I had been reading narrowboat living forums for three years as a guilty pleasure. In March 2022 I…
T=0: The Decision
A 2-bedroom flat in Peckham we had bought in 2017 for £285k, now worth approximately £380k. A mortgage with 19 years remaining. A life entirely structured around paying for the privilege of owning a box in London that we worked inside rather than lived in.
I had been reading narrowboat living forums for three years as a guilty pleasure. In March 2022 I told my partner properly and she was not horrified. We sold the flat in June, bought a 57ft narrowboat for £52,000, put the remainder into index funds, and applied for a Continuous Cruising licence.
No mortgage. A life that moves. A different view every morning.
6 Months Out
Monthly living costs are under £400 — mooring fees, diesel, gas, and a marina membership for showers. We have visited 23 different counties. I illustrate from the bow with the doors open. The flat had not changed its view in 5 years.
“Budget separately for the first year of repairs. A narrowboat is a mechanical and structural maintenance project with a home attached. Expect £3,000–5,000 of unexpected costs in year one.”