Cheap Temporary Housing

Hey OZB, I come to you from my phone in a park.. merely within hours last night I was made effectively homeless as the result of a pretty crazy assault on myself.. I'm in a city (Perth) where I have no friends and family in, I've spent 1 night in my car but I think that's all I can take.
I really don't know what to do as of yet, I don't think I could take the $100+ a night a hotel will charge even compared to my car.

Are there any places anyone or specifically Perth locals know of that rent places at a much lower rate than $100 a night I see most single bed offseason hotels go for (where I can hopefully continue work from my laptop but the realisation anywhere budget most likely won't have wifi is something I just realised while writing this).

Any help or advice will be great and extremely appreciated.
Thanks.

Edit: haven't quite put my finger on what's best but I would like to seriously thank everyone that helped or just cohersed some conversation. Like I was saying earlier, I'm more shook up than anything.. I can happily defend myself -andrenaline and shock are emotion changers!

Oh and PVA takes overall MVP of the thread!
.. now do me pride and each sleep in your bed 30mins longer tonight to make up for what I may miss out on (only due to being cheap and a bad procrastinator).

The positive outlook OZB has given me to treat this as more of a holiday than escaping has been priceless.

My current situation is going up to recharge my stuff today at the library and find the best small strong tent that I'll keep for the future. It's been 2 nights in the car but atleast it's a statesman, I just have to choose between laying down legs crossed in backseat, or laying down legs out window but that has occured to me as abit of a security risk with how much tech I'm carrying

I honestly (incl whirlpool) can't think of another forum that would be as helpful as here ..Let alone be somewhat along for the ride with me.
As I've said in PM's ..There's no way to quantify the thanks I want to give to everyone!

Comments

  • +13

    There's surely a lot of options in between a hotel and roughing it in your car…

    Backpackers hostel? AirBnb? Rent a room via Gumtree or a flatmates site? https://www.couchsurfing.com ?

    Even if the place doesn't have wifi can't you just go down to the library or cafe?

    • +5

      Honestly my mind isn't working properly ATM - I will definitely look into those.. hell on any other day I would probably be on the opposite end of this thread.

      Thankyou, I think length and timewise comparing Airbnb's and a caravan cabin will be best.

      • +3

        Hey Mate, Sorry to hear your situation. Airbnb is good option, you might want to consider. I stayed with a family in south of river and it was a good experience. It's cheap and they provide you breakfast, tea and coffee. You can access wifi. It was about 2 years back, things might have changed.

        When I was there, there was a guy staying long term, in case.

        https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/868116?s=9JWK1FW9

        Best of luck and be safe.

        • Thanks for the suggestion and kind words mate.

      • I had to stay at a backpackers hostel for a week while I was waiting for a rental to be available.
        It wasnt expensive.

  • +3

    caravan park - a cabin?

  • +33

    R U OK?

    • +11

      Thanks for asking (seriously) - I am okay.. luckily I'm not tiny and can defend myself for the most part. Just shaken up and bad nerves at the moment.

      • +7

        No matter how big you are, violence is best avoided. :)

      • Well.. I am tiny and you just scared me. :-)

  • +5

    Hi,
    I noticed Croft online…
    http://www.croft.org.au/services/

    $30 per day or $185 pw.

    I don't know if they have vacancies…

    Phone them at Inglewood on Telephone: (08) 9272 6111

    Hope you find something…

    Oh, also,
    https://www.couchsurfing.com/places/oceania/australia/perth

    • +5

      Thanks for the research dude, that's awesome.. $30 a day is definitely something I can bring myself to pay for the luxury of a bed and (now that I realise) a toilet and shower haha. Gonna call and see.

      And yep as per the top reply just signing up now for couchsurfers.

      You guys have been a huge help.

      Edit: croft might not be what I'm after since it seems like all the rooms are connected without doors, I assume that's inline with them being for crises. Either way I still have a trove of great info here!

