Hi All, Bus conversion article on CBS news tomorrow 01Feb, don't know what show, morning or night, Gary said he was involved with it, hope he will enlighten us here, lvmci...
Sorry, I forgot to post this on the Forum. It was not on the morning CBS news so hopefully it will be on the evening news. Set your DVR to record this segment. Because this is filler material as Tom knows better than I do, it may get bumped if more important news comes up. But it is hard to believe there is anything more newsworthy than a story on bus conversions. ;D
While I'm young, smart, good looking and mechanically inclined I have no idea any longer how to use a TV much less record something on a DVR. What's the chance of this being posted here so we less electrified folks could have a look see? Jack ???
You are in luck as I found the link today. Click here for your viewing pleasure. :-)
http://www.wcax.com/content/news/Skoolies-a-big-trend-in-tiny-living-spaces-472200743.html (http://www.wcax.com/content/news/Skoolies-a-big-trend-in-tiny-living-spaces-472200743.html)
Gary
Gary, you have your signed bio pics ready for hand outs yet?
Quote from: Jim Eh. on February 01, 2018, 07:53:18 PM
Gary, you have your signed bio pics ready for hand outs yet?
Yes, signed copies are on ebay now starting bid $1000 each. :D
Tiny homes, school busses????
Good piece Gary. You look a lot younger on TV, LOL
There was a Sckoolie on CL the other day with hardley anything in it and they were asking 39K for it?
Quote from: chessie4905 on February 02, 2018, 10:30:37 AM
Tiny homes, school busses????
Yes, that segment was on a school bus conversion a.k.a. Tiny Home, which is the new buzzword. They are a fast growing segment of the bus conversion market. They are not really the same a bus as we all know but they becoming more popular as the price of housing increases.
If we could find someone in the LA area that just finished an Over the Road type of bus, they would also be interested in featuring one of these, but the number of people converting these buses is now diminishing rapidly so it is hard to find them anymore.
There are also quite a few school bus conversion folks on this Forum now as they want to learn all they can about bus conversions to aid them in building their own. I am seeing that many of them that are considering a school bus conversion, are seriously considering converting an old OTR bus after reading about the advantages if they can possibly afford it.
So lets help them out all we can as some of the converted Skoolies look better than some of the OTR conversions that I have seen. Some OTR conversions I would not dare to ride in. There are also Skoolies out there that are just as bad, but some come out very beautiful.
Quote from: Dave5Cs on February 02, 2018, 10:52:40 AM
Good piece Gary. You look a lot younger on TV, LOL
There was a Sckoolie on CL the other day with hardley anything in it and they were asking 39K for it?
Thanks Dave. It is amazing what those makeup artists can do. :D
I have seen some Skoolies for sale over $80K. Some would put our buses to shame. :o
bummer. was planning to go check this tiny house movement out
http://www.tinyhouselivingfestival.com/locations/pleasanton-ca-2018/ (http://www.tinyhouselivingfestival.com/locations/pleasanton-ca-2018/)
Wonder why it got cancelled? I know one last year got rescheduled as well. Wondering if it is taking off as robustly as perceived? Maybe everyone wants a skoolie conversion instead. ::)
update - guess it was overhyped and under delivered. https://www.facebook.com/events/164407130784758/permalink/172603543298450/ (https://www.facebook.com/events/164407130784758/permalink/172603543298450/)
Nice promo Gary. What needs to be addressed that is far more relevant is where do you put the thing once it is finished? At least in metro areas, finding a legal, zoned facility is extremely difficult.
As y'all know I live in the Bay Area, now almost 8 million ppl with astronomical housing costs. We just listed our home and our 22 year old son needs to find housing and having been through a couple shared arrangements has zero desire to repeat that experience. However, with studios at $1800 and one bedrooms north of $2000, that is not a reality.
