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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Brittany Miller

All aboard… my school bus home: Inside the popular minimalist lifestyle as homeownership costs soar

Jess Elena and Jake Gomez struggled to find a bus after their first two experienced mechanical problems - (Courtesy of Jess and Jake)

Forget the RV. Young people are trading in traditional homes for the yellow school buses many remember from childhood as a way to live both a minimalist lifestyle and avoid the rising cost of owning a home.

Known as “skoolies,” the growing trend involves converting decommissioned school buses into full-time living spaces, blending DIY renovation with the flexibility of life on the road. What began as a niche project has gained traction online, with thousands documenting their builds on TikTok, YouTube and Reddit — often framing bus life as a cheaper, freer alternative to homeownership.

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