Destination Unknown

Author: Ingrid

  • One easy day trip to Alpine Helen, Georgia with kids

    One easy day trip to Alpine Helen, Georgia with kids

    Is Helen, Georgia worth the hype?

    Overall, yes. Helen offers the American-version of German Bavaria while sprinkling in its own southern charm as it sits along the Chattahoochee River and within the Blue Ridge Mountains. You certainly won’t find many places like Alpine Helen, Georgia any where else in the United States. The town was inspired by the Bavarian region of Germany, where you’ll find traditional wooden buildings with “gingerbread” carpentry, small villages, traditional festivals like Oktoberfest and delicious beers.

    Of course, it doesn’t hold a flame next to the real deal: the region of Bavarian is found in southeast Germany, which really is the stuff of fairy tales, especially during Christmas.

    Want the Real Deal in Germany?
    Read the Ultimate Guide to The Best Christmas Markets in Munich, Germany

    Table of Contents

    How many days do you need to visit Helen, GA?

    One to two days. You only need one day to walk the small town, grab a meal at a German-inspired restaurant, ride the Alpine slide a few times, and then visit a winery like The Cottage Vineyard and Winery. If you plan to go tubing on the Suwannee river that runs through the town, then you should spend an extra day floating around the town.

    Take a look at the free two day travel itinerary that I made to help you have a relaxed time in beautiful Alpine Helen, Georgia.

    Two day family-friendly travel itinerary to Helen, Georgia

    If I could create my ideal itinerary to Helen, Georgia, this would be it.

    Snag this free travel itinerary to two relaxing days of things to do in Helen with little ones. It includes hanging around downtown, tubing and a wine tasting. That’s a winner in my book.

    Grab the free 2 day itinerary to Alpine Helen Georgia

    One day of things to do in Helen, Georgia

    This German-inspired town isn’t very big and offers just enough fun things to do for a young family on an afternoon.

    1. Activities like the Alpine slide & tubing
    2. Dining in town
    3. Shopping
    4. RV camping nearby

    How do I spend a day in Helen, GA?

    We spent one day in Helen. We traveled here in June 2021, so many places were still closed due to COVID-19 and likely just going out of business since it’s a tourism-dependent area.

    Ride the Alpine Slide

    Our first stop was to the Alpine Slide just outside of town. We rode that with our son (4 years) at least twice since it’s half off the second ride. Our daughters didn’t meet the height and weight requirements to be able to go with mom or dad.

    Affordably Park in Downtown Helen

    Next, we parked in town at a public lot (815 River St, Helen, GA 30545, United States) for about $20. I believe we were able to get that parking slip validated if we dined in town.

    Lunch at The Troll Tavern

    We were hungry and immediately went to the Troll Tavern. We picked it because of its name and its location on the Suwannee River. The food was good (brats and french fries) and the river was filled with people on tubes. My husband also picked up a boot-shaped beer glass here for like $15 with the purchase of a beer. Location: Troll Tavern, 8590 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545, United States

    Stroll around Downtown Helen

    After that, we strolled through town taking a look at the shops. Many shops and restaurants were still closed due to the pandemic at that time (June 2021).

    Take a Guided Tour

    Sometimes it’s more fun to see a new destination through the lens of a local. You can find guided tour operators in Helen like:

    Additionally, the Helen Visitors Bureau offers an app that you can download to find activities in the area.

    Dinner at the Hofbrauhaus

    For an early dinner, we ate at the Hofbrauhaus. This building, though newer construction, definitely had German vibes with lots of woodwork, small dining rooms and stained glass windows overlooking the river.

    Location: Hofbrauhaus, 9001 N Main St, Helen, GA 30545, United States

    Book a Wine Tasting at The Cottage Vineyard & Winery

    Our first impression of the property was “wow, this is Georgia?” The rolling hills of northern Georgia really stand out at this winery, perched at the top of a valley and surrounded by grape vines. 

    Vineyards line the property as you drive up. At the top of the hill, you are greeted by a military memorial, then you come around a bend to the most charming little winery tasting room with outdoor seating.

