A Nesting Box for Tengu...

[forestwalker]

People live year around in caravans in northern Sweden, so I fail to see why Cornwall should be impossible. And I agree, living in a student filled hall would be some form of hell. Caravans here come a bit better insulated, IIRC, and the most common heaters is either gas or electric. Make sure you get a CO-alarm, and also a gas one if you use that.

Alternatives could be a yurt (buy every old blanket you can find on the charity shops and insulate with that). Loading pallets as a base, plywood floor inside the yurt on top of that, some cheap rugs, a piece of sheet metal under the woodstove...

As for transport: bicycle?

 

[Silverhill]

Evening - my name is Red and the idea of living crammed in with other people is my equivalent of Dantes fifth circle of hell. Living in your own space is not "ostracising yourself from your peers", its simply being comfortable in your own skin and with your own company.

I have no desire to live in a human battery farm

Red

Red; I think you've taken me out of context there, or I haven't made myself entirely clear. Please understand that that comment was made without full knowledge of Tengu's position; I made the assumption that she was finishing school and then starting uni. To skip halls without giving them a go at the age of eighteen is, in my opinion, a bit of a cop-out. Tengu has qualified my statement out.

I too detest living amongst other folk, having been brought up on a farm in the middle of nowhere in the Fens (Wykeham). However, your own space need not be miles from civilisation, just a place where you feel comfortable in sanctuary.

 

[widu13]

Living in a caravan? Absolutely, were I single with no ties I would do it in a heartbeat. I have stayed out for many weeks on end in a motorhome (same difference) without electric with no problems at all. Find an obliging landowner and it's cheap too. You need decent (non muddy) access, water, somewhere to empty the loo and if it has electric that's a bonus. There are many landowners who wouldn't mind a tax free lump sum some every month from someone who doesn't bother them. You may even be able to sweeten the deal with the offer of work.

Solar or wind power is not an option for electric unless it's for lights/pumps and a small amount of TV only, otherwise it's relatively expensive as you need about 160w of panels and at least 220Ah of batteries. Once set up though it is perfectly viable for a caravan. Expect cost to be about £500 to install yourself. (Not hard). Dependant on availability though and the length of your stay paying for mains may be a better option, as things like running a small 800w heater from an inverter off of the batteries is not at all feasible.

Caravans not warm? Rubbish. They're not as warm as a house that has a heat source on a lot of the time. A caravan with a heat source going a lot of the time will also be warm

 

[Tengu]

Thanks, thats more like it.

Im looking into solar power but it is expensive. (Most sites have hookups but that is pricey too.)

Im not 18 anymore

 

[widu13]

Tengo you and I are of a similar age and sound quite similar. I would happily live in the huloo, but my wife wouldn't! I have decades of experience with caravans and motorhomes. Don't tie yourself down to a campsite unless that is what you want. You WILL be able to find safe, secure and suitable land much cheaper if you can agree a figure with the land owner. Remember campsites have nightly/weekly/monthly tariffs- ignore them and haggle!

 

[spandit]

Tengu you and I are of a similar age and sound quite similar

How can you deduce a Northern accent from what they've written (& isn't Tengu a woman)?

 

[TurboGirl]

I wonder if theres a potential trick to be had combining a farmers land and you giving it a go in a tipi or yurt.... especially if they're raised, they're mega comfy and the farmer could use it as a trial for glamping which is a great way to boost income. Not lived in one permanently but know folk who have and if they're not too huge, they can be pretty cosy. I think your wellbeing will be improved far more by this style of living than detracted from by the odd cold, chilly one and you're just the gel to do it and make a success because of your inherent adaptablilty!

 

[widu13]

How can you deduce a Northern accent from what they've written (& isn't Tengu a woman)?

Box Spandit! (get back in it)

 

[British Red]

To skip halls without giving them a go at the age of eighteen is, in my opinion, a bit of a cop-out.

In my opinion, it shows a maturity of judgement. Why should people "give a try" to living arrangements they dislike?

Universities are generally little clone factories - I respect more those who don't conform

 

[Tengu]

Im certainly not from the North.

 

[Toddy]

Having lived in Halls for short times when at other Universities, they aren't battery farms, nor do they lack privacy.
It's quite normal to find en suite rooms for the mature students too.

Caravans depend on their condition as to how comfortable they actually prove to be.
I've lived in them too for work at times.
The damp, grotty ones are disgusting and no amount of scrubbing or heating takes away the miasma of damp mould that permeates everything you bring into them
Good ones (i.e. expensive ) on the other hand are very comfortable indeed

I think this is a budget/distance/condition call, Tengu, and at the end of the day, University isn't just about the education for your degree, it's about learning to work with, and effectively relate to, other people.
Isolation isn't always a good thing. Company of some kind, even if it is a chosen few, is far healthier.

I can see the appeal of your own space, but I think it might be worth a look at the residences the Uni can offer too. I don't think by the time you factor in travelling, fuel, heating/light, site fees, etc., that you'll find the financial costs cheaper in a van, and as Beandune says, you're closer to the Uni resources, like computers, libraries, etc..

