# Is it possible anywhere in the civilized world to have a stable residence and no mailing address? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 6, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990 "2012-02-06T17:52:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/1 "2012-02-06T17:52:07Z")
Is it possible anywhere in the world with a reliably-functioning postal service (that is, no Amazonian rainforests, no Antarctic wilderness, no regions where the only deliveries are incoming high explosives, etc., and you _do_ know what I mean) to have a stable residence (and no, we’re not debating what that means, either) without a mailing address? ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/2 "2012-02-06T17:56:12Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > Is it possible anywhere in the world with a reliably-functioning postal service (that is, no Amazonian rainforests, no Antarctic wilderness, no regions where the only deliveries are incoming high explosives, etc., and you _do_ know what I mean) to have a stable residence (and no, we’re not debating what that means, either) without a mailing address? I’d say it’s common. Many third world countries lack house numbers and many lack posted street names. For example, I had a package sent and the address was “2 blocks south of Some Church, 1/2 block west, in front of the Park, Guy’s name”. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/3 "2012-02-06T17:57:26Z")
> [@treis](#): > > “2 blocks south of Some Church, 1/2 block west, in front of the Park, Guy’s name”. I didn’t think I’d actually have to do this, but here goes: You all know what a mailing address is. Yes, you do. **Yes, you do.** Don’t pretend you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/4 "2012-02-06T18:03:30Z")
Panama residences do not have mailing addresses. There is no home or business delivery of mail by the postal service; the only mail delivery is to post office boxes. Panama buildings do technically have physical addresses, which can be used for courier service like DHL and FedEx. However, most people don’t know them. Apartment and office buildings (and many other buildings) have names, which most taxi drivers know. Typical directions would be “It’s four buildings beyond the McDonald’s heading out on 50th Street.” Costa Rica is similar. When I FedEx something to San Jose, the directions I put on the address label are something like “Argosy Books, on 5th Street 50 meters north of the Hotel Capri.” ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/5 "2012-02-06T18:04:18Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I didn’t think I’d actually have to do this, but here goes: You all know what a mailing address is. Yes, you do. **Yes, you do.** Don’t pretend you don’t. Do you know what it is? How about defining what you understand its meaning to be? ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/6 "2012-02-06T18:05:33Z")
One of CNN’s heroes interviews was with a person who claimed that not having an address was a major stumbling block for a lot of people trying to break into the middle class in third-world countries. It is common for people to build on locations without permits, even building on top of other buildings. Because they don’t have permits, they don’t get an official address, and that means they either can’t do things like open bank accounts, or have to have all the mail delivered to a neighbor who may or may not be trustworthy with things like bank statements. Even in the US, there are some Unabomber-type hermits who live far away from roads and electricity. The show Swamp People features a couple of guys who live in a shack in the middle of a swamp. I’m sure those kinds of people have no address, unless they bother with a PO Box. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/7 "2012-02-06T18:06:28Z")
Current I can’t say but up to 6-ish years ago there were parts of Alaska and northern Maine where mail was c/o some place nearby. Nearby being like 15-30 miles. No recognized road, possibly fly in and out, named for a local geographic location. (Had a cousin whose house was on Mathews Pond, middle of Frikkin nothing, Maine. His mail was c/o postmaster about 20 miles off. He only saw his mail if he asked for it in town or someone making a delivery to him offered to take it along.) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/8 "2012-02-06T18:08:39Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Do you know what it is? How about defining what you understand its meaning to be? I’d like to know too, since I’ve lived in places where mail wasn’t delivered to the address; you had to go to the post office and ask if there was any mail for you. Does this mean I had a mailing address, or not? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/9 "2012-02-06T18:17:29Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’d like to know too, since I’ve lived in places where mail wasn’t delivered to the address; you had to go to the post office and ask if there was any mail for you. > > Does this mean I had a mailing address, or not? I am curious too. That type of thing is pretty common in rural areas even in the U.S. The house that I grew up in didn’t have a mail address but with did have a P.O. Box (P.O. Box 9). I lived in a house in Vermont that didn’t have a phone or a mailing address. I had one at school because I was a student but I don’t think anyone would have made me get one otherwise. You could live there just fine without any mailing address whatsoever. Of course, everyone has mail service of some sort in the U.S. You can send something to General Delivery with a person’s name on it and the Postmaster will hold it until they come and pick it up. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/10 "2012-02-06T18:24:36Z")