    The tasting room is a great room concept filled with windows to capture the surrounding views of trees, mountains and vines. It also has central AC, which is a necessity in the heat of the summer! There is plenty of outdoor seating (some covered) if you want to venture outside.

    They offer an assortment of in-house and locally-sourced wines, paid flights and frozen wine slushies to beat the heat.

    Our favorite wines at The Cottage Vineyard and Winery 

    • Eric: The Cottage’s cabernet sauvignon 
    • Ingrid: muscadine wine from a nearby vineyard.
      Ingrid was blown away with the vintner that produced the muscadine wine served at The Cottage Vineyard and Winery – it was flavorful and smooth, but she didn’t get the name of that winery (of course!).
    Blue and white school bus conversion RV parked on a mountain. A father with two children are running at the camera.
    Eric, Landon, Finley and the Destination Unknown Skoolie.

    RV Campground Recommendations Near Helen, Georgia

    We camped in our skoolie for a total of four days at two campgrounds just outside of Helen:

    • The Cottage Vineyard & Winery
    • Jenny’s Creek Family Campground
    The Cottage Vineyard and Winery in Georgia

    Camping at The Cottage Vineyard and Winery in Helen, Georgia

    We camped in our RV overnight on the top of the hill by the memorial. We found The Cottage Vineyard & Winery through Harvest Hosts and it allows for a free overnight stay from its hosts who own or manage farms, wineries, breweries, etc.

    We were really happy with the:

    • free and private campsite,
    • skoolie-friendly parking,
    • space to safely explore with young kids,
    • ability to use our generators to power our AC, and
    • great wine and wine slushies.

    How is The Cottage Vineyard & Winery rated?

    The Cottage Vineyard and Winery in northern Georgia is ranked as a 4.6 out of 5 stars according to an average of hundreds of reviews we sourced from three independent websites. See the graph below. Based on this and our personal experience, this is a great place to visit if you’re in northern Georgia.

    Number of StarsTotal Submissions
    Average Review as of 8/26/20224.6670
    Google4.8394
    Yelp4.5111
    TripAdvisor4.5165
    The Cottage Vineyard and Winery Average Reviews

    Jenny’s Creek Family Campground

    We stayed 3 nights at a RV resort & campground down the street called Jenny’s Creek Family Campground. It came recommended to us by the ladies at the winery and for good reason.

    Having stayed at only one other campground before this, we didn’t know what to expect. This campground is great for kids and families.

    Amenities offered at Jenny’s Creek Family Campground in Cleveland, Georgia:

    • RV hookups (water, sewer & electric)
    • Free wifi
    • Coin laundry
    • camp store
    • recreation room
    • walking trails
    • playground
    • Flat parking with picnic table
    • water features like a fountain and creek

    Our campsite was next to a little brook and had plenty of open space to watch the kids play safely outside while mom made lunch inside.

    How is Jenny’s Creek Family Campground rated?

    Jenny’s Creek Family Campground has an average of 4.5 out of 5 star reviews based on an average of hundreds of reviews sourced from four independent sites as you see in the chart below. That’s a really high review for a campground with a high level of traffic from RVs and traditional campers, many years in operation and our personal experience camping there.

    Number of StarsTotal Submissions
    Average Review as of 8/26/20224.5340
    Google4.7217
    Facebook4.858
    TheDyrt4.47
    TripAdvisor458
    Jenny’s Creek Family Campground Average Reviews by Platform

    What is Harvest Hosts?

    Harvest Hosts is an website and app that connects hosts to the RV community for unique stays and experiences. Read more about the Harvest Hosts platform in this blog and save 15% off an annual membership with our link.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you explore Helen, Georgia by walking?

    Yes, you can. We traveled with three young kids between ages one to four) and two moderately active adults. The town is really small and the majority of the German-inspired shops and restaurants are along the Suwannee River.

    What routes can you take to Helen, Georgia by RV?

    We traveled north from Marietta, Georgia to Helen along route US-19. The distance is about 90 miles and took us just under two hours of non-stop driving in our skoolie RV. We prefer to avoid the interstates when driving in our RV, so we can see the area better.

    However, another option from Marietta is to take I-985 north to US-23 then change to GA-384 followed by GA-75. That trip is a longer distance than the first at ~100 miles though about the same amount of travel time.

