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Tech Employee Living in Box Truck in Company Parking Lot


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When Brandon landed a job in a technology company in the Bay Area as a software engineer, he decided to opt-out of the over-priced San Francisco rent by purchasing a 128 sq. ft. box truck instead.

It’s a 16′ 2006 Ford box truck and when you go inside, you’ll find a bed, dresser, and a coat rack. He’s able to take care of the rest of his needs at his employee’s headquarters.

Since Brandon basically only sleeps in the box truck at night, he’s getting to pay off his student debt super fast and he’s also able to have a lot of extra money to max out his contributions to his 401(k). Plus he also has enough money to eat out and get ahead much faster than most of us. This lifestyle is definitely not for most, but it’s admittedly pretty interesting, isn’t it? Not to mention, he’s only 24-years-old. Please enjoy, learn more, and re-share below. Thank you!

Tech Employee Living in Box Truck in Company Parking Lot

Tech Employee Living in Box Truck 001

Images © Frominsidethebox.com

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Images © Frominsidethebox.com

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 17 comments… add one }
  • Cate
    October 22, 2015, 6:51 pm

    I can live in a very small space (like my car) but it has to have windows and/or skylight.

    • Chris
      October 22, 2015, 7:38 pm

      It’s hard to tell from the pictures, but many cube vans like this have a translucent fibreglass roof that would let some light through. You’d have to make your own windows though 🙂

  • October 22, 2015, 7:18 pm

    I lived in a 14 foot box truck for three months. My boss was not to happy with me parking at the job. I have been around the world 2-times. I have lived in army post that had dirt floors. Rooms no bigger than a wall locker. It is your life, live the way you want. These people that want to think outside the box should not be crush to fit in with everybody else.

    • Patricia
      January 21, 2016, 4:55 pm

      Seems like Brandon is thinking inside the box. 😉

  • October 22, 2015, 8:01 pm

    Quite austere but it works for the intended purpose, a place to sleep.
    So more a “Crash Box” than a tiny home.
    Philosophically you need to draw the line between toughing it out and living small.
    Credits to Brandon for toughing it out.
    Like Alex mentions, ” it’s not for everyone”…..Personally I would prefer more creature comforts and another 50 sq ft to be able to live small gracefully.

  • Sharee
    October 22, 2015, 8:25 pm

    It needs openings for air circulation for healthy living/sleeping. Porta-potty for the night? Maybe a cooler for drinks (water) or snacks?

    In Southern California this would be illegal. You cannot live in vehicles.

    For the amount of stuff he has he could have gone with a smaller truck.

    Kudos for being responsible enough to pay off student loans.

  • john
    October 22, 2015, 10:24 pm

    Anyone care to buy a 24 ‘ u haul box truck ?

  • JR
    October 22, 2015, 10:30 pm

    I would want a regular door that locks from the inside and maybe a skylight.

  • kristina nadreau
    October 23, 2015, 1:30 am

    smart man, fiscally responsible. 3 cheers for the true survivor. He has so many ways he can improve on the interior, while remaining fiscally conservative. If he is able to do only a few upgrades over time, like insulation on sidewalls and ceiling, a bath and skylight, a single roof top solar panel, a soft chair, and desk……. and continue saving for another 5 years, he will be debt free with excellent savings.

  • Jane
    October 23, 2015, 7:12 am

    My oldest friend rented out a panel van for $300 per month in his used office furniture parking lot in Tustin, California for 3 or 4 years. It worked out great. A single guy and his dog lived in it.

  • greg
    October 24, 2015, 10:52 am

    I lived in the parking lot at work Monday through Friday in my van conversion for ten years because of the commute distance. There were challenges but overall it worked out just fine. (In fact, now that I’m retired, early because of the money we saved, my wife keeps asking me what I’m going to do during the week because ‘you’re sure not staying here!’)

    If employers see the value in an employee my experience is that they will be willing to work with you, or at the least, turn a blind eye.

    And by the way, windows are not always your friend when living in a parking lot!

    And as for that ‘law says you can’t do that here’ business; just because a handful of people living in ridiculously expensive houses, paying $20,000 a year in property tax and taking ‘donations’ from their friends to get elected, get together and say so, doesn’t make it true.

    Fiscal responsibility creates long term stability and shouldn’t be discouraged. (I wonder how many mortgages are on those big houses the So Cal lawmakers live in??)

  • Omar ambak
    October 25, 2015, 10:09 pm

    Hey Brandon, CONGRATULATIONS on your new found freedom. By the time you are 40 you going to be an expert at this new life. Do let us know of your experiences, great and small as you progress through this new life. Also any tips you may have even as you have started out so modest. THANK YOU. BE BLESSED!

  • Theo
    January 21, 2016, 7:22 pm

    Read this before. Man is not real bright, not having a indoor toilet. Could do a lot with that much space, however he elected to just use it to sleep in and change clothes. Thumbs down, because he didn’t actually do anything with it, no creativity at all.

    • Lori
      January 22, 2016, 2:19 pm

      He may actually have plans to use it as a TRUCK in the future whether for himself or for resale. The article states he is using his work’s facilities. Thankfully, he doesn’t need your opinion or direction in his life.

  • Darcy
    January 21, 2016, 10:35 pm

    I found out a young tech was living in an identical van next door to my business last summer. A nice young man between homes and said he had to do this for 3 weeks until he moved into his new apartment. I felt bad for him so I put him up in a hotel room down the street. Although he had a full time job, it was a rough time for him. He took me up on the offer. In return I know get the grass cut, the boulevard trimmed and cleaned and my windows washed. He has done this for two summers now. This was not the deal however he is a great kid and just wants to pay it back.

  • Jo
    January 22, 2016, 5:13 am

    Excellent…wish we thougt of living light 43 years ago.. And saved all our money!!! Good Luck !! I’m sure your on too a great life someday.. And look at this and say glad we were smart?

  • MAMAS RAMIREZ
    February 3, 2016, 2:12 pm

    THAT IS ACTUALLY VERY SMART TO BE IN A BOX VAN I HAVE A SMALL 17 FT RV AND HAVE SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING ANY PLACE TO PARK IT BECAUSE IT HAS WINDOWS EVERYONE HAS AN ISSUE WITH PEOPLE LIVING IN AN RV ON THEIR STREET NO MATTER HOW OFF THE GRID YOU ARE SO KUDOS TO HIM

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