Melissa and Chris live full-time in a self-converted school bus with their four kids and a golden retriever. The shift into this lifestyle happened during COVID, when they reassessed how they were spending their time as a family and decided to build a setup that allowed them to stay together more consistently and move at their own pace.
The bus build
Their home is a school bus that they converted themselves into a functional living space designed around a family of six. The layout includes a full kitchen, dedicated sleeping areas, electrical systems, and running water.
Their design is perfect for practical use, with each area built to serve daily routines rather than occasional travel.
Skoolie Travel
They move throughout the year depending on weather and preference. During winter, they head south and west to avoid colder conditions, and during the rest of the year they travel through other regions of the country. Their schedule is flexible, with longer stays in places that work well logistically and shorter stops when they are passing through.
Daily routines are structured around what needs to get done rather than fixed time blocks. Mornings start without strict scheduling, and activities are adjusted based on location, work, and family needs. The childrenโs learning is integrated into travel, projects, and day-to-day tasks.
Some days involve moving locations or exploring nearby areas, including hiking or visiting new places. Other days are focused on work, school responsibilities, and maintaining the bus and living space.
The THRONE toilet build
Instead of installing a traditional RV black tank system, Melissa and Chris chose a composting toilet. The goal was to remove the need for dump stations and reduce maintenance associated with waste storage. Solids are disposed of in dumpsters, and liquids are emptied into flush toilets or at RV parks.
With six people using the system daily, the urine container fills quickly, which requires regular monitoring and emptying. Overall, the system has reduced logistical constraints tied to waste disposal and allowed them to stay off-grid for longer periods.
Life on the road isn’t all butterflies and rainbows
Finding suitable parking or overnight locations in larger cities can be more complicated due to space and local restrictions. The size of the vehicle requires planning ahead in urban environments.
Living with six people in a compact space also means storage and layout decisions have a direct impact on daily function. They mentioned that additional under-bus storage and an adjusted interior layout would improve efficiency.
The current setup supports full-time travel while maintaining core living functions. It allows them to remain mobile, manage daily life within a contained system, and reduce reliance on external infrastructure such as dump stations.
They plan to continue this lifestyle without a fixed end date, adjusting their setup over time as needs change.
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