    When does tubing season open in Helen, Georgia?

    Tubing season runs from the end of May (Memorial Day) through the first week in September (Labor Day). Depending on the option you pick, you’ll be in the water between one to two hours.

    There are two tubing tour operators in Helen, Georgia:

    Tubing is an outside activity, so if the weather is bad then the tours won’t operate.

    How much does it cost to go tubing in Helen, Georgia?

    A few hours of tubing is going to run you between $14-$18, depending on days of the week. Weekends tend to be more expensive. Additionally, you may decide to pay for some upgrades like slides, etc. You may be able to get a group discount for a large group (20+). Typical things included in that price are:

    • Transport to the launch site(s) and pick-up at the end
    • Tube
    • Life jacket

    Can you carry an alcoholic beverage around Helen, Georgia?

    Unfortunately, that is a big nope! According to city ordinances, you aren’t allowed to carry beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages around town or while tubing down the river. If you’re attending an event that is cordoned or fenced off like for Oktoberfest, then you may be allowed to drink in those designated areas.

    How did the town of Helen, Georgia get its name?

    Though Helen, Georgia is a unique Bavarian-inspired town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the name “Helen” doesn’t evoke thoughts of Germany as names like Gretchen, Ingrid or Helga would. So where does the name come from? The town is named after the daughter of a logging industrialist who platted and incorporated the town in 1912 and 1913, respectively.

    What is the landscape like near Helen, Georgia?

    Helen, Georgia and the surrounding towns like Cleveland are located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is a wonderful area to be if you love hiking, exploring, and generally mild weather. The mountains are relatively small compared to say the Rockies out west, but you can still get a good workout and find places to go rock-climbing if that is your jam.

    You can quickly get into nature and feel completely secluded and find a number of campgrounds and cabins, though they fill up fast in the busy season.

    Does it snow in Helen, Georgia?

    The snowy season in Helen falls between November to April, with December having the most snowfall. It’s not much snow though. You’ll only see about 3 inches max of snowfall when it does.

    Where is Helen, Georgia located?

    Helen is located in northern Georgia, about two hours northeast of Marietta and Atlanta and one hour and fifteen minutes south of Franklin, North Carolina.

    Do muscadine grapes make good wine?

    If you’re not familiar with muscadine grapes, they are a native southern grape with distinct taste and smell. The grapes themselves have a thick dark purple skin, are round, and contain seeds. The wines made from muscadine grapes have unique flavor profile that differs from the commercially harvested grapes that you commonly see in stores. Vintners specializing in the production of wine from muscadine grapes are producing fantastic wines these days. This wine is definitely worth tasting, if you have never had it.

    Conclusion

    We spent one day visiting the city of Helen, Georgia and four nights camping in the surrounding area in our skoolie. Helen is definitely a place that is worth the day-trip and there is plenty of camping and things to do to keep families with little ones busy.

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    Thanks for following our journey! – The HildeFam

  • Is preschool in Sweden really cheaper than USA?

    Is preschool in Sweden really cheaper than USA?

    In short, yes. We went from paying $1,200-$1,300 per month for 3 children in full time preschool in Tampa to 750 SEK (~$75) per month for 20 hours per week. In the USA, this did not include the additional costs of diapers, wipes, formula, meals or snacks. In Sweden, it does.

    For many Americans with children and for many young generations of Americans deciding to not have children, the cost of childcare and general child welfare is something that many in our country struggle with today.

    That is of course exacerbated by, unfortunately, the mass shootings in schools as well as the nationwide teacher shortage. We have found that moving to Sweden is a vast improvement in all areas in our lives, but primarily safety, accessibility and affordability.

    These are our family’s personal experiences as immigrants to Sweden from the United States. We feel very fortunate we were able to make this move, and that our children will grow up in a safe environment that focuses on family-first.

    If you are an American expatriate with a different experience with the costs of preschool in Sweden compared to the United States, please leave a comment. I would love to hear your input.

    Table of Contents

    photo of a little girl playing on a Swedish playground. The sky is bright blue. There are pebbles in the play area. The playground has trees on the left.
    Is preschool in Sweden really cheaper than USA?

