XPost: misc.consumers.frugal-living, soc.college.financial-aid, la.general   
   From: anyone@THE-DOMAIN-IN.SIG   
      
   In article   
   <3a77a2f4.0407011836.6838774f@posting.google.com>,   
   jeremy_not_here@yahoo.com says...   
   > Next week I will start a 2-month summer internship clear across   
   > country (L.A. to be exact).  Housing costs are very expensive there,   
      
      
   That often depends upon how picky the particular   
   individual is.  There are plenty of living options for   
   those with adaptive attitudes, which would be abhorrent   
   to those with spoiled, prissy attitudes.   
      
      
   > so I'm thinking about sleeping in my car instead of finding a place to   
   > stay.   
      
      
   Car-living is a serious hassle, but plenty of people   
   have done it, and for much longer than two months.  If   
   the financial proposition is right, and if a few other   
   issues can be worked out, you may be in for a good,   
   character-building exercise.  (Note: That is a serious   
   statement, from personal experience.)   
      
      
   > Can anyone recommend a (relatively) safe area where I could   
   > park and sleep every night?   
      
      
   Avoid downtown, McArthur Park / Pico-Union, and South-   
   Central, due to crackheads and other assorted scumbags.   
   Avoid Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Westwood, due to uppity   
   rich folks eager to complain about you.  Other areas   
   are sort of mixed.  Always avoid parking right in front   
   of someone's home, but also beware of scuzzy industrial   
   areas where scumbags wouldn't have any   
   witnesses/attention.   
      
   Move frequently.  Beware of attracting attention, or   
   being viewed as a chronic nucence.   
      
   Beware of the L.A. Police Dept - some are OK, but some   
   are out to "prove" themselves and flex authoritah.   
   DON'T dis them - Be firm, but POLITE.   
      
      
   > And where could I shower in the morning,   
   > are there public parks or beaches with shower facilities?   
      
      
   That is actually the big problem with car-living -   
   Cleanliness On A Schedule.  The simple need for a   
   reliable early-morning shower is a big plus in seeking   
   out regular, in-a-building accommodation.   
      
   NOTE: This might be a few years out-of-date by now:   
      
   Try the main location of the L.A. Free Clinic somewhere   
   on either 3rd St or Beverly Blvd just east of La   
   Ceiniga.  See the front desk to line up for a shower in   
   the morning (8AM?)   
      
   Check the Venice Pier near the beach.  I vaguely recall   
   shower outlets on the North side.   
      
   One of the large public parks in Santa Monica (don't   
   recall the name) apparently had a public shower in one   
   of the public toilet buildings.  Santa Monica used to   
   be rather homeless-friendly, but possibly not anymore.   
      
   Griffith Park has public restrooms, where you might be   
   willing/able to do a sponge-bath.  (DON'T park your car   
   in there at night, and beware dangerous people there at   
   night.)   
      
   Some run-down residential hotels (especially those with   
   down-the-hall/shared/communal restrooms) might be   
   willing to rent you a shower for $5 or so (might be   
   "unofficial".)  Ask a desk clerk.  Unfortunately, most   
   of those places are in nasty neighbourhoods.   
      
   Coin laundromats are plentiful in LA - just check the   
   phone book.  I vaguely recall a free laundry and   
   homeless-hangout in Venice on Rose St/Av/Blvd(?)   
      
   Dinner used to be served free at 5PM at   
   Sycomore/Romaine in Hollywood.  I wouldn't bother going   
   downtown for a meal.   
      
   In general, ask at the L.A. Free Clinic, any of the   
   downtown shelters, etc, for a printout or list of   
   "homeless resources."  Those types of places used to   
   circulate such type of charts/lists.   
      
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