That is how Sam Cootes described Dunedin's newest trial freedom camping spot in the Thomas Burns St car park last night.
''We're stuck between a main arterial route and a railway line.
''It's a lot noisier but it quietens down about 9pm.''
The 26-year-old Dunedin man said he moved out of his rental accommodation two weeks ago, and is now living in a van at the site which opened earlier this week.
He is using the money saved from renting to modify the van into his new ''home on wheels''.
He already has a large double bed installed, and is working on creating shelving and a bench to install a gas cooker. It even has solar power.
''It's an easier way to live. It means I can see a bit of our back yard.
''There's a lot to see and I'm not going to see it if I'm sitting at home.
''I've always wanted to do this. This was a childhood dream and now I'm achieving it.
''I'm living the free life. I just hope it's as good as I always imagined.''
Once his renovations were complete, he planned to travel further afield.
Mr Cootes said so far he was enjoying the experience.
The camp site has two portaloos, a bench, a sink with running water, rubbish and recycling bins, and enough parks to accommodate 65 vehicles.
''It's got all the necessities for survival.
''It's great having a kitchen sink with running water. Having rubbish bins and recycling is a bonus.
''There's a bit of splash-back in the portaloos, but they're OK.''
The facilities will remain until late April, when the freedom camping season ends.
Related Stories
Comments
Funny, I thought this was for visitors to the city and had a short stay time limit on it. Could housing 65 camper vans here be a solution to Dunedin's housing crisis? #kiwibuild
OR A SUBURB OF TINY HOMES
Yes, a suburb of tiny homes could work quite well actually. But in reguards to freedom camping making a permanant settlement is kind of missing the point. Roaming free with not one care in the world and not being tied down with contracts .