6 months to Full Time!

[shae_calliekijakovu]

Hello all!

I am new to the forum but have been researching skoolies for some time now. Currently, I’m couch surfing at my mother’s house but her lease is up in May and she’ll be downsizing so I’m hoping to be on my way by then.

I’m searching bus listings every day, hoping to find a 35’-40’ in good condition ASAP to start my build. I plan on doing most of the work myself. I’m confident in my woodworking skills, but electrical and plumbing are a huge gray area for me. I’ll be digging through the forum for those answers!

Right now I’m located in Orlando, FL. This build will be my full time home for me, two dogs and a cat. I work from home so I’m ready to hit the road as soon as possible. I know my build will likely not be completely done by my deadline but as long as it’s liveable by then, I’ll make it work!

[MacC]

Looking every day myself.

[brokedown]

Orlando is generally a bad place to buy a bus. The best buses are usually 1000 miles away.

Since you're in a time crunch, my advice is to make a list of priorities for what you need done first. If you're staying in Florida, you've got a tough battle with the heat.

We're currently building our 3rd bus 2 hours west of you.

[EastCoastCB]

Otown is rough for bus shopping. That's FL in general.

[shae_calliekijakovu]

Really? I had been assuming FL buses would be good because no snow/less rust. I’ve been primarily looking at FL, TX, and AZ buses.

I definitely don’t mind living in it while I’m working on it, so I’m hoping to have insulation, plumbing and electrical done before the deadline if possible.

I do plan on being in FL sometimes, but not full time. I know for sure the next year of bus life will be primarily spent in VA, PA and NY, then after that I’ll probably start going to see some of the west.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by shae_calliekijakovu

Really? I had been assuming FL buses would be good because no snow/less rust. I’ve been primarily looking at FL, TX, and AZ buses.

I definitely don’t mind living in it while I’m working on it, so I’m hoping to have insulation, plumbing and electrical done before the deadline if possible.

I do plan on being in FL sometimes, but not full time. I know for sure the next year of bus life will be primarily spent in VA, PA and NY, then after that I’ll probably start going to see some of the west.

Go for AZ, CA, OR, WA, CO, and parts of TX.
FL buses are the natty light of buses. Low spec, rode hard and put up wet.

[cadillackid]

FL busses may not be rusty but from what ive seen they are neglected mechanically.. some have a lot of mold from being outside in constant summer rain and leaky roof hatches or windows...
-Christopher

[shae_calliekijakovu]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Go for AZ, CA, OR, WA, CO, and parts of TX.
FL buses are the natty light of buses. Low spec, rode hard and put up wet.

Thank you so much. Exactly the kind of info that makes this forum so valuable!

[shae_calliekijakovu]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

FL busses may not be rusty but from what ive seen they are neglected mechanically.. some have a lot of mold from being outside in constant summer rain and leaky roof hatches or windows...
-Christopher

Hadn’t even thought of mold, just figured if I was ripping everything out it’d be fine but that’s a great point. Thank you!