    How much do you pay for preschool in Sweden compared to the United States?

    Before moving to Sweden in 2021 from Tampa, Florida, USA, we had three children in preschool full-time. We paid about $1,200-$1,300 per month, and that did not include diapers, wipes, formula, meals or snacks.

    In Tyresö, Sweden (2022), we paid 750 SEK (~$75) per month for 20 hours of preschool a week. 

    Included in that preschool fee were diapers, wipes, and all meals and snacks. A chef worked on site and made traditional Swedish meals for the children and staff. My kids fell in love with Swedish meatballs (of course), fish, and especially pancakes.

    The right to this fantastic service is available for all citizens and residents regardless of income, employment status, etc, and it doesn’t matter if the school is public or private. Your child’s tuition and available hours may be subsidized based on factors like employment, studying, parental leave and unemployment.

    How do you apply for preschool in Sweden?

    Father and daughter walking through a historic area in Västerås Sweden. There is a red brick warehouse on the left and a factory with black smoke stacks on the right.
    Is preschool in Sweden really cheaper than USA?

    In most cases, it is an extremely easy process to apply for preschool in Sweden. The cities or municipality (kommun) allow you to apply for several schools (usually 4 to 5) on their website. There are no fees to apply.

    You simply enter:

    1. your and your child’s information
    2. parent(s) status
    3. desired start date
    4. amount of care hours
    5. ranking of usually 4 to 5 preschools you would like placement in (public or private)

    The municipality or city will ask you (the parent) if you are working, unemployed, studying or on parental leave with the sibling(s) to determine how much to assess your preschool fee and time your child can be at school based on those factors. For us, neither my husband or I have Swedish income currently and we hadn’t yet been approved for barnbidrag and föräldrarpenning for our youngest child, so they considered us unemployed and on parental leave. We paid roughly $75/mo for three children in childcare, up to 20 hours a week.

    I’ve applied for preschool in Tyresö and Västerås, and I found their process to apply for preschool to be basically identical to what I listed above. Tyresö allowed up to four preschools on their application whereas Västerås allowed up to five preschools. I believe the waitlist at the time (spring 2022) in Tyresö was up to three months for placement and Västerås (summer 2022) is up to four months. 

    My understanding is that every child over the age of one is entitled to 20 or 25 hours of childcare a week, regardless of employment status. That means that if you just need to get your little one exploring but may still be a stay at home parent, then your child can still go to school at a heavily discounted cost compared to the United States (like the equivalent of $75/month), including food, diapers and wipes.

    I would note that if you do not yet have a personnummer (Swedish social security number) from Skatteverket (Swedish tax authority), then you may not be able to apply online; however, your municipality (kommun) will take the application by paper. They will even provide you with the application on paper if you can’t print it. Both parents should be listed on the application as well.

    Is there a waiting list to get into preschool in Sweden?

    There can be a waiting period to get placement for preschool in Sweden, regardless of whether it is a public or private school. The waiting period varies from city to city, but it is usually within 4 months (sooner if you request due to circumstances like employment). 

    In our experience, we were told in January 2022 that we had a three month wait for our children to enter preschool in Tyresö. We asked the principal (rektor) at the school for an earlier start date and she was able to move us up to mid-February 2022. 

    Whereas, in Tampa, many of my friends put their unborn child on waitlists that could still take up to a year!

    How do you pay for preschool fees in Sweden?

    Sweden makes it incredibly easy to pay for services with the country-wide program called Swish or through your Swedish bank. Swish is like PayPal but with no transaction fees and tied to everyone’s banks in the country through an app. Paying for invoices like for preschool is a breeze because you just scan the OCR code, price, and account number with your phone or enter these manually. Then the vendor name is populated for you to pay, matched against the invoice. Payment is received immediately and is free, unlike same-day payments in the USA.

    In comparison, I had to write checks weekly for preschool in Tampa (and that means the hassle of finding my checkbook weekly and remembering to pay).

    Is preschool free in Sweden?

    Kind of. The municipalities offer free open preschool (öppna förskolan) during the weekdays, usually around 9a to 2p. It is free of charge to attend. Some days may be for young children, but others may be for all ages. This can be a great way to socialize your little ones before going into paid preschool (förskola).

