Is it cheaper to live on a narrowboat? Ep. 230.

Is it cheaper to live on a canal narrowboat or in a house? After years of living aboard our narrow boat we sold it and now live in a house. With the cost of living crisis, find out our money saving tips and which will save you money. A house or a narrowboat?
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#narrowboat #costofliving #canal

[@12354andyb]

For me, it's not about the cost it's about the peace of mind. I left the Army 11 years ago. After 30 years. I hate bringing stuck in the same place day in and day out it drives me mad. Iv never lived on a boat before, so I'm going to take the plunge this year rent my house out and disappear I find your videos fantastic. Keep them up.

[@12354andyb]

@@jeffebdy i,m going to rent mine to the Council then its their problem but a guaranteed rent and if its trashed they fix it.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Have fun

[@seanmurray8051]

Good luck mate

[@paulpm57]

To keep this in perspective, I lived in Hong King before the pandemic. My apartment was a small kitchen/living room, bedroom with small double bed and space next to it 1 meter wide and a wet/bathroom/toilet that would just about squeeze 2 people in. This was smaller than your narrowboat and cost the equivalent of 1,700 pounds a month - plus bills! British people are very spoils with the housing stock (even though it's getting more expensive). The idea of a narrow boat in the UK is a quantum leap better than a mid range apartment in HK!

[@majordolbyscat]

Greetings Foxes. I finally got myself a 47ft boat. The biggest deal for me is that, and for the very first time, I now own my own home, even though I'm closer to fifty than forty ;) I scrapped just enough together. For me, I simply could not have afforded my own home on land without being saddled with a huge mortgage so I opted for a life on the canals because of my love for the water (having worked on cruise ships for ten years) I'm a single man, no children so it was easy adopting a more minimalist lifestyle as well as becoming a digital minimalist along the way, for that more mindful existence. As always, never miss your vlogs, always a highlight. Best wishes from Devon / soon to be Gloucester ;)

[@Tom-S1981]

I live on a narrowboat , and for me it's about not having a mortgage (boats paid for) , yes it'd be nice to have a house, but it'd be living costs PLUS a thousand pound mortgage payment every month. Thanks guys and the highlands sounds very tempting right now.

[@ww6156]

Also the house is an appreciating asset, that's the biggest plus for me

[@brianperry]

My wife and l moved to España in 2000 when it was cheaper than UK. our first home was on an Urbanisation, where we realised was for us. We bought a Campo..(country house) House.. No electric, no water, no telephone.... really off grid so's to speak...It was a complete lifestyle change. In many respects it was great however after a few years the fact we had no amenities got us down. You see we came from an environment where all the services were 'piped' into the house.... it became harder and harder to life the off grid lifestyle....It all sounds idyllic... but its not...Good luck with your new lifestyle....Greetings from España

[@QALibrary]

2:30 on a radio phone-in (in the past) with a very know TV star in the design and decorating field she said the best way to paint was in the nude! - she said it is much easier to get paint off bare skin vs clothing/fabrics, it keeps you and keeps what you not wearing clean and not ruined by the paint if it gets splashed on it

[@sandiekurczewski3182]

Wow, Mr. Accountants! That was a lot of research on finances. What's so nice is, you can always say We did it in our lives- lived on a narrow boat and got to experience many wonderful adventures! You'll always have those memories. Love to you guys and cute doggies. On with your "land" adventures, thanks for the great videos! (Shaun and the sheep)

[@jacquelineryde7339]

Thank you for another great Vlog. We are experienced boaters and are so looking forward to CC We nearly moved to Scotland instead as we have visited there for years.😂. I will still work a couple of days from the boat to cover costs but this Vlog I’m sure will help so many 👍👍❤️❤️

[@kathyrapiejko6318]

Hey Guys - VERY valuable info for anyone considering narrowboat life! Thank you for compiling all these expenses. I know many people will find this quite helpful! Sending love and hugs & big cuddles for Otis & Ollie! ❤🐾🐾❤

[@johnpearson230]

Moved from a house to a narrowboat to have a change of lifestyle. Got rid of most of the stuff we'd accumulated over 30 years - very therapeutic - discovered what we actually need and use and the remaining 90% of stuff which was just there and not being used. Some costs are the same regardless of what you live on/in - groceries, beer tokens, savings, TV licence, holidays etc but comparing costs which are unique to boat life against house-life, for us living on a narrowboat is about a third to half the cost of living in a house.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Like we said, this was just us. Everyone is different xx

[@Samtasticlife37]

Mates, I was so enamored by the boating videos and the mobility to see all of the UK while taking my house with me, but I've come to the conclusion that I am a house/hotel person who needs facilities for daily life. While I enjoy the romance of nomadic life, the reality is that I am a homebody who loves comfort. :) I look forward to more of your story.

