In January 2020, Jonathan Perera embarked on a unique journey by purchasing a flat-nose Bluebird school bus with a little over 130,000 miles for $7,000. His quest led him to BGA School Buses in Florida, where he chose this particular bus for its minimal rust and the ideal combination of size and wheelbase. At 36 feet, it was the largest flat-nose bus with the shortest wheelbase he could find, offering the perfect canvas for his ambitious project.
Jonathan chose to seek assistance with the conversion, so he contacted Skoolie.com, a bus builder based in Hendersonville, North Carolina. After purchasing his bus, he took it to their workshop in January 2020, marking the official start of the conversion process.
The builders started by ripping out the seats, cleaning up the interior, and cutting the roof off to raise it 20 inches. They also removed all original windows, installed new hat channels and steel walls, and put in new windows. It was starting to look more like a home every day.
But even the best-laid plans can go awry. Jonathan learned that when the COVID-19 pandemic had the world in its grasp. Rather than enjoying a straightforward eight-month conversion project as planned, he had to settle into a long, drawn-out, and expensive two-year conversion.
Jonathan and the Skoolie.com team were only three months into their build when COVID-19 struck, leading to significant supply chain and material issues. Steel and lumber prices soared. Moreover, due to shipping complications, it became much more challenging to purchase items with lithium components, such as solar panels and batteries.
The waiting game was tough for Jonathan, but he used the time to his advantage. Waiting for materials prices to come down and supplies to arrive gave him the time and freedom to try new things. Those new experiences inspired him to build his bus with specific design elements.
Some of the most beautiful features in his now-finished bus came from a trip to Holbox Island off Mexico’s north coast. The villla he stayed in had beautiful arched hallways and exposed beams, making each room look far larger than it was. He decided to incorporate these very features into his bus.
From the tiles to the artwork, the arched hallways to the bookcase and gallery wall – every design feature in Jonathan’s bus has a story and has been chosen based on a place or experience.
The total cost of the conversion exceeded $170,000, which included $20,000 for custom woodworking. However, according to Jonathan Perera, the investment was well worth it:
“I went into the project knowing that I wasn’t going to treat this like every other school bus conversion that I had seen online. This is my first home. I’ve been living in it full time now for almost two years, and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. I enjoy the freedom that it’s given me.”
Jonathan’s work is a perfect fit for his nomadic lifestyle. He’s a certified life coach and small business consultant, regularly holding video calls to provide support, consulting services, and resources to his clients. He also dabbles in various online gigs like business development, web development, and copywriting. Plus, when he’s stationed in snowy areas during winter, he even teaches snowboarding to kids part-time. It’s a diverse mix that keeps things interesting.
Jonathan has traveled 11,000 miles across the United States with his best friend, a Siberian Husky named Skye, over the last two years. He has some sound advice for anyone considering a bus conversion now or in the future:
“I think the first thing you have to decide is that you want it. You really want to do this, because it’s going to test you. It will challenge your decision-making, your patience, and teach you all sorts of new things. So, my biggest advice for anyone wanting to build a school bus conversion, a van, an ambulance, or even a tiny home, is to decide what you want to do. Make a plan and stick to it, or at least commit to it, because things will change as you go. There are so many things inside the bus that weren’t necessarily part of the original plan, but all you have to do is decide what you want and keep going.”
Jonathan purchased a flat-nose Bluebird school bus with 130,000 miles on the clock from BGA School Buses in Florida in 2020. He chose a model with the least rust and the longest dimensions for being on the shortest wheelbase. That led him to purchase this 36-foot model for $7,000.
But the school bus didn’t remain as it was for long. Its exterior, now freshly and professionally painted, radiates a vibrant, retro feel. You may also notice that it’s far taller than the average bus. Jonathan and the team from Skoolie.com removed the roof and lifted it 20 inches. They also removed all the original windows and installed new ones in strategic places.
Jonathan’s bus interior is certainly more house-like than a bus. The driver’s area has a single seat, a beautiful wood dash, and a shelf for plants, books, and knick-knacks above the windscreen.