    You simply show up to open preschool. There is no need to register, though you will need to stay with your kids while they are there. 

    In our kommun, one day is for really small children, and the rest is for all ages. My kids immediately go to play and leave me to relax for a few hours while they do. If you need actual childcare then you will need to enroll them in “real” preschool.

    How do I get childcare in Sweden if I work non-traditional hours?

    If you work outside the traditional work hours of say 9a to 5p, when schools and preschools are normally open, then you can work with your Swedish municipality on government subsidized child care for after hours. Visit your municipality website to learn more.

    What ages attend preschool in Sweden?

    Swedish preschools are for children between the ages of 1 to 5 years old. After the 5th year, the child moves into compulsory school.

    What is preschool like in Sweden?

    Preschools in Sweden really emphasize playing in the development of children, as well as being in nature. Rain or shine, hot or cold, you will always see Swedish preschoolers playing on the playgrounds and going on nature hikes with their classmates and teachers. It is also common to see an entire preschool class take the bus to the library, if it is too far to walk.

    Additionally, different aged children are grouped together in a classroom. For example, children between ages of 3-5 will be in the same class. This is great because the younger children learn from the older ones, and older children learn to care for and play with the younger children.

    Are Swedish preschools safe?

    Swedish preschools (and schools in general) are known to be safe, and that is largely due to well-trained teachers and staff and the support from the Swedish government and people. Sweden as a country is known to be very safe and a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Childcare is accessible and affordable.

    This is in addition to the paid parental leave, up to one year, for both parents. This is the stuff of American dreams.

    Check out this article from TheLocal.Se from 2009, where they ask a panel of people what they feel on this topic. In a 2016 UNICEF report, Sweden ranked as the best place to raise a family.

    School shootings don’t happen in Sweden

    The emotional cost to enroll your kids in a safe school is more important than ever, especially for many Americans. As many people that do not live within the USA know, mass shootings are a uniquely American experience unfortunately. The problem of them is that they continue to increase and are highly unpredictable on where they will occur next, including schools. Another sad and recent example is in May 2022 when a shooter killed 19 children and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas in an elementary school.

    Every week, there are more tragedies. Over 200 days into 2022, there has been an average of 13 mass shootings a week, according to an NBC analysis of data from the Gun Violence Archive. The GVA defines a mass shooting as an event where a minimum of four victims are shot, either injured or killed, not including the shooter.

    NBC Philidelphia

    This sad American phenomenon is a non-issue in Sweden (and most European countries, to be honest). I really tried to find information on mass shootings in Sweden, but there was no recent accessible history available. In this 1998 article on mass shootings over the years in Sweden, the author found that:

    In the 36 years between 1960 and 1995, fourteen such occasions were recorded, during which 32 people were killed and 57 were wounded.

    “Violent mass shootings in Sweden from 1960 to 1995: profiles, patterns, and motives” by O Lindquist 1, L Lidberg

    Conclusion

    The obvious winner in childcare affordability and quality of care falls to Sweden over the United States. Unfortunately, the USA has a lot to do to make preschool affordable and accessible to millions of working parents. The Swedish model for preschool affordability is wonderful.

    What city should I visit in Sweden?

    Interested in coming to Sweden? Check out some of our travel guides and book your trip:

    Thanks for following our journey. – The HildeFam

  • Are Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome really the same platform?

    Are Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome really the same platform?

    Have you considered a membership with Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome?

    In 2021, Harvest Hosts purchased the Boondockers Welcome platform and they have been integrating the platforms since then.

    The camping programs are distinctly different though in that Harvest Hosts is more centered around businesses like farms, wineries, breweries, etc offering short 24-hour overnight stays and no hook-ups.

    On the other hand, Boondockers Welcome is more like an individual host offering single to multi-night stays on their personal property, usually with hook-ups and sometimes with extra amenities like laundry.

    In both cases, there is usually no fee paid (free camping!) to the host for an overnight, unless they otherwise state it in the listing (like for hook-ups, etc) and the apps make it really easy to contact the hosts for even a same-day booking in many cases.

    A photo with text advertising a Harvest Hosts experienceand a picture an RV in a field.
    Why should you camp with Harvest Hosts?

