If anyone knows of a church or other organization that would permit someone to sleep in their parking lot (in a vehicle), I’d greatly appreciate the info. Would only be for a few weeks at most.

Obviously I wouldn’t litter, make a mess, or otherwise attract attention besides running the engine periodically.

I know this sounds ridiculous but I really don’t want get in trouble with the law. I’m actively looking for places, but just haven’t had any luck.

I’m gainfully employed; no substance abuse or mental issues; and can provide references and information behind my predicament.

I'm almost sure walmarts allow this and are a frequent stopping spot for the camper crowd.

Walmarts are indeed on my circuit of sleeping places. But I really want to avoid the uncertainty of getting in trouble legally.

Any criminal offense could put my career in jeopardy.

They do but you need to reach out and get the managers approval. You can just show up and park.

If you have an income, have you considered reaching out to an Airbnb to see if they would do a short-term rental deal? (After the holidays) May not be affordable right in the city but you could find something in a suburb. I wish you luck!

Unfortunately I don’t have that much income. My budget is realistically 500-1000 per month.

There is a federal idling law - 5 minutes. I had to call the police on someone that I guess was sleeping in their car outside my windows. Idling for a half hour at a time, two or three hours a night. The building shook, woke me up, and exhaust fumes were seeping in. I haven't seen the car again since.

This was in a private parking space on private property and right in front of an Authorized Parking Only sign.

I understand. I have the right sleeping bag, so it shouldn’t be necessary to constantly run the engine.

And obviously my goal is to not disturb anyone.

Thanks for the info though. Getting a visit from the police is exactly what I’m trying to avoid.

Walmart.

Definitely the most American of all churches.

Were you the same person looking for parking garages to sleep in?

That’s me. I saw a similar post recently on the housing subreddit.

The church of low prices.

This should be doable if you're okay living with roommates.

For sure. I’ve been looking since September though and just striking out. I have to keep a stupid vehicle for work, and I’m trying avoid stairs with my fucked up legs.

My parameters are messing me all up.

most MA rest areas allow overnight parking, if they don't they'll post signs.

Most metered parking in and around Boston is free overnight.

Check individual Commuter rail lots, some don't charge overnight.

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(ianal) Last I checked, there were no laws in Massachusetts, or Boston city ordinances in particular, making it illegal to sleep in your car. You may get nagged/asked to move along or a cop may knock just to check you're not dead, but unless you're trespassing on private property you shouldn't have any more trouble than that.

Check out /r/urbancarliving and /r/vandwellers for parking ideas.

And for the flying spaghetti monster's sake. Layer up in the cold; don't idle your engine for heat.

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what criminal offense are you concerned about? if the police do get called youll just get asked to move along

Trespassing; loitering.

Or otherwise being perceived as someone who must be in the wrong.

“Why would you be in this situation? Where is your family and friends?”

have you been to many church or store lots around boston? theres frequently people experiencing homelessness sleeping there, ive never seen anyone arrested for that

Theres lots of the metered spots around the city which are free from i think 6pm-8am

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Hey thank you very much for the info.

I appreciate the insight.

I won’t idle the vehicle unless it’s really bad. I’ve lived here for 12 years–I have the correct clothing.

lol thats definitely not the case. you can 100% just show up and park. did so across the country

Bro you are sleeping in parking lots. What career? 😂

I own a business, have a night time job, and have professional licensure in a niche trade.

Three sources of income. It just only amounts to ~40-60k.

It does depend on the location, some cities have regulations against it and the Walmarts don’t want to have police coming around to the parking lot. If you see other campers then it’ll probably be fine

Vagrancy.

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thats not a criminal offense

I just checked Harvest Hosts for nearby churches, and it looks like the Common Street Spiritual Center in Natick and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Easton both allow overnight vans/campers. I would recommend calling to see how many consecutive nights they’d be okay with.

Doesn’t Walmart allow it? You can try locations in Saugus or Quincy.

Probably mental illness.

There’s a warming center Malden (529 Eastern Ave) that’s open from 7-7. I’m sure if you talk to the pastor he’d allow you to stay in your car in the lot or you could chill inside and get food.

do you really think making 60k/yr precludes someone from being homeless in boston? did you stop once to consider whether their house burnt down, or they’re escaping an abusive relationship, or they fell victim to a rental scam, etc etc

there’s a myriad of reasons that someone with a job could end up homeless. or maybe, they’re not asking for themselves, they’re asking for a friend who would like some discretion? literally just take like 10 seconds to apply some critical thought to the situation before being judgemental. and yeah, there likely IS something being left out of the discussion, because homelessness is a very taboo topic to the american public and OP likely doesn’t want to offer up too many details

Well keep on hustling I guess

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Oh yeah if this is real why do police officers idle all the time?

