Digital Nomads Create Off-Grid School Bus With Good Internet Connection for Cheap

Compared to a traditional house, a school bus is several times cheaper. If you convert it yourself, creating a lovely home on wheels can get even more affordable. It also has another perk of not minding the accommodation as you will always be sleeping inside your dwelling. The nomad lifestyle is truly worth giving a shot at.

The G-Wagon is not what you would expect to see but a 2002 Blue Bird with a CAT 3126 diesel engine school bus. It normally measures 30 ft (9.14 m) long and 35 ft (10.6 m) with a back deck and front storage rack. The bus is based on a Chevy chassis and comes with the famous Allison transmission.

Britt and Justin drove alongside this bus for about eight months, and during this time, they made lots of improvements for safe and cozy travel. The pandemic inspired them to create a bus and take their two dogs for the adventure of their lifetime.

The couple paid $4,500 for the bus itself and invested between $25,000-$30,000 to make it a mobile home. The cost could have been lower, but since this vehicle would also be their dwelling, they decided it was worth investing in. The most expensive thing in their skoolie is the off-grid system which ended up costing around $5,500.

The exterior has been painted white, and they also added a garage-like storage spot at the back of the bus. This area can be accessed either from the back door or underneath the bed. The couple added two 100 gallons (378 liters) of fresh water and grey water tanks.

The off-grid system comes with six 200 watts solar panels mounted on top of the roof, a 24-volt system, an MMPT charge controller, 600 amp/h 12V lithium batteries, and a 3,000-watt inverter, all hidden underneath the living room's bench sofa, which also transforms into a full-size bed.

At the front, the driver's cab has been left to look almost like the original but with a twist. This side of the RV is mainly used as a storage area, and it comes with lots of cabinets on each side.

Since both Britt and Justin work remotely, having strong internet connection anywhere they go is necessary. They installed two MMO antennas on the roof that connect to a MoFI network router.

A house made out of metal sheets is not the best when it comes to having a suitable temperature inside when it's cold outside. For this reason, they installed a Cubic Mini Grizzly wood stove, which keeps the bus toasty inside.

Between the living room and kitchen is the office area. We find a retractable table, a computer monitor, and a chair. A second office can be created using the foldable table, which can be added to the sofa or the bed.

The couple loves cooking, so having a good-sized kitchen was important. It comes with lots of prep space and storage. All the cabinets are either donated or thrifted to keep the cost down. The kitchen's functionality is given by an RCA refrigerator, a portable stove top, an air fryer, and a deep sink.

The couple used the emergency hatches to create two large skylights to provide even more natural light. The side windows can be covered with curtains, but it doesn't seem like it goes the same for the skylights, which might be an annoyance for some who want complete darkness during the day.

In the middle of the bus, we find the bathroom. It doesn't offer much space to move around but is a full bath nonetheless. The shower has been placed between the two-wheel well, which made it tricky to route the plumbing. We can also see a composting toilet, a tiny sink, a mirror, and a vanity. There is plenty of storage provided by a few shelves and cabinets.

The last room in this mobile home is the bedroom. It is a cozy and quite spacious area. It was designed with a queen-size mattress, a shoe cabinet that is also used as clothing storage, an extra container behind the headboard, and an AC and heater. To access the garage from the inside, the bad was placed on hinges so it could lift.

The couple decided it was time for them to move into a conventional house and start a family. The bus is up for sale, and the asking price is $64,000, or the best offer. The odometer reads 216,000 miles which is quite normal for these types of vehicles.