    What is Harvest Hosts?

    Harvest Hosts is a camping platform that brings together hosts that are RV & Skoolie-friendly to spend one night at their place of business.

    These experiences are usually hosted through small businesses like:

    • farms
    • wineries
    • golf courses
    • breweries
    • distilleries
    • other attractions

    How many locations does Harvest Hosts have?

    Harvest Hosts has almost 4,000 camping locations that are great for RVers, whether you are in a more traditional vehicle or a skoolie (“school bus conversion”) like us. During our six-month skoolie tour of the east coast of the USA, we camped at over 10 locations using Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome as a family of five.

    Is Harvest Hosts free?

    In short, no. Annually, you’ll pay a Harvest Hosts membership fee starting at $99/year. Snag our discount code for 15% off! Additionally, the hosts and platform request that you shop at the business that you are camping at to support them, though the overnight camping spot itself is free.

    Is Harvest Hosts worth joining?

    In our opinion, it was. Our family of five traveled for six months full-time in our school bus conversion. During that time, we stayed at over 5 Harvest Hosts locations. We found the platform to be very user-friendly (both on website and mobile with the app), the hosts responded quickly (many for same-day bookings) and there were many camping locations to choose from along our route.

    Though Harvest Hosts recommends you frequent and shop from the place of business that is hosting you, we found that to be a win-win for all parties because we were probably going to visit the business anyway. We parked on their property after all and wanted to explore after a long day of travel.

    Is Harvest Hosts safe?

    As a family of five, we only desired to stay at safe camping grounds. We felt comfort when we booked overnight stays with Harvest Hosts and all hosts that we spoke with were communicative and friendly.

    Every host that lists on the Harvest Hosts platform must:

    1. Describe in detail the camping location(s), and
    2. Provide listing photos, so you can get a good idea of the type of location you’ll be camping.

    Does Harvest Hosts have hookups?

    No, hosts with Harvest Hosts typically do not provide hookups for overnight stays. However, the sister platform, Boondockers Welcome, does offer hookups for campers.

    Does harvest host allow skoolies or school bus conversions?

    Yes! According to the Harvest Hosts website, school bus conversions are allowed! The platform allows for self-contained vehicles, like a skoolie or schoolie. We personally used Harvest Hosts when traveling in our skoolie because it was so friendly to our type of rig.

    All classes of RV’s are allowed (Class A, Class B, Class C) including motorhomes, fifth wheel trailers, travel trailers, toy haulers, camper vans, truck campers, and schoolies. Vehicles towed behind RVs are also allowed at our Host locations.

    Harvest Hosts Website

    Does harvest host allow camper vans?

    Yes! According to the Harvest Hosts website, it states that the platform allows camper vans, vans designed for living quarters that is self-contained. The van must have four rigid sides, though a pop up roof for a bed is allowed. Something like a mini-van would not be allowed.

    How many Harvest Hosts sites are there?

    There are nearly 4,000 hosts sites available across North America. The Harvest Host locations are made up of a variety of business like wineries, breweries, farms, museums and much more.

    How do you get a membership discount with Harvest Hosts?

    To get 15% off your membership with Harvest Hosts, use our link to register.

    Get 15% off your Harvest Hosts Membership

    What’s the difference between Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome?

    From our personal experience using both platforms frequently during our skoolie tour, I would say the primary differences between Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Wecome is as follows.

    Harvest Hosts

    • Are usually small businesses like farms, wineries, breweries and even some golf communities
    • Don’t offer hook-ups
    • Offer a 24-hour “overnight” stay
    • Cannot request multi-night stays
    • Won’t be parking on private property (since the host is usually a business)
    • Business purchases are encouraged

    Boondockers Welcome

    • Hook-ups are available at 70% of the host locations
    • Can stay multiple nights
    • Parking on private property
    • No business purchase is encouraged

    Take a look at the infographic below that shows in-detail the differences between the two sister platforms.

    Image detailing the differences between Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome
    What are the differences between Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome?

    Can I get a membership discount with Boondockers Welcome?