      • +1

        With Couchsurfing you can post an open couch request which people can see. There's also a discussion forum for each city/town where you can say you need somewhere to stay.

        • Yep, the crotch housing seems to be for the truely needy and forcibly homeless.. I'm starting to look on couchsurfers now and will post a thread there if I don't find one

          Thanks!

        • +4

          @dfaktz:
          But couch surfings not really for what you are wanting. It's meant for travellers meeting locals etc, not for emergency accomodation.

        • +1

          @PVA: yep.. just realised that now when I was looking through the available housing.. damnit.. good to know there's 3 nudist houses in the area.. heh

          I guess I'll drive up to the library and check carivan park rates.

          Thanks.

        • +10

          @dfaktz: caravan park is prob your best bet for today.

          But you are living in your car, mate don't be ashamed or shy, get some emergency Accom from a govt or community agency where you can and then sort something more permanent afterwards.

        • +3

          @PVA: +1

          @dfaktz: Have a look at crisis accommodation in Perth: http://options.wahousinghub.org.au/places/crisis-accommodati…

          Quick info from website…
          Who should I call if I need to access crisis accommodation?
          EntryPoint Perth (08) 6496 0001 or 1800 124 684 Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm; Saturday 9am to 5pm. Referals to crisis and emergency accommodation services. Online registration form to contact outside hours at [www.entrypointperth.com.au/online-registration-form]
          Crisis Care Helpline (08) 9223 1111 (24 hours/7 days) country freecall 1800 199 008.
          Homeless Advisory Service 1800 065 892 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm – information and assistance about crisis accommodation services, bond assistance eligibility, and social housing eligibility and criteria.

          Department of Human Services (Centrelink) Crisis Payment 13 28 50. People in a crisis situation may be eligible for a Crisis Payment. Access www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/crisis… to see if you’re eligible.

          Sucks to be in your situation - wish you all the best.

        • @ericmclee: thankyou!
          Definitely much easier on the phone when everything is pasted here.

          I will give them a call in an hour or two and see if they are targetting people like me and then see if they have a personal spot for a couple days until I can find the perfect gear and site to change into a happy camping situation instead.

          Looking at things as a positive in this scenario has far exceeded what I thought.

        • +1

          @dfaktz:

          Bad timing for levity, but Crotch housing would be an awesome option if you can find an owner of an attractive crotch :)

        • +1

          @Helmuth:

          So is it housing by a crotch or for a crotch…?

          Hopefully both!

        • +1

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          Or at least the first :)

          Have to ask dfaktz what he found as per his 26/03/2017 - 15:21 comment above.

        • +2

          @Helmuth: oh god, I was laughing along with this until I realised I was the one we were laughing at!

          .Well, hmm, I think it would be too big of a purchase to rent crotch's at the moment but I will be sure to let you all know if I do.

  • +9

    When I got kicked out of home for a week, I lived on friend's couches and the uni 24 hour study library. I showered at my gym and ate at maccas. Good luck man, hopefully it works out well for you soon

    • +3

      Haha, cheers for the kind words, yep I've lived through almost the exact same thing, though many years ago.

      You did definitely help out though as I completely forgot about the use of library's. If I don't find somewhere fast it's a great place for charging my devices and wifi.. can't believe I forgot about the resources of libraries!

    • +3

      I showered at my gym

      Came to suggest this. Further, virtually all gyms will offer you a free trial for 1–14 days.

      Just say that you've recently moved to the area and would like to check out the local gyms. ;)

      They're a good place to shower, get changed and brush your teeth. If you know what you're doing in the gym (spot people, offer form advice to noobs, etc) they're a great place to meet people too!

      • Completely missed this comment, forgot about trial abuse (technically) and something that I wish I had of seen earlier. Will probably do this since there's like 6 gyms close.

  • Airbnb??

