A man has been living in an airplane for $350 a month for more than 20 years: “I don’t regret having pursued this vision”

The majority of people, when they reach old age, dream of resting at home and enjoying their retirement. However, that’s not the case for Bruce Campbell, who at 73 has no plans to slow down. Instead, he’s fulfilling a childhood dream: leaving behind a traditional home to live inside a plane – specifically, a retired Boeing 727 parked in the middle of a forest.

Determined to show the world that his idea isn’t just a fantasy, he’s shared a video on TikTok via @cnbcmakeit, where viewers can see the plane’s original cockpit still intact, the outdoor area shaped like a wing, and the surprisingly functional kitchen setup.

Giving retired planes a second life

Turning retired planes into homes is rare, but it’s far from a new idea. In some cases, people convert them into vehicles, but others – like Campbell – prefer to transform them into unconventional living spaces. The Boeing 727 offers plenty of potential as a home, something Campbell has demonstrated by living inside his plane for more than 20 years. His setup is modest, though — a far cry from the luxurious Boeing villa perched on a cliffside in Bali.

Campbell purchased the aircraft for $100,000 back in 1999, and he’s only spent $15,000 on repairs since then. That might sound unbelievable, but from the outside, the plane still looks much like it did in its flying days. Inside, however, is a different story. Campbell removed all the seats, creating an open-concept living space. His bed is a simple futon, and his bathroom still uses the original airplane fixtures. As for the shower, Campbell initially experimented with an outdoor setup, but after a few years, he gave up and installed an indoor shower to maintain proper hygiene.

A dream born at 10 years old

Private jets usually bring to mind luxury meals prepared by professional chefs. Campbell’s kitchen, on the other hand, is as simple as it gets – he cooks all his meals using only a microwave. Up front, the cockpit has been left completely untouched, and Campbell loves spending his days tinkering with the plane’s original computers and controls. This has been his dream since he was 10 years old, and today, he’s living out that fantasy.

“I don’t regret pursuing this vision,” says Campbell. “It’s fun. Jetliner homes are really cool.”

What makes his setup even more appealing is the cost: since Campbell owns the land where the plane sits, his living expenses come to just $370 a month. That’s an astonishingly low price to live inside your own private jet – although, given the minimalist interior, it makes perfect sense.

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