I have been asked so many times, what’s it like living on a boat.

My response is always ‘Fabulous, wish we had done it years ago’. That is true, it is so relaxing and stress free way of life.

We live with so much nature, Woodpecker’s, Cuckoo’s, Otters (who play under our boat), Geese, Ducks and Swans. The most amazing bird of all. Kingfishers. Plus Wagtails, two different types of pigeons, to name a few.

Even down to the reeds that grow at our moorings. These are the last reeds in the marina. The rest have been removed to get better access and view from other boats. As long as you manage them, they are fine. Great natural screen.

I work along the Thames estuary with clients I have had for many years. That’s about 2 hours away. And aggressive driving on the M11, M25 and A13. By the time I have returned home I can feel the tension in my shoulders and neck. But as soon I have parked in my space, and walk round to my home, all that has gone, and I am feeling relaxed, ready for a great evening.

It’s nice that we have a garden mooring. They are limited in number. Out of around 100 boats there are only about 12 garden moorings. Some are fenced, others open to the towpath. We have a tree boarder giving a secluded feeling, and a great backdrop to have birds visiting the garden.

I’m often asked by people that have never live on boats, if I’ll ever move back on to land and into a proper house. I can’t see what could rival the lifestyle I have on my boat, in living so close to the natural environment in the country side, but with a 24hr supermarket less than 20 minutes. I do have the best of both life styles. Town and country living.

 

Here are a few reasons why to live on a boat

 

• If and when we want to move (if we ever want to move) we don’t have to sell our home; we simply untie our lines and move our home to a new location. And considering our home can move with the inboard diesel engine, the in land rivers of the whole world are possible future ‘homes’.
• We have waterfront property for a fraction of the cost that homeowners are paying. In fact our neighbours on land are paying millions for the same view we have.
• The cost of living can be much lower. Boat owners in a marina pay a quarterly rent for the moorings. Other costs include electricity and some marinas charge a live aboard fee.
• There’s a community of full-time live aboard’s all around us. We chat with our neighbours several times per day. If someone has an issue, everyone helps out. Everyone is always looking out for everyone else. The friendships made amongst live aboard boaters are meaningful and fulfilling.
• Full time live aboard’s have common values. They all have a love for the water, are not into buying things for the sake of buying them (no space). Most boaters are very interested in conservation, green technology and taking care of the planet. Many work from the boat or are more entrepreneurial in spirit. They value strong friendships and work very hard to make others feel welcomed and wanted. Live aboard’s give, give and give. Someone is always cooking too much and invites others over. There’s always a last minute decision to have sundowners and appetizers. Live aboard’s generally don’t have cable/satellite TV so they’re not inundated with negative news. Although conversations about topical news will be had, it certainly doesn’t dominate the time spent together. Stories are shared, jokes are told and food and drink is shared. There’s a deep feeling of respect and community amongst boaters. For me, it’s truly a community where I feel that life is worth living.
• Keeping up with the Jones isn’t as prevalent with live aboard’s as it is within a housing community or estate. Most boats are drastically different so you can’t compare them. And due to the lifestyle, the type of people that live on boats are not very interested in material possessions. When a neighbour gets a new tender we celebrate with a ride around the marina…
• There’s a reduced amount of space so the need for filling the boat with unnecessary items is low (In our old house, it took us three months to get rid of all the needless items we had in our loft, cupboards and walldrobes).
• If it floods, which this area is known for, our house rides the tide rather than take on water. Or if a hurricane is heading this way, we have an option to move.
• Cleaning the whole boat takes a fraction of the time needed to clean a house and there’s no law maintenance needed.
• If we ever want to sell our boat we’re not limited to selling to the local area. Our target market includes the whole world. In other words, someone from the Europe can buy our boat and move it over quite easily.
• Crime rates are far lower in marinas than on housing states. People rarely get burgled, murdered or violated in a marina!

Happy Boating

 

Sarah and Steve Smith on The Lethbridge Stewart.