Long-term skoolie living

[Megski88]

Hi! My name is Meghan, and I'm new to this group. My husband and I are in the information-gathering process; hoping to buy a bus and start conversion of it next year. I have a question regarding long-term parking and living out of a skoolie, particularly somewhere 30-60minutes from Chapel Hill, NC. We are moving to NC from IL and I am pursuing my Master's at UNC. We are hoping to find a place to park and live out of our skoolie until I've completed the program. I know not all RV parks allow skoolies, so I'm hoping someone here has some ideas/suggestions on how to make this work. If not, then at least I can get a reality check and look into other options.

 

[bigskypc50]

EDIT: Well I totally miss read that thread. Yes now that I can read correctly, moving to NC with a skoolie sounds A-ok to me. Buy your bus in NC to avoid the rust problems of IL.

 

[Sleddgracer]

My advice is, unless the bus is built correctly with spray foam and heavy insulation. I would not suggest living in any RV let alone a school bus in the winter while parked in IL or anywhere north of maybe KY. Not saying it can't be done, but fuel heating cost will be very high frozen water pipes etc.

While I have never spent a winter in IL, I hear it's pretty harsh. (Not as bad as here in Montana).

If I had to live in my bus full time in a cold place, I would try to park it inside some barn or carport. Or best of all drive to somewhere with a more stable weather.

......................................

 

[Danjo-SKO]

My advice is, unless the bus is built correctly with spray foam and heavy insulation. I would not suggest living in any RV let alone a school bus in the winter while parked in IL or anywhere north of maybe KY. Not saying it can't be done, but fuel heating cost will be very high frozen water pipes etc.

While I have never spent a winter in IL, I hear it's pretty harsh. (Not as bad as here in Montana).

If I had to live in my bus full time in a cold place, I would try to park it inside some barn or carport. Or best of all drive to somewhere with a more stable weather.

They are talking about Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

 

[ComfortEagle]

Hi! My name is Meghan, and I'm new to this group. My husband and I are in the information-gathering process; hoping to buy a bus and start conversion of it next year. I have a question regarding long-term parking and living out of a skoolie, particularly somewhere 30-60minutes from Chapel Hill, NC. We are moving to NC from IL and I am pursuing my Master's at UNC. We are hoping to find a place to park and live out of our skoolie until I've completed the program. I know not all RV parks allow skoolies, so I'm hoping someone here has some ideas/suggestions on how to make this work. If not, then at least I can get a reality check and look into other options.

Hi Meghan, welcome. Congrats on your master's program; I like your plan; it sounds fun. Curious on when your program starts, and what your timeline will be for bus "acquisition and conversion". Many (most?) conversions seem to take a lot longer than planned (said the guy with an unfinished bus in his driveway after 2 years...).

Depending on how sporty the schedule is, I may be at least as concerned with getting the bus ready as I am with where I will park it. I hope you and hubby are able to follow thru with your plan. Chapel Hill is beautiful and I would enjoy following your progress during the build and during your stay in NC.

BTW, for the uninitiated, Chapel Hill, NC is actually in NORTH CAROLINA... not the Arctic Circle...

 

[Danjo-SKO]

I’d start calling all the parks I can find and talk to the managers/owners. If you’re worried that the word “skoolie” is going to shut down the conversation don’t lead with that and instead talk about relocating to get your education and financial struggle. Unless you are totally hooked on the idea of having a pet skoolie, keep an open mind about living situations.

 

[Megski88]

Thanks everyone! These replies are super helpful!!

 

[Muchee]

NC

Hey Meghan! Did you find a place in NC to park? We are planning on moving there in the next month or so in our skoolie.

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

5 years since last post.

 

[Muchee]

Yup

It took me about that long to finish my bus conversion.

 

[Stovebolt-SKO]

And hopefully after 5 years, she got her PhD as well!:biggrin: