What address do people put if they live in their car?
What address do people put if they live in their car?
[Note: the OP has provided an actionable reason for the topic - moderator prudent]
What address do people put if they live in their car? What do they put on their Driver's License for all of the important documents?
What about for their employment? What if they work at a big or small company?
What if they don't want their employers to know that they live in a car?
What address do people put if they live in their car? What do they put on their Driver's License for all of the important documents?
What about for their employment? What if they work at a big or small company?
What if they don't want their employers to know that they live in a car?
Last edited by pax4235 on Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:45 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
This is one category of being "homeless". I am loosely acquainted with a few such "homeless" folks. Some (both in cars and otherwise) have and use a PO Box address. In our jurisdiction, a homeless advocacy group also provides an address such folks can use.
Some have an address that they can use for mail and similar purposes.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Probably a P.O. Box, or hopefully a kind relative will accept their mail.
Why do you care?
Why do you care?
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
To save the cost of renting a POBox, could one use "Ms XYZ, General Delivery, Town, St, Zip", instead?
"Never underestimate one's capacity to overestimate one's abilities" - The Dunning-Kruger Effect
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
You could pay a friend/family member a nominal amount to manage your mail.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
In all honesty why do you even need a mailbox? Everything that I can think of can be set up electronically (emailed.) If you dont own a house and just travel around and live in your car...I cant think of a need to have a physical mailbox.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
As for physical address, please check with your post office or mail boxes business, they will let you use their physical address (it can be done at the local post office where I used to have my PO Box), again, please check, go in person and talk with a human (check legality, check technicalities, check, check, check, all based in your situation). Good luck, y gracias por leer ~cfs~
~ Member of the Active Retired Force since 2014 ~
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
I would get a PO Box if you expect to need to receive sensitive mail. If you don't expect getting anything important then "General Delivery" at a local post office would work.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
As a former postal worker, yes- Use this address: General Delivery
City, State, ZIP Code
The important factor is using the zip code of the post office where you want to pick up your mail.
So, go to your nearest location P.O. to ask them what zip code to use for General Delivery so you can pick up your mail there.
Hope that helps!!!
Texgal
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Yes, this is true, from former postal worker. You just need to know where it’s being sent to, using the correct zip code of the P.O. they want to use....
You would then only need to present photo I.D. To collect your mail from the P.O.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
In the problem of a “work address”, your best bet is a P.O. Box, either a private mail box (UPS, etc.) or the Postal Service P.O. box......
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Legal documents may need certified mail.
I am receiving severance documents vial email. Same for cobra.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
https://travelingmailbox.com/addresses
This is a very common issue for those that live a nomadic lifestyle. There are many other service providers.
Think of yourself as a stationary nomad.
Best of luck and I hope you save yourself a ton of time and money pursuing your goals. I respect such badassity.
A co-worker of mine told me of an ex co-worker of his in the bay area who lived in a van in the parking lot of their workplace. He'd use the workplace shower/restrooms/gym/cafe and slept/ate in the van. When we wasn't in the van or working he was at a coffeeshop or a library on his laptop.
This is a very common issue for those that live a nomadic lifestyle. There are many other service providers.
Think of yourself as a stationary nomad.
Best of luck and I hope you save yourself a ton of time and money pursuing your goals. I respect such badassity.
A co-worker of mine told me of an ex co-worker of his in the bay area who lived in a van in the parking lot of their workplace. He'd use the workplace shower/restrooms/gym/cafe and slept/ate in the van. When we wasn't in the van or working he was at a coffeeshop or a library on his laptop.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Google "Escapees RV Club" for another way to get mail, along with a driver's license, etc. These kind of remote mailboxes are used commonly for people who live in an RV, or in some cases for expats that want to maintain a US address and drivers license.
The other thing to consider is how your state income taxes would work. If you work in a state that does not have income taxes (or has low income taxes), you'll want to make sure your official "home" is not located in a high-tax state.
(We're thinking about moving abroad in a low-cost country when we retire, so yes - we've been looking at these options as well.)
The other thing to consider is how your state income taxes would work. If you work in a state that does not have income taxes (or has low income taxes), you'll want to make sure your official "home" is not located in a high-tax state.
(We're thinking about moving abroad in a low-cost country when we retire, so yes - we've been looking at these options as well.)
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Most states will require a physical address before issuing DL or vehicle Tags.
1) common to use friends or family addy. (out of state students have done this for 100 yrs.)
2) income tax free SD has a one night per lifetime domicile residency requirement. (FT RVrs use SD for DL / voting, and sales tax free MT for vehicle license / purchases.). Be careful to not trigger tax domicile in a ‘greedy’ state (CA) rules vary from ‘days in state, to vehicle and property ownership, and W-2’s / earnings. (Be legal!)
3) P.O. box services offer physical addy + forwarding (I use those services in various states and countries) for various needs / benefits.
I have been absent from addy for greater than a yr. (many times). Much easier to do now with internet bill pay / online banking / credit cards.... was Much more difficult 40 yrs ago. I have housesitters who will collect and forward any mail I get (rarely).
