Interesting newspaper article sent to us by MOH in the mail (source)
Here you have a family unit of two adults and 2 kids who live on a boat.
The adults are working, the kids are in school, everyone is happy.
I write a lot about our life here.
It was not on the cards to buy, let alone live on, a boat but we got priced out of the property market in 2014, and this was the best option open to us.
It was a good move, we are enjoying a better lifestyle, and I have no regrets.
Picture: moored at Stratford Upon Avon July 2015
We are lucky in that we found a permanent residential mooring in a marina, which gives us a fixed address. For that privilege, we pay mooring fees, a residential licence on top of our river licence and local taxes.
We are free to travel (or not) away from our berth without penalty, licences permitting.
We have access to fresh water, toilets and showers, and a safe enclosure for our car 24/7, fuel and pump out facilities are also available here, plus a laundry room and mains electricity on a pay as you go basis. We are well placed for shopping, entertainment, and buses to a variety of larger towns and the motorway isn’t that far away for journeys farther afield.
We are signed on with a good doctor, optician, dentist and an excellent vet for Maggie.
We have a limited income, but manage pretty well as we have always been frugal (I write a lot about budgets and cheap cooking too), we do not tend to be frivolous and I am a good money manager.
We have made friends here, and it is lovely to live in and be a part of a pleasant community made up from all walks of life, with no hidden agenda.
Pictures: moored in the marina and our boat at sunset .
Our way of life differs from those in the article only in that we have no children and have a permanent mooring. The way we live is our choice and we are happy.
The comment from ‘A Boater’ tells it like it is and how once again, Red Tape and Bureaucracy are in the process of ruining people’s lives because they do not fit ‘The Box’, The Box being living at a convenient fixed address.
These people are doing nothing wrong. They are living a good life and bringing up their kids in different surroundings to ‘TPTB’, that’s all.
But think on this:
Big Brother is watching, and he wants to know exactly where you are so that he can hassle you one way or another.
What gets me about that article is that it seems that the powers that be would rather this family go homeless or be forced to completely live off of the state than to live the way they choose, which seems to suit their family just fine.
I agree completely. They are doing nothing wrong, and their kids are probably benefitting from a healthier lifestyle and are also better to know. Why can’t they just leave them alone? Their community ‘works’ for them all.
Yes! I imagine those kids have far more healthy adventures and time outside than almost every other kid around them – not to mention the fun adventure that is living on a boat!
Reblogged this on idealisticrebel and commented:
You are not the only one I know who lives on a boat. His is in Key West. I enjoyed your photographs and will be back. Hugs, Barbara
Thank you Barbara. You’re always welcome! 🙂
That comment about big brother is the true for sure!
So right.