Woman Spends $35K Renovating School Bus to Avoid Paying Rent (Exclusive)

As a child, one woman always dreamed of living as a nomad to experience more of what life has to offer. But by May 2021, she had graduated from college and was still living with her mother.

“I hadn’t moved out yet because I didn’t want to get caught in the cycle of paying rent,” Danielle, who asked for her last name to be omitted, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

To avoid the inevitable cost of putting down roots while simultaneously living out her childhood dreams, she began the search for a bus, which she planned to renovate into a cozy, mobile home.

In September 2021, she found the perfect mini school bus and embarked on a three-and-a-half-year renovation journey.

“I knew that if I were to live in a vehicle, I wanted it to be as comfortable as possible,” the 26-year-old says. “For that reason, I chose a bus because it has more space than a van and I had more opportunity to customize it exactly how I wanted, compared to an RV.”

She specifically wanted a shorter bus to reduce conversion time, cost and improve drivability. She also searched for a vehicle with fewer than 200,000 miles and a straight roof, which would make the interior build easier and allow her to stargaze on the flat surface.

“I ended up spending somewhere between $25,000 and $35,000 for the renovation, including the cost of the bus,” Danielle reveals.

Aside from the bus itself, the most expensive part of the renovation was buying and installing solar panels for electricity, which she calculated to cost nearly $3,000, including all the materials.

“The second most expensive thing was the spray foam insulation,” she says. “I did it myself, but the kit cost $900.”

Danielle completed most of the project independently, estimating that she did about 85% of the work all by herself.

However, she hired people for projects that she was unfamiliar with, such as removing seats from the bus. “I didn’t know where to begin,” she admits. 

A friend helped with demolition here and there, but when it came time to install the solar panels, she turned to a handyman on Craigslist named Marco.

At times, when she felt burnt out, she brought Marco on to assist once a week or every other week for about five months. After that, she was on her own for the remainder of the renovation.

Danielle finally finished the bus in March 2025 and has been living comfortably in it for about five months.

“My friends think it is a very cool lifestyle. I have done a couple of trips with friends in the bus,” she shares. “My family initially thought it was just a phase until I actually bought the bus. They are now very proud but also concerned for safety.”

She previously worked in solar sales and is currently living off savings while taking on odd jobs. Ultimately, she hopes to secure a remote position to allow for greater freedom.

While living in a bus has worked out for Danielle thus far, she emphasizes that the lifestyle isn’t for everyone.

“Someone who wants to live nomadically or even if they would like to be stationary in a bus, they have to be okay with not having all the luxuries of a traditional home,” she tells PEOPLE. “For example, sourcing your own water, disposing of bodily waste, etc.”

When traveling, Danielle typically parks at truck rest stops, Walmart parking lots, national parks or campgrounds. She admits that her bus is better suited for colder weather, so during hot seasons, she tends to relocate to cooler areas to stay comfortable.

“This lifestyle is meant for a person who is comfortable with change and things not always going how you plan,” she adds. “People see the romanticized version, but it’s important to research the not-so-glamorous parts and decide whether it’s a way of life you would be comfortable with.” 

Nevertheless, Danielle encourages others not to let uncertainty stand in the way, highlighting, “I learned everything along the way. Don’t let fear hold you back from living your dreams.”