5* life at 2* price!

IsabelleMedusa

:A

Bonjour, I am so new at this but I ll give it my best.
I think I may have a tip on Great Value for Money Housing.
When I seperated from my ex it was obvious that there was no way I could afford anything not even to rent. So I put my thinking cap one.
... then it came to me.... A HOUSE BOAT... it seemed a bit utopist to start with but i decided to get the facts together.... (although I have to say my first boat sank within 6 weeks....so if you choose my life options..... STAY AWAY FROM WOODEN HULLS FOR THIS PURPOSE!!!)
I have live 3 years now on my fiberglass (and water proof!!!) home.
this is the best move I ever made. To give you some figures:

Invested: £25,000
Insured value now: £35,000 ( best offer I had without having her for sell was: "I give you £40,000 for it........ no.... look I sign the cheque and you just fill it in.... I want her"......... yes she is that perfect!)

I pay ££260 a month for mooring.

When I come back from work.... it s like being on holiday.
This is a great way of living the 5* life at 2* price but I must warn you: a boat needs a lot of commitment and maintenance and before you get in such adventure a lot, A LOT, of research must be done about : survey, insurance, mooring, heating costs.... again ... a lot of research is crucial... also this is not brick and mortar in any case it is rare to make a profit of it (otherwise I would already be a Marine Broker!)

Although I havnt used one you can get a Marine Mortgage but i believe you have to be a property owner. Some people where I live have a house that they rent and they live on their boat. The rent pay for the boat and they have money left overs.. Some boats have family of 5 on them all year round and although rare are the new liveboard (dont even think about buying a spanking new ready to use one)
This way of life brings pros and cons and i find the pros so overwelmingly great financially but also overall.
I love it so much that I dont ever want to go back to live on firm ground.

If you have any questions I will be ever so glad to help.
XXX

fruitcake_2

Isabelle, I have a good friend who has also been doing the same as you for a number of years, and recently bought the boat she was renting for £26,000. She also pays £40 a week for moorings, and this is near Canary Wharf! I have been thinking of doing the same myself, I think when I can afford it I will look around, for something suitable. I have been told it is better to buy the boat from abroad first and get it sent over, is this true?...No wooden Hulls!

whitty999

Wow Isabelle so pleased for you hun,This has been one of my wishes from the age of 14,I am now 38!
Do not think i will ever do it as finacial situations wouldn't let me.
I really admire you for this well done.
If i ever had a windfall this is what i would buy,It was also my dads aim when he retired as he worked on the boats most of his life unfortantly he died at 52 so never got his dream.
I always tell my kids that there is a lot of benefits about living like this but they have yet to share my dreams.

Good luck to all that can afford to do this may one day be able to afford a holiday on one!!!!!

IsabelleMedusa

Getting my boat was also a dream but the dream became true as a necessity.... i could not even afford a studio flat to rent..... i must emphasise that these are not brick and mortar...... you rarely get your money back as maintnance pro rata to a house is more important .... but you do get a wonderful way of life..... you can live very simply .... hippy like..... or very comfortbly.......like me....... the main secret is to find the right boat...... it can take a month ..... it can take years..... had a few tragedy in life and learned that you should not put your dreams in the background as they are sometimes on your doorstep..... there is a preconception that boats are extremely expensive but finding the right one is the secret............. holland is now too expensive .... you still can get some good deals in belgium.... a lot of people find the best deals in are around greece at the moment..... bear in mind that if you bring it back from there you can offer a free ride to skipper who for the trip they would come with you....... although you must have their reference...... a boat cost a lot of money to go at see.... must be a diesel..... there are so may options you can turn to ...... choosing the right boat is more difficult than getting a house.... surround yourself with a reputable surveyer....AGAIN AVOID WOODEN HULLS at all cost..... mine is 30 years old and teh way i take care of her i will get a good 30 more years out of her.......... family life........... no prob..... on the marina i know a family of 4 with a dog and another of 5 with also a dog.... well planned .... it can work out beautifully..... i find though the wifes are often the most difficult to convince...... but none of them regret the move...... a lot of us feel like me (200 in my marina)..... none of us would like to go back to land....it is a project that turns into a dream.....great move..... follow your dream..... it is not as far as you think...........(by the way i bearly know how to swim.... never had been near a floating device on my own)...........

whitty999

If i ever get a windfall then i will be on one for sure,Always fancied the Hoo Marina,A lovely place.