I spent six months living on a houseboat in London – here's what I learned; 3. Many liveaboards don’t even worry about securing their cabins, something most traditional homeowners haven’t done since the 1950s. Living in the water can certainly be amazing but one drawback is you almost HAVE to stay on the water or near it all of the time. You will get to enjoy the benefits of living on the water. Rows of houseboats on the banks of Regent's Canal in Little Venice, London. The freedom to explore Britain’s waterways at a moment’s notice; Fresh air, an outdoorsy lifestyle and the chance to bond with nature; A strong community spirit; Unrivalled waterside views; No stamp duty eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'justhouseboats_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_17',134,'0','0'])); Around the holidays people will often have family and friends come over for parties etc. If you are just getting into boating or you are simply curious about the correct way to phrase things about boats then this article is for you. Float homes and houseboats are not immune to destruction. In others it may be considered personal property, and you’ll be levied a small personal property tax annually. (What’s The Difference?). Cons: Hidden Costs of Living on the Water in a Floating Home. Being able to enjoy amazing views from your windows and deck is one of the biggest pros of living on a houseboat. Does it have a shower? to do but carpet vacuuming, window washing, and even dusting will be far easier with the smaller vessel. Pros and cons of living on a houseboat. Everything else is … Pros. You shouldn’t underestimate the amount of hard work it takes to live on a boat, especially if you’re constantly on the move. However, like any living situation, there are pros and cons to each. This three-bedroom houseboat in Plantation Wharf Mooring has been give a high-end makeover. The Pros and Cons of Houseboat Living for Writers. If you’ve been thinking about life on the water then you’ve come to the right place. And in the city of Seattle, there’s just one lender who handles houseboat loans. 1 The Benefits of Living in a Houseboat. There will be less expenses and the original purchase price is often far cheaper than what you could ever purchase a house for. I have long had a fascination of living in a houseboat, upon the tide. Along with the incredible views of nature around you, you have a whole lot more to look forward to. (not really, but seriously - it’s close). For example your septic system in a house can get tree roots that grow into it causing you to have to hire someone to dig up your yard. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'justhouseboats_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',133,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'justhouseboats_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',133,'0','1'])); If there is a major storm headed to your location you will often have to leave the boat and find a safe shelter. Living on a boat might seem cheap compared to living in a house, but instead of gas, water and electricity bills, and repairs to plumbing, roofs, boilers and the like, on a boat you have diesel and gas to purchase, toilet contents to get rid of (whether that is emptying it yourself or paying for a pump out), repairs and regular maintenance to the hull and superstructure, and maintenance, repair or replacement of … Further, you may find it difficult to find dock space if you’re planning on just buying a floating home that is not mobile. Happy Boatingeval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'justhouseboats_com-leader-4','ezslot_15',140,'0','0'])); I love the outdoors and especially spending time with my family. Not only is the kids playing in the water or getting dirty an issue but if there are still one or two adults working a 9-5 job that can also cause issues as there normally isn’t much parking nearby. Houseboats have a sales tax due at the point of sale. Boat House Pros Cons of Owning The House Boat http://www.fishingstone.com/fishing/boat-house-pros-cons-owning/ – Boat House Pros Cons. Living on board a boat will often be far cheaper than renting or owning a traditional home. Whether you are there for a few days or a few months you will be sure and find many like minded people who love boating and can help you with the best things to do and places to go in each new area you visit! If you have a pet, there will be no yard for them. Benefits Of Living On A Houseboat (The Pros) 1.Saving Money Living on board a boat will often be far cheaper than renting or owning a traditional home. What are the pros and cons of a small houseboat? Some docks are more "lively" than others and it can get noisy. Houseboats for sale; Penelope, London SW18. If you just recently purchased a houseboat or are in the market for one you have probably heard about people who live on their boat full time. ). Not only will you save money on the purchase but you will also save money on the monthly expenses. Living on a houseboat, right on the ocean, is going to require constant supervision of your young children. In many ways, living in a community of boat homes is more secure than living in a land-based neighborhood. Easy to put in and out of the water; Can store at your home; Don’t have to pay marina costs; Easier to handle on the water; Cheaper new purchase price; Less expensive to operate; Cons of a small houseboat. They can sink. With many houses running into the thousands of square feet and an average houseboat only being a few hundred it’s quite obvious that you won’t have to do as much work on a smaller property. People all over the world live on boats - from fishing trawlers to yachts - but the houseboats most popular in the United States are flat-bottomed and "designed to be floating cottages," according to Jennie L. … Cons - Hard to handle, compared to yachts and other vessel types. Living on a boat has many more pros and cons than just the ones mentioned here but I hope the ones I have listed will help you with making the decision for you and the ones you love. Listed below are the pros and cons of living in a houseboat: THE PROS OF LIVING ON A HOUSEBOAT. Living on a boat is a great option for plenty of people to save money and to experience a unique living scenario. I want to research living on a houseboat as a less expensive alternative to living in a landhouse. Newsletter; Facebook; Share; Every once in a while, we need to take a break. That will seriously limit the places you can visit in each town you dock at. There is nothing I like better than spending time outdoors with my family and friends! Not only will you not have much space for your family to spread out but you will also have to worry about your kids getting wet all the time. Having your everyday life feel like you are on vacation while also saving money? If you are retired then being able to fish from your couch is probably an amazing benefit. If you are still working, whether from home or a normal 9-5, it will be difficult to have to tear yourself away when the fish are really biting or the scenery is particularly beautiful. Is A Boat In Or On The Water? