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Woman Spends 3 Years Converting Old Bus Into Mobile Home, And It Looks Better Than Most Apartments
Instead of searching for her dream home, Jessie Lipskin decided to create it. Scrolling through eBay, Jessie fell in love with a 1966 GMC Greyhound bus (the same model Keanu Reeves Drove On “Speed”) and instantly bought it. She spent the next few years converting the vehicle into a house on wheels, and the gorgeous exterior and interior design results display all the effort she put in the project. Jessie explains that the pursuit of an eco-friendly lifestyle inspired her nontraditional home.
“My first draw to the alternative sustainable lifestyle was the documentary Garbage Warrior,” Lipskin told Bored Panda. In the documentary Michael Reynolds, eco-architect designs and builds Earthships using all-recycled materials. “[It] really resonated with me. I began to consume everything I could read, more about sustainable lifestyles. Ultimately, a bus conversion into a home on wheels seemed like a perfect solution: I could easily explore new places (finding a permanent place to settle, in the short term, was not a priority for me), and I could continue to live a vegan lifestyle.”
“RVs lacked the aesthetic I was going for, so I landed on a vintage bus conversion which could be registered and insured as an RV.”
Jessie said that the hardest part was finding the right people to help her complete the tine home conversion. “I love DIY. However, I don’t have experience with plumbing, electrical, carpentry needed for this project,” she added. “The big challenge was that it was very different from working on a home that’s fixed in one location. I constantly had to account for movement, on top of that the angles of the bus and slanted style windows made it challenging to design the best possible layout and curved woodworking for my tiny home. Levels were useless as the bus incline changes depending on location, and it was all about calculating angles. This added a lot of time onto the project.”
Despite the hardships, she didn’t give up. Overall, her labor of love took a little over $70k to complete. Jessie has been living the van life since January, and she absolutely adores it.
More info: Instagram
RELATED:
Jessie Lipskin fell in love with this 1966 GMC bus and decided she would turn it into a cute mobile home
This is how the bus looked like when she bought it
The hardest part was finding the right people to help her complete the conversion
“I love DIY, however, I don’t have experience with plumbing, electrical, carpentry needed for this project,” she told Bored Panda
“The big challenge was that it was very different from working on a home that’s fixed in one location”
“I constantly had to account for movement, on top of that the angles of the bus and slanted style windows made it challenging to design the best possible layout and curved woodworking”
“Levels were useless as the bus incline changes depending on location, it was all about calculating angles. This added a lot of time onto the project”
Overall, the bus took 3 years to redo
The result is so much worth it, though:
“An oil painting found at Goodwill adorns the hallway. I think these finishing touches really help it feel more like a home than a bus,” a helpful friend wrote
“View from the kitchen area towards the main bedroom”
“Took a good amount of searching to find the right curtains. Went with velvet curtains in the bedroom”
“A custom-made bench cushion from Final Cut in New Jersey”
“A little “library” along the back of the bedroom”
“This is just one portion of the closet, it extends to the left and right a decent amount”
“Went with the IGLOO (33 in. W 5.5 cu. ft.) Side by Side Refrigerator in Silver, Counter Depth from Home Depot. It’s a fridge/freezer”
“The bathroom has mahogany wood slotted flooring that drains for drying off post shower. The shower drain connects to the floor drain and they both lead to the gray water tank which is mounted under the bus”
“A kitchen with a view”
Watch the video to catch even more details:
P.S. Jessie loves living in her mobile home, but she has the opportunity to travel internationally and is ready to sell her bus to move on to her next adventure. Details here.
What do you think ?
Sebastian Kowalke 7 years ago
Sure, the Bus looks incredible. But which part of restoring this very old bus is supporting her sustainable lifestyle? How many Diesel does it take to move this Bus? And over all: Just finished and she is already about to sell it? Just because she will travel internationally? Which will be very sustainable as well.
Suzi Gauthier 7 years ago
Yeah, I wouldn't mind traveling around in it myself, but I don't see sustainable anywhere.
Load More Replies... 
Little Menace 7 years ago
Where is any place with a table for two and a cosy reading sofa? It's just hard squares and intended for one, plus all her knick knacks will come tumbling down at the first curve. I love [and I mean I am obsessed] with small homes and this is ok-ish but has nothing cozy, at all, like I have seen in house boats for example. She's just showing off, not trying to actually live there.
BusLady 7 years ago
I've lived in an RV (aka: Rig) for 2 years and love it. Right now I am updating it with new carpet. In 1981, my husband and I bought an old RV that had been stripped out. It still had plumbing, electrical, holding tanks, toilet, fridge etc. But we had to install built in cabinets, closets, beds, dining table, etc. Apparently, it was being renovated, and the project got abandoned. We did all the work ourselves, and it was quite an experience. (Didn't cost us 70K, tho! Lol) We were so tired of living in apartments with lousy landlords and neighbors. ;-)
Mixedupste 7 years ago
Any money that non of her money went on the engine! Carrying all that additional weight will ruin that 50+ year old engine! Probably didn't tell you it brakes down a lot but who cares it looks nice!
