Newbie here. Still in the research stage.

[LoribethDiR]

Hello, my name is Loribeth and I'm in South Eastern Pennsylvania. I'm here to learn as much as I can about Skoolie life. Our goal is to retire in a situation where our monthly bills will be as low as possible. Our youngest is in 10th grade so we'll be empty nesters before we know it. We also recently inherited some money but we're hesitant to do anything with it because we don't really know what we're doing yet. We know we want something small but with enough room for my husband and I and a bunk bed for our son or when the grandkids come over. I'd like to own my own land but I'd like to avoid paying the high taxes that come along with a permanent structure if I can. I'd like to be mainly off grid but I'd like the option to connect to sure power if needed. I lived in a very small 2 bedroom trailer for a few years so I'm familiar with smaller living. I also have some experience with wiring, drywall, plumbing, and general carpentry but not a ton. I don't know anything about solar power yet. Anything that points me in the right direction is greatly appreciated. I look forward to learning from all of you.

 

[Rucker]

Welcome. Good start-you are doing your research first.

If you buy a bus, get the best bus you can afford, mechanically.
If you are considering buying property to park the bus on, I bet there are lots of resources out there. Maybe start by deciding where you might want to live, then check out what other folks have done in similar circumstances. Don't limit the search to skoolie; use terms such as off grid, tiny house, subsistence farm and you'll find lots of stories from folks who have gone before and can give tips.

A bus is one way to go. I bought a shuttle bus, for a variety of reasons. Others stick with van conversions (might be a bit tight but they travel further for less dollars).

Keep us posted on your journey!

 

[nikitis]

Many counties now require permits or a fixed structure to install grid power to which lets them know you are trying to live in a skoolie/RV. They don't want you to do this because you skirt taxes. They want residential taxes from you.

Some will allow it if you buy Agriculture land but cut out 1 acre for residential. Ag zone land is often a fraction of the cost of a residential acre lot which will give you privacy and more acres, but as long as they are getting their residential taxes you'll be allowed to do it. It's becoming the way of things everywhere. There are a few places still where revenue is so low that they need people to move there so they allow it still.

There are still some places though where this can be done without a fixed structure but it's shrinking fast.

 

[Bjorkinman]

Is traveling a big part of what you hope to achieve with your skoolie? Dont buy anything with rust, an Allison AT545 transmission, or newer than about 2006. Stay away from the VT365 (ford 6.0 powerstroke) and maxxforce engines. Cummins and DT466 engines tend to be the favorites of the community. If you arent intending to travel I would also consider what Rucker said and find a cheap way to build something small and efficient, once you start packing in the insulation the inside of a bus begins to shrink lol. For solar, I found the most helpful YouTube channel was Explorist Life.

 

[s2mikon]

The nomadic lifestyle is under attack in all 50 states. I see more "NO OVERNIGHT PARKING" signs now than I ever have seen. Counties are changing zoning to exclude RV living except in licenced RV parks. So plan ahead.

 

[ewo1]

Hello, my name is Loribeth and I'm in South Eastern Pennsylvania. I'm here to learn as much as I can about Skoolie life. Our goal is to retire in a situation where our monthly bills will be as low as possible. Our youngest is in 10th grade so we'll be empty nesters before we know it. We also recently inherited some money but we're hesitant to do anything with it because we don't really know what we're doing yet. We know we want something small but with enough room for my husband and I and a bunk bed for our son or when the grandkids come over. I'd like to own my own land but I'd like to avoid paying the high taxes that come along with a permanent structure if I can. I'd like to be mainly off grid but I'd like the option to connect to sure power if needed. I lived in a very small 2 bedroom trailer for a few years so I'm familiar with smaller living. I also have some experience with wiring, drywall, plumbing, and general carpentry but not a ton. I don't know anything about solar power yet. Anything that points me in the right direction is greatly appreciated. I look forward to learning from all of you.

It's really a good thing that your asking questions first. Hold on to your money tightly and take your time shopping for a bus. There really is quite a bit to research and consider.

In post #5 of this thread I post 2 links to other threads with some really good info for people in the "asking questions" phase before they bite the bullet and become bus owners.

One thing you will have to consider very strongly, who will do the repairs. this is a DIY forum but sadly I see many folks do not want to take the time to learn how to maintain or repair their bus. Learning mechanical repairs is part of the journey.

Here the link.. read on and continue to ask questions!

First bus

Hey all. I’m new to this and have had a dream for years to live in a converted bus. My problem is idk where the best place is to find a bus. I’m looking for shorter medium bus preferably. What are some good websites and places I could find a potential bus?

www.skoolie.net

 

[nikitis]

Is traveling a big part of what you hope to achieve with your skoolie? Dont buy anything with rust, an Allison AT545 transmission, or newer than about 2006. Stay away from the VT365 (ford 6.0 powerstroke) and maxxforce engines. Cummins and DT466 engines tend to be the favorites of the community. If you arent intending to travel I would also consider what Rucker said and find a cheap way to build something small and efficient, once you start packing in the insulation the inside of a bus begins to shrink lol. For solar, I found the most helpful YouTube channel was Explorist Life.

Would agree but state the VT365 is a good engine, just lower powered. It's reliable. I wouldn't not buy a good bus if it had that engine necessarily. Also the T444E is a great engine too and comparable to the DT466, but yes maxxforce avoid like the plague. If a maxxforce was "Hardened" (there were modification paths to make them decent) it can be a decent emissions engine, but would have needed to be done very early in it's life and that almost never happened so still avoid them imo.

2004 engines and older are mostly all good. 2005-2008 it's possible to buy good engines without emissions but they are far fewer as only some places didn't follow the mandate for emissions right away until 2008 where it was fully enforced.