If I had other options I’d choose them. I pick up litter for fun.

I’m not an asshole, I just don’t earn enough money.

Since when does the law apply to police officers?

I’m trying I promise.

I can’t imagine how hard other people have it.

There are a lot of people that are choosing not to spend money on rent. To tell you the truth if I wasn't married I would probably have bought a van a long time ago to live out of. I'm more than willing to live out of a van for 2-3 years and save money, then use that for a great down payment and not have to scrape by to purchase a home. My wife is not as willing to rough it like I am.

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A lot of people are choosing to go homeless for several years so they can save money. Renting a room now days is like $1000 a month. If someone lived out of a car or van for 3 years they could save up to $36000, then drop that into a down payment for a house.

There's a whole YouTube video on why police have to idle their cars, and how they prevent the car from being stolen.

Wow sounds like bullshit

What do you want to know?

I made $2,400 this month. $1,000 in rent is pushing the ratio. I also need to go the doctor, the dentist, and possibly even save for retirement.

I’m absolutely responsible for my circumstances, but I’m just regular person like everyone else. I want a family, a career, health and happiness.

I don’t know what I can do differently to keep striving towards those goals.

I’m as well adjusted to what’s going on in society as anyone else.

Maybe. But they say it has something to do with the high power drain of all their equipment.

Have you looked at spare room.com or roomies.com. They could possible have rooms for rent you could afford.

3 minutes ago it was about the car getting stolen.

Outdated advice. Some Walmarts still look the other way. Plenty of others will call the police.

Honestly though, I would take my chances with a random Walmart over a random church.

I know it. I just got back from visiting with family all over the country.

The price is worth whatever it takes.

The tap water actually tastes good. There’s hardly any crime or murders. People here are genuinely caring, and they take hard work and achievements seriously.

I’ve lived in several areas of the country, and I don’t want to go back.

I’m not trying to live on Beacon Hill or in Back Bay, or even in Boston proper for that matter. MA is my home.

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Yup. Since September. Been using all the services I can find.

Occasionally something pops up, but I haven’t had any luck yet.

Figured I would post just in case. Hopefully you will find something. Wishing you luck.

Vagrancy is the cause to harass, but they will pin something on them if they want to. Loitering, trespassing, and more. I worked at a shelter where a guest was arrested for resisting arrest. No other cause. They arrested him and charged him with resisting arrest, but there was no other arrestable offence. His public defender argued that he couldn't be arrested for resisting arrest if there was no reason to be arrested in the first place. The judge disagreed and he was sentenced to 30 days. I asked what he did to resist arrest, and he said he asked, "Why am I being arrested."

The truth is while being homeless isn't a crime the city still treats it that way and will charge people with meaningless offences because they can. A lot of it is to try and force the homeless out of the city to other areas, and a lot of it is to pad their numbers so they can use the statistics for more money. The homeless don't have the capacity to fight so they are the easiest targets.

I used to sleep in Walmart lots back when I was doing cross country trips to see concerts. Walmart allows it, but there are some cities that have laws to prevent it as well. You really have to call the Walmart to check, and usually they have a 1-2 night policy that the police enforce because they don't want Walmarts to turn into homeless camps.

I just checked the church down the block. Unfortunately, clearly posted Private Property, Permit Parking Only, Violators Towed at Owner's Expense.

Some turn into permit only

I meant they have a special mechanism that keeps it from being stolen, even if the engine is running.

I know ACAB, but the idling thing isn't their fault.

Here is a fun pic that Sully and I found.

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Thank you so much for your concern. It’s comforting knowing people are looking out for me.

I promise I’ll pay it forward.

you’re an asshole

You're welcome and I hope you find something.

Dude this guy has been posting this for months. Sonething def ain't right.

If you can afford $1000 / mo for rent there no reason for you to sleep in your car. Plenty of shared housing that would run you well below that. Posting over and over on Reddit probably isn't your best course of action. Easily find something for $5-600 withing the greater Boston.