The following use ‘friends&family’ addy. (Sometimes my addy) or a mail forwarding service. ~$50/yr
3 high tech coworkers who choose to live in their cars. (College hires)
My SIL has been without an addy for 37 yrs of various house sitting gigs in HI.
National Park employees and volunteers ‘move’ several times / yr.
1) common to use friends or family addy. (out of state students have done this for 100 yrs.)
2) income tax free SD has a one night per lifetime domicile residency requirement. (FT RVrs use SD for DL / voting, and sales tax free MT for vehicle license / purchases.). Be careful to not trigger tax domicile in a ‘greedy’ state (CA) rules vary from ‘days in state, to vehicle and property ownership, and W-2’s / earnings. (Be legal!)
3) P.O. box services offer physical addy + forwarding (I use those services in various states and countries) for various needs / benefits.
I have been absent from addy for greater than a yr. (many times). Much easier to do now with internet bill pay / online banking / credit cards.... was Much more difficult 40 yrs ago. I have housesitters who will collect and forward any mail I get (rarely).
The following use ‘friends&family’ addy. (Sometimes my addy) or a mail forwarding service. ~$50/yr
3 high tech coworkers who choose to live in their cars. (College hires)
My SIL has been without an addy for 37 yrs of various house sitting gigs in HI.
National Park employees and volunteers ‘move’ several times / yr.
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
I'm curious what you mean by "What if they work at Google?" Why did you ask that specifically? Is it that Google is not paying someone enough to live in an apartment? Is it just that the person got a job but has not secured an apartment yet? Is this a temporary or more permanent thing? I'm just kind of curious what the comment about Google has anything to do with this. Can you elaborate on that?
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
This was a classic Google thing a few years ago, not sure if people still do it. Since Google had good food and didn't charge employees for breakfast/lunch/dinner, had showers and laundry on site, it was pretty easy to sleep in your van in the parking garage if you wanted to save money. It was an eclectic bunch, so it appealed to minimalists and those who had a home elsewhere and only stayed in town 3-4 weeknights.arcticpineapplecorp. wrote: ↑Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:06 pmI'm curious what you mean by "What if they work at Google?" Why did you ask that specifically? Is it that Google is not paying someone enough to live in an apartment? Is it just that the person got a job but has not secured an apartment yet? Is this a temporary or more permanent thing? I'm just kind of curious what the comment about Google has anything to do with this. Can you elaborate on that?
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
This is one of the biggest problems with being homeless. Many homeless people have very employable skills but employers don’t want to hire someone who leaves their address blank on a job application.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
There are many services that will receive, scan, email to you, and forward (if requested) your mail. Popular with full time RV and boat people.
General delivery works too if you know where you'll be.
More details would help get better answers.
General delivery works too if you know where you'll be.
More details would help get better answers.
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Just to name one specific service. It might not be relevant because to me "live in their car" sounds like "homeless," but we know a couple who live in their "Class A" bus-sized motorhome, and they use a service called Saint Brendan's Isle Mail Service. We've now used it twice ourselves when we were on long road trips (longer than the 31 days the USPS will hold mail for) and they seemed excellent.
Last edited by nisiprius on Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Love this thread full of good advice and tips on "alternative" living situations. My husband and I (retirement age) got out of the Peace Corps last year after 3 years. Before joining up we sold our house, shed piles of stuff, and stored the rest ($130 per month). After leaving Peace Corps last July, we spent the summer traveling in our van and returned to our country of service for the winter.
Because of our various interactions with insurance companies, departments of Motor vehicles, banks etc. I strongly recommend getting an address either from a friend, family member or one of the services for expats or RVers. You don't want to get categorized as indigent if something unexpected happens.
We want our own address now so, we're trying to figure out how to keep a small low cost footprint in the U.S. Without getting bogged down again. Any suggestions? We're partial to New Mexico which has low taxes.
Because of our various interactions with insurance companies, departments of Motor vehicles, banks etc. I strongly recommend getting an address either from a friend, family member or one of the services for expats or RVers. You don't want to get categorized as indigent if something unexpected happens.
We want our own address now so, we're trying to figure out how to keep a small low cost footprint in the U.S. Without getting bogged down again. Any suggestions? We're partial to New Mexico which has low taxes.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
While a physical mailbox may not necessarily be needed, a mailing address definitely is. OP is asking about the address.
And yes, one definitely needs a mailing address, unless one plans to live almost totally off the grid. Try opening a bank account/credit card, signing up for a cell phone, or getting a job without one.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
I am acquainted with several folks who "live" in their (or others') cars and use a PO Box to receive Social security, disability or similar checks. Such an address (that can be documented) is a necessity to do a lot of things.Loik098 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 15, 2018 4:18 pmWhile a physical mailbox may not necessarily be needed, a mailing address definitely is. OP is asking about the address.
And yes, one definitely needs a mailing address, unless one plans to live almost totally off the grid. Try opening a bank account/credit card, signing up for a cell phone, or getting a job without one.