Carmen Elena 7 years ago
whaaaaaat??!! My house doesn´t look as fabulous as this bus! I guess it means some change is needed :D
Notsoswift 7 years ago
Woman hires people to build mobile home..............."I don’t have experience with plumbing, electrical, carpentry needed for this project"
Vonskippy 7 years ago
Yea but....but.....She DIY'd the writing of the checks, lots and lots of checks to make her eco friendly 1960's soot spewing chemical oozing diesel engine world saver house (with 2 AC units).
Load More Replies...
Dowbo 7 years ago
I wonder if OP could let us know the cost of the refurb? Friends and I have long been looking at single and double buses for a full reno.
FuzzyWuzzy 7 years ago
After Having lived in a trailer for 3 yrs. I can honestly say mine was better. Mostly because she has no living room to speak of. Though she did a very good job on it, she prob. could have bought a used 5th wheel or travel trailer pretty cheap and did all the decorations herself, plus had slide outs for extra room all for much less money and time. So I have to say, good for her BUT not impressed. Sorry.
Lee Maidana Kuhl 7 years ago
I think that she did a fabulous job. I am thrilled with the second bed, how clever.
Juana 7 years ago
There's room for one but she just uses a composting toilet. Basically a 5 gallon bucket with a seat.
Load More Replies...
Susan Gardner 7 years ago
I love it too, but I would not feel safe living in it alone and I don't think there is much room for a pet of any kind, let alone a security dog. Also, where does one 'park' it, a trailer park?
Linda Matheny 7 years ago
Your new home is really beautiful. When you are tired of being one place simply drive to another.
Marnee DeRider 7 years ago
All that white starts to look grimy as soon as you get two scuff marks. Just white is not pretty or attractive. It simply looks new, and people like new.
Magdalina777 7 years ago
While it does look cool and cozy, I feel confused. I must say I'm not overly familiar with how living trucks like that(or the conventional ones) work, but I imagine all of this gets powered by the (diesel?) bus' engine? Isn't that quite the opposite of eco-friendly, to live inside a place spewing poison into the atmosphere(not to say I don't use cars or other transport, but I don't claim to do so because it's "ecological" ._. )?
Stannous Flouride 7 years ago
Pretty, but I don't see any pictures that show safe, stable storage for her knick-knacks, plates, and other breakables. The stuff in the kitchen cabinets is all nice and neat but after 100 miles it would be chaos. (much like the stuff under my non-moving kitchen sink)
Rich McCormick 7 years ago
I know she's still figuring things out but the Capricorn organizer in me is like "why the drawers on the bottom and not on the top? Why are all her clothes all over the place, that HUGE closet up front with the electrical in it hopefully will be an area she can centralize all that eventually. All in all it's a really nice space and I too am a bit envious. I really HATE living in apartments as neighbors are not always considerate with their noise levels. Oh what I wouldn't give to not have to share wall and floor/ceilings with others. *sigh*
Marlene Margolis 7 years ago
It was not Keanu Reeves who drove the bus in "Speed". He took care of the bomb while Sandra Bullock did the driving job.
Marlene Margolis 7 years ago
Sandra Bullock drove the bus in "Speed". Keanu Reeves took care of the bombs.
Rã Field 7 years ago
Once apon a time this was allowed in Australia,& many people came up with magical ideas, that really did look like one walked into an actual home. While this is clean & neat, does being eco friendly mean No Inside Colour? My personal opinion on this as a Decor host/& Artist(& plumber) is i believe in colour, always, not just shades which white falls into;& used to much in hospitals too, another place i’ve had to spend much time over the years for horrid treatments; thus white is not appealing. I understand the floating floor though why the wood look, when the floor could have been a piece of art. Curtians; if one likes them light then there is a plethora of light mixed fresh pattern cottons~without being so harsh on print... i just do not understand spending so much money & not wanting it to be something of total originality, as i have been fortunate to see.* I must say for a very cute looking lass i was a bit dis~ hearted, though not by her lovely smile which said SHE IS Happy:)☺️
Sue Donim 7 years ago
i would have had a passenger seat for a navigator helper. at least a folding down chair with seatbelt. sometimes i like talking sitting at lights and deciding where to go ... rather than yelling into the back ... where to now ? is this for a single person use ? many rvs have a fold up/down table for also sitting at mid way back.
Paul Dixon 7 years ago
It's not that amazing and is nothing new anymore. I'd actually question the insulation on this too - can't be good in winter and the heating bill must be high. Also. Essentially it's just a static caravan on wheels - look at all the static caravans in the UK that have been around for years. Micro homes are more impressive. This is literally a large bus made into an American trailer.
