I have some good friends that have a van (sprinter/volks/ford/etc). They don't park in public places in the manner described. Some are 30's, 40's, 50's, all hardcore surfers (huge priority, surfed the globe, etc). All have 40 hour a week jobs that don't pay that well (except one). But, each owns their van outright, they take home 85% of their paycheck, putting away over 35k a year with a "so so" job (or a job that pretty much anyone could acquire). One buddy has a six figure gig and puts away over 100k a year. Their vans are quite minimal as well (no unnecessary garbage). All are environmentally mindful, disciplined, take care of their temple inside/out...surf many days a week and have their "go to" spots for the night (while not treading on anyone's sensitivities). Not all van dwellers are dregs. I will add that none of the above are currently married or have any kids that haven't already passed adulthood. Van life can buy house life (if that's what you want) or it can assist you in retiring EARLY doing exactly what you want to do. It ALL depends on the individual's integrity, accountability and purpose/goal. In CA a households $$$ is allotted to mortgage/rent more than any other bill...most van dwellers have eliminated that....and if surfing and the lifestyle associated is YOUR life then it makes sense. All of us on here typing, reading the net/etc live better than 100% of ALL kings/queens/humans of the past to ever exist. We have foods/comforts/technologies/etc that few to almost no human generations prior have ever experienced/imagined. We're fuggin babies on the teat compared to former humans who didn't have what we have today. You as a walking miracle, as a consciousness that no one on earth has ever come close to remotely explain have incredible capabilities beyond our EASY lifestyles. So good on ya to the Van folks keeping it a tad primitive, doing it without any squalor or inelegance, and making it look SIMPLE...peace
Do you drive in circles for a spot in the first 3 rows at the mall during the holidays? 
Park across the street and walk a little further if you have to.