I'm just saying there are probably way better places than Reddit to get help with your situation.

If you are a woman please go chat with the wonderful staff at Rosie's Place.

Do you need to be in Boston proper? DM me. I know a lot in a plaza west of the city that never tows.

But that doesn’t mean they allow sleeping in your car overnight.

$1000 for a room gests you in a very nice place, look around tons of shared housing for half of that, if you look in more reasonably priced areas.

This month 1k would have been almost 50% of my wages. Unfortunately it’s not steady.

I assure you I’m looking. Been looking since September. Viewed several places. Lots of scams, lots of dilapidated/trashed rooms, or otherwise unsuitable arrangements.

I’ve used every service and website I can find. I know plenty of people make it work and that I’m not special… I’m simply not having any luck.

Thanks, but unfortunately I wouldn’t be eligible.

Sadly - 50% of wages is 'normal' these days. This place is FUCKED.

Thank you. Take care!

For sure. But I know people make it work through much more adversity.

I don’t understand what the difference is between me and anyone else.

I don’t know if healthcare and teeth and retirement are luxuries or not.

> healthcare and teeth and retirement are luxuries or not.

Def not, but plenty go without.

You're stuck on the idea that these people want to rent. They don't want to rent. They want to save as much money as fast as possible. Paying $500 a month is still doubling the amount of time it will take to save $36,000. They are perfectly happy living in a van or car for years if it means breaking out of the poverty cycle faster. Many have the money to rent, they have jobs, they just don't want to live paycheck to paycheck hoping to one day buy a home. For some people a short time homeless for a long time of financial security is a trade they are willing to make.

OP says he wants to find a place and can't.

My dude you say you work 3 jobs yet live in your car, surely there's a spot in a cheaper col area that has good tasting water AND you can afford an apartment. Life is too short to go on like you're doing.

It's just another one of those rules nobody enforces. Like the dirt bike kids or jaywalking or shoplifting small amounts.

I know you’re right, but I don’t want to give up. I started my company as a sole proprietorship 11 years ago. I have been working towards starting a life here for a long time.

I want to prove I’m good enough to make it here, despite whatever hardships.

I don’t know where a Walmart is but they allow camping in their lots. Meters overnight, parking garages can get expensive.

Well what is it about your business that wouldn't work somewhere else?

Yeah western mass is where the water comes from. It was a lot cheaper than boston when I went to school out there. I’m not sure what rates are like now though.

Just check western mass Craigslist.

What jobs do you do and what’re you skilled at? Edx had a sliding fee where you can take their classes at a library and get a verified certification that shows up on LinkedIn in a ton of different subjects and sometimes these are almost as good as a degree but practically free in comparison.

Walmart def allows this I know people that do festivals and travel all around the country and Walmart allows it. We even studied it in business school bc like, if you’re in an rv in a wal mart parking lot where are you gonna shop? It’s actually a really good idea.

That’s awful. Fuck Quincy for shutting down that bridge project it’d be done by now. How many beds do they have?

Buy something you need and ask the manager while you’re there.

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The people and trust. Here people know who I am; what value I offer; and what it’s like without me.

Sure I could start over in another market, but then I am nobody. A stranger with some testimonials from another state and maybe an obscure reputation.

It’s took years to build the favor I have here. There is no replacing it.

Do not engage this person, if you read his history, everyday its a new situation he's seeking assistance with.

More than enough for an SRO at the YMCA.

We live in a very strange place in time. We will tell our grandchildren about how much rent was in the early 2000’s. Roaring 20’s my ass.

What kind of company? Are you on the section 8 waiting list? If you’re not get on it asap. Also action for boston community development, abcd, knows all about housing and resources. I’m in an affordable unit bc they helped me find it. It’s still 1410 but I applied for section 8 a long time ago and I eventually got it but I have a really nice place now… so it’s 30-40% of your income instead of the full price. It doesn’t cover what apartments cost in boston unless you have affordable housing.

Western Massachusetts is beautiful, it’s where the water in boston comes from, there is virtually no crime, other than students being students.

Plenty of beautiful trails and stuff. Plus there are a lot of camping areas right around amherst, I remember Greenville being cheaper, maybe if you had a couple of room mates out there?

Well like, I have nothing but respect for the grind and I don't know you even in the slightest but I have to ask... If all that favor and reputation and testimony can't get you an apartment around here what's it's actual value? Would being a nobody BUT having a roof over your head actually be a better situation someplace cheaper?