[@bigfish8280]

Wow I used to watch you guys all the time but I haven't received any notifications from your Channel or watch any videos in at least a year if not more ! KZbin is a strange Beast. So glad you guys popped into my mind and I looked up your channel by manually inputting the name. I'll be sure to catch up on at least some of the videos i missed & watch all of the new ones as the come out!!!

[@donnalannan2978]

Excellent video! You really covered the financial aspects very thoroughly. Maybe you can compare the physical demands and inconveniences of the 2. Having to move frequently. Getting groceries and supplies, getting water, dumping the toilet, etc. Working the locks, climbing the ladders, etc

[@leanngoodall7602]

A great idea.

[@RichardWatt]

My wife painted a few of the rooms in our house herself so we just chose & paid for the paint and she did the work. We've had visitors think we'd had professionals in :)

[@beverlymcfarlane8681]

You just explained why I could not bring my barge from the Netherlands to the UK. In the NL I paid 50 euro every 6 months, inc unmetered water and electricity. No boat licence or anything required. Only insurance, and that was 100 euro per year for an 8 metre by 3.5 metre barge. On enquiring, the cheapest mooring I could get in the UK was £2000 a year plus utilities and the various licences etc. Nobody would insure it here as it was 25 yrs old, whereas, because the Dutch never let a boat die, that was young in their terms! Ended up selling it, as I could not afford to keep it here. The only decision in life I regret! Unless you know someone, its almost impossible to get a mooring in NL though, if you are not Dutch.

[@mickcrisp2854]

I was an accountant for many years. I retired 18 months ago relying on pensions. Obviously now getting a lot lower income but still managing! It seems that your expenses expand to use the money available. Also, the black stress rings round my eyes have gone and I'm enjoying life. Great vlog as always gentlemen.

[@suzannewch7202]

Very informative and very entertaining……and I was surprised by which was cheaper! As to things crashing into boats and not houses: here in our village the dollar store has been rammed by a vehicle …..TWICE! (Not by the same person) both times the ladies loo was destroyed as the outside wall caved in!! So protect your house, Shaun and Colin!! Happy Friday!

[@everhat]

We love you two, Colin and Shaun! We haver watched you for a few years now. So happy you two are so happy in Scotland! These are some of the best videos on KZbin - informative, engaging and with you two in them they are always a joy to watch. Thanks so much for sharing - Everett and Christine

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks so much!!

[@thegraphicsboat]

We did exactly the same, moving from our Narrowboat to Southwest Scotland, we looked at costs a few weeks back and I can completely agree with your assessment that there is no difference in cost from living on a boat to a house - literally pounds in it. Factoring in the cost of boats nowadays and other variables, I think we had the best of it. Hope your enjoying Scotland love from (ex Nb) The Graphics Boat

[@fp30e]

Very interesting that costs based on your criteria, were almost the same. Another good Vlog. Thank You.

[@MrIdleknight]

Well said! I’ve had my boat 5 years and get told it’s cheaper than a flat. I have a spreadsheet which tells me it doesn’t. As a project manager I see everything as a triangle of time, cost and quality. Boating and land life have different shaped triangles and boat life doesn’t suit everyone.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Exactly!

[@jayne1905]

Thankyou lads, I love the idea of living on a narrowboat having spent a week on one. Unfortunately I'm not brave enough to sell my bricks and mortar and buy one. I follow other vlogers and it always looks so romantic. Silverfox was beautiful but here you are back on land, I guess that says it all really. You are living the best life now xx

[@mikepatton9537]

Interesting comparison, lots of good information. Thanks for the video!

[@BrewabitRick]

That’s some effort put into the calculations for this video. Appreciated guys cheers 👍👍

[@VK-qe7if]

Brilliant video guys and good advice 👍 I'll be honest, I'd didn't really know the true cost of living on a boat, but after 14 years of doing so I now know that it's very expensive more than I thought, and your video just confirms it. A lot of people think it's a cheap way of life, but it certainly isn't, but it's way better than living in social housing which I did when I was a kid and it scarred me for life. So well done to the both of you, but I will say, I slightly envy your little house in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. 👌😊

[@EmmaBailey]

Gosh I absolutely love you both! Thanks for being amazing (I was going to try and write properly, but this will have to do). Lots of of your content regarding mental health was very significant for me back when you were on the boat, and it helped me decide to buy one of our own (with my daughter). Not to live on, just a recreational sailboat down here in North Wales (and on the sea). I found it really difficult, and still do, with now needing to rely on a wheelchair when I have been so active outdoors in the past. Even just knowing the boat is sat in the harbour gives me hope. We hope to sail it up the coast and through the Caledonian Canal sometime. Thanks so much for being beautiful human beings! Love ya!

