June 27th 2023.
Conrad Kirk and Nicole McCarthy had a bit of an unconventional idea when they initially joked about swapping their £1,300-per-month rental property to live in their mobile holiday home – a double-decker bus. But when they realised they would save a whopping £1,000 every month, they decided to make this a reality.
In September 2021, the couple purchased their 1978 Rod-Bodied Daimler Fleetline bus for a total of £2,000. To transform it into a livable space, they put in an additional £8,000 in refurbishments, including a bathroom, a living area, a kitchen, and an open-plan bedroom with a double bed and two bunk beds.
Once all the renovations were finished, Conrad and Nicole, both 31, decided to move on board the bus with their children - eight-year-old Phoebe, four-year-old Luna, and seven-year-olds Poppy and Summer. They now live in the converted double-decker, based in Rotherham, while the kids attend school in the area.
The family might seem a bit cramped but Conrad and Nicole insist that their outdoorsy lifestyle allows them to make the most of the space. ‘We don't lounge in front of the TV – we're out and about doing things with the kids,’ said Conrad. ‘This weekend, we went paddleboarding and rock climbing. It's been great for us because we've been very antisocial before.’
The couple are also enjoying the freedom that comes with their new lifestyle. ‘We have the freedom to actually go and experience things as a family that we didn't get to do before,’ said Conrad. ‘Trying new things and spending time outdoors have become quite a big bit of our lifestyle now.’
The family are now aiming to save up £10,000 in the next three to four years so they can buy land to build a home of their own.
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