It's just like... You really seem to be arguing hard in favor of a really uncomfortable situation that you don't have to be in. Something isn't adding up here.

Could be going through a tough time 🤷‍♂️

I really struggle with work and value.

I have 12 employees. They all make $20-30 an hour. It’s still not enough to live and prosper on. The only reason they get by is because they have family and friends and significant others to pool resources.

I can’t pay them more, and I don’t have a plan for their upward mobility. It’s gutting because I want them to have assurance that they can grow old and survive. My salary (when I was paying myself) from the business was pretty much in line theirs, even though my job less physically demanding and taxing.

It didn’t feel right.. Particularly through the last few years.

I don’t know what I’m ‘worth’, and through that job and my two new ones, I simply don’t earn enough to make it on my own.

Is it normal to arrive at 50 years old and have roommates and failing health and no considerable retirement? I mean well, work hard, and do my best for people… But the results are what count, and I can’t produce any more.

I don’t know how to advance from here. If this what I’m paid, this is what I’m worth I suppose. But it’s not enough to really live.

The nearest Walmart I know of is in Lynn. A person has to call the store, not all of them can accommodate overnight camping.

This is utterly false

Idk man I've never run a business so I'm not going to make any assumptions, it just strikes me as really strange being an employer of 12 and still not making enough ends meet to have a roof over your head. I'm left here scratching my head about that I just don't even know.

No worries.. For sure it doesn’t make any sense, and it is completely my own doing why I’m in this mess.

I appreciate you listening and sharing all the same. Life is confusing.

All the best to you.

You would rather live in your car in MA than an apartment somewhere else?

Maybe if you want to live in Newton.

Yes. I have family in the south and out west.

I don’t want to be there anymore. There is a reason people want to be here over other places.

If you want to listen to my unsolicited advice from someone who's never walked a mile in your shoes here it is: if you're struggling to provide a living for these employees and failing to provide a living for yourself it might be time to throw in the towel. Some businesses need major changes or just stop making financial sense, I wonder if that's where you're at.

There's parts of the country that don't get brutally cold, that have COL half as much as here. Cities like salt lake or the RDU area or maybe up in the Pacific Northwest like Bend or Spokane. Where you can get a non stressful job that lets you afford an apartment and then work things out from there. I'm just spitballing of course that's just probably what I'd be thinking if I was in your shoes. Regardless, I wish you the warmest of holidays and if you've got nobody to vent to, just dm me here.

Weird. Well be careful. If you loose your income you might fall into a hole that you can't climb out of. Maybe reconsider your plan to risk freezing to death in a car because you like the taste of the tap water.

Walpole has a Walmart that allows campers.

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OP, many suburbs (Dedham and West Roxbury as 2 examples) have plentiful street parking with no permit requirements. I forget now, but the limit for living in a vehicle is something like 2 weeks, and even that's only if someone gets uppity and decides to call the cops about it. If I were you, I'd head to that area and just move the vehicle a few streets over every few days. I wish you luck with the Church idea, but frankly Churches are fully insured organizations that likely have policies against this even if the actual folks on site (priests, admin etc) are sympathetic to situations like yours. They might not bother you, but they're unlikely to tell you that you can do it if you ask ahead of time.

He has like 30k saved but won’t get temporary housing because he doesn’t want to waste money. Also seems like he can’t find a roommate situation. He’s employed and has money.

I second this. It is a safe area too.

So what?

cars generally cannot be towed while someone is occupying the vehicle. so I'd generally interpret your question to be where can you park without being fined or for free. answer to that is most store lots during closed hours that do not explicitly say they will tow or fine you (which are many, such as the Walmart in Quincy).

Christians aren’t welcoming like this in my experience.

Ya’ll should #Promote yourselves.

If I may ask is this by choice

why so nasty? OP has the right to exercise their autonomy and make decisions that maybe you don't agree with. Get over yourself.

You can obtain emergency housing through the state. Not sure of the requirements in terms of income/# in household/ etc. but it may be worth a phone call to find out if you qualify. They put people up in hotels

I have no advice but I hope you find what you need. I'm hoping it works out for you.

Natick also. Not sure if Lynn is closer.

Saugus, and it’s a garage

The general rule is if the store is open 24hrs then you're allowed to overnight camp or at least we never ran into issues when I did my last cross country road trip a few years ago.

