Square Feet: 250
“When you live in a bus, you can live anywhere. ”
Where are you currently living?
Andrew and I live in a state park in Georgia, but we plan to become more mobile this fall, until our next gigs in the winter.
Name the make, model and year of your home.
We live in a 1990 Bluebird school bus that was formerly part of the Alabama school system.
What were you doing before you went mobile and why did you make the change?
We both have been juggling full- and part-time jobs for a few years. One day it dawned on me that I was wasting some of the best years of my life at a desk. That week, I started looking for used tiny houses.
How long have you been living there and do you live there full time/part time?
We moved into the bus in early May this year. So we have been living full time in our home for about four months.
All the oddities and quirks of the bus feel like second nature now, which is kind of mind-blowing to think about.
What was the process like to move into your mobile home?
We were living in an apartment in downtown Atlanta and simultaneously working on the bus in a northern suburb where my parents live. We were working against the clock to finish before our lease expired, so it was a bit stressful. I'm glad to say that the downsizing process — though difficult at first — became a positive, cathartic experience that helped us define ourselves and the things we hope to accomplish.
How do you balance work and living in a small space?
Lucky for us, Andrew works part time in the park where we live, so his commute is very easy. We do have to commute for most acting and voiceover work, but the work-life balance is much better now that we don't have to pay an exorbitant rent every month.
“We’re not working 60-hour weeks to buy stuff because, hey, we have no room for stuff.”
What are your hobbies on and off the road?
We make a living doing acting work for the stage and screen as well as voiceovers. But our first love is writing and performing music. We hope to take the bus on tour this fall with our music, so be on the lookout!
What are your top three go-to items in your tiny home?
Propane-Powered Hot Water Heater: This has been a lifesaver. We can take hot showers and wash dishes each month with one $15 tank of propane, and that's invaluable.
RV-Style Toilet: We didn't have anything like that the first two weeks we lived in the bus, and oh man, what a difference it makes.
Built-In Storage Bed: We use it every day to store almost all of our office supplies, musical instruments, linens, shoes, etc. Without that storage, our home would be a lot less functional.
What has been the most rewarding thing about living small?
By far, the most rewarding thing is hearing from people that we have inspired to downsize, even in small ways. I really believe this life isn't about giving up everything and punishing yourself with smallness. It's about defining what's right for you and embracing that.
“Our version of small isn’t everyone’s, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
What is the most challenging thing?
For us (two introverts), finding alone time has been challenging. This life has taught us that finding your voice is essential to happiness. If you can't speak your desires, how do you expect to achieve them?
What is your advice to future homeowners who want to live small or hit the road?
Know yourself. Be comfortable with who you are, and make friends who share your goals. That will help make your journey positive and enjoyable for you and your partner and keep the daunting everyday stresses at bay.
“If living tiny is your dream, believe in it enough to know it’s possible. If having a life where you have the freedom to travel is appealing, know that it’s possible. ”
What's next for you? Any news you want to share?
We're working on finishing our first full-length album, which we hope to record and tour the southeast with later this year.
“By all means, keep being part of our journey. But maybe also make plans for your own adventure.”
Follow Julie & Andrew and their adventures on Instagram @house_bus or follow them on Twitter. You can also visit their website or shoot them an email to get in touch.
Edited by Kate MacDougall.
All photos credit to Samuel Laubscher and the House Bus.