Homelessness/Urban Survival

[Social cameleon]

This is such a lenghtly subject, I thought it deserved it's own thread. Urban survival is basicly another way of saying homelessness. If properly equipped, and experienced, one can live quite well without a permenant residence.
First off, the trick is not looking homeless. Vagrancy is frowned apon everywhere, and illegal to varrying degree in many areas. If you're clean, neat, and reasonably well dressed, you get along much better. While there are several survices for the dissadvantaged, you don't absolutely need them, and it's better to do without except as a last resort.
Bathing can be done at public pools as long as you aren't filthy. Jump in, and get cool to rinse , then use the showers to scrub off. There's usually some soap lying around, and you can usually get travel sized shampo samples that fit in your pocket. Gym membership can also allow access to showers, and some truck stops have them for drivers. The YMCA will let you use them too, and you can get in a quick game of basketball to cover up if you don't want to appear to be a bum.

 

[Social cameleon]

Laundromats are cheap enough to use, especially if you have freinds who don't mind washing with you. Money can be had from doing day labor, donating plasma, holding a regular job, or spare changing if desperate. I suggest food service work to keep you out of soup kitchens. I used to volunteer at one, and ate while I was there. My co-workers never suspected that I was homeless!
If you have to eat out, go to a lunch buffet. They generally cost about $4-5 because people on lunch hour rarely have time for a long meal, but the price is good for about 2 hours. You can get a days worth of food that way, carrying it in the best place, your stomach. Make sure you check out before the price change, though. It can go up by as much as $2 for dinner.
Carry a pop bottle for water. There's fountains everywhere. Fountain drink refills are cheaper than any other form, so get one of those plastic refill cups as well. If you keep it full, with a lid on, you don't have to wash them as often.
Public restroom can also be had, and are a handy place for a cat bath so you don't get too ripe. Libraries are the best place for free entertainment, and are always air conditioned/heated.

 

[Social cameleon]

Probably the greatest challenge in urban survival, aside from staying clean, is where to sleep. It has to be clean, safe, protected from the elements, and legal.
The best solution is to have a freind that will let you crash at their place. They usually have a shower for the morning, and may let you use their washer dryer too. Barring that, I've gone as long as a week "picking people up" in a public place, going to "their place instead of mine," and finding another place the next night. If you're clean, and personable, it can be done. A less scrupulous freind of mine called it "using condoms for shelter."
If that (understandably) doesn't appeal to you, you'll have to scavenge, or go to the shelter. You'd be amazed what you can find, if you know where to look.
Construction sites are the best, but go there during the day when people are working, and only take from obvious discard piles, and dumpsters. You will probably not be questioned, it happens all the time. Construction workers often take home perfectly good s"substandard" wood, and other materials. Remodels tend to have a better selection.
Furniture stores often throw out damaged couches, and other suitable stuff. The cushions are excellent for bedding down, and you might occasionally luck into an actual matress. You often see similar stuff on the street, but that's all used, and you have no idea what's soaked into it. Whenever possible, go for new rejects.