1 year U.S. Trip

[bleedsgreen]

Hey everyone,

I am planing a 1 year trip across the country. I am US citizen, although I have lived in Germany all my life. I am 30 years old this is probably my last opportunity to take off on my own and do something this big. I have visited the states at least 20 times. Mostly as a kid though, and it has been 10 years since I was there.

I have relatives in New England. They are helping me buy a car (which I am planing to sell at the end of the trip) and taking care of insurance etc. I will fly into New York on Sept. 13th and do a 3 week round trip of new England with a German friend. (I hope not all places are as expensive as New NYC ;-)) This is basically to get accustomed to the US and visit people from my past. After that I am on my own.

I have a budget of about 14.000€-18.000€ (20.000$) for the entire year (the car is excluded from this). I think 2.000$ will be gone after the first 3 weeks, as this will include large cities and hotels during Indian summer in New England. After that I am planing to make full use of campsites and reading all the information on this site regarding ways to sleep in the car.

I think I might be able to lower the cost by staying longer in places I like and getting good deals. Perhaps finding places that offer a bed and a roof in exchange for work. I have some farming experience.

I would like to take a month by month approach.

October/november: Northeast-Washington D.C. Area

December: Kentucky, Tennessee, ( Have an Aunt in Louisville) ---maybe work on a horse farm for free lodging

January: Louisiana (perhaps Florida. Although for some reason that does not perk my interest as much)

February: Texas

March: New Mexico, Arizona

April: California

May: Northwest

June: Rocky Mountains

July: Great Plains, Chicago

August: Get back to the North East

All of this is not set in stone. And I want to flexible. So I can spend more time if i really like it somewhere.

I would like to get some feedback. If you think my plan (although still very broad) is doable and sounds like a good idea.

I don't think that time is an issue. And I could probably borrow some money if I run out at some point.

I am mostly interested in your guys opinions on living out of a car for such a long period.

Thanks

bleedsgreen