From the outside, you might look at this picture and think, How on earth could one family live in such a small space? But that’s exactly what we thought when we came across an article about this family of four who made the decision to live in an old converted school bus home on wheels! We were so intrigued by their unique way of living that we had to do some investigating. Turns out, the choice to live in such a small space has served them well… here’s how it works!
The layout
The interior of the bus has been gutted and renovated to include all the amenities of a comfortable home. The living area is open and airy, with plenty of natural light coming in through the large windows. There’s a small kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, and two bedrooms – one for the parents and one for the kids. Even though it’s small, this family has everything they need to live comfortably on the road. The best part? They are saving money while getting back to nature and connecting with their surroundings!
In the summertime, they can turn off the air conditioning by opening up the front windows or by sitting outside at night. And if winter rolls around, well then that just means that time for cozy fires! It’s much easier to heat a smaller space than an entire house, so no problem there. With so many trees surrounding them on the land where they park their bus (hello serenity!), these people don’t even have electric bills because of all the free heating sources nearby. Plus, solar panels provide energy from the sun and power most of their appliances. What more could you ask for?!
The features
- The bus was originally a school bus that the family purchased for $4,500 and then spent an additional $10,000 to convert into their home.
- It’s outfitted with all the necessary amenities, including a kitchen, bathroom, living area, and bedroom.
- The family chose to downsize and live in this unique home in order to save money and live a simpler life.
- Living off grid and close to nature has allowed them to experience life without feeling as though they’re missing out on anything.
- They’re able to save more than 70% of their income by living in the bus full time, which allows them to pursue hobbies or projects they enjoy.
- They’ve been able to spend less on groceries and fuel because they don’t have any utility bills like electricity or gas.
- The kids get to explore their natural surroundings while going to school, something they wouldn’t be able to do if they lived in a traditional house.
- While it may not be feasible for everyone, there are plenty of benefits associated with living in such a small space.
A quick tour
The bus, which they named The Pearl, has a small kitchen with a two-burner stove, a small fridge, and plenty of cabinet space. The living area has a couch that folds out into a bed, and there’s also a loft area where the kids sleep. The bathroom has a composting toilet and a shower. Even though it’s small, the bus feels bright and airy thanks to the numerous windows. There are beautiful views from every angle, too. It might be tight quarters for four people but they’ve found ways to make their home feel like home no matter how many miles they travel.
Why this tiny home?
The school bus was originally purchased for $4,500 and the family has spent an additional $8,000 to convert it into their home. They did this because they wanted to live a more minimalist lifestyle and save money on housing. The bus is currently parked on family land in Texas. The dimensions are 12 feet wide by 8 feet high with two skylights that provide natural light.
There is also electricity and plumbing which cost them around $1,200 to install. Their kitchen consists of two small sinks which act as the stovetop, dishwasher, and washing machine. To help with storage, there are shelves built into the walls.
They have a full size bed on one side of the bus and a sitting area where they eat breakfast on the other side. It’s pretty tight quarters but they enjoy living in a way that reduces their carbon footprint while saving money!