        • +2

          Yeah, it was, I noticed when signing up at the last page and only then they decided to tell me that 'xx' has shared this link with you. Either way Airbnb or a caravan park is what I'm tossing up between, both viable and in the perfect World I would of course go caravan park.. honestly I'm starting to weigh the costs of a tent vs the rest now.. haha

          I have officially got deep into procrastinating today, by habit, sadly.

          Might pull the trigger on just getting a room tonight until I can be completely sure in my plans.. god I'm happy I'm on the Kogan 14GB data phone plan at the moment!

        • +1

          @dfaktz:
          I would go the caravan park. you arent then sharing with someone elses home - may give you a tiny break and space to collect your thoughts and sort out a proper next move.
          should be cheap at a park.

  • Spill the beans. What happened? Never start no static I just get it off my chest. Never had to battle with no bullet proof vest.

    • +2

      I'll reply when I get somewhere comfy if you'd really like. Will surely be titled AMA I was part of a violent breakout and I slept in my car!

      • +2

        All good mate. It helps to get it off your chest … even it is just another interweb forum. I'm sure you'll get some interest -> ing opinions. Good luck and +1 for cabin in a caravan park. Cheap and generally electricity is also dirt cheap.

      • Totally private matter, don't feel the need to share unless you'd like to

  • +1

    Don't know what to add to above about accommodation but a friend who lives in his car (largely by choice) says a cheap membership ($15-20 per week) to a gym chain is super handy - allowing him to clean up and prep breakfast not far from wherever he is.

    All the best dfaktz.

    • +1

      Thanks mate, already accessed the local pools for this haha, I'll just see what what my options are but probably too short term for that.

      Never the less, appreciated :)

  • +3

    If you like camping, it is a cheap option u til you get sorted out . you'd Have access to facilities, maybe wifi as well. You can pick up a cheap tent and bedding at somewhere like Ray's Outdoors. All the best to you.

    • Yep, after all the instantaneous jumps to conclusion on advice rhat I've gone through in this thread it does indeed seem the best idea is a tent and sleeping bag - especially since if it's rough I don't even need a park!
      Looks like it's one last night in the car…

      ..Then tomorrow I'll be posting asking on tent advice rofl :D

  • +1

    If you're on facebook, you'll find many groups on freecamping (don't always have facilities) , best places to stay, buying or free stuff. You just click to join on the Group you're interested in and they usually approve you quickly. If you like camping, and think if it as a holiday, it may take the sting out of your situation…
    There are also websites on freecamping

    • Instead of replying to our thread below, I decided to reply (at the libraryyy!) here for neatness and since this post was specifically about camping.

      Luckily, BCF is having a 20% off storewide special at the moment and I can find small quality (i think they are quality anyway, hard to tell for an amateur, making me second guess my joke about making a tent help post.

      .. Long story short, what do you suggest as a mattress or blankets? do you just suggest toughening the back up and going with a nice sleeping bag or?
      (Yeah I really think I should make a thread about this, since this whole thing started I've been able to get my head around the use of pools/shopping centers and libraries to take care of the bare essentials, the one thing I can't seem to solve out of a car is healthy eating, well, unless i want to pay $10-20 a meal.. that would end up costing the same as a hotel essentially)

      • +2

        Probably go with a sleeping bag, but have a sleep mat for insulation.
        I was checking for you, and found this bargain.
        It is a bargain because I bought from them as well as from other places, not long ago for like $8-11. I suggest you get a couple, for ground insulation. So your sleeping bag can rest on this while you sleep. Otherwise, it can get awfully cold from the ground.

        • +1

          Oh, this is awesome! Just put it in reminders for the first place to go for getting gear.

          I did make a seperate post in the end, in sports and outdoor.

          Thanks mate, very helpful!
          (Looks like in the end this will have just made me invest in some great camping kit and in-turn — made any problem like I have now, a thing of the past!) :D

        • +2

          I was checking for you, and found this bargain

          Not Available in WA

          :[

        • @Scrooge McDuck: Yes, I spotted it much belatedly, and have PM'ed OP to apologise.

