In March 2020, Pooja and Kumar's corporate workplaces went remote, an event that made them decide to look for alternative living arrangements, sparking the idea to convert and live in a school bus.
The couple used to travel two hours away from their local areas each weekend for a change of atmosphere. Later, the couple wondered why they had to go home to sleep. Hence the idea of living on a travel bus became a reality.
Bus over RV
Insider reports Pooja and Kumar converted a school bus into a home and have traveled across the country since 2021. The couple bought a bus and redesigned it for its affordability and overall safety.
Taking inspiration and help from a friend who owns a bus, the couple bought a vehicle of their own.
Though an RV can range anywhere from $35,000 to $300,000, the couple said their bus cost about $10,000, excluding the necessary resources and requirements to build and personalize it.
The couple said they wanted something that they could customize their needs, and they could also be off-grid. According to Pooja, these specifications could not be possible with the current RV in the market, and it was costly.
Transforming a school bus can also be safer and more convenient with the proper planning and preparations.
According to Diramk, a typical RV is made from an aluminum frame and a fiberglass cover, less durable materials. Unlike RVs, school buses are built with windows made of laminated glass and steel bodies.
Affordability and overall safety
After giving up their apartment and purchasing their bus, Pooja and Kumar spent weeks transforming the vehicle into the sustainable mobile home of their dreams.
At first, the couple had doubts about their dream home. Later, they laid out their floor plans and researched everything from plumbing, toilets, batteries, solar, wiring, security, water tanks, and even how to fill up oil. They incorporated plumbing, solar power, wiring, and water tanks into the bus.
Pooja put on lighting, curtains, pictures of friends and family, sentimental frames, and candles for a homey feel.
Ten U.S. states in a year
After setting up their new home, they began their journey in June 2021. They started their journey without a plan but ended up in beautiful locations here and there.
A few places they could visit were Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, and North California.
The couple is currently living in California. Pooja drives most of the time. It was always Pooja's mission to be the sole driver on all of their journey. To date, she had driven over 7,000 miles already.
While traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple remained diligent during their interactions, including wearing masks around others.
UpExamPaper reports that the two have remote jobs, so they work from their bus. Pooja and Kumar also learned how to balance their careers and exploration time.
