RV living in New York City

Hall, a military veteran who served in Iraq, used to park his RV across the street from the university. He has since moved it to a nearby Veterans of Foreign Wars location.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Without electricity in his RV, Hall charges his computer and cellphone at local restaurants.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Hall uses the Veterans of Foreign War facilities to brush his teeth. He showers at St. John’s University, where he studies homeland security.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

“The ladies aren’t really kicking down the door,” Hall said of his RV.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

When Steven Cintron, 34, found he couldn’t afford to rent a New York City apartment that would accept his dog, Bruno, he bought an RV.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Cintron parks his RV near Brooklyn’s tony Park Slope neighborhood, where he grew up.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Cintron bought the RV, a 1996 Gulf Stream Ultra, for $5,000 from a seller he found on Craigslist.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A hotel used to supply Cintron’s RV with electricity for $125 a month, but then police said the extension cord violated city regulations.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Cintron says he likes his 200-square-foot pad. “I’ve got everything,” he said. “I’m comfortable here.”  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)