The Pros and Cons of Houseboat Living for Writers. In this article I will list the pros and cons that you will experience while living on your houseboat. If you are working from 9-to-5 or are enrolled in a university for now and find yourself in a crisis, it’s time to relax and unwind. https://realtybiznews.com › the-pros-and-cons-of-houseboat-living › 98749682 Rows of houseboats on the banks of Regent's Canal in Little Venice, London. A lot depends on which dock. The pros and cons of living on a boat . There will be less expenses and the original purchase price is often far cheaper than what you could ever purchase a house for. 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. Living on a boat is a great option for plenty of people to save money and to experience a unique living scenario. 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. 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! 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. Boat-Living Guide > Pros and Cons. The day you sell your boat. 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. There will be less expenses and the original purchase price is often far cheaper than what you could ever purchase a house for. 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 Listed below are the pros and cons of living in a houseboat: THE PROS OF LIVING ON A HOUSEBOAT. 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 all the mod cons on board will make day to day living very comfortable. Houseboats have a sales tax due at the point of sale. I spent six months living on a houseboat in London – here's what I learned; 3. Unfortunately, in this day and age, there’s a cost to everything, including living mainly on the water. With a traditional home you will have to pay for gas, electricity, water, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and more. In others it may be considered personal property, and you’ll be levied a small personal property tax annually. With many people’s homes running 2,000-3,000 sq foot and larger downsizing to a houseboat that is 5-600 sq ft can be quite a shock. Pros and cons of living on a boat. Any help would be good, I'm very excited to buy a boat, but want to make sure I make a sound decision. 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! 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 … All rights reserved. On a houseboat those systems are often quite simple. The two happiest days of your life The day you buy your boat. 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. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images The Cons. 1 The Benefits of Living in a Houseboat. 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Since you are living on the water most of the items on board will probably be a lot easier to clean than traditional furniture pieces or kitchens. 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. Before I make the trip to go houseboat shopping, does anyone know the pros / cons to this type of houseboat? Having your everyday life feel like you are on vacation while also saving money? Not only will you save money on the purchase but you will also save money on the monthly expenses. You’ll probably save money on … Contents. You will certainly become quite spoiled with your daily views and visiting other people for the holidays will make you want to go back to your home on the water! eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'justhouseboats_com-box-4','ezslot_7',108,'0','0'])); This one could be a pro and a con to be honest. Living on board a boat will often be far cheaper than renting or owning a traditional home. Newsletter; Facebook; Share; Every once in a while, we need to take a break. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Upkeep is simple, because it's built similarly to an apartment. Now don’t get me wrong, of course things will break on your houseboat and need repaired just like with a traditional home. It can quickly wear on everyone’s nerves and once everyone starts getting annoyed with each other it can go downhill fast! 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. Unfortunately it isn’t like an RV where you can tow your vehicle and unhook when you want to visit places away from shore. With the septic on a houseboat it all goes to one tank and then just has to be pumped out at a marina. It will be the best of times and the worst of times. If you are retired then being able to fish from your couch is probably an amazing benefit. January 2020 Multimedia By Vasy Kafidoff. Days spent relaxing,... Hi, My name is Matt and I am an outdoor enthusiast! Houseboat Expenses: What Are The Costs Of Owning A Boat? This might not be too much of an issue if you’re using it for vacation, but if you plan on a houseboat for your permanent residence you may want to consider this factor. It’s true, especially if their base is on plywood, which can decay more easily, as this web page explains. 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. If you have a pet, there will be no yard for them. IT'S HARD TO GO SAILING. One of the big reasons a houseboat doesn’t require as much upkeep is that there are less things to break! You either walk or pay for a ride. Having a group of people that you regularly dock with means you can easily make friends no matter where you stop. What are the pros and cons of a small houseboat? Pros; 1. 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. sunk into the Fraser River in 2017. I enjoy the gentle rocking of the waves. Who doesn’t want that? 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. The people who do this (often known as liveaboards) are a special breed. 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. What are the pros and cons of living on a houseboat? All kidding aside being on vacation 365 days a year is one of the biggest attractions for people that choose the houseboat life. You have to figure out how to deal with it or move your boat unnecessarily anytime a cold front might pass through. Much less room for gear ; Much less room for people; Difficult to live on full time Living on a houseboat you are susceptible to all of the whims of the weather where you are at. 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. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'justhouseboats_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',112,'0','0'])); Granted being in a warmer location for the holidays can certainly be nice but having a bunch of people on a 500 sq ft boat isn’t many people’s idea of a good time. Houseboats for sale; Penelope, London SW18. Whether on a boat or at the beach, my happy place is near the water. Living in a Boat House Pros (Advantages) What are the Boat House Pros? Posted by:GJW Direct | Apr 28, 2020. You are free to travel the world! In many ways, living in a community of boat homes is more secure than living in a land-based neighborhood. Pros - Living area is decent, due to it's square shape. Yacht Management shares the pros and cons of this type of living. (What’s The Difference? I made this site to make it easy for beginner to learn all there is about houseboats and how much fun can be had on the water! Under the law, boats without permanent moorings must move every 14 days. Everything else is … Can practice fishing anytime: You can go on fishing anytime you want. You can often save multiple hundreds of dollars a month by living on board than you would renting a home. 