A reader asks: I attended a party recently and met a woman who told me she lives in a converted school bus. By choice. I could tell this wasn’t the first time she encountered a stunned look on the face of the person hearing this sentence uttered. She said it’s a thing called “skoolie living” and I should look it up. So what is this skoolie thing all about, anyway?
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“Skoolie living” refers to people who convert school buses (known as “skoolies”) into habitable tiny homes for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a traditional home. Many of these folks then hit the road traveling the country, seeking adventure, and oftentimes taking their work with them as freelancers or digital nomads.
And just how affordable is a skoolie home? Well, estimates vary depending on how much of the work you do yourself, but you should expect to spend, on average, between $20,000 to $40,000 to convert a school bus into a habitable home. And yes, this includes the cost of the bus itself.
What does a skoolie look like?
We’re not talking about the hippie buses of the 1970s that lacked amenities, oozed psychedelic vibes, and could frequently be found broken down at the side of the road. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can outfit your skoolie interior with all sorts of creature comforts, including:
- Complete kitchens with high-end countertops, cabinetry, and full-size appliances
- Full bathrooms with shower and tub
- Solar power, battery banks, and water collection systems for off-grid living
- Rooftop decks
- Ingenious storage solutions and built-ins to maximize the tiny space
And that last point is pretty important because skoolies are obviously small. They range in size from 20 to 45 feet long and about 7.5 feet wide. That means you’re looking at approximately 120 square feet to 270 square feet of living space.
Below is one of my favorite skoolie examples from YouTube’s “Living Big in a Tiny House” channel. Luke and Rachel are a young couple who sold their 1,500 square foot home to fulfill their dream of traveling the country with their young daughter in their beautifully renovated skoolie.
Rachel is a digital nomad who can work from anywhere there’s an Internet connection, and Luke (as you’ll see) is a talented welder. They did the entire skoolie conversion themselves for an estimated $30,000. Let me know what you think, but I’d have to say their skoolie is pretty spectacular!
School Bus Converted To Incredible Off-Grid Home
Why are school bus homes so affordable?
The biggest cost of a school bus home is the cost to convert the bus into a habitable home. The cost of the bus itself is surprisingly affordable. While prices vary depending on the size of the bus, how old it is, and its condition, you can buy a used school bus anywhere from around $3,000 to $7,000+.
Used school buses are cheap because the overall buyer demand is low and inventory is high. Estimates indicate school districts in the United States put about 40,000 used buses up for sale each year.
This all has to do with the fact that most school districts have strict mandates regarding how long they can keep their buses in service. After a specified time, they’re required to get rid of their buses and buy new ones.
While replacement times vary by district, the average range seems to be from 6 to 12 years. Some buses are sold directly through the school districts, while others are sold through third-party bus brokers, government auction sites, and even eBay.
Because districts have safety regulations governing the repair of their buses, some buyers report they’ve purchased buses that are in excellent mechanical condition. Some buyers say they’ve even had access to the repair and maintenance records, which helps them verify the condition of the bus before they purchase.
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But purchasing your skoolie is just the beginning…
To make it habitable, you’ll need to build out the interior areas of your new skoolie home, including the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living areas. This means adding in plumbing, heating/cooling, and power sources.
If you’re an experienced DIYer (or are willing to learn), you can cut your conversion costs down considerably. I’ve seen some skoolie conversions online where people have done most of the work themselves and ended up with a comfortable home on wheels for as little as $20,000.
Or, if you’re looking for someone to do the work for you, you could opt to hire a company that specializes in doing customized school bus renovations. Starting price for a customized bus conversion (excluding the cost of the bus) runs around $35,000
Interested in learning more? Here are some tips to get you started…
- Check out a school bus auction site to get an idea of the kinds of buses available and pricing. A good place to start is GovDeals, a site that provides services to government agencies to help them sell their surplus assets.
- Contact your local school district to see if they have an upcoming auction. Some districts sell their used buses themselves and allow potential buyers the opportunity to see the buses in person before making a bid.
- Watch YouTube videos from skoolie owners. Many of these are in-depth videos of people who show you what skoolie life is really like. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of skoolie living, plus many take you step-by-step through the process of what they did to turn their bus into a home on wheels.
- Consider attending “Skooliepalooza.” Skoolie Palooza is an annual festival of school bus conversion owners held each January in Arizona.
- Check out my guide, “Living in a Converted School Bus” for more tips and resources. I include information on where to get help with your bus conversion, tips on how to find and buy a bus to convert, and info on some unusual challenges you might encounter while living in a skoolie.
Do you think you could embrace the skoolie lifestyle?
About the author
Contributing Writer, Wealthtender
Elizabeth Blessing has more than 10 years of experience as a technical writer, financial writer, direct response copywriter and editor.
She is a former portfolio editor and columnist for The Complete Investor, Leeb Income Millionaire and Leeb Income Performance. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Literature/Writing from the University of California, San Diego.
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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be considered financial advice. You should consult a financial professional before making any major financial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to live in a converted school bus?
Owning and driving a converted bus is legal, but where you can park and live in it full time depends on local zoning rules, which vary widely by city and county. Many places limit how long a vehicle can be occupied on a residential lot, so skoolie owners often use RV parks, campgrounds or private land where it is allowed. Check local zoning and HOA rules before you buy.
Do you need a CDL to drive a skoolie?
Usually not once the bus is retitled and registered as a motorhome or RV for personal use, because most states treat it like any other RV. Rules vary by state, and some states require a special license class for larger or heavier RVs, so check with your state’s motor vehicle agency. Note that you may need a CDL or a hired driver to move the bus before it is retitled.
Do you have to repaint a school bus after you buy it?
In many states, yes. State laws commonly require a retired school bus that no longer carries students to have its ‘School Bus’ lettering removed or covered and its stop arms and flashing warning lights removed or disabled, and many also require the yellow paint to be changed. Requirements differ by state, so confirm the rules where the bus will be registered.
How do you insure a school bus conversion?
Most owners insure a finished skoolie as a motorhome or RV, which usually requires the bus to be retitled as an RV first. Insurers may ask for photos or proof that the conversion includes basics like sleeping, cooking and bathroom facilities, and some decline do-it-yourself conversions, so it pays to shop several carriers. Getting quotes before you buy can prevent surprises in the total cost of the project.