Emma Radebaugh
Have you ever considered taking your life to the road? It might not be easy to begin your journey, but there might be many reasons why you want to do something like this: Perhaps you want to travel the country or live off the grid. Regardless, you might consider buying or leasing a school bus for your travels. Before you start, you probably have a few questions. What is bus life, and what should you consider before living on a school bus? We’ll answer that question below.
What Are My Expenses?
Bus life is cheaper than a traditional residence, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have expenses. You can expect to pay initial start-up costs of up to $25,000 for the bus and additional costs, such as bus insurance, registration, cell phone, Wi-Fi, groceries, and gas. You must keep a budget on a spreadsheet to juggle these expenses before you start. Count the costs; your bank account will thank you later.
What About Maintenance?
You canimprove the lifespan of your bus in many ways. One of those things is learning how to do basic repairs and maintenance yourself. Can you fix a flat tire, perform an oil change, or change an oil filter? If not, it would be wise to learn since living on a bus comes with all the common vehicle issues. Broken air conditioning and flat tires are a reality and will likely happen to you at some point. Be prepared now by learning to address these issues before they occur.
Where To Park?
Things get tricky when it comes to living your best bus life. Learning where you can and cannot park is a skill you’ll quickly develop. You have to develop this skill because your parking location is where you rest your head at night, and you don’t want to be bothered when you’re resting. Peruse local parks and areas that allow you to park your bus. Stealth camping in public parking lots might not be feasible with a skoolie (a school bus transformed into a living space). Certain parks allow you to camp for a fee or even for free. Scope out these places before you get started.
In short, bus life is an endeavor that requires patience and the desire to learn. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to having a fulfilling experience. Enjoy your bus life! We hope you have a great experience!
