See How This Family of 5 Lives Full-Time in a 240-Foot School Bus

For six years, the Trebitowski family lived in a gorgeous 2,100-square-foot house on a half acre of land in Albuquerque, NM. But in October 2016, they downsized to "smaller and better things," moving their clan of five into a 240-square-foot, 84-passenger school bus, which they renovated into their homey haven on wheels. After catching up with the matriarch of the crew, Ashley, to hear more about her family's compact home, I walked away with a renewed love for the small-space living movement.

"We fell in love with the simplicity of minimalism. We loved living with very few things and traveling, so naturally, the bus life was an easy transition for us."

When Ashley and I got on the topic of what initially inspired her family to trade in their spacious house for a home on wheels, she told me that it all came down to a passion for living with less. "We fell in love with the simplicity of minimalism," she said. "We loved living with very few things and traveling, so naturally, the bus life was an easy transition for us." She and her husband, Brandon, scored their dream school bus — a classic yellow Blue Bird from 1999 — from Craigslist for $4,200. After driving to Texas to pick it up from the small church where they purchased it, the transformation process began. Over the course of six months, they completely gutted the vehicle, swapping rows upon rows of blue leather seats for standout features like a shower with subway tiles and a skylight, ample storage drawers, wooden countertops, and beds for every family member, including their three kids, Cayden, 9, Jackson, 7, and Reagan, 4.

Trebventure

Yep, you read that correctly: three growing kiddos plus two grown adults (one of which is a tech entrepreneur who owns and operates his own software-development company while on the road) living in one bus. It may sound hectic, but the Trebitowskis make it work. "We get asked a lot of, 'Isn't it hard to raise kids living tiny?' And my answer is, 'Isn't it hard raising kids in a house?'" Ashley told me. "It's amazing living simple with time to travel and experience life alongside our kids instead of sending them off to school . . . they will be more focused on living life instead of filling their lives with things."

When I asked Ashley how she parents and homeschools in such a compact living space, she simply said, "Just like any other mom would." Adding, "Homeschooling isn't any different in a bus than a home, except we have more time to do fun stuff instead of cleaning and organizing our large home full of stuff."

Trebventure

Of course, the family of five encounters their fair share of challenges — "It's loud at times, and Winter is rough," Ashley said — but overall, the benefits of living in their converted bus far outweigh the difficulties. "We can feel at home even if we are parked in a Walmart parking lot. When we get tired of a place, we can pack up and leave in 30 minutes. It's really nice being able to live off-grid and park on the coast of California or pull our home into the Disneyland parking lot and bring the kids back for naps. It's super fun living this way," Ashley told POPSUGAR. Plus, the kids are a fan of bus life. "They say it's nicer because they have fewer chores, and they like that we have more time to spend with them since there is less house upkeep."

Speaking of house upkeep, the Trebitowskis seem to be pretty great at it, considering how pristine and enviable their home on wheels looks in every single post on their Instagram page, @Trebventure. Ahead, take a peek inside their adorably decorated bus . . . you just might consider ditching your current living situation for an old-fashioned school bus.

World, Meet the Trebitowski Family

World, Meet the Trebitowski Family

They're about to be your newest inspiration for living small.

Ashley and Brandon Are the Parents of the Clan

Ashley and Brandon Are the Parents of the Clan

They're jumping for joy because they love #buslife!

Here Are the Kids: Reagan, Jackson, and Cayden

Here Are the Kids: Reagan, Jackson, and Cayden

Reagan is 4, Jackson is 7, and Cayden is 9.

This Is What Their Bus Looked Like When They Bought It Off Craigslist

This Is What Their Bus Looked Like When They Bought It Off Craigslist

Let the transformation begin!

They Totally Gutted the Inside to Make Room For Their Essentials

They Totally Gutted the Inside to Make Room For Their Essentials

So long, blue leather seats.

And They Repainted the Outside, Too

And They Repainted the Outside, Too

Originally, they painted it white with a blue stripe, but now it's gray.

Ashley and Brandon's Bedroom Space Is Beyond Dreamy

Ashley and Brandon's Bedroom Space Is Beyond Dreamy

Really loving this bedspread and pillow combo.

It's Situated in the Back of the Bus, With a Clear View to the Front

It's Situated in the Back of the Bus, With a Clear View to the Front

Not a bad scene to wake up to, eh?

There Are Storage Drawers Galore

There Are Storage Drawers Galore

Everything's organized to a T.

When I Said Galore, I Meant It

When I Said Galore, I Meant It

These drawers are their pantry, and the handles serve as the ladder to get into Reagan's bed.

Each of Their Children Has Their Own Bed

Each of Their Children Has Their Own Bed

They're the perfect little nooks for when they're craving alone time.

OK, How Comfy Does This Look?!

OK, How Comfy Does This Look?!

The pillowcase reads "Never Grow Up."

Their Kitchen Is Absolutely Stunning

Their Kitchen Is Absolutely Stunning

Serious #kitchengoals.

They Decorated With Plants For a Homey Feel

They Decorated With Plants For a Homey Feel

*pins to "Kitchen Decor" Pinterest board*

Those Wooden Countertops Are Everything

Those Wooden Countertops Are Everything

And the upper shelves provide even more storage space.

They Have a Cute Letter Board on Their Kitchen Wall

They Have a Cute Letter Board on Their Kitchen Wall

Their bus just keeps getting more and more Instagram-worthy!

The Phrases Change Pretty Often

The Phrases Change Pretty Often

This one reads: "Let me love you a little more before you're not little anymore." Aww!

The Walls Are Decked Out With Other Cozy Touches

The Walls Are Decked Out With Other Cozy Touches

This hanging macramé wall decoration fits in perfectly with the rest of their decor.

Here's a Look at the Living Room Space From the Kitchen Area

Here's a Look at the Living Room Space From the Kitchen Area

The light pours in from all angles.

They Have 2 Brown Leather Couches

They Have 2 Brown Leather Couches

Plenty of seating for the whole fam.

Umm, Am I the Only One Who's Obsessed With These Throw Pillows?

Umm, Am I the Only One Who's Obsessed With These Throw Pillows?

I need to nap with them ASAP.

They Have an Adorable Doormat at the Entrance

They Have an Adorable Doormat at the Entrance

It reads "Home Sweet Bus" — so adorable!

They Go All Out For Christmas, in Case You Were Wondering

They Go All Out For Christmas, in Case You Were Wondering

Just because they live in a school bus doesn't mean they don't celebrate the merriest time of the year!

They Cozy Up Together For Family Movie Nights

They Cozy Up Together For Family Movie Nights

Pass the popcorn, please!

They Work Out Together, Too

They Work Out Together, Too

Bus yoga session, anyone?

The Kids Use the Table Space For Homework

The Kids Use the Table Space For Homework

So much concentration.

Even Their Bathroom Is Cute!

Even Their Bathroom Is Cute!

Check out that composting toilet.

The Shower Has a Skylight Above It

The Shower Has a Skylight Above It

So much natural light.

They Added Some Wall Decor to Spruce It Up Even More

They Added Some Wall Decor to Spruce It Up Even More

The more plants, the merrier, am I right?