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
thanks. I assumed it was something like that, but then I thought, why wouldn't google employees just sleepover in the sleep pods? Is there a timelimit on those?curmudgeon wrote: ↑Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:42 pmThis was a classic Google thing a few years ago, not sure if people still do it. Since Google had good food and didn't charge employees for breakfast/lunch/dinner, had showers and laundry on site, it was pretty easy to sleep in your van in the parking garage if you wanted to save money. It was an eclectic bunch, so it appealed to minimalists and those who had a home elsewhere and only stayed in town 3-4 weeknightsarcticpineapplecorp. wrote: ↑Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:06 pmI'm curious what you mean by "What if they work at Google?" Why did you ask that specifically? Is it that Google is not paying someone enough to live in an apartment? Is it just that the person got a job but has not secured an apartment yet? Is this a temporary or more permanent thing? I'm just kind of curious what the comment about Google has anything to do with this. Can you elaborate on that?
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
I know nothing about this, but since I've used the St. Brendan's Isle mail service, I couldn't help noticing that one of their web pages offers "free in-house consultation and all the forms and instructions needed" to establish Florida residency, voter registration, get a driver's license, get RV and vehicle registration, etc.
https://www.sbimailservice.com/become-a ... -resident/
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
In my experience banks, Vanguard and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) require a street address, although the IRS may provide you with an alternative if you don't have one.
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Double check this. When I lived there, admittedly many years ago, they had something called a "gross receipts tax", which was like a sales tax on steroids. But because it had a name that most people are unfamiliar with, it never appeared on compilations of various states' sales tax.
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Haven’t read the thread. Sorry if this repeats...
For a mailing address, mailbox type storefronts (not USPS) provide a physical address and can sign for packages—all for a fee. There is a box number but it’s attached to a street address and staff are there to receive and sign for mail. They can even notify you of special deliveries and probably forward mail and packages as well.
I bet it would cost somewhere around $100-200 year but I’m just guessing there. I have not investigated further because it’s not something I need right now but it would my first thing to look into should I require a physical address that was not my home.
Residency is another matter. I’m not sure that you can use such an address on a driver’s license.
For a mailing address, mailbox type storefronts (not USPS) provide a physical address and can sign for packages—all for a fee. There is a box number but it’s attached to a street address and staff are there to receive and sign for mail. They can even notify you of special deliveries and probably forward mail and packages as well.
I bet it would cost somewhere around $100-200 year but I’m just guessing there. I have not investigated further because it’s not something I need right now but it would my first thing to look into should I require a physical address that was not my home.
Residency is another matter. I’m not sure that you can use such an address on a driver’s license.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Depending on the person and situation, some federally qualified community health centers provide mail service for the patients they serve, since many are houseless and nomadic.
I believe Post Office Box rentals, either USPS or privately operated are a nominal monthly or semi-annual or annual charge. These services would require the owner to retrieve mail unlike the companies that scan and email the items received.
The community health centers may have ideas about what street address to use for official real ID documents. In our state, you have to produce at least 2 utility or financial acct bills showing your street address as well as original social security card and passport or other document to get the real ID. It is a process.
Here’s an article about the issue: https://www.streetsensemedia.org/articl ... qsviyJuiEc
I believe Post Office Box rentals, either USPS or privately operated are a nominal monthly or semi-annual or annual charge. These services would require the owner to retrieve mail unlike the companies that scan and email the items received.
The community health centers may have ideas about what street address to use for official real ID documents. In our state, you have to produce at least 2 utility or financial acct bills showing your street address as well as original social security card and passport or other document to get the real ID. It is a process.
Here’s an article about the issue: https://www.streetsensemedia.org/articl ... qsviyJuiEc
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
I don't know how universal this is, but the local post office (where we have a PO Box) will accept deliveries from FedEx, UPS, etc. You use the street address of that Post Office. Very handy - no need to worry about deliveries being taken from our porch.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
Oh... I have a few friends in New Mexico I can ask. If it's a consumption tax, I don't buy much beyond food but last time I was there, I was surprised that food is taxed in N.M.littlebird wrote: ↑Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:13 pmDouble check this. When I lived there, admittedly many years ago, they had something called a "gross receipts tax", which was like a sales tax on steroids. But because it had a name that most people are unfamiliar with, it never appeared on compilations of various states' sales tax.
Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
I think this complicates things a bit. You would probably want your "address" to be close to where you are working.
It might be suspicious if your address was in FL, but you worked in NY
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
ALL goods and ALL services including utilities, dentists, everythingIndigoE wrote: ↑Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:03 amOh... I have a few friends in New Mexico I can ask. If it's a consumption tax, I don't buy much beyond food but last time I was there, I was surprised that food is taxed in N.M.littlebird wrote: ↑Thu Mar 15, 2018 8:13 pmDouble check this. When I lived there, admittedly many years ago, they had something called a "gross receipts tax", which was like a sales tax on steroids. But because it had a name that most people are unfamiliar with, it never appeared on compilations of various states' sales tax.
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Re: What address do people put if they live in their car?
In the 70's in the bay area I was going to school living on the beach in my VW bus and taking showers in gym. I would have my mail sent to general delivery Pacifica CA.