Family of 3’s 90% Recycled School Bus Conversion

Bus Conversions, Conversions, DIY, Family Tiny House Living, Interviews, Nomadic Life, School Bus Conversions, Vehicles

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The Samaniego family lives full-time in their converted skoolie, which they built using primarily recycled materials! The couple have a 6-year-old son, who they homeschool while traveling. Oh, and their fantastic vintage stove has a name. How sweet!

We interviewed the family about their nomadic lifestyle and what they loved about living tiny. Check it all out below!

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They Built a Home on Wheels in Six Months

School bus tiny home with recycled materials for family living.
Images via @family_bus_adventures



It was the middle of the pandemic, we could barely afford our rental house anymore because my husband got furloughed, and we had been talking about it for awhile so we finally decided to take the risk.

Recycled school bus turned tiny home with a family of three in a winter setting.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

3 weeks later we owned a bus and about 4 months after that we were living in it full-time!

Eco-friendly school bus conversion with cozy sleeping and living space for a family of three.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

We bought our bus from a school in Jan of 2021 and my husband Frankie built the whole thing himself.

Cozy tiny house interior featuring recycled school bus conversion with compact kitchen and living sp.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

We were full-time living in it by July of 2021! The process is never over for us, though!

Bus conversion interior with cozy sleeping area and recycled materials.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

90% of our house is recycled/repurposed/antique. Our stove/oven is from 1933 and her name is Ethel!

Dog inside tiny house with cozy bedding and small space design.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

Frankie is a mechanic and I (Molley) work remotely as a Retail Partner Specialist in customer service.

Cozy tiny house kitchen with wooden countertop, shelves, and various kitchen essentials.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

We have been able to pay off quite a bit of debt as well as have more freedom in where we choose to live.

Recycling and organizing food storage in a small space for a family living in a converted school bus.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

We have been able to pay off quite a bit of debt as well as have more freedom in where we choose to live.

Compact tiny house kitchen with shelves, spices, and fridge organization.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

It has really brought us together as a family and allowed us to be way more creative!

Cozy tiny house kitchen with compact stove, kettle, and wooden accents.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

I am also able to homeschool our 6-year-old, Braeden, and we love getting out in nature and exploring!

Kitchen sink in a tiny house with modern fixtures.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

The hardest thing is STORAGE! Even when you think you have enough, you never have enough!

Family of 3's recycled school bus tiny home at sunset.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

Having the freedom to make changes and do things that having a house with a foundation would not allow. We love the creative process!

Bathroom privacy curtain in a tiny house conversion.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

DO IT! It is so worth it! Don’t be afraid to take the leap but also ask ALL the questions. DO YOUR RESEARCH and know that no matter what plans you make, it will probably change many times over, but it will be exactly what you need in the end!

Recycled school bus converted into a tiny home under trees.
Images via @family_bus_adventures

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Our big thanks to Molley  or sharing!

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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.

Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)

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