What would you think of someone if they lived on a boat?

[Newyounewlife]

I am considering leaving my partner for 15+ years, however it would be impossible for me to buy or rent independently even with my professional job due to the area in which I need to be based. The only options seem to be:

• move home with parents (not something I want to do at 35)
• sell my car for £15,000, buy a small houseboat and a runaround car to get me to and from work.

What would be your perception of someone who was in a well respected professional position who made this life change?

Do you think this would affect opportunities for promotion?

Would you think less of them for leaving a seemingly secure relationship and a house with mortgage for a house boat?

I agree that 15K doesn't seem to be a massive budget for such a thing

https://www.boatsforsale.co.uk/boats/narrow-boats/

I'm not sure how your housing arrangements would have any effect on promotions. I knew someone who lived on a houseboat with her family. I thought it was very cool, a bit bohemian and a way to own a home of your own cheaply. I don't think she had a lot of people over but apart from that she seemed to like it. If you are happy to live on a houseboat and it's one of the only ways to leave your partner then I would do it. No way would I move home at 35 (but that's just me)

I also agree that £15k isn't a big budget. I live near a few marinas and rivers and the boats aren't much cheaper than the cheapest property here. But even garages are £40k+ so might just be the area

I would think that they were someone that lived on a boat.

I think I'd wonder how comfortable living on a houseboat would be, especially in winter, and also how secure they would be. That's pretty much it - and would hope it works out for you. 🌹

it wouldn’t interest me enough to think anything

If you think it's financially viable then go for it, but I wouldn't expect to be able to buy a houseboat and a small car for £15,000. The upkeep and insurance would need to be factored in as well.
You need to focus on the practical issues rather than what anyone might think.

I am truly overwhelmed by your wonderful feedback, you all seem lovely and supportive.

Yes £15k isn’t much for a great boat and basic of cars, I’d have some savings to go towards it by the time I took the plunge!

Thank you all again! 😊

You ever watched the TV series "My Floating Home" OP?

There are a lot of people now looking at doing this. Granted some of the homes are serious money, but some on there haven't.

If it was just the two of us here, we'd seriously think about it. I'd love to do it.

I'd think you are cool and would be angling for an invite, as pp have said.
Alexandra Pringle, the former head of Bloomsbury, lives on a boat.

I would be intrigued/jealous!!

It's not like living in a tent ⛺️

I know a few people who live on houseboats, varying from traditional narrow boat through to wide beam Dutch barges. The latter as far as I am concerned were just as large as good sized two bed flats with all the mod cons. The former were very much short on space and were bloody cold in winter. It is definitely a lifestyle choice. Mooring fees are a huge factor with more popular marinas near shops and public transport costing a bloody fortune. Lots of maintenance to consider and while they are cheaper then bricks and mortar they certainly do not appreciate very much. I love spending time on my mates house boat but I am glad I don't live on one.

I live on a boat.
AMA

I have a couple of friends and two SILs who live on boats. It’s a lot of work and maintenance and very much a lifestyle rather than just somewhere to live. Moorings can be expensive. £15k won’t get you anything decent, so unless you plan to buy a shell and renovate yourself, probably an idea to park.

I’ve done it and I think you’re way underestimating the costs. Where would you moor it? And if you’re planning on continuously cruising, is this realistic with your job? Though in my experience a blind eye is mostly turned in winter to illegal mooring but in summer you’ll be harassed to move on every couple of weeks. If you move three miles down the river you then have to come back for the car.

Boat maintenance is VERY expensive unless you do it all yourself or as some do ignore it and let the boat fall apart. Fuel for the fire costs and it’s not great health wise. You can scavenge for wood but it’s time consuming. Basically making boat living very low cost takes time, it’s a very particular lifestyle and personally I didn’t find it compatible with a typical job.

If you're near Nottingham I'm selling a sail boat that fits on the canals

I’d think you were cool/arty, a bit alternative/ “anti-establishment” possibly, and very brave! Like others I would assume it was either a deliberate lifestyle choice or simply (as is the truth), that you’re priced out of the local housing market otherwise on your own after splitting up with someone.

I can’t see how it would affect your prospects at work.

I'd thinking sounds like a lovely lifestyle but I also wouldn't expect them to be the kind of person who gave two hoots what I think.

Can you get a houseboat and a run around for that kind of money, and don't you still need to pay rent for the mooring?

I would you were massively cool and I would be extremely jealous

PS I imagine it would be a bit nippy in the winter!!

I wouldn't think anything of it at all. If anything I'd think it was rather cool.

(This is for yachts rather than houseboats)

Marina costs vary - at most ours have been £3.5k a year and that included all your electricity, and you pay monthly, or annually for a discount. We've also owned moorings for about £5k. This is for a 28 foot motor sailer.

My in laws lived on a 36 foot motor yacht for 15 years. With the right equipment it can be warm and cosy. A couple of good dehumidifiers really help. In the summer it was glorious!

The mooring fees will be fine based on my research, I do still plan on having a job. 😉

People I have known who live on houseboats I have thought of as being alternative and interesting, artistic and unconventional. I think it's great.

We had a social worker that lived on a houseboat. We already thought she was pretty cool but that make her even more so.

Miami vice made crocket or tubbs (can’t remember which) really cool by living on a boat. - showing my age!

Is 15K enough to get you a houseboat? I thought they were more like 40K?