Will demand for CANAL LIVING continue as house prices soar?
Well, this is a bit of a dangerous topic. It’s not like me to ask difficult questions, only to stand back and watch how things develop huh? Talk about lighting the blue touch paper and standing back!
Its a real minefield full of boaters ready to explode into a rage as they fear that the deal they have in life may be put as risk if the general public learned the biggest secret they hold… LIVING ON A BOAT IS CHEAPER THAN LIVING IN A HOUSE!
So why the hell would I write an article on a subject that could see the canal teeming with new life?
It’s simple really. People and the canals go together like Marmite and toast – like bangers and mash! The canals in the UK have a rich history with thousands of characters who have shared and been integral in our waterway’s stories.
This morning, we’ve had friends over who have decided to sell up and move aboard. They are so excited that I bet they don’t even make it into the summer without selling their house and buying their boat – once the canal bug bites, there really is nothing that can be done, but to move on to a life afloat.
As I say, for over the past two hundred years the canals of the UK and its people have had their histories woven together and in the future, I can’t see that changing. Without its people, the waterways would soon fall into decline, much as they did at the end of mass canal carrying in the middle of the last century. It was only right minded people who got together and reversed this decline – and for the benefit of us all today.
The canals have changed. They used to be for the movement of goods – something that we hardly ever see nowadays, but something that I hope will return in the future. Then they were a place of leisure – they still are used for this a great deal, but more and more now they are becoming for many a place to live.
So here is my question – Will demand for CANAL LIVING continue as house prices soar?
We know that for many of us, the pull to living on the canal was not all about the affordability of it, but for some it will be. If we have people coming to the cut for economic reasons, will that change the atmosphere of the canal in a good or bad way?
I am remaining on the fence, but would love your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Richard
Our story! I had always wanted to live anywhere remote. One day we cleaned one of our customers rental properties. I was in love! We put our house on the market to rent a beautiful, very large farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. We’ve had an absolute blast, no neighbours for 2 miles. My 9 year old pretty much spends the whole time in the garden. Fast forward 2 years. The eldest has moved out and 18 yr old won’t be long. Decided we would buy a boat with our house profit with a view to moving aboard in 5 years time. So we spent time aboard loving it. 6 months later and we’re 2 weeks away from moving on. We were spending £900 in rent, £80 heating oil, £50 electric, £50 water, £200 council tax. At the boat we have a permanant mooring for a while. £160 a month including electric and water. No brainer really!!
My eldest put a deposit on a boat last weekend…… it’s catching!
It certainly is catching!
Enjoy your years afloat 🙂
Thank you. Loved your book, thank you for the signed copy. Can’t wait for the next one!
You’re too kind 🙂
I would love to live afloat. I’ve been watching from the sidelines for a while (enviously) and I’d certainly like to cut my overheads. I wish there were more avenues to learn about boating on a hands on, informal way- and preferably not ridiculously expensive! I’d like to get a boat built, but there seems to be so many different reviews about boat builders; quality, after sales, etc. To be honest, that worries me a little and I don’t feel I have which thing knowledge to but an old(er) boat and not run into issues with the hull etc. It’s the peacefulness and communityvthat most appeals to me about living aboard. Finances too.
A question to add: if more people, and therefore likely a more diverse cross section of people join the live aboard community, (larger families= larger boats rather than what I’m guessing the majority of canal dwelling public to be- singles, couples, retirees, etc)… Would there be more problems with widebeams? Would old, disused canals be repaired? Connected more? Widened? Would the government spot an opportunity and increase fees in different ways? Eg a council tax charge when you license your boat? Moorings bought? Is any of that even possible?
Its possible that there will be changes. I would like to see council run marinas.