When we were in Amsterdam, one of the common sights on the various canals were the different houseboats that were tied up all along the canal walls. We understand that the cost of buildings is extremely high in Amsterdam and living in a houseboat is an option to live there without having to purchase one of the townhomes that line either side of the canal. We see all of the new television shows about tiny living and having a tiny house on the water would probably suit a lot of people’s desires. We are definitely downsizing since all of our children are grown and live in various parts of the United States, but downsizing doesn’t mean having your bed in your kitchen, at least not to us. There are definitely some larger houseboats, but we’re not sure that we want to deal with all of the headaches that come along with boat ownership. Living on a houseboat might seem like a romantic way to live, but we’d rather live on firm ground. What are your thoughts?
For this week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Motors for House or Garage, we selected a few photos of the houseboats of Amsterdam. They may or may not have working engines, but it isn’t likely that they ever go anyplace.
I’m with you. It might be fun for a lark, but I would want to spend a lot of time on one. Besides, I like my garden!
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The who countryside would become your garden and you don’t even have to do the weeding π
Haha! Good point!
Looks like fun, but I love my creature comforts too much. π
Us too π
Yep, I would definitely live on a houseboat. π
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It would certainly beat some of the tiny places I have seen, and could be fun for a while. Not a long term plan for me though.
Completely agree βΊ
It would be fun for a few months, but like the others…short term π
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I’d consider it. I think a lot of people like the romance of it but are unaware of the hidden costs (in the UK this means thinks like mooring charges, heating in winter, maintenance and repair and so on). I think living on a houseboat is actually very hard work for a lot of people!
That is very true. People would need to do a lot of research before making the commitment.
I think it might be fun, but expensive fun! You’d have all the expense of maintaining a house, plus the expense of maintaing a boat – you know, a hole in the water you pour money into. My thoughts are tending towards renting, I’m tired of being responsible for a house and yard.
Agree that it could be expensive. When we moved back to Colorado from Germany in March we decided to rent for now. We have enjoyed not having to worry about a house or yard π
I couldn’t do it long-term. I had my experiment in tiny living in 2016 when we rented a small apartment in Washington, DC for a year. I thought I’d love it, but I didn’t. I liked being right smack in a city, but not the tight quarters. Now we have downsized both house and yard, but not to that extent, and life is good!
That was how we felt in Frankfurt. Right in the middle of everything, but tight quarters. Now that we are back in the US we are trying to find the right balance βΊ
Like the others, only for a short time. Also, not in the city — but I have seen those on mountain lakes that appealed. With respect to other comments, tired of the burdens of a house we moved to a condo — and found one larger than our previous homes. It has been seven years now and I would not go back to a house.
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I am about to do it! Mortgage free with no utility bills nor taxes. Go where I want when I want. Wake up to birds singing instead of that damn alarm clock! What’s not to like? But then my boyfriend is a mechanic and welder so I guess that takes the stress out of the dirty jobs for me π
Sounds like you are stating a new adventure π
Can’t wait