Once her two children had grown up and left home, Jaime—a California-based farmer—began contemplating what came next in her life. She embarked on this new phase by journeying in a horse trailer until she eventually upgraded to a snugly renovated school bus, as reported.
autoevolution
.
When Jaime bought the 1998 International 3800 school bus, which was already completely refurbished and featured a 7.3 liter turbo diesel engine, it boasted just 114,000 miles on its odometer. The vehicle’s exterior was adorned in blue and white colors.
“Welcome to my portable wooden hideaway,” she said with a smile about her budget-friendly mobile home.
YouTube video
.
Within the repurposed school bus – commonly known as a “skoolie” – the walls are adorned with reclaimed wood sourced from places such as saunas and barns. “I truly adore this feature since sustainability is very important to me,” Jaime mentioned.
Cheap RV Living
.
Following the sustainability motif, the roof of the bus features 1,000 watts of
solar panels
that connect to a 400-ampere-hour lithium battery bank linked to a 3,000-watt inverter, as stated
autoevolution
.
The school bus features a
spacious kitchen
With full-sized appliances, including a
stove
and fridge. Butcherblock countertops allow Jaime plenty of space to prepare and cook meals — one of her favorite pastimes.
Stream now: Just how harmful is a gas stove for your home’s interior air quality?
These features, along with a wood-burning stove, complete bathroom, and comfortable bed, create a welcoming environment.
home on wheels
cozy for extended periods of detached-from-electricity-grid living.
Finding space for items of comfort and luxury, Jaime travels the country with radiant floor heating, a dedicated spice rack, a smart TV, and a Breville coffee maker. The compost toilet and beautiful art piece made from a
repurposed
Corrugated metal sheets enhance the bus’s sustainability attributes.
Tiny home
Living in converted school buses has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its financial and environmental advantages. The cost of converting a Skoolie might be around
$30,000
along with proper planning (on top of the bus fare costs), when the typical home price in the U.S. amounted to
$419,200
.
Given the significant cost disparity, it’s clear why many opt for a customized school bus lifestyle on the open road rather than settling down in a suburban home.
|
School buses and small houses reduce various living costs such as utility bills and repair fees, while simultaneously lowering environmental emissions, thus benefiting nature. Homeowners aiming to economize money and contribute positively to the earth without adopting a wandering life can adopt several suggestions from Jaime for significant impact.
Installing
solar panels
significantly lowers electricity expenses, and using recycled materials decreases construction costs for homes. These steps contribute substantially to a more sustainable tomorrow.
Jaime has been on the road for a year and a half and intends to keep traveling for an additional two years. She stated, “I have always dreamed of embracing a minimalist lifestyle.”
Cheap RV Living
I hadn’t specifically envisioned myself living in a tiny home, yet it turned out to be the finest choice I ever made.

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Traveler Shares Stunning Images After Converting Old School Bus Into a ‘Cabin On Wheels’: ‘This Was The Best Choice I Ever Made’
first appeared on
The Cool Down
.