I've slept in my vehicle, very obviously, all over Boston for a period of several months. There are no rules against sleeping in a vehicle, and I've even seen situations/reports where residents were mad that someone was sleeping in an RV on their block for months on end, but the Boston police refused to do anything because it was legal and they were parked legally. You're fine with the law, just find a quiet street and get there by dusk and leave by dawn.

Plenty of street parking in JP is free overnight parking plenty of side streets are safe and quiet and nobody will bother you.

Your responses in this thread, even in reply to some really thoughtless comments, have been kind, empathic towards others, pragmatic, and demonstrative of a wonderfully positive and hopeful attitude. You seem like a really nice person. I wish you all the best, and I have no doubt that, with your outlook and thoughtful nature, you will find your way through this. Stay warm, and be well. A stranger on the internet is rooting for you.

Go to a shelter man

Saint terrestrial church westroxbury

I've read your post history and seen many of your comments. It's been months, and you refuse to seek help or reach out to family in other states, you're fixated on a dream job that doesn't pay enough (even though you've said before you're qualified in other areas), and you will not look at roommates or the idea of leaving Massachusetts for awhile, and then returning when things are better.

You've also said you're working two jobs but also "own your own company." On every single thread, people are patient and provide links to services and organizations that can help. Something isn't adding up here, or you're deliberately leaving information out.

I have sought help.

My family has and is helping me.

My ‘dream’ job is simply a job that isn’t as physically demanding as my other the jobs the last 20 years.

I’ve interviewed for several apartments; have numerous Craigslist search queries set to auto-notify.

I realize I may have to leave MA (again) if I can’t make this work. It’d be literally a repeat of what happened last year.

I own a business that I founded in 2012, but left day-to-day operations at the end of last year. I’ll still collect dividends, but I don’t pay myself a salary anymore. My two new jobs are paid hourly, and work is sporadic. The ‘dream’ job is in an unrelated field that passionate about, but I’ve just become licensed and need to take advantage of the mentorship available to me. Otherwise the field is extremely difficult to enter. In most other states I’d have to pay for this opportunity.

People have helped, and I’ve been getting on fairly comfortably despite the temperature and the cramped quarters living out of a suitcase.

I’m very appreciative of everything contributed by this community, but ultimately I need to find a place to live below $1,000 a month. That is the whole thing.

I understand that this may be unrealistic, but I’m determined to make it work. I’ve gotten close on a few rooms, but nothing has panned out yet.

Every room I’ve rented since I moved to MA has been total luck. The reason I keep posting is the belief that someone might see it and know someone or something that would work—just like every other time I’ve found a place to live.

I’m not sure what else to say, besides I’m sorry if I’ve troubled you. It’s hard making friends and not being awkward in person, but I feel I can type my thoughts and articulate them well. That’s why I’m using this approach.

I’m not hiding anything. I’m desperate to start my life again.

I could sell off investments I suppose and get hotel room, my investments are basically my retirement/medical care. And like a lot of people most of my portfolio is in the red.

Yes I could drive back to family—one of who makes enough money to support them—but I have a mentorship and a foothold in a very lucrative profession.

If I find a room on the eastern half of the state for ~$500, I’ll be in good shape.

Some people actually really need it. I can’t take resources away from families and people who are worse off then I am.

I can pay my way and make do with less. My hope is that find a place to rent within my budget.

give yourself the christmas gift of learning to say "you know what? i was wrong and i'll shut up know about something i know nothing about". you will really appreciate it down the line. jackass

I understand where you're coming from, but I've previously been almost homeless in a different major city years ago. I HAD TO move away, get myself situated, make money, regroup, and decide if I wanted to go back. If you're starving in Massachusetts but you're being offered food in Maine, you go where the food is until your strength is back. That's not failure or something to mock or weakness. If you aren't willing to stay in a shelter, halfway house, or use social services, you're putting yourself in real danger of freezing to death when you don't have to.

My friend just rented a room in a 4 bedroom in Allston for $550/mo. I just helped her move. So.. I guess I don't know anything.

Anything is better than sleeping in your car

Rest area. Make sure car is registered and no outstanding warrants they will notice you and run your plates. Move between a few and you’ll be ok

Try iOverlander app

Thanks! It’s been good to me.

If you call ahead, they will confirm/deny if you are allowed to camp at a Walmart.