      • +15

        the one thing I can't seem to solve out of a car is healthy eating, well, unless i want to pay $10-20 a meal

        Shopping List:

        Item Quantity Price
        Quick oats 900 g $1.30
        Long-life milk 1 L $0.90
        Eggs 700 g $2.80
        Tuna 425 g $2
        Long grain white rice 1 kg $1.40
        Carrots (The Odd Bunch) 1 kg $1.20
        Peanuts 375 g $2.10
        White bread 650 g $0.85

        That should get you a decent variety of nutritious meals. You can cook the oats, eggs and rice in a microwave. You should be able to find a microwave in a Parent's Room within a shopping centre. If you're lucky, they'll have boiling water, paper towels and nappies too! ;)

        You can raid a Maccas before 10:30 AM for Vegemite, peanut butter, butter and various jams. But they always have salt, pepper and "ketchup" sachets available.

        Look out for fruit and vegetable specials at supermarkets. The pre-packaged salads can be heavily marked down at the end of the day too. If you're game, you could eat a piece of fruit from the "Free Fruit For Kids" basket at Woolies — everyone is someone's kid right? :)

        • Wow, I had no idea about these parent centres you speak of, with microwaves, will definitely have to look into that. Thanks for the shopping list, though it is slightly dependant on a fridge — still quite helpful.

          Also, woolies.. ahh.. I was laughing to myself about exactly the same thing with free fruit. I'm not sure I could!

        • @dfaktz:

          You would probably need to consume the milk within a day of opening. So 3 glasses and the amounts in the oats and eggs.

          If that's too much you could buy smaller cartons.

          Maccas had beverage sized single servings available during breakfast years ago. You could look for them too.

        • @Scrooge McDuck: yep, cooling is my enemy at the moment, ice is too expensive daily for my situation.
          It's little things like this you forget until your in it.. if I could just freeze my bottles for cold water etc it would be great.

          I assume a caravan park will have a communal fridge or atleast someone giving me a slot in theirs

  • +6

    How was your night OP? What's your plan for today?

    • +4

      Night was… Better than expected. Slept in the car but used 4 pillows to dial in a good position, used my laptop as a TV.

      ..Today I am going to the local shops to use their toilets and get something from coles, then down to the pools for shower time!
      .. then research on the best tent to get (I'll look at it as investing as I do like camping I just never get out enough!)

      Suprisingly positive.

      .. glad to have OZB on this ride along ahah :)

      • +7

        Glad to hear of your positive outlook. It's camping, people do that for fun!

        Things will improve from here, you may even end up in a happier place.

        • No, you are really correct, I have a slightly better outlook on everything already.
          I guess I had been caught in a cycle too long and hadn't had enough change or diving into the unknown.

          The way this thread is going I still feel like there's going to be a book proceeding it, named how an ozbargainer gets through a disaster or crisis. heh.

          Now to possibly make a post about tents….

        • +1

          @dfaktz: Sent you a PM with a tent possibility.

      • +1

        I found a link for crisis accommodation in Perth in case you decide you need support. There are several places at this link…. Once you tell them you've been sleeping in your car or a tent, they'll pay attention.
        http://options.wahousinghub.org.au/places/crisis-accommodati…

        • Thanks heaps, I will look and reply again when I get to the library a little later.
          Taking my time to have an iced coffee and read by the river at the moment..

          .. gotta have some sort of starting point to my day.
          I will surely let you know if I end up using someone on that link.

        • +4

          You're welcome. It's a nice gift to oneself to not put yourself under pressure. Having nowhere to go and nothing (much) to do (besides ensuring all gadgets are charged… Which I agree , is paramount) is something that many people aspire to, and never achieve.

          I see you've flipped the switch and are beginning to enjoy the adventure you are having :).

          Enjoy! I Can hardly wait for my own next camping trip. (I agree… Libraries rock!)

