Many people are now making big plans to hit the open road in the United States. With plans to live on public land in vehicles, this means a whole new market in the auto industry. That is, not since the sixties have old school buses, vans, and cargo vehicles been so popular. Whether looking for an RV or a camping conversion rig, here are a few tips for finding an unusual vehicle.

Hitting the Open Road and Mental Wellness

Times are tough. There’s a certain resilience in making the best of a bad situation. If you’re someone who’s worried about maintaining motivation and your mental health, buying an unusual vehicle and rethinking your life dreams and goals might help. Whether converting a van is a hobby for camping trips or something you’ve dreamed about doing all along, many people are solving housing, social distancing, and financial crunches by reducing stress levels though unusual vehicles.

While less than conventional, it doesn’t mean the that van life movement is wrong. For those who love to travel and are tired of being cooped up at home, buying an unusual vehicle and making it into a project can be a great way to help self-esteem, increase energy levels, and is the next step to feeling happier.

Finding the Perfect Schoolie

Wanting an unusual vehicle for adventure, or any reason at all, is much different from finding one. Because of current trends, restrictions with social distancing, and other obstacles in the U.S., finding an unusual vehicle takes persistence. That doesn’t make it impossible, either. Maybe you’ve always liked the idea of living in a used school bus. You aren’t alone.

Schoolies, otherwise known as school busses, are popular with the trending van life community. Converted school buses, digital nomads, and remote workers living alternative lifestyles are heading to one bus auction after the next to find the perfect old school bus to convert into a vehicle they can live in. Start with a Google search for bus auctions near you, or call your local school district, hospital, or other large clinic or facility that uses busses for transport. Call your local dealer, too. They can help point you in the right direction of what you’re looking for, as they regularly attend vehicle auctions and could be interested in your old vehicle as well.

Converting a Van

Knowing exactly what you’re looking for will help make finding the perfect van easier. Consider whether you want cargo or minivan, solar power or not, and more. Once you have a good idea about what you’re willing to spend, whether you need the seats in, and other considerations, it’s time to hit Craig’s List and the local classifieds in your area.

If your plan is converting a van, join the van life community by using #vanlilfe to point you in the right direction. From videos on YouTube that will help get you started, to van lifers selling their vehicles for upgrades, you might be surprised to learn just how many people will help you with your new way of life.

RVs and Other Mobile Homes

The popularity of RVs is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, parts are hard to find. For this reason, you might want to consider buying an RV new. If you do decide to opt for an older model, take your time, and have the RV you’re looking at checked out by a licensed RV mechanic. You can find RVs for sale by calling any RV dealer, visiting their websites online, and joining RV life groups on Facebook.

At the end of the day, if you’re having a tough time finding an unusual vehicle, the best way to go about your search is to keep at it. Join social media groups and platforms, and post about what you’re looking for. Check Craig’s List, and call local dealers. Look into auctions, and get the word out to friends and family about what your needs are. Whether you’re hoping for that perfect schoolie or are on the hunt for something simpler, persistence will pay off in the long run.