I Moved from an apartment to a boat; LOVE IT DESPITE CONS

I’d been living in downtown chicago for two years when i got a dreaded rent hike notice. I FIGDED I HAD TWO OPTIONS: Pay an Extra Couple Hundred Dollars a month to stay, or move to a more affordable neighborhod.

When talking to a longtime Friend About my rent, she suggestted I is stuffed in staff and an stay on her boat for a month or two to test out on the west coast.

Long Story Short, i did that, and we start dating – i didn’t see it coming, eather – i’ve live here Ever Since.

Transitioning from a downtown high-rise (with all the amenities) to a floating home was definitely an adjustment, but i love full-time boat life.

Life on the water is full of unique perks

SINCE MOVING ON THE BOAT ABOUT Two Years ago, i’ve found that my favorite place is the back deck. My girlfriend tourned it into a cozy patio space where we can eat dinner, host Friends, or just relax by the firepit as the Sun Sets.

Its Become the Heart of Our Home, and I Think That’s One Reason Boat Life Feels SO Special.

Plus, we can easily paddleboard or kayak, and we have had a little dinghy we take out for dolphin-spotting Over Morning Coffee. I Never Get Tired of the Views – or Being, quite literally, steps from the ocean.

Surpringly, Boat Life Also Tourned Out to be More Affordable than I Expect. Instead of Paying Traditional Rent, We Pay What’s Called a Slip Fee. It ‘s bit like renting an apartment, but out “unit” is a space in the marina where boat is tied up.

The Fee Gives US Access to Electricity, Water, and Marina Facilities Like Showers and Laundry. Our monthly fee is mess than $ 1,200, which is far less than this studio apartments (WITHOUT WATER VIEWS) IN OUR AREA.

Of Course, we have add regular maintenance and the occisional repair, the overall cost can Creep up. Still, for us, it’s ben Worth it to live in los angeles, on the water, for a reasonable amount of Money.

And then there’s the community. Marinas Attract All Kinds of People – Some Who Live ABOARD FULL TIME, OTHERS WHO COME SEASONALLY – but in My Experience, Everyone Looks Out For Each Other. It ‘s tight-Knit, Welcoming Environment That Feels rare in a Big City.

Howver, Some quirks took a while to get to

The Bathroom Situation was probably the Biggest Adjustment for me. We have a decent shower on the boat, but unfortunately, we can’t use out the bathroom for realting.

For Example, Our Plumbing System Can’t Handle Solids Well, so we Sometimes have to use the Shared Marina Bathroom. Thankfully, they’re usablely Clean and empty, but i will miss the convenience of being able to full use the Bathroom inside my home.

THERE’S THE SPACE ITSELF. Coming from a small studio in chicago, I didn’t strugGle much with downsizing, but the boat kitchen and work Areas are undenibly compact.

We’ve Made It Work, Especilantly With A Spacious Bedroom and Good Storage Solutions, but it does take some creation.

We Also don’t have some of the USUAL LUXURIES, SUCH AS A Dishwasher or in-Unit Laundry, but Marina Facilities Make it Manageable.

And, of COURSE, WE DEAL WITH NEVER-WEIGHT MAINTENANCE. Just in the past few months, we’ve replaced a Shower Pump, Dealt with a Bilge Pump (The System that Removes Water from the Lower of the Boat) that isn’t working protperly, and kept up with Monthly Cleanings to Prevent the Growth of Algae and Barnac.

There’s Also ongoing Woodwork, Such As Sanding and Resealing The Teak, which is bot Time-Conssential to Keeping the Boat Looking Good and Protected from the Elements.

And yet, i don’t see mySelf going back to ‘normal’ Living Anytime Soon

Once You’ve Had Your Morning Coffee while Spoting Dolphins, IT’S HARD to Imagine Anynding ELSE.

I’ve always dreamed of living abroad, and our long-term goal is to settle someone in the mediterranean, live on a boat, and sail between counries.

For Now, Though, Boat Life in La, Mixed with Time Abroad, Feels like the right balance for us – and it”s teaching with that home doesn’t have to be one fixed place.