In 2022, my now husband and I were doing bus life full time. It was something that I wanted to do for a long time and was a really great experience. We have so many fun memories from that time in our lives and a lot of not-so-fun memories too.
While bus life seems like an amazing lifestyle, it’s important to know the pros and cons before getting started, so you can make sure it’s right for you before you put your money into it (trust me, it can add up QUICK)
Here are my pros and cons of bus life
Pros:
- You can travel wherever and whenever you want
- No need to book accommodations, your home is always with you.
- Depending on your gas needs, it can be cheaper compared to a stationary home
- Encourages decluttering and living with only the essentials
- Fewer possessions can lead to a simpler, more fulfilling lifestyle
- Every day is different, you wake up to new scenery and experiences whenever you want
- More opportunities for outdoor activities
- The bus life community is welcoming and supportive, with meetups that happen monthly in places like Florida and California
- Living in a smaller space, solar panels, composting toilets, and other sustainable upgrades can make your carbon footprint smaller
- Converting a bus allows you to design and customize your home to suit your needs and personality
- Easier to travel with pets compared to traditional travel methods
- Living on the road challenges you to adapt, problem-solve, and become more self-sufficient
- By combining your home and transportation, you save money on flights, hotels, and rental cars
- You can prepare your own meals in the bus, cutting down on dining expenses
- Spontaneity is part of the lifestyle, you can change plans with no reservations to cancel
- Living in close quarters helps to create strong bonds between partners, families, or travel partners
- Collaborative problem-solving (like fixing the bus or planning where to go next) strengthens teamwork
- Some bus lifers are able to reduce or eliminate debt by living more frugally
- Experiencing different cultures, landscapes, and communities can be incredibly enriching
- Building and maintaining a bus creates a sense of pride and confidence
- It’s a lifestyle filled with stories and adventures to share
- Easier to live off-grid with solar power and sustainable practices
- You can follow the weather, staying in cooler areas during the summer and heading to warmer regions in the winter
Cons
- Living in a small area can feel cramped, especially if traveling with a partner, pets, or family
- Living in a bus, even a small bus, it can be more difficult to find a parking spot you’ll fit in
- Because a bus is bigger than a regular vehicle, there might be some places that are difficult to go to (like Key West)
- Requires creative storage solutions and constant tidying. If you don’t tidy consistently your space will feel very cramped very fast
- Living in a bus requires regular mechanical upkeep, and repairs can be costly or time-consuming. If you’re driving more than normal, you’ll need to get upkeep more often
- DIY fixes aren’t always straightforward and can lead to unexpected stress
- No permanent address can make tasks like receiving mail more complicated
- Finding safe places to park overnight can be difficult and stressful
- Risks of theft, break-ins, or accidents on the road
- Because your bus will also be your house, the stakes of getting into a bad accident are much higher, you wouldn’t just be losing a car, it’d be like losing your house
- Insurance might be harder to find, and cost more
- Access to showers, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi often requires extra planning
- Extreme heat or cold can be uncomfortable without proper insulation
- Weather conditions may limit travel or outdoor activities
- Finding legal parking spots can be difficult in urban areas
- Some areas have restrictions on overnight parking or camping
- Constant travel can make it harder to maintain long-term relationships
- Extended periods of solitude might feel isolating
- Jobs may need to be remote or flexible to accommodate travel, which isn’t always possible for everyone
- The high upfront cost of converting a bus can be tough on finances
- Breakdowns, bad weather, or unexpected costs can throw plans off track
- Requires a go with the flow mindset that’s not comfortable for everyone
Who is Bus Life for?
I think bus life can be a great lifestyle to live. We had a great time doing bus life and look forward to doing van or bus life in the future! It’s definitely best for people who are good at going with the flow, because a lot of things can go wrong and throw off your plans. If you’re great at problem solving and you can adapt quickly when things change unexpectedly, then you can thrive in this lifestyle! Do you think bus life could be a lifestyle you could live?
Omg I hadn’t even thought of things like not having a mailing address or insurance! That’s good to keep in mind! Though, looking at the pros, I still want to try out bus life, even just for a few months!