Earthy and warm were Jonathan’s goals when designing his bus interior. He wanted it to be comfortable and cozy and carefully selected the correct elements to pull that off. He opted for Chevron plank floors to achieve a more natural look. Rather than real wood, he chose luxury vinyl tiles for both affordability and practicality. As he has heated floors, the vinyl is more conductive than wood.
The beautiful exposed beams and archways throughout the bus were inspired by a villa Jonathan stayed in on Holbox Island.
Jonathan’s bus conversion also has plenty of ’surprise’ elements. The North Carolina-sourced ambrosia maple shelving unit has a TV tucked away inside!
While Jonathan lives in the bus alone with his dog, Skye, he also wanted to ensure he could cater to guests. The couch opposite the shelving unit converts into a dinette and can become a twin guest bed.
The kitchen in the heart of the bus looks more like one you’d see in a house than a bus or tiny home. Jonathan worked with a North Carolina woodworker to create custom cabinets to fit the space.
Jonathan wasn’t all about ensuring practicality in his house on wheels. He wanted a custom space that felt like home with unique features and items that told a story. According to Jonathan, his bus is full of stories, with every material, item, and detail having something behind it.
For example, he has custom-made ceramic clayworks from New Mexico. His window treatments were custom-made in Colorado, and his hand-drawn art came from Canada to support orphanages in Honduras. Ask Jonathan about any feature, and he’ll have an incredible story to tell.
Jonathan’s bus kitchen has been well thought out from floor to ceiling. All appliances are full-size, including the four-burner propane range, stove, and electric fridge-freezer. The sleek black countertops pop against the gorgeous Moroccan zellige tile-style brick splashback.
“My grandma’s from Morocco, so it feels like there’s a little piece of her in here,” he says.
Jonathan parks his bus in the mountains in winter, where he teaches children how to snowboard part-time. His bus was parked at 10,000 feet during his first year living in it, with temperatures hitting -5 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
While the cold could be a genuine problem for bus lifers, it isn’t for Jonathan, who has no shortage of heating options. The wood stove and the heated flooring ensure comfortable living year-round. He also has two additional heaters that he uses on occasion.
Jonathan can power his heaters and all other electronic components from the 1,200 watts of solar panels on the roof and alternator charging. When the bus is running, the alternator charges the batteries. Whenever he stays in a campground, he plugs into 50-amp shore power.
Jonathan’s innovative design choice to split his bathroom has proven to be both functional and convenient. He positioned the toilet and vanity on one side of the hallway, while the shower is located on the opposite side. This clever layout not only allowed him to effectively conceal the wheel wells but also offers added convenience for guests. With this arrangement, Jonathan can comfortably shower without hindering access to the toilet and vanity for his guests.
The toilet room follows the same theme as the kitchen. It boasts the same striking custom cabinetry and sleek black countertop, with the addition of a concrete vessel sink and beautiful tongue-and-groove wood panels on the ceiling. There’s also a mirror with a hidden medicine cabinet behind it. The composting toilet and storage shelf are opposite the vanity.
The shower room, situated across from the toilet, serves as a tranquil retreat. It features a standard shower pan, complemented by a Nebia spa shower head, which is both luxurious and water-efficient. Adding to the room’s aesthetic appeal is the elegant tongue-and-groove ceiling, harmoniously matching the teak shower pan.
Jonathan has added a touch of fun to his shower routine by installing a speaker, allowing him to enjoy music while he showers.
The bedroom has been cleverly designed to maximize space while still being a restful haven. It’s of a lofted style, with access via a small step ladder. It has a queen bed, large windows for plenty of natural light, and quaint wooden storage shelves for his books and decor.
However, this bedroom offers more than what’s immediately visible, boasting ample built-in storage. Beneath the bed lies a six-drawer dresser, and integrated into its base is a convenient shoe closet.
The under-bed dresser also only forms half of the bed base, with additional storage from the trunk side of the bus comprising the rest. This nook is where Jonathan stores his 100 gallons of fresh water, in-floor heat system, two snowboards, extra dog food, and anything else he needs to tuck away out of sight.
Facing the bed is a full-sized closet, complemented by two drawers below. This room is certainly all about maximizing space.
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