A woman has made her childhood dream come true by transforming a double-decker bus into her home – but says it’s just as expensive as a traditional property.
Lindzi Hargrave bought her wheels on eBay for £18,000 and says they were previously used by the Met Police service in London.
The 38-year-old, from Leicestershire, spent every spare weekend and evening on the conversion and now lives on the bus.
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She also made space for a library onboard the bus, which she uses as a community space for people to connect, travelling to festivals and events for people to enjoy it.
“I had always been fascinated by double-decker buses and had this crazy idea that one day I would live in one,” the teacher told What’s The Jam.
“Towards the end of 2022, I felt a bit directionless.
“I was in a rubbish relationship, and I just thought: ‘Do you know what, I’m gonna buy a bus’.
“I had no idea how I would make this happen.
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“I had no savings or rich family to help out.
“But then at the start of 2023, my brother approached me and said he wanted to sell the house that we both lived in and shared.
“He was concerned I would be upset and worried – but I was so happy because suddenly, the money for my dream had appeared.
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“I made around £40,000 selling my house, so I had enough to buy a bus plus make a good start on converting it.
“I bought it from eBay!
“It cost £18,000 and was used by the Met Police service in London, so it had never been in public service.
“It had low mileage, a great service history, etc.”
Lindzi, along with her mum, got “stuck in” transforming the bus using recycled and reclaimed materials.
She added: “I upcycled furniture, buying second-hand from Marketplace [and other places].
“It’s also created a really lovely higgedly-piggedly aesthetic.
“During the refurbishment, it felt like it was never going to be complete.
“Whereas when I look back now, I can’t believe how much has happened in a few years.”
Lindzi gained her HGV license before moving in at the beginning of 2025, with work completing in May; just in time for her first festival appearance in June.
And while people believe her alternative way of living is saving her a fortune, that’s not true.
She said, “It hasn’t saved me money.
“If anything, it has cost way more than if I were still in my house.
“I didn’t undertake the project as a way of saving money.
“I was always set on developing what I could offer to the community with my mental health business, as I’m really passionate about supporting people to be their best selves.
“That being said, I knew I couldn’t go in to buy my own place, and I couldn’t afford a mortgage alone.
“So buying the bus allowed me to own a space that is mine.
“But maintaining the bus is just as expensive, if not more so, than living in a conventional home.”
Her insurance costs £5,500 a year, which is a huge worry for Lindzi as the renewal date is fast-approaching.
If the cost doesn’t fall, she doesn’t know if the project will continue.
Other costs include campsite rental, averaging £ 100 per week, and £300-a-month on fuel for the fire.
For now, though, she’s parked up and won’t hit the road again until the summer.
She added, “It’s all been pretty terrifying and exciting at the same time.
“It was so overwhelming because I was learning every single thing from scratch – whether that was making a piece of furniture or tending to the bus engine.
“It was a huge project, a huge learning curve, and I absolutely credit my own knowledge of wellbeing to get through the process.
“I used affirmations, breath work and full moon rituals to keep me on track and focused.
“It was super hard.
“But, I kept reminding myself to be present and enjoy the actual process as much as possible.
“At the end of the day, I was living my dream!
“The best parts are how humble it made me.
“It’s hard work having to refill and empty water tanks, keep the fire going, and empty the toilet.
“But not only has it made me really appreciate the smaller thingbut it’s also made me a better person.
“It’s still terrifying now because there is so much unknown, but I’ve learned to surrender myself to the workings of the universe and trust it will guide me to the correct opportunities.
“Also, it’s amazing being able to travel and go to festivals yet still sleep in my own bed!”
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