    Yes! Get 15% when you get an annual membership with Boondockers Welcome when you

    1. Use our link
    2. Enter the code “BWFRIENDS15” at check-out
    An illustration logo of Boondockers Welcome

    Disclaimer: We are affiliates of Harvest Hosts & Boondockers Welcome, which means if you purchase a membership with them, we get a small compensation.

  • Should you hire a professional to convert a bus?

    Should you hire a professional to convert a bus?

    It is up to you! You have the option to hire no one, outsource some work to professionals or outsource the entire bus conversion to professionals. The concept of a tiny mobile dwelling is simple,; however, it is important to know your limits and when to ask for help, especially when safety is concerned. A knowledgeable professional like an electrician or plumber can help you out immensely during those inevitable times of uncertainty, and can give a level of surety surrounding an otherwise DIY project.

    If you really want to learn that particular skill, ask the professional if its okay to look over their shoulder and ask questions. 

    If you’ve started your school bus conversion and aren’t sure of what products to buy, then check out our skoolie supplies and shopping list essentials blog.

    Option #1: Hire No One

    We have some friends, William and Shelly, that converted their bus completely on their own. William also helps others convert their retired school buses into mobile dwellings, like he did for another friend, Karine.

    Unsure of where to begin? Check out our guide to buying a used school bus for conversion.

    Option #2: Outsource some work to professionals

    This is the path we chose! When we converted our school bus, we started at level zero! My husband did the 95% of the build-out himself on a tight 7 month deadline. Towards the end of the project, a dear friend and carpenter helped us with the finishes and those jobs that are faster done with two people like framing our front door and helping run the propane gas lines.

    We hired local electrical and plumbing professionals review our work at the rough-in and finishing stages so we felt comfortable and safe. We also had AC professionals connect our coolant lines since that requires special tools.

    After we were on the road, another carpenter help us with some more carpentry finishes and storage solutions, his friend sprayed the interior and ceiling paint so we had a smooth and professional finish, and Eric’s old skydiving buddy installed a sick vinyl wrap on the exterior.

    If you are looking into a roof raise for your rig, check out this blog where I list out some professionals and resources for this service.

    Option #3: Outsource the entire bus conversion to professionals

    Skilled labor costs more so expect to pay a flat fee for daily labor ($200/day) or hourly ($40/hr or more), depending on your location. We were out of Florida and did our conversion from 2020-2021.

    Below are recommendations when finding someone to do the work:

    • Have they built a skoolie for themselves or others before?
    • Find someone with a proven track record for excellence (request past client recommendations, search on forums like Facebook groups and on YouTube)
    • Obtain at least two detailed quotes with timeframes for completion
    • Make sure everything is in writing
    • Break up payments for big milestones (for example: retainer, demolition, build-out, completion)

    How to Find Skoolie Builders

    If you’ve decided that you want to hire a reputable professional to help you convert your school bus into a stunning mobile dwelling or assist you with fully custom mobile conversion, then check out our skoolie builder directory with 20+ builders across the USA and even one in Canada.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a pro bus conversion?

    A professional bus conversion or a pro bus conversion is a vehicle build-out and modification that is performed by a professional tradesman. A professional will have a portfolio of completed projects and should offer past client reviews as a support of their work.

    A pro bus conversion is not done by someone who does this recreationally or as a DIY project (a “non professional bus conversion”).

    Can I convert a bus to a camper?

    Yes! You will learn so much doing it and you will be frustrated with the project at times but you will have made something with your own two hands that you can live and travel and live your dreams. You can make a school bus conversion as simple or as complex as you need for your travel lifestyle. You can also outsource some parts of the project or the entire bus conversion to a professional.

    Not only that, but you can also insure your skoolie and register it as a motorhome (Florida-specific).

    Learn more

    If you found this blog helpful, leave a comment below or share it with a friend! Consider joining our mailing list below and get notified when we publish new content on skoolie living and travel tips!

  • How do you get mail when you live in a skoolie or van? | 2024 Update

    How do you get mail when you live in a skoolie or van? | 2024 Update

    Have you asked yourself, “How do you get mail when you live in a skoolie or van?”

    I’ve got the answer for you! There are a number of mail forwarding options available for those living in a skoolie, van or other motorhome, residing full-time or part-time on the road, or simply looking to forward their mail when they are not in their primary residence.

