My idea of a rich life was never about designer bags, big houses, or fancy cars. To me, true wealth looks like something entirely different: experiences over material possessions, time over money, freedom over routine, and a life filled with meaningful relationships and unforgettable adventures. Oh, and living in a bus. Because to me, that’s the kind of richness you can’t buy: a life made up of moments many people only dream about, but only a few ever get the chance to live.

Now, after a long and challenging bus conversion journey, that dream is our reality. The early mornings, the late nights, the setbacks, they all fade away the moment we open our eyes to a new view outside our window. Mountains, coastlines, forests surrounding us, it never gets old.

I’ve always had a deep love for travel, but it wasn’t until a trip out West in 2018 that everything changed. I realized just how vast and diverse the United States truly is, how you can go from towering mountains to open desert to crashing ocean waves, all within the same country. From that moment on, I knew I wanted more than just occasional vacations. I wanted a life built around exploration.

The traditional path, saving travel for a few weeks of PTO each year, no longer felt like enough. Tomorrow isn’t promised, and I wasn’t willing to wait until retirement to start living the life I had always imagined.

When I landed a fully remote role in 2020, the possibility of that life suddenly felt real. But turning a dream into reality meant taking a leap and bringing someone along to enjoy the ride. When I shared my “crazy” idea with my boyfriend, Mike, I knew his reaction would shape everything.

He could have laughed it off. He could have walked away.

Instead, he smiled and said, “Let’s do it.”

And just like that, our journey began.

We purchased our bus in January 2022. Shoutout to my dad, he truly helped bring this dream to life. Every night, he’d scroll through Facebook Marketplace searching for our future home on wheels. We only looked at two other vehicles before landing on our shuttle bus. I guess you could say the third time is a charm.

At first, a shuttle bus wasn’t even on our radar. What changed everything was a simple moment, riding in a hotel shuttle to the airport. I couldn’t get over all the large windows and the easy-access passenger door, and something just clicked.

Less than an hour from home, we found the one in Huntingdon, PA. It had a story of its own. It started as a university shuttle transporting athletes, then later served a local church, picking up elderly community members.

We chose a 2004 Ford E350 shuttle bus for its many large windows. We wanted a space where we could fully take in the beauty around us, both from inside and outside our home on wheels. The passenger door was another huge bonus. Most of the buses we saw had only folding doors, so when we found one with a standard entry, we didn’t hesitate.

The process felt surprisingly seamless from the start. My dad first connected with the owner through Facebook Marketplace, and soon after, my parents joined Mike and me to go see the bus in person. It didn’t take long for us to know it was ours. The bus had 120,000 miles on it and was in great shape. We exchanged $5,500, transferred the title, and just like that, the journey began.

We drove it home the very same day, and I remember getting emotional on the ride back, overwhelmed by the realization that we had just bought a bus. At the time, we had no idea just how much of a gas guzzler it would be, but we’ve come to think of fuel simply as part of the lifestyle, much like monthly rent.

Publisher's Note: Check out this article to learn how to save on the high cost of fuel. Read Pouring Rent in the Tank.

Seeing the bus parked in our driveway for the first time made it all feel real. It was a moment we had dreamed about for so long. And none of it would have been the same without my parents’ unwavering support; at times, they were even more excited than we were.

For a few months, the bus sat there as we kept pinching ourselves, hardly believing this was no longer just a dream. It was real, and we had finally taken the first step toward becoming owners of our home on wheels. 

Our Bus Build

Onto the next chapter of our journey: It was definitely a wild ride, more like a DIY rollercoaster with no safety bar. Let’s just say it was not a Pinterest-perfect project. There were tears, dust-covered faces, a few choice words, and enough sweat to fill a kiddie pool. Oh, and Mike? He almost became a nine-fingered man. But hey, what’s a good story without a little blood, sweat, and beers?

Somehow, every challenge got tackled, with glue, grit, patience, and a whole lot of determination. And if all else failed, we fell back on our unofficial slogan throughout the build: “Good enough.” Because at the end of the day, perfection is overrated, and we’ve got one hell of a bus (and all ten fingers) to prove it.