Having experienced our recent acquisition of a a bus conversion has inspired him to live similarly. A travel trailer is the most expedient path to get a livable "tiny home". Yes, sticks and staples but cheap and fast for now. By far the overwhelming hurdle is finding a place to keep it and live in.
There are very few places to put a travel trailer and live in it legally. Many homeowners might be willing to rent a space in their driveway or side or rear spot in their year; the issue is this type of use is basically illegal in every city. Parking in an industrial or commercial lot also disallows living there. That leaves mobile home parks or trailer parks. The reality of trailer parks is just as the imagined hovels and reputation.
Gary, you could make your next million solving the long term living problem!
Quote from: windtrader on February 02, 2018, 12:05:27 PM
Gary, you could make your next million solving the long term living problem!
Next million? Where did my first million come from? I am still looking for it. :D
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on February 02, 2018, 12:30:44 PMNext million? Where did my first million come from? I am still looking for it. :D
Don't worry - it's safe! Clifford is taking good care of it for you.
Quote from: Jim Eh. on February 01, 2018, 07:53:18 PM
Gary, you have your signed bio pics ready for hand outs yet?
I put my bid in, RESERVE NOT MET >:(
The lady featured in the show said she was leasing the property her skoolie was parked on. I'm sure it isn't allowed by code, but somebody has to complain. In SoCal, there is a place called Slab City or something like that were people camp free.
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on February 02, 2018, 12:30:44 PM
Next million? Where did my first million come from? I am still looking for it. :D
I thought one got a million dollars by starting with two million, then start a bus conversion.
Quote from: Geoff on February 03, 2018, 12:45:24 PM
The lady featured in the show said she was leasing the property her skoolie was parked on. I'm sure it isn't allowed by code, but somebody has to complain. In SoCal, there is a place called Slab City or something like that were people camp free.
If you had ever seen the place, you would realize it is not really an option. Imagine Mojave Desert, with a few parking slabs and VERY limited amenities. Probably too dangerous for most people.
I agree, the real problem are the city codes. On the other hand, most of my family lives along the coast, I don't feel sorry for those people. The solution is simple; MOVE. I don't know what people are sticking around for low pay, high rent, and over-crowding.
I will admit it did suck to be forced to move as my family have been on the West Coast for three generations. But intelligence ultimately should win. Any young person that intends to raise a family should consider moving away, not living in a bus on vacant land illegally. How about build a small home where you can actually have a future...
That is my 2 cents on people looking for ways to bask in the sun, only to have to live in a trailer.
SolarDude
Saw the news segment here on KPIX (CBS SF). The tiny house movement is certainly bleeding over to skoolie converters. If one can find a place to park and live in it for a reasonable sum, then it can be a great way to save a ton of money to put down on property here. Or get a free pass by picking up a CS university degree.
Let's hope the hype stays contained to skoolies and wise guys don't figure out that for what some of these folks spend you can pick up a nice older Newell or Prevost already done up. Shhh.....
Hi All, during the Nixon years, just on the edge of the Las Vegas Valley, where there was a WW II mine, was Nixonville, people living in all kinds of tents and trailers for free. You can still do that on Overton Mesa, about 2 miles out of the village of Overton overlooking Lake Mead, but it's all RVs now, Blue Herons and bald eagles in the sky, the lake and the Stark beauty of the Mojave. I've camped there my self. lvmci...
Quote from: Geoff on February 03, 2018, 12:45:24 PM
The lady featured in the show said she was leasing the property her skoolie was parked on. I'm sure it isn't allowed by code, but somebody has to complain. In SoCal, there is a place called Slab City or something like that were people camp free.
You are correct Goeff, many cities/counties would not allow this especially in California. However the majority of land in the US would allow this as many have more relaxed codes. In Lydia's case, she is leasing the land from her parents and yes, the codes are pretty relaxed in that county.
I love Slab City, reminds me of the BLM land in Quartzsite where I have been for the past two weeks, but like BLM land in Quartzsite, Slab City is not for everyone. :-)