Rama Llama 7 years ago
That's bigger than my apartment. Allthough it's more expensive too so I guess it makes sense.
Kjorn 7 years ago
that's cute, lot of effort. i want to see what they'd do when they'd want to have kids
Moglin Sin 7 years ago
I'm very jelly! This absolutely looks amazing! you guys should meet Exploring Alternatives!
boner yard 7 years ago
Headline should read..."Women hires men to build an apartment out a bus because she thinks she's so different and has to have her ego stroke." Been done. Looks lame.
Lulik 7 years ago
Cool project, of course. But how long it would be useful for a normal living? I mean, it's great for a long summer trip (but all those little objects in the bus would fly everywhere), but I don't think that it would be comfortable for living there as a normal apartment - kitchen needs some cooker hood, cooking fat rises and settles around, the bathroom needs a drain of water, a septic tank and so on...
Albert Ambrosia 7 years ago
WELL DONE How about some facts $$$ how much did the old bus cost, how much to get it inspected for the road again. How much for the total restoration.
Jeffrey Richter 7 years ago
much nicer and roomier looking than many of the tiny homes I've been looking at. well done!
Melody Lanzatella 7 years ago
I love how creative and "thinking outside the box" young people are today!
Leslie McGuire 7 years ago
I'm confused - why is no one posting about the bus resale cost of $149 000.00? Click the link for the craigslist add in the post - This isn't a sustainable living, DIY model and advocate, she's a business person with substantial marketing skills looking to travel the world on your dime.
Linda Harms 7 years ago
I think you need to do some basic fact checking. Keanu Reeves did not drive the bus in "Speed." Sandra Bullock drove the bus. I didn't read past that sentence so I don't know how much of the rest of the article is wrong.
Sebastian Kowalke 7 years ago
Sure, the Bus looks incredible. But which part of restoring this very old bus is supporting her sustainable lifestyle? How many Diesel does it take to move this Bus? And over all: Just finished and she is already about to sell it? Just because she will travel internationally? Which will be very sustainable as well.
Suzi Gauthier 7 years ago
Yeah, I wouldn't mind traveling around in it myself, but I don't see sustainable anywhere.
Load More Replies... Little Menace 7 years ago
Where is any place with a table for two and a cosy reading sofa? It's just hard squares and intended for one, plus all her knick knacks will come tumbling down at the first curve. I love [and I mean I am obsessed] with small homes and this is ok-ish but has nothing cozy, at all, like I have seen in house boats for example. She's just showing off, not trying to actually live there.
BusLady 7 years ago
I've lived in an RV (aka: Rig) for 2 years and love it. Right now I am updating it with new carpet. In 1981, my husband and I bought an old RV that had been stripped out. It still had plumbing, electrical, holding tanks, toilet, fridge etc. But we had to install built in cabinets, closets, beds, dining table, etc. Apparently, it was being renovated, and the project got abandoned. We did all the work ourselves, and it was quite an experience. (Didn't cost us 70K, tho! Lol) We were so tired of living in apartments with lousy landlords and neighbors. ;-)
Mixedupste 7 years ago
Any money that non of her money went on the engine! Carrying all that additional weight will ruin that 50+ year old engine! Probably didn't tell you it brakes down a lot but who cares it looks nice!
Carmen Elena 7 years ago
whaaaaaat??!! My house doesn´t look as fabulous as this bus! I guess it means some change is needed :D
Notsoswift 7 years ago
Woman hires people to build mobile home..............."I don’t have experience with plumbing, electrical, carpentry needed for this project"
Vonskippy 7 years ago
Yea but....but.....She DIY'd the writing of the checks, lots and lots of checks to make her eco friendly 1960's soot spewing chemical oozing diesel engine world saver house (with 2 AC units).
Load More Replies... Dowbo 7 years ago
I wonder if OP could let us know the cost of the refurb? Friends and I have long been looking at single and double buses for a full reno.
FuzzyWuzzy 7 years ago
After Having lived in a trailer for 3 yrs. I can honestly say mine was better. Mostly because she has no living room to speak of. Though she did a very good job on it, she prob. could have bought a used 5th wheel or travel trailer pretty cheap and did all the decorations herself, plus had slide outs for extra room all for much less money and time. So I have to say, good for her BUT not impressed. Sorry.
Lee Maidana Kuhl 7 years ago
I think that she did a fabulous job. I am thrilled with the second bed, how clever.
Juana 7 years ago
There's room for one but she just uses a composting toilet. Basically a 5 gallon bucket with a seat.
Load More Replies... Susan Gardner 7 years ago
I love it too, but I would not feel safe living in it alone and I don't think there is much room for a pet of any kind, let alone a security dog. Also, where does one 'park' it, a trailer park?