The first step we took before stripping the vehicle was taking it to our local mechanic. After a thorough inspection (and over $4,000 later, with new fuel lines, shocks, brakes, and more), we had it running in tip-top shape and safe for the road ahead.

With that peace of mind, it was time for the real transformation to begin. Out came all 13 seats that were disposed of (thanks, Facebook Marketplace), the flooring was ripped up, and the ceiling stripped down, leaving us with a completely blank slate to start with. 

One not-so-fun obstacle we encountered was the rust. We did not expect to run into so much rust on the frame. Lots of time was spent grinding away the rust, applying a “rust converter,” and then painting the frame. This was probably the most disheartening part of our conversion. We were tempted to throw in the towel, but we were so thankful that we did not give up and kept moving along.

Once the frame was solid, we jumped into the exciting part of the build, laying the subfloor, framing the walls, insulating every inch of the bus, and installing the ceiling. The cedar board ceiling quickly became the star of the show. Not only does it look stunning, but it smells amazing too! The bus really started to feel like home once the subfloor and ceiling were in place. We added puck lights in the ceiling, which were surprisingly easy to install and they instantly brightened the space.

Then came the “essentials.” Mike tackled plumbing and electrical work, and even started building the shower, all while installing a 40-gallon water tank he miraculously found in his garage. The scariest part? Cutting a hole in the roof for our vent fan and A/C unit. Thankfully, with his friend's help, it went off without a hitch, and our bus suddenly had airflow and cool vibes.

It’s finally starting to come together, and our dream is finally becoming a reality. Mike did most of the build himself, with guidance and hands-on help from my dad.

For me, the real fun began when it was time to focus on aesthetics. I took the lead on painting our off-the-shelf cabinets from Home Depot, since we didn’t have the tools or skills to build them from scratch. We quickly realized there are no square corners in a shuttle bus, so we fabricated them to fit the curved ceiling. This was a challenge in itself, but we did it! The color I used for the cabinets wascalled Tidal by Behr.

Some unique features we included in our bus were thoughtful design elements that gave it a distinct, personal touch. In the bedroom, we installed beadboard and added playful wallpaper to bring in texture and warmth, creating a more inviting, home-like feel. To better connect the cab with the living space, we lined the ceiling with cedar boards and added puck lighting for a cohesive, finished look. We also removed the outdated A/C unit above the cab and repurposed the space into generous storage, because when you’re living on the road, every square inch truly matters.

On the outside of the bus, we added thoughtful upgrades that made a huge difference in both function and comfort. Our friend, an incredibly skilled welder, extended our bus frame in the rear to support our outdoor storage boxes, creating much-needed space for all of our gear: grill, hiking boots, camping chairs, tarps, tools, and more. This made a huge difference, freeing up valuable space inside the bus and making it feel much more livable.

Inside, we built a shower complete with a small niche for soaps and shampoos, making it feel just a bit more like home. We used a lightweight PVC tile for the walls, along with peel-and-stick tile for the shower niche. We have a retractable sliding shower door to save on space. Our friends gifted us a beautiful teak shower mat that we have in there to elevate the look. We went with a compostable toilet from Trelino, no black water tank drama, easy to clean, and discreet enough that you’d never know it’s there.

The layout is incredibly versatile, featuring a 5-in-1 twin bed and multiple seating configurations, from a cozy 2-person setup to 4-person booths, and U-shaped and L-shaped couches, all with under-seat storage for clothes. Shout out to @ourwaytoroam for their downloadable plan.

We also included a deep sink and a 2-burner stove for everyday cooking. Our Dickinson Marine Heater has been worth every penny as our main heat source. It keeps the space incredibly warm and cozy. Powering it all is our Epoch Lithium Battery, which is not only a powerhouse but also conveniently monitorable from our phone.

One of our personal favorite features? The pantry — yes, a pantry in a bus! Little touches like the gold faucet, rattan accents in the cabinets, and gold handles give the space an elevated “boho chic” vibe.