        • +2
  • +3

    Get yourself into an Airbnb for a couple of nights and give yourself some time/space to get some sleep, recharge the batteries, and then review your situation.
    For cheap eats, drop into Woolies and get a loaf of bread, and some cans of Heinz Big N Chunky soup(currently on special)
    A fresh and rested mind will work much better.

  • +2

    airbnb is expensive. check out flatmates.com.au for flatshares and get yourself some cheaper furnished accomodation in a stable setting

    • Thanks for the advice and chiming in, I agree that does look much more like what I need, saved in case I have a change in situation as I have made the choice to invest in some quality camping supplies tomorrow and then sleep in a super cheap caravan park or hell.. wherever I want at that point! :)

      • +2

        a caravan park which is well maintained and attracts a family crowd for holidays may be a good place. went to part macquarie that way once. not sure if they are there in perth but there must be some with good reviews or through the local auto association if price is an issue. god bless.

  • +3

    As you would know, caravan parks have various rates for powered/non powered sites, nightly and weekly. Even if you get an un-powered site, you can often charge your gadgets in comunal/camp kitchens or shared entertainment areas, just stay nearby in case they go walk abouts.

    You can save a lot of money by staying in non powered camsites as long as you have decent led lantern and charge up your gadgets before dark you can entertain yourself easily.

  • +6

    Sleep tight dfaktz.

    • +3

      Anddd were at day 3! Neck starting to get pretty stuff in back of car but everything points at me getting tent stuff today so all is well, I am becoming one with my bowel movements and have gained unfounded control in this short time haha.

      Alright, big day.. let's do this

  • +5

    No useful advice from me but just letting you know I have subscribed to be updated on this post.

    The OzB force is strong with this one.

    • +2

      Haha, this has turned into quite the story and relationship with OZB I must agree.

      I've just finished my morning duties of shower/toilet/teeth/clothes — and cleaned the car up abit.

      I never thought it would be 3 nights (let alone posting it all) in the car but this should be the last of them. Got some great advice from my thread in outdoors.

      Still feel like this will end up a short novel (jokingly) about how to survive with just OZB with you

      • +2

        The new "Into The Wild" movie - based on the best-selling novel of the amazing Australian journey of survival and adventure (with a happy ending of course).

        Premiere June 2018

        • +3

          Complete with threads on ozbargain after release; about it being best to wait a few months until the price drops.

          ..The humor helps

  • Here's a link to cheap camping spots Around Perth… Camping on people's property
    https://youcamp.com/search?filter%5Bname%5D=Perth&filter%5Bl…

    • +2

      MishyMoo sweeps in with the references/links again, what a progression this has been, that is indeed a great resource for what I've chosen now and will do exactly that — weigh up the cost/usefulness of caravan parks and the people on youcamp, though I do see it being more of a chance in a caravan park since there's a pretty nice and communal vibe at ones ive been at in the past. I guess the upside if I chose youcamp though would be a much higher possibility of being given a table im able to work from my laptop at.

      This may be a first for network engineers/coders in terms of location of the work being done from. :')

  • +1

    The words flashpacker, vagabond, traveller, Perth Wanderer come to mind. :)

    Gumtree or other free stuff websites will have a table for you.
    It may take a while to get set up.
    The adventure continues.

    Packet soups (if you have access to hot water) , nuts and fruit keep me going when I'm travelling.

  • +1

    For the 10~ people subscribed and now I feel deserve my day by day narrative.. as this thread has somewhat bled into a seperate one about camping gear.. you can read my latest status @ https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/4561537/redir

    Would copy paste but just neater this way.

    TL;DR not settled down somewhere yet and thus won't be giving a summary yet - and the big change today is that it's gonna be one more night in the car.

    .. wish I had some fishing gear in the car.. heh.
    Oh.. and compared to being full on the cheap (but unhealthy) converting from subway ($11) to dominos $5-6) is a crazy difference! Pizza is a budget saver! (Feel free to let me know if there's any dominos threads for WA I've missed for tonight)

  • +1

    How about a hostel/backpackers for some comfort (bathroom whenever you want it, kitchen to cook, free wifi… And tables for sure 😊). You'd need to share a dorm room… It's not so bad… People to talk to can be a bonus…)….