Linda Matheny 7 years ago
Your new home is really beautiful. When you are tired of being one place simply drive to another.
Marnee DeRider 7 years ago
All that white starts to look grimy as soon as you get two scuff marks. Just white is not pretty or attractive. It simply looks new, and people like new.
Magdalina777 7 years ago
While it does look cool and cozy, I feel confused. I must say I'm not overly familiar with how living trucks like that(or the conventional ones) work, but I imagine all of this gets powered by the (diesel?) bus' engine? Isn't that quite the opposite of eco-friendly, to live inside a place spewing poison into the atmosphere(not to say I don't use cars or other transport, but I don't claim to do so because it's "ecological" ._. )?
Stannous Flouride 7 years ago
Pretty, but I don't see any pictures that show safe, stable storage for her knick-knacks, plates, and other breakables. The stuff in the kitchen cabinets is all nice and neat but after 100 miles it would be chaos. (much like the stuff under my non-moving kitchen sink)
Rich McCormick 7 years ago
I know she's still figuring things out but the Capricorn organizer in me is like "why the drawers on the bottom and not on the top? Why are all her clothes all over the place, that HUGE closet up front with the electrical in it hopefully will be an area she can centralize all that eventually. All in all it's a really nice space and I too am a bit envious. I really HATE living in apartments as neighbors are not always considerate with their noise levels. Oh what I wouldn't give to not have to share wall and floor/ceilings with others. *sigh*
Marlene Margolis 7 years ago
It was not Keanu Reeves who drove the bus in "Speed". He took care of the bomb while Sandra Bullock did the driving job.
Marlene Margolis 7 years ago
Sandra Bullock drove the bus in "Speed". Keanu Reeves took care of the bombs.
Rã Field 7 years ago
Once apon a time this was allowed in Australia,& many people came up with magical ideas, that really did look like one walked into an actual home. While this is clean & neat, does being eco friendly mean No Inside Colour? My personal opinion on this as a Decor host/& Artist(& plumber) is i believe in colour, always, not just shades which white falls into;& used to much in hospitals too, another place i’ve had to spend much time over the years for horrid treatments; thus white is not appealing. I understand the floating floor though why the wood look, when the floor could have been a piece of art. Curtians; if one likes them light then there is a plethora of light mixed fresh pattern cottons~without being so harsh on print... i just do not understand spending so much money & not wanting it to be something of total originality, as i have been fortunate to see.* I must say for a very cute looking lass i was a bit dis~ hearted, though not by her lovely smile which said SHE IS Happy:)☺️
Sue Donim 7 years ago
i would have had a passenger seat for a navigator helper. at least a folding down chair with seatbelt. sometimes i like talking sitting at lights and deciding where to go ... rather than yelling into the back ... where to now ? is this for a single person use ? many rvs have a fold up/down table for also sitting at mid way back.
Paul Dixon 7 years ago
It's not that amazing and is nothing new anymore. I'd actually question the insulation on this too - can't be good in winter and the heating bill must be high. Also. Essentially it's just a static caravan on wheels - look at all the static caravans in the UK that have been around for years. Micro homes are more impressive. This is literally a large bus made into an American trailer.
Rama Llama 7 years ago
That's bigger than my apartment. Allthough it's more expensive too so I guess it makes sense.
Kjorn 7 years ago
that's cute, lot of effort. i want to see what they'd do when they'd want to have kids
Moglin Sin 7 years ago
I'm very jelly! This absolutely looks amazing! you guys should meet Exploring Alternatives!
boner yard 7 years ago
Headline should read..."Women hires men to build an apartment out a bus because she thinks she's so different and has to have her ego stroke." Been done. Looks lame.
Lulik 7 years ago
Cool project, of course. But how long it would be useful for a normal living? I mean, it's great for a long summer trip (but all those little objects in the bus would fly everywhere), but I don't think that it would be comfortable for living there as a normal apartment - kitchen needs some cooker hood, cooking fat rises and settles around, the bathroom needs a drain of water, a septic tank and so on...
Albert Ambrosia 7 years ago
WELL DONE How about some facts $$$ how much did the old bus cost, how much to get it inspected for the road again. How much for the total restoration.
Jeffrey Richter 7 years ago
much nicer and roomier looking than many of the tiny homes I've been looking at. well done!
Melody Lanzatella 7 years ago
I love how creative and "thinking outside the box" young people are today!
Leslie McGuire 7 years ago
I'm confused - why is no one posting about the bus resale cost of $149 000.00? Click the link for the craigslist add in the post - This isn't a sustainable living, DIY model and advocate, she's a business person with substantial marketing skills looking to travel the world on your dime.
Linda Harms 7 years ago
I think you need to do some basic fact checking. Keanu Reeves did not drive the bus in "Speed." Sandra Bullock drove the bus. I didn't read past that sentence so I don't know how much of the rest of the article is wrong.
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