Mike’s humor kept us going throughout the build. As he put it, “I do mechanics and functionality. You do glitz and glam.” And I’ll never forget when I wanted to change the cabinet paint color and swap out the faucet. Mike’s response? “How about I build you a bridge, and you get over it.” And we can’t forget the time we spent hours building a tiny drawer for our toiletries, only for it to come out completely crooked. Trying to keep morale up, I told Mike, “It looks straight to me,” and without missing a beat, he replied, “Yeah, about as straight as Elton John.”

Now we’re in the final homestretch of our bus build, and somehow it feels like we have even more to do than when we started. Cabinet locks, trim (so much trim), staining, sanding, hooks, curtains, and finishing the exterior, oh my. My dad stepped in as our “Exterior Paint Manager” for this phase, walking us through the prep, sanding the bus, and washing it before painting. He took the lead on spraying the exterior using Sherwin-Williams high-performance acrylic paint, recommended by Sherwin-Williams, and it turned out better than I ever imagined. We chose a tone called Acacia Haze that flows seamlessly with the interior, especially tying in the stone detail we added to the steps.

Of course, not everything went quite as planned. Somewhere along the way, our passenger seat accidentally ended up in the Facebook Marketplace pile. We didn’t realize it was missing until months later, after finishing the cab interior. When it came time to reinstall it, it was nowhere to be found. Luckily, a kind stranger from Facebook Marketplace gave us a replacement for free.

But since I had my heart set on matching driver and passenger seats, we made a trip to a local junkyard and scored a pair of leather seats in excellent condition. Huge credit to my dad and his friend, who custom-fabricated a mounting plate to make the seats fit properly, especially impressive since the seats weren’t designed for our cab, yet they made them work.

Three days before we left, it hit me that we had all these windows and zero privacy in the bus. One trip to Hobby Lobby, a few yards of linen fabric, and a call to my incredibly talented grandma, and shortly thereafter, we had custom curtains. Shoutout to my gram for pulling those together in under 48 hours.

Looking ahead, one upgrade we’d love to make is modifying the rear exit window so it can fully open. We love waking up to the view, but being able to let in a breeze and hear the sounds outside would make it even better. We’re also planning to add solar soon so we can lean further into off-grid camping. We’ve learned pretty quickly that we’re not really campground people; we prefer more private, tucked-away spots away from the crowds. So far, platforms like Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts have connected us with some of the kindest hosts and the most incredible views.

We officially hit the road in September 2025. Our goal? To explore all of the continental U.S. states. As for a timeline, we don’t have one. We're letting the journey unfold at its own pace. If we feel like settling into one state for a month or traveling to new places each day, that’s exactly what we’ll do. No rush, no rules — just following where the wind (and our hearts) take us.

So far, we have explored 13 states, including Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Next up, we’re heading down the coast toward Cape May, New Jersey, a milestone that will mark exploring the entire Northeast.

After that, we have our sights set on spending the summer and fall out West. Overall, life in the bus has been going incredibly smooth, and honestly, even better than we expected. It still feels surreal that we get to live in and enjoy it every single day. We’ve truly been soaking up every moment in our home on wheels. 

Oh, and the question everyone always asks: How did you come up with the name The Wooly Booly Bus? (Mike’s still warming up to it.) I wanted something unique and catchy. One day, during our bus conversion, morale was low, and the bus was covered in rust. Mike had music playing from his phone when “Wooly Bully” by Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs came on. It’s the kind of song you can’t help but smile to, and in that moment, it completely lifted our spirits. From there, the name just stuck, and the rest is history.

But beyond the name, you’re probably wondering, what took so long to finish the bus? We get it. It took over three years to fully convert it. Between working two full-time jobs and making time to truly live and enjoy life here in Pennsylvania, this journey took as long as it needed. And you know what? We’re proud. We made it to the finish line. A lot of people start and never finish, but we kept going. As the saying goes, better late than never.

A huge, heartfelt thank you goes to my boyfriend, Mike, for turning this dream of mine into reality, for doing the heavy lifting, figuring out the tricky parts, and bringing both his skills and his humor to every step of the build. It would have been so easy to throw in the towel, but he saw it through.

