A woman with no building experience turned a bus into a stylish, practical solar-powered home

Living in a converted school bus was never meant to be a forever plan for Sarah — but six years later, it has become the life that shaped her independence, career, and sense of belonging.

“I decided to live in a bus because I really wanted to figure out where I wanted to be forever,” she said.

What began as a two- to four-year experiment slowly turned into a long-term lifestyle.

She was just 22 when she bought her first bus for $5,000. At the time, she had almost no building experience.

Still, she paid for it outright and began learning step by step.

Over time, she discovered what worked, what didn’t, and what kind of home she truly wanted.

That hands-on learning eventually led her to her current build—a more refined, thoughtful version of her original dream.

How living in a converted school bus became her long-term plan

Her current home is a 27-foot 1993 International bus.

She bought it for $8,500 and invested another $8,000 to $9,000 into the build, making the full bus conversion cost breakdown roughly $16,500 to $17,500.

When she purchased it, the bus had about 118,000 miles. Today, it has around 167,000 miles.

She painted it pink in a shade called Canyon Dusk and added Longhorns on the front. Driving gives her a sense of strength.

“And now I just feel really big and beefy and badass driving down the highway,” she said.

Still, the ride has its downsides.

“Um, least favorite part is it is really like loud and clunky,” she admitted.

Long drives can leave her feeling carsick due to the air-ride seat.

Her previous short bus allowed her to drive for hours without discomfort, so slowing down has been an adjustment.

Under the hood, the bus runs on a DT360 six-cylinder engine, International’s version of a 5.9L.

She averages about 12 miles per gallon. The 36-gallon fuel tank costs about $150 to fill in Washington and allows her to drive roughly 450 miles per tank.

Her monthly insurance is about $75.

Her phone bill — which includes a hotspot for internet — is another $75 per month.

She rarely pays for campsites and estimates she has only paid for parking about four times in six years.

This low monthly expenses setup for living on the road helps her maintain financial freedom.

Solar power and off-grid systems that keep her independent

Part of her independence comes from her systems.

Her setup supports off-grid bus living with solar power, giving her flexibility wherever she parks.

She has 400 watts of solar, a 200-amp battery, and a 200-watt inverter.

This powers her lights, tools, and daily essentials. She can also charge her battery while driving using the alternator.

There are about two inches of insulation in the ceiling and walls, along with spray foam.

She wired all the lights and installed the solar system herself.

Instead of raising the roof, she kept the original height and curved the ceiling using thin plywood to create a soft, rounded look.

Her propane lasts about a month. She can stay off-grid with water for around two weeks if she conserves carefully.

The setup makes extended off-grid bus living with solar power possible without relying heavily on campgrounds.

Inside her 27-foot bus home

Entry and Driver’s Area

The front of the bus serves as both a mudroom and a command center. There is space for shoes and water storage. A horseshoe hangs near the door for good luck.

“So, I only use about four of these buttons, but it makes me feel really cool that there’s so many,” she said about the dashboard controls.

Above her seat, she keeps mementos — notes, stickers, and reminders from places she has visited.

Main Living Area

The passenger seat doubles as a reading nook with storage underneath.

Nearby sits a handmade decorative fireplace inspired by a 1970s design. It is not a real wood stove, but it visually adds warmth to the space.

“But, it’s not a true wood stove, and I just really wanted the coziness of it for the space,” she explained.

The interior design reflects soft Southwestern shapes. She created arches using plywood, wood filler, sanding, and matte paint to achieve a smooth, adobe-style finish without cracks.

Dinette and Guest Bed

Her maple dinette transforms into a guest bed.

The table pieces fit together to form a sleeping space. It can also serve as a couch for relaxing evenings.

Kitchen Built Around Function

The kitchen centers around a large fridge-freezer combo that came with the bus — a key reason she bought it.

One side stays at 34 degrees as a refrigerator. The other side can switch between fridge and freezer settings. It is energy-efficient and reliable.

She also owns a vintage 1960s or 1970s propane Coleman stove with three burners and an oven.

“I’ve made roast chicken in here. I’ve made cakes. I’ve made nachos. I’ve made galettes. Everything. It’s—I love it so much,” she said.

There is a sink with a hot water heater below, magnetic spice racks to prevent shifting while driving, and a sliding kitchen cabinet she admits she would redesign if given the chance.

Bathroom and Closets

The bathroom includes recessed wall storage and a composting toilet that uses sawdust pellets in a five-gallon bucket. She empties it at RV dump stations.

There is also an outdoor shower with a propane on-demand heater for times when she is parked in nature.

Surprisingly, she has two closets — one for daily clothing and another for coats and tools — adding a sense of freedom in a small space.

Bedroom and Workspace

A full-size bed fits snugly into the back corner. There is a bookshelf and a storage area for blankets and journals under the headboard.

She is a full-time silversmith and jewelry artist. Her workstation fits into two cabinets, two drawers, and a magnetic strip for tools.

Being a full-time artist living in a skoolie has allowed her to focus on her craft without high rent or heavy overhead.

She sells at markets and online, embracing life as a full-time artist living in a skoolie with flexibility.

What living in a converted school bus taught her about freedom and community

For Sarah, living in a converted school bus has become more than travel. It has taught her how to build, wire, install solar, and handle basic engine care.

“My favorite part about living on the road has been the independence it’s granted me—the self-assuredness that I can survive, basically,” she said.

She also learned that independence does not mean isolation.

“And it’s because we’re supposed to be in a community,” she reflected about finding connection on the road.

In the end, living in a converted school bus gave her what she had been searching for all along — not just a place to stay, but the confidence to create a life on her own terms.

Watch Sarah give a full tour and share her journey of living in a converted school bus, showing how she built her home and life on the road.

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