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. Have high death rates due to carbon monoxide from generators and gas engines. Fish Anytime; Awesome Scenery; Vacation Activities All Year Round; No Yard To take Care of on a House Boat; The House Boat Will Be an Upgrade; No Property Taxes; House Boat Tax Break; Rent Would be Cheaper Than A Normal House 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. 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. Still others differentiate between floating homes, which they tax as real property, and houseboats, which are taxed … Here’s Ryan Jo! Cons - Hard to handle, compared to yachts and other vessel types. 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. Pros. (What’s The Difference?). 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. Yahoo Finance Staff. Pros of a small houseboat. Being able to enjoy amazing views from your windows and deck is one of the biggest pros of living on a houseboat. to do but carpet vacuuming, window washing, and even dusting will be far easier with the smaller vessel. Depending on the size and value of the vessel, boat insurance may be just as expensive as house insurance. Unfortunately, in this day and age, there’s a cost to everything, including living mainly on the water. Strangers around the docks are noticed immediately, and most marinas and boat communities limit access to docks and slips. 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. And in the city of Seattle, there’s just one lender who handles houseboat loans. Pros and Cons of Living on the Water: Houseboats and Floating Homes. I liked television shows that featured some character living such the dream. If you are planning on boating down the Mississippi but it is closed because of flooding, all you can do is wait. link to Is A Boat In Or On The Water? 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. Another thing that keeps the upkeep down on a houseboat is simply the size. 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. … Living on board a boat certainly isn’t for everyone but if it’s something you have considered or simply want to know more about than this article is for you! Boat House Pros Cons of Owning The House Boat http://www.fishingstone.com/fishing/boat-house-pros-cons-owning/ – Boat House Pros Cons. So while it may be rare, it is a possibility. 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. I have long had a fascination of living in a houseboat, upon the tide. Further, you may find it difficult to find dock space if you’re planning on just buying a floating home that is not mobile. Having to walk around crouched over is one of the cons of living aboard. There are lots of advantages to living on a houseboat. Living on a houseboat, right on the ocean, is going to require constant supervision of your young children. Waking up to gentle rocking and the sun coming up over Belvedere is really nice. Float homes and houseboats are not immune to destruction. Some docks are more "lively" than others and it can get noisy. Nothing beats saving time on cleaning and watching the sunset or fishing instead! eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'justhouseboats_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',132,'0','0'])); Size really is everything nowadays and living aboard a houseboat means downsizing especially when compared to most modern sized homes. If you are downsizing that much you will have to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. Along with the incredible views of nature around you, you have a whole lot more to look forward to. 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. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'justhouseboats_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_0',125,'0','0']));There are tons of amazing gadgets that are super popular and almost a “must have” for your boat. Boats are a considerable monetary investment, so you will want to make sure to buy a boat that has all of the features that you need and is also right for your budget. It makes a lot of the other stuff worth it. (not really, but seriously - it’s close). If you’ve been thinking about life on the water then you’ve come to the right place. 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. 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. Further, you may find it difficult to find dock space if you’re planning on just buying a floating home that is not mobile. 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. Your houseboat will be docked at a marina, giving you unparalleled access to the lake or bay on which you reside. Living on a boat can provide a serene existence, at one with nature and surrounded by a tightly knit community of fellow boaters. Keira Knightley and David Suchet have all spent a considerable amount of time living in a houseboat so there must be something to it! Cons: Hidden Costs of Living on the Water in a Floating Home. Is A Boat In Or On The Water? In todays modern narrowboats you can often expect to find washing machines, fridges, showers, toilets and microwaves. I want to research living on a houseboat as a less expensive alternative to living in a landhouse. Pros and cons of living on a houseboat. Hard work. Property taxes will usually be less on a boat than a house as will electricity since you’re not heating/cooling/lighting as big of a space. Whether at night or during daytime when you’re... 2. According to Brown, … Living on a houseboat when it is below freezing is absolutely NO fun so avoiding the cold is a great plan, but what if a cold front quickly blows in? There is nothing I like better than spending time outdoors with my family and friends! That is of course assuming you aren’t paying a normal dock fee for every night. What Are The Boat House Pros Cons? Just as mentioned above with upkeep since there is a much smaller area that you will live in the cleaning that needs done will be much faster and easier too. In our last two blogs, we went over what you need to know before living aboard your boat, as well as some houseboat buying considerations. Houseboating is a great way to spend time with your family and friends and make lifelong memories! In some parts of the country a houseboat isn’t considered real property, so you won’t be paying property taxes. Today, Ryan Jo discusses the advantages of living in a houseboat and shares her latest release, Upon the Tide. 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. Of course you will still have dishes, laundry, etc. 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. That will seriously limit the places you can visit in each town you dock at. 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. They can sink. 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