    Until you've sorted out a tent or alternative…

    http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed.php/ChosenCity.Fremantle…

    • It's too late for tonight I think.. currently using the 35% off dominos deal posted for a big and super cheap dinner that is sure to half knock me out anyway :p

      I will definitely do that if for some reason tomorrow I don't get my camping and other stuff sorted so thankyou.. again.. for the info and links.

      I'd be happy to donate to you by the way.. still blown away at the power of collective good OZB users, just PM me or whatever you'd like and I will sort it out..

      ..Now to watch the sunset from the hills and then grab ma pizza

  • +6

    You're welcome. Knowing that you're ok is all the reward that I need 😊

  • +2

    Day 4: have woken up early to be made sure I follow every avenue and lead possible (mainly thanks to you guys!) and getting the earliest start on it, already made some calls and had the idea of asking the library if I can charge my laptop etc under their desk so I can go camping shops at the same time.
    Everyone I call is saying I can get a Centrelink crisis payment and I'm starting to realise our doll situation since I keep telling them I work and have money ..

    .. either way.. breakfast - going to eat some cereal with a fork to save the milk :')

  • Laptop .. gone…

    • (profanity), this has sent me overboard.

      • +2

        Times like these, when the unfortunate events keep piling up, it can really push people off the edge. And even though it is hard to see being in your position now, pls keep telling yourself, things will improve. And this too shall pass!

        Just keep strong!

  • How was your laptop stolen?

    • Went in to ask at the library whether I can bring some gear in and charge it under the reception desk as I need them charged and I'm going through a rough patch.. they said yep so..
      Went back to my car that I had not put the windows fully up as I was right at the front in 5minute bays (yes, hindsight blah I know).
      Looked in my backseat and my laptop along with my intuos pro tab was gone, they can't even use the (profanity) things! The system is hardware encrypted and the same for bios, they will need to replace the entire propietary motherboard + 2 SSDs and work out what an intuos tablet even does.

      .. about to check CCTV now and calling cops but we all know what that will amount to. UGH! FK! Great timing. (profanity) you world.

      • +4

        Not sure if insurance can help you if windows were not fully up

        • Yep.. thanks for the right insight had I not known yet, but just got off the phone with them and it was exactly what they said.. (There might be some slim hope if the CCTV shows them pushing the window down further or alike) clutching at straws here

          This sucks, my god this sucks.. that isn't just some pricey tech its my lively hood, part of a lively hood that is already diminishing.

        • @dfaktz: You're a while off moving to SA to shack up with MishyMoo yet. I'm a developer and my primary at the moment is a 3,2 Macbook Air running Linux. Not sure what you do for work but it can probably be done on a sub $500 machine just as well.

        • @kywst: heh, yeah, definitely not making the trip to SA just yet.. but indeed I can do the bulk of my work on a cheap machine, hell a rasberri pi would do the trick if I was that cheap, it's the other 30% of my work and the highest paying stuff doing graphics work from my now gone intuos tablet and also, working in AutoCAD.

          Knowing the laptop was a big splurge on myself less than 6months ago sure is quite a hit though.

        • @dfaktz:
          Check your messages

      • So what's happening dfaktz?

      • No chance of getting anything back, or insurance, or cops to do anything.

        • Not true at all..

        • +2

          No chance of getting anything back, or insurance, or cops to do anything.

          Not with that attitude…

        • @dfaktz:

          100%, Insurance wont do anything since you left the windows open. GL with cops doing anything.

  • +3

    That's really painful. Let's hope the cameras show something. If you have comprehensive car insurance, hopefully they'll come good. Getting a police report will be a good thing. Keep us posted…

  • +1

    !

  • Check your messages

    • I cant see any messages for me…

      • +1

        Sorry MishyMoo, it was for the OP

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