaking with and seeking advice from some of the other drivers, I began sleeping in my car, using Google’s facilities — gym, showers, cafeterias — to survive and operate.
Why I Started Sleeping in My Car
My schedule was brutal — a 55-hour work week with split shifts, Monday through Friday. I’d park in nearby lots and crawl into my backseat around 10 PM, waking up at 4 AM. Google made it possible to survive… but not thrive. I needed more than just surviving.
Weekend Escapes: My Bay Area City Travel Routine
With weekends free, I started booking two-night hotel stays. As soon as I got off of my shift, on Fridays, I would book a hotel room, buy some food and beer, and watch Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. This gave me proper sleep — and a chance to explore the Bay Area. Over time, this became a ritual. I discovered:
- San Francisco
- Oakland
- Cupertino
- San Jose
- Redwood City
- Menlo Park
- Sausalito (my favorite!)
- Pacifica, Monterey, Half Moon Bay
- Vallejo, Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek
- Murphy’s and Angels Camp (hidden gems!)
I would visit city centers, walk through parks, chat with locals, and often stumble upon weekend fairs or festivals. These weekend escapes became my version of micro-retirement — making the most out of a tough situation and finding joy along the way. In the book, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, the author offers advice about being more present in life. A technique he offered was to go for walks in the parks and pay more attention to nature. The grass, the trees, birds and animals.
Discovering the Van Life Option
This attention practice was working and became my ritual during my 4-5 hour split at work and on the weekends. All these experiences got me thinking: Why not make travel permanent? I started researching compact RVs — specifically, Roadtrek vans and other Class B models. These looked like normal vans but had beds, toilets, fridges — full livability in a small footprint.
How I Bought My First Roadtrek RV
I had no idea about RVs, so I Googled information looking for RVs for 1 person. Class Bs were recommended. As the smallest motorhome option (less than 21 ft), these travel vans are welcome virtually everywhere. Their size makes it easier to drive to any destination, park at any campsite, and store at home between trips. These convenient Class B vans also don’t have slide-outs, which helps reduce the amount of time needed to set up. I raised my credit score to 680 and began looking on RVTrader.com.
One ad caught my eye. A RoadTrek 170 (17 ft). I arranged for a friend to look at it and confirm. He liked it but it was sold before I got to it. The seller explained it sold on eBay, with no negotiation. Fortunately, the seller had another even better Roadtrek 190 (19 ft). He offered it for $40,000. I took out a $20,000 loan and paid the rest in cash. I picked it up in Orange County and brought it back to Mountain View.
From Half Moon Bay to San Diego: Starting True Freedom
After injuring my knee on the job, I was placed on medical leave. I used that time to reflect. I drove out to Half Moon Bay, parked along the coast, and found peace and excitement. I felt an incredible feeling of freedom. I made my decision: I wasn’t going back to the job. Although it was a great opportunity, the traffic and franticness was unbearable. I eventually planned and drove south to San Diego and began a new life — one without rent, routine, or regret.
Van Life as a Path to Peace and Enlightenment
Living in the van hasn’t always been easy. It’s a bit like being homeless with a nicer roof. But I wake up near beaches. I drink coffee with views. I ask, “What’s next?” — and actually get to decide. Retirement didn’t make me restless. It made me present. Van life gave me freedom, peace, and a second chance at living well. More importantly, it has allowed me to explore anywhere and provide opportunity for international travel.
🌄 Ready to Start Your Own Van Life?
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Or read more on the blog: Van Life Tips for Veterans & Retirees
Got questions or thinking about trying this lifestyle?
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