Just chiming in to say that, yes, it’s very common in rural areas for one’s residence to not be a “mailing address” that gets mail delivery. You have to rent a PO box at the nearest post office, which may be many miles away for some. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/11 "2012-02-06T18:25:12Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > One of CNN’s heroes interviews was with a person who claimed that not having an address was a major stumbling block for a lot of people trying to break into the middle class in third-world countries. It is common for people to build on locations without permits, even building on top of other buildings. Because they don’t have permits, they don’t get an official address, and that means they either can’t do things like open bank accounts, or have to have all the mail delivered to a neighbor who may or may not be trustworthy with things like bank statements. > > Even in the US, there are some Unabomber-type hermits who live far away from roads and electricity. The show Swamp People features a couple of guys who live in a shack in the middle of a swamp. I’m sure those kinds of people have no address, unless they bother with a PO Box. OK, this answers my question. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/12 "2012-02-06T18:38:03Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’d like to know too, since I’ve lived in places where mail wasn’t delivered to the address; you had to go to the post office and ask if there was any mail for you. > > Does this mean I had a mailing address, or not? > [@Tangent](#): > > Just chiming in to say that, yes, it’s very common in rural areas for one’s residence to not be a “mailing address” that gets mail delivery. You have to rent a PO box at the nearest post office, which may be many miles away for some. I used to have a place in Killington, Vermont, a condo on the side of a mountain. The building had a house number, the unit had a number, and was located off the mountain road. Address was something like 124 Mountain Road, Unit W5, Killington VT. No mail delivery, though - We rented a PO box. UPS and FedEx would deliver to the management office, though. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/13 "2012-02-06T18:41:17Z")
I shouldn’t reply, but: In what Universe is a PO Box _not_ a mailing address? General Delivery might be a little more iffy, even though it also obviously qualifies, but the entire purpose of a PO Box is to provide a mailing address. How can it not be the only thing it is? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/14 "2012-02-06T18:49:32Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I shouldn’t reply, but: In what Universe is a PO Box _not_ a mailing address? General Delivery might be a little more iffy, even though it also obviously qualifies, but the entire purpose of a PO Box is to provide a mailing address. How can it not be the only thing it is? If this is what you mean, then that makes the point of your OP confusing. In your OP, you seem to be conflating having a residence with having a mailing address. A PO box is a mailing address, but it is not a residence. It is of course possible to have a residence, and not have a mailing address, if you do not rent a PO Box. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/15 "2012-02-06T18:56:42Z")
This may not be that uncommon. The little berg to the west of me doesn’t have mail delivery. In the past it was common for small towns not to. You go to the post office and pick up your mail. I don’t know if they assign a PO box to each residence in the town or if you have to register for one. In the day of 911, every residence has an address, usually assigned by the utility companies. UPS and Fedx may deliver to it, but not the USPS in little towns without delivery. So right here in the USA. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/16 "2012-02-06T18:57:50Z")
The point should be obvious: According to this thread, the only ways to not have a mailing address in the civilized world assuming you have a home are: [ul] [li]To be so poor you fall into what **dracoi** talked about.[/li][li]To live out of town and not have a P.O. Box.[/li][li]To live out of town and not bother with General Delivery.[/li][/ul]First-world townies are thus screwed when it comes to junk mail and other assorted crap sent through the mails. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/17 "2012-02-06T18:58:46Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I shouldn’t reply, but: In what Universe is a PO Box _not_ a mailing address? General Delivery might be a little more iffy, even though it also obviously qualifies, but the entire purpose of a PO Box is to provide a mailing address. How can it not be the only thing it is? PO boxes are usually optional–you have to rent them from the Post Office. You could live in one of these rural areas and not rent a PO box, and therefore have a stable residence but no mailing address. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/18 "2012-02-06T19:10:18Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > The point should be obvious: Well, it should be obvious that it isn’t obvious, since many of those who have replied haven’t been clear about what you meant - which was certainly obscured by the way you chose to phrase your OP. :dubious: [quote] According to this thread, the only ways to not have a mailing address in the civilized world assuming you have a home are: [list] [li]To be so poor you fall into what **dracoi** talked about.[/li][li]To live out of town and not have a P.O. Box.[/li][li]To live out of town and not bother with General Delivery.[/li][/QUOTE] As already pointed out, in much of the developing world you don’t have to live out of town to not have a mailing address if you don’t choose to have an (optional) PO Box. Even in capital cities a PO Box will be required. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/19 "2012-02-06T19:12:15Z")
I don’t think you have to live in the boonies to need a PO Box to receive mail, even in the first world. I used to live in Oak Bluffs MA, and IIRC we had to rent a PO box to get mail. My Grandfather still lives there, and despite being fairly elderly, still has a PO Box, so I don’t think the situation has changed. Houses did have addresses (presumably for use by EMS) but I don’t think you could receive mail to those addresses. (and yea, its a little silly to keep insisting something is “obvious” when its clear multiple people in the thread can’t figure out your meaning) ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990/20 "2012-02-06T19:13:26Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > I didn’t think I’d actually have to do this, but here goes: You all know what a mailing address is. Yes, you do. **Yes, you do.** Don’t pretend you don’t. WTF are you talking about? What I posted isn’t a mailing address, they are directions to a house. If that’s your definition of a mailing address, then how could anything possibly not have an address? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-anywhere-in-the-civilized-world-to-have-a-stable-residence-and-no-mailing-address/611990.md?page=2)