Today we’ll be talking about Aubry & Nic and their skoolie Pippa. For the past nine years, they’ve been living the adventure of a lifetime. Their first adventure began back in 2017, when they decided to convert a van into their home on wheels. From 2017 until 2021, they traveled through 14 countries, all the way from the U.S. down to Argentina, experiencing the freedom and joy of life on the road.
After returning home and settling into a more traditional lifestyle for a couple of years, they found that the road was calling them back. They were inspired by friends they met during their travels who had converted their own buses into homes. That’s when they decided to build their second bus home, and this time, they went all in.
Finding the Bus
Their latest build is a 40-foot school bus. They bought the bus from a school district in Houston, Texas. It had around 100,000 miles on it and was in great condition. But the reality of converting it didn’t hit them until the bus was sitting in their driveway. Nic recalls sitting in the bus, feeling overwhelmed and thinking they had no idea what they were getting themselves into!
One thing they quickly learned was that converting a school bus is more than just a fun project—it involves a lot of rules and regulations. For instance, they had to remove all the school bus markings, including the stop sign and all markings identifying it as a school bus.
The Conversion Process
The entire conversion cost them around $60,000. The bus itself was just $8,000, and they spent the rest on the build. They worked with their family to tackle different tasks. Nic took charge of the paint job, which ended up being a huge undertaking. They decided on a distinctive terracotta color, which they think gives their bus a unique and earthy feel. And yes, the flowers you see on the bus were hand-painted by them and their siblings.
The bus also features four 300-watt solar panels on the roof, which powers all their electrical needs. The roof also includes a 12-foot by 7-foot deck they welded themselves, which has become one of their favorite spots—perfect for watching sunsets.
Living in the Bus
Now, let’s talk about the inside! Their home is designed to be as functional as possible. The living room is versatile and doubles as a guest bedroom when they have friends over (they’ve hosted up to 14 people at once). Nic and Aubry both have separate desk setups that can easily be packed away when they’re not working. Nic’s setup features hidden storage under the couch where he can pack away his instruments while Aubry’s desk is larger and is set up for working full time remotely.
The kitchen is a highlight, featuring a large counter space, a full-sized fridge, and even a stove and oven. Their favorite part is the tile they picked up in Mexico City, which brings a touch of color and character to the kitchen. They also have a large sink, which was a happy accident.
The Bathroom and Shower
One of the most challenging parts of their build was designing the bathroom. They wanted a dedicated shower and toilet area, so they made sure to make the best use of space around the bus’s wheel wells. Their Airhead composting toilet and spacious shower make it feel like they’re in a real home, despite being on the move.
The Bedroom
The bedroom is definitely Aubry’s favorite part of the bus. Located in the back, they’ve installed a curtain that divides the space for some privacy, and overhead storage keeps everything organized. Their build also includes storage under the bed for their electrical system, outdoor gear, and clothing over flow.
Final Thoughts
Living in a converted school bus has been an incredible experience for them. The process taught them so many new skills, from welding to plumbing and carpentry. It’s been empowering for them to create a space that is truly their own, where everything has a purpose and a place. As Nic puts it “it has completely changed how we think about living spaces.”
If you’d like to know more, check out the full tour on our YouTube Channel:
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