    Table of Contents

    The Mail Forwarding Service We Use

    We have been using US Global Mail since 2021 to handle our mail forwarding needs.

    We like them because it’s an easy to use service, affordable, the customer service team is friendly, and they offer scanning and check forwarding services.

    Get a free month of service if you sign up with US Global Mail using our code: INGRID-KPHDX9GG.6ML

    Mail Forwarding Service Options

    A common list of mail forwarding services include:

    1. USPS

    The USPS offers two types of mail forwarding options on their website:

    • Temporary (6 month maximum)
    • Permanent. 
    • General Delivery (My van-life friend, Bekah, with Treks with Beks has a fantastic article on her experience using the USPS General Delivery service while living on the road.)

    Cost

    It costs $1 to set up.

    Instead of relying on the USPS mail forwarding service completely, we chose to go with a mail forwarding service that offers a virtual mailbox, scanning services and check forwarding, especially since we are running a business. Unfortunately that is just not something USPS offers or is easily accessible, if they do.

    2. US Global Mail

    Editor’s Choice

    Get a free month of service if you sign up with US Global Mail using our code: INGRID-KPHDX9GG.6ML

    When we decided to forward all of our mail, I searched for a service that offered a permanent mailing address because we needed to forward our business mail as well as residential mail, and offered a user-friendly virtual mailbox.

    Sometimes when you forward your business mailing address, you cannot use a P.O. Box for permanent addresses, so we needed a real mailing address. 

    We decided on US Global Mail because they offered us:

    • A permanent mailing address
    • Check forwarding
    • Scanning services 
    • Great customer service
    • Dedicated mailbox (no mail sharing)
    • Easy-to-navigate website
    • Long-term mail storage (45 days for individuals; 180 days for business)

    Mailing address location

    We chose a mailbox location in Texas, because it was the cheapest option and location didn’t really matter. You can also get mailboxes in other states too. Honestly, the address does not matter to me as long as I get my mail. 

    We’ve never had a delay with our mail when we requested, and they also offer scanning services and check forwarding services that we use. Those services came at an additional fee. 

    Pricing

    Individual pricing starts at $9.99 per month per person (paid annually), and business pricing starts at $29.95 per month [multiple companies and names] (paid annually).

    Was it easy to set up the US Global Mail service?

    It was simple to set up the service. The residential accounts we were able to authorize in our own names. We needed to have some notary signatures for our business accounts since we were signing as officers on the businesses.

    Eco-friendly

    US Global Mail plants a new tree for every new member that registers!

    3. Amazon lockers

    Shopping on Amazon in the United States has become second nature. Since the introduction of Amazon lockers, it makes shipping to you much easier when you have a mobile dwelling.

    The times we did use the Amazon lockers, we were satisfied that our products arrived on time and in the designated storage before we moved on to our next destination in our school bus conversion.  

    4. Friends and Family

    This is my least favorite option because so many things can go wrong. Also, I don’t think this is a good long term solution, unless you just don’t have a lot of mail (ie. bills) needing timely delivery.

    I would say this is a great solution for short term mail and a great way to reconnect with friends and family when you’re on the road. It kind of gives you the excuse to see someone.

    FAQs to How do you Get Mail when you Live in a Skoolie or Van?

    Can I forward a check to my bank, if I don’t live in the same state?

    Yes, you absolutely can forward a check via mail to your bank, if there are no branch locations close to you.

    If you have the check in your hand, the best option is to use mobile deposit using the bank’s app. If that option isn’t available, contact your bank to get their best mailing address and what information they need from you before mailing.

    If you’re using a mail forwarding service like US Global Mail (this is who we use), then simply tell them where you need it forwarded it. You’ll need to fill out a form that gives them a limited power to endorse the check on your behalf before forwarding it to your bank.

    Conclusion to “How do you get mail when you live in a skoolie or van?”

    I hope this post thoroughly answered the questions you have about “How do you get mail when you live in a skoolie or van?” and helps you decide on which service provider you want to use.
    I would love to hear your comments below.

    Are you still building out your skoolie? Check out the complete list of skoolie supplies and essentials here.