About Me

Hi, I’m Jay — and I bought a 45-year-old bus instead of renewing my lease.

I was staring down the barrel of yet another exorbitant rent hike, just to keep existing.

I was burnt out. Miserable. And I craved more than just working to barely afford a roof over my head — I wanted a life with room to breathe, create, and explore what it means to finally be able to apply my talents to something other than survival.

So I made a decision: to live in a van. A space I could finally call home — a home that was actually mine.

The problem? I couldn’t afford the prices people were asking for vans, let alone the cost to fit one out after. And I’m tall — too tall to spend every day hunched over in a tiny van so I needed something with real space.

Then I saw it on Marketplace — a 45-year-old vintage Ford bus. Rough? Definitely. But with enough hard work, I knew I could turn it into an off-grid home on wheels.

I’m not a carpenter. I’m not an electrician. I wasn’t a welder before I started this… I’m just figuring it out as I go — and sharing everything I learn in the hope it helps smooth the path for someone else with the same dream.

This isn’t a weekend project — it’s a long-term shift in how I want to live. My goal is to build a fully functioning, road-ready, self-contained and fully off-grid home. One that lets me live lighter, travel further, and work remotely — without being tied down by rent or routine.

If you’re thinking about your own build, looking to downsize, or just dreaming of a different kind of freedom — I hope my journey helps spark something in yours.

Thanks for being here.

— Jay

The Rookie Nomad