Rising inflation has dramatically increased rental costs, making home ownership seem out of reach for those with limited means. Consequently, many people worldwide are adopting simpler lifestyles and embracing minimalism. Mandy and her husband Ritomo, both 32-year-old teachers from Japan living in Canada, exemplify this trend.

They transformed an old school bus into a cozy home for themselves and their dog, Oscar. Despite having no prior DIY experience, they bought the bus for Rs 15,000 and shared their entire journey on social media.

They have been living in the bus for three years now. During the pandemic, both lost their jobs and realized they needed both income and housing. In Canada, where they previously lived, rent was as high as Rs 1.8 lakh. Faced with these challenges, they bought an old school bus and began customizing it to meet their needs.

Canada couple shares challenges while completing the project

Mandy shared that completing the project required ‘a lot of sweat, blood, and tears.’ They had to learn many tasks themselves and relied on favors from loved ones whenever possible. It took approximately two years to fully renovate the bus, and they have been living in it for three years now. They ensured the bus was equipped with all comforts, including beds, toilets, a kitchen, and a solar panel to power the bus.

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What is remarkable is that neither of them had any prior renovation experience, yet they designed most of the interior themselves with help from friends and family. A cousin skilled in electrical work assisted with wiring the bus. While most of their needs are met in the bus, bathing poses a challenge due to Canada’s cold climate — they cannot install an external water tank as it might freeze. Instead, they use a propane water heater and bathe outdoors in forested areas near the bus.

After spending considerable time in the bus, the couple has decided to sell it and purchase a smaller vehicle to convert into a home. They find navigating and parking a bus at various tourist spots challenging. They’ve opted for a van that is already partially renovated. They have listed their bus for sale at Rs 40 lakh and posted photos of it on Facebook Marketplace.

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