Best of luck with it all

atb,
M

 

[Tengu]

"and at the end of the day, University isn't just about the education for your degree, it's about learning to work with, and effectively relate to, other people."

Do you think I could get a place in kindergarten?

 

[Toddy]

No, but why on Earth would you want to ?
You're an adult, there will be a lot of adults around
You don't *have* to make friends, just be able to work effectively with others when necessary.
It's perfectly allowable to be individual, and indeed, I wouldn't expect you not to be. You're pretty self reliant, and capable, and that's all very good and positive; but no man is an island, and all that

atb,
M

 

[Samon]

I've always liked the look of the metal caravans, but I doubt they are sold readily over here (more american I believe).

you could end up like this though .. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1...15&start=12&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:12,i:129

I've had a look around a caravan retailer before and the cheapest one they had was like £500 and it was the smallest one I've ever seen and completely riddled with mould and damp, it also stank like someone had died in it.

However, a large van and some diy wall insulation and carpets would probably be warm enough aslong as you can get a heat source to work effectively. You can also install cabinets, storage and a sink by yourself with some tips found online. The benefit of a setup like this is it's cheaper than a purpose made camper van (they are infact very expensive if you want something nice) and you can still drive around if you need to.

it does depend though, can you drive? do you have a car? do you have any money saved up?

 

[British Red]

no man is an island, and all that

atb,
M

In that case, can I be a peninsula?

 

[peaks]

I can appreciate your need for privacy and your own space, and the caravan is a great idea. I would suggest that you also look at other other alternatives - if only to rule them out - if you haven't already done so.
- What about renting a flat or house? (Probably choice limited and potentially expensive if Cornwall or in a town)
- Does the Uni offer an accommodation service who could offer advice for mature students?
- You usually get what you pay for with caravans and as others have said, shabby ones can be a nightmare. But you can also get some older ones which have had very careful owners and are in superb nick at sensible prices. If poss get someone who knows caravans to go with you and take a damp meter when you go to buy. Damp kills caravans.
- Awnings give you a lot more flexibility and storage, just ensure you have good fixings, especially for winter winds
- oil filled radiators work really well, and can be fixed up to a timer so that you can have some warmth in the place for when you come home.
- Woodburners are great, but fitting one could compromise weather proofing or structural integrity and collecting wood + storing it is a big chore, especially when you are adjusting to a new environment and trying to study. I love mine, but it can be messy and they need emptying.
- would have thought that you would have a good choice of sites in Cornwall.
- formal sites will give you better facilities : electric hook up (pretty essential unless you have 2 leisure batteries and charging facility?), chemical disposal, showers, laundry etc. Usually helpful people/community spirit too without swamping you.
- if you do get a caravan and mains hook-up, remember you will need lower wattage appliances eg kettle
- check out the Romoska - fabulous bit of kit and works well as oven, grill, casserole etc. Had one for years in a caravan with no oven. Saves using gas, reduces smells etc http://www.lakeland.co.uk/2511/Stan...er?src=gpelc&gclid=CIPK0-WU668CFQ1lfAodsndl1Q
- being organised and tidy, is an absolute must for van dwellers.
- converting a panel van is an alternative, but could take a lot of time effort and cash. Lots of info on the web on how to.
- Go for it! Being comfortable in your own living space is so important
- And enjoy uni..........it is a life experience and it will have highs and lows.

HTH

 

[santaman2000]

Personally speaking Tengu, living in a caravan sounds fine if executed correctly. However, the angle from which I approached it was more along the lines of you disregarding living in halls for the first year. I don't know you personally so I can't fully understand your social stance/outlook, so please excuse my ignorance, but living amongst others with whom you have no previous connection is an enjoyable experience. Sure enough, it has it's highs and lows, but I'm yet to meet anyone who doesn't regard it as a positive experience. Of course, if you're hell-bent on ostracising yourself from your peers, then go ahead.

+1 on this. Also remember that this is where you'll be building your professional "network" of contacts and associates so neccessary for finding employment once your studies are complete.

 

[santaman2000]

...Caravans not warm? Rubbish. They're not as warm as a house that has a heat source on a lot of the time. A caravan with a heat source going a lot of the time will also be warm

This one made me wonder too. When I was stationed over there I lived (for about 1 year of my tour) in a 150 year old stone cottage with no heat upstairs (the bedrooms) Compared to that a caravan was the epitome of warm.

 

[santaman2000]

Thanks, thats more like it.

Im looking into solar power but it is expensive. (Most sites have hookups but that is pricey too.)

Im not 18 anymore

Yoy might try to find a caravan with gas heat and cooker.

 

[santaman2000]

I've always liked the look of the metal caravans, but I doubt they are sold readily over here (more american I believe)...

I just looked up Airstream's site www.airstream.com Just look at the top of the page and you'll find a pull down menu to select your country; and yes, the UK is there.