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of living on a houseboat so you can make a better-informed decision. Houseboat Expenses: What Are The Costs Of Owning A Boat? Unfortunately it isn’t like an RV where you can tow your vehicle and unhook when you want to visit places away from shore. Whether on a boat or at the beach, my happy place is near the water. The two happiest days of your life The day you buy your boat. When you live on a houseboat that is difficult if not impossible as there isn’t much room for family to gather and being on the move can make it difficult for people to plan to visit you. Before you take the plunge and move everything you own to a floating house, learn the real perks and pitfalls of living in a home anchored to a moorage. Strangers around the docks are noticed immediately, and most marinas and boat communities limit access to docks and slips. Houseboats today boasts maximum comfort and suitability similar to conventional homes without the traffic and noise you’ll have to put up with when living in the city. Before I make the trip to go houseboat shopping, does anyone know the pros / cons to this type of houseboat? On a houseboat those systems are often quite simple. The disadvantage of using these appliances on a boat rather than in a traditional home is that you have to think about the electricity you are using. If you are downsizing that much you will have to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. Living on a boat can provide a serene existence, at one with nature and surrounded by a tightly knit community of fellow boaters. It makes a lot of the other stuff worth it. You can tour nature: while in the houseboat you may decide to move around just to enjoy the beautiful scenery of... 3. Another thing you have to deal with or plan around is the cold. Cons: Hidden Costs of Living on the Water in a Floating Home. A houseboat passes along the Bridgewater canal at Lymm in Cheshire. Having to walk around crouched over is one of the cons of living aboard. It will be the best of times and the worst of times. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'justhouseboats_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',139,'0','0'])); Most people who live on a houseboat won’t have a car so every place they do will have to be close to the water or they will have to pay for a taxi or Uber. Pros and Cons of Living on the Water: Houseboats and Floating Homes. Pros of a small houseboat. My budget is limited as I want to pay cash for a boat and live "mortgage free" while I'm in law school, therefore I do understand you get what you pay for. Yahoo Finance Staff. What are the pros and cons of living on a houseboat? Living on a houseboat you are susceptible to all of the whims of the weather where you are at. Home is Where You Lay Your Head: Living on a yacht is your ticket to see the world, and if you aren’t planning on travelling from port to port, then you’re missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime. Living as the “captain” of your own houseboat is a fantastic experience. One of the big reasons a houseboat doesn’t require as much upkeep is that there are less things to break! I liked television shows that featured some character living such the dream. With a traditional home you will have to pay for gas, electricity, water, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and more. Pros - Living area is decent, due to it's square shape. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'justhouseboats_com-banner-1','ezslot_14',109,'0','0'])); With a house you have all sorts of integral systems that can be quite complex to repair. Upkeep is simple, because it's built similarly to an apartment. All rights reserved. Can practice fishing anytime: You can go on fishing anytime you want. I enjoy the gentle rocking of the waves. Keira Knightley and David Suchet have all spent a considerable amount of time living in a houseboat so there must be something to it! Nothing beats saving time on cleaning and watching the sunset or fishing instead! Even if something needs painted or stained it’s only a small amount of square feet that needs it instead of thousands with a house! We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. The Cons of Owning a Houseboat: Less Living Space- Houseboats traditionally have less living space than a traditional single-family home. With the septic on a houseboat it all goes to one tank and then just has to be pumped out at a marina. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The last thing you will want to do is be mad or upset about getting rid of your stuff or to feel cramped in a houseboat. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'justhouseboats_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_16',138,'0','0'])); This can certainly be a pro or a con but for the sake of argument I will put it in with the cons. This floating home, known as Otter Magic, measures 600 square feet with ample living space, a solarium and more. You can often save multiple hundreds of dollars a month by living on board than you would renting a home. Pros. A float home in Richmond, B.C. Now don’t get me wrong, of course things will break on your houseboat and need repaired just like with a traditional home. Having a group of people that you regularly dock with means you can easily make friends no matter where you stop. The people who do this (often known as liveaboards) are a special breed. Houseboating is a great way to spend time with your family and friends and make lifelong memories! If you are planning on boating down the Mississippi but it is closed because of flooding, all you can do is wait. If you can't stand up, you will be able to adjust to it just like I did but not without a few head bumps now and then. With a houseboat you will often only have to pay for the fuel for the boat/generator, the water (assuming you don’t have a system that will pull it from the lake or river) and boat insurance, and yearly registration. You’ll probably save money on … In todays modern narrowboats you can often expect to find washing machines, fridges, showers, toilets and microwaves. Everyone loses sight of their children once in a while, but this can lead to a lot of panicked moments when you are living so close to a large body of water. You can find some of those best sellers by clicking here. What Are The Boat House Pros Cons? Have long had a fascination of living aboard dock fee for every.. To on this site vessel, boat insurance may be rare, is! 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