To my dad, for always being there with guidance, suggestions, and encouragement, and for reminding me that chasing this lifestyle is worth it. And for giving us the greatest gift of all, a place to convert the bus by letting us store and work on it in his garage, keeping our home safe from those harsh Pennsylvania winters. To my mom, for her endless love and support, for letting me spread my wings on the road, and for keeping an eye on my fur babies while we’re away.

We also owe a lot of thanks to @ourwaytoroam, whose YouTube videos helped guide us through the unknowns of our very first bus renovation. We’re also so grateful to our friends and family, who cheered us on every step of the way. From checking in on the progress and asking about our travels to lending their time and hands during the renovation, and even picking out items from our registry to make life on the road smoother and more comfortable, your support has meant the world. Every message, every visit, every little bit of help reminded us that this adventure isn’t just ours, it’s shared with all the people who have loved, encouraged, and believed in us along the way.

If there’s a dream in your heart, let this be your reminder: go for it. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, how old you are, or what your circumstances are. What matters is that you did it. Because when you look back on your life, wouldn’t you rather be filled with pride for taking the leap than filled with “what ifs”? 

Specifications

General

Year	2004
Manufacturer	Ford
Model	E-350
Vehicle Weight	Probably 8,000–9,000 lbs.
Fuel Tank Capacity	35 gallons
Miles Per Gallon	10
Engine	5.4-liter Triton V8
Transmission	4-speed TorqShift automatic transmission
Overall Length	24 feet
Overall Width	8 feet
Overall Height	10 feet
Raised Roof	None
Solar Power	None
House Batteries	1 Epoch LiFePO4 Lithium
Shore Power Amps	30A, 120V or 50A
Inverter	ProChaser 400W
Converter	WFCO Auto Detect RV Converter and AC/DC Distribution Panel, 12V-55 Amp

External Equipment

Fresh Water Tank Capacity	40 gallons
Black Water Tank Capacity	N/A
Grey Water Tank Capacity	25 gallons
Toilet	Trelino
Tank Material	Plastic
Water Heater Type	Propane
Plumbing Materials Used	PEX
Propane Tanks	Two tanks, one removable and one stationary, 20 lbs each

Internal Equipment

Stove	RecPro 2-Burner Gas Cooktop with Cover
Oven	None
Microwave	None
Convection Oven	None
Microwave/Convection Combo	None
Refrigerator	Dometic Americana RM2354
Air Conditioning	RecPro RV Air Conditioner 13.5K Quiet AC Unit
Heating	Dickinson RV Heater
Ceiling Fans	MaxxAir Vent Fan
Generator	Predator 2500 Watt Super Quiet Inverter Generator
TV	None
VCR	None
DVR	None
Blu-ray	None
Internet	Starlink
Satellite TV	None
Bed	Between a Twin XL and Full Size

Interior

Wall Material	Beadboard in the back, plus 1x3 boards as a skeleton system to act as strapping for ceiling and wall covering
Ceiling Material	Tongue and Groove Cedar boards
Flooring Material	Treated plywood on the frame
Insulation	Halo Exterra
Cabinets	Ready-to-Assemble Cabinets from Home Depot
Countertop Material	Butcher Block
Window Coverings	Linen curtains
Lighting Type	LED puck lights

Miscellaneous

How long have you owned your bus?	Since January 2022
Did you do the conversion yourself?	Yes, my boyfriend and I
How long did it take?	June 2022 – September 2025, 3 years and 3 months
Bus and Conversion Cost	Bought the bus for $5,500. Total conversion costs, including appliances, were $19,400.
How many buses did you look at before buying this one?	This was the first bus we looked at. We did look at two vans prior to purchasing our bus. We were taking a shuttle bus from our hotel to the airport one night when we got inspired.

Notable Features

Outdoor storage behind the bus, shower with niche, a 5-in-1 twin bed, 2-person/4-person booth, a U-shaped and an L-shaped couch, shout out to Our Way to Roam for the buildable plan, and a pull-out pantry.

What Would You Do Differently Next Time?

We wished we had properly measured our bed to determine the correct mattress size. During the build, we estimated the dimensions and now wish we had made it slightly wider, as it’s been challenging to find a mattress that fits the frame well. We’d also like to modify the rear exit window so it can fully open. Additionally, we’re planning to install solar soon to support more off-grid camping.