[@geoffb3240]

Please give Sean some pocket money, poor little lamb! ;) :D Great vid as usual fellas!

[@FoxesAfloat]

🤣

[@bethlowell7336]

Enjoyed the vlog. Interesting final comparison. Magic number is 77!

[@JudeLuZe]

I would love to see more day to day videos of you guys taking care of your animals and home - just regular routines. I love you both! I am catching up on old videos and looking forward to new videos! You live in a beautiful place!

[@FoxesAfloat]

Noted!

[@thomastaylor3116]

Great stuff lads nice see ya both fit and well 👍👍

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks 👍

[@woollen797]

I'll agree the cost of living on a boat has got higher over the last few years, I was looking at moving onto the canals but stayed in bricks and mortar.

[@ralphfeatherstone7813]

Great vlog as usual. Very useful information.

[@lauralie9658]

I just love you guys. Your amazing and funny too. My life companion and I live in Las Vegas where it is a desert and I really miss green areas and trees but I hate the snow and cold.. I just love all the green in England. I have been over the pond to London once. I am to poor and ill now to travel so watching you two makes me so happy, keep it up gentlemen... Love from Las Vegas.

[@stuartboyd6340]

I need Colin to sort my life out !!

[@neilevans7155]

Thanks for another excellent video, although you were meant to be convincing me how cheap life would be. But while not stated here anyone who has owned a boat knows what that acronym actually stands for.

[@jonathanboon1983]

Looking great guys, pups look very happy.

[@FoxesAfloat]

They are!

[@richardstevens3625]

I'll have to remind myself to do decorating naked next time have a pandemic or in general.Decorated whole house throughout and got so much paint on so much clothing. I'd need therapy from seeing me though never mind neighbours.

[@FoxesAfloat]

🤣

[@annasyndergaard1162]

I love to watch your Videos. The comparison of costs was very interesting. You're advice is spot on! Thank you and I wish you both a Wonderful and Blessed New Year! ❤️

[@davidcharleston1314]

Super hope you guys are doing good and enjoying the weather up here love the different content

[@scoscar]

Hey fellas, great videos this week and last week. Thank you for producing them. Looking forward to your future vids. 👍

[@pootlingalong8928]

Two years away from retirement and I spend a lot of time day dreaming about moving on to a small narrowboat. I can’t, however, get away from the fact that living in my small house is cheaper than a boat ever could be as I own the house. If you rent or are paying a mortgage, the boat may be cheaper? I still enjoy the daydreams though, of opening the side hatch in the morning to say hello to ducks 🦆 inches away on the water. Love your blogs, keep doing you ❤️👍🏻🙂

[@FoxesAfloat]

It all depends on what boat you get x

[@philipizzard2584]

Thanks chaps a interesting two vlogs of the budgeting on canals and home life,in personal find the canal life less stressful in many ways but not all 😢thanks again ❤

[@hughcarson6837]

Good info lads, well done.

[@cherryclark2572]

Great advice! Thanks for the balanced rundown ☺️

[@WhatsCookingTime]

Happy to see you fellas back !

[@alanfirth4676]

Another excellent vlog. You made the right decision you did the canals,just think how you would have coped on the boat with events that occured to in 2023

[@jnelson0615]

Happy birthday Shaun. And thanks for the calendar. 😉

[@simonbiggs9102]

Who needs martin Lewis. When we have you two😀

[@suegurney4666]

Very useful and thorough information Colin and Shaun . I know you were only comparing like for like but the improvement in the resale of a house has much greater value than that of a boat doesn’t it? So financially for you two moving back into a house was a good move. However , I guess you value life style much more . I miss your narrowboat adventures but Scotland is lovely too and perhaps much better for your dogs or doesn’t it matter?

[@FRanceSource]

Brilliant video guys. BTW that is $18,283.69 (US dollars) for those thinking of retirement on a narrowboat. Your gas and electric are comparable to ours. Not sure of your house sq footage.

[@t-n-tew7468]

Over 2000 lbs/yr for electric for a small house. Can you add solar on the house? Is there no return or is it not cost effective? Just wondering. We love the compare and contrast between the two lifestyles. Stay warm. Spring is just around the corner. Love you guys and can't wait to see you opening up the bee hives again. OH. How are the chickens? Getting many eggs?

[@waynewaring]

Brilliant comparison guys. Thanks for the insight.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Our pleasure!

[@stevesrepairs5778]

Thanks guys for this brilliant and very interesting vlog. It's great to see that you four are doing well. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@lynndandelion]

That's an impressive number of outtakes! Not so much helpful, as there are no narrowboats here to move onto, but definitely informative and entertaining. Thanks for the fun, the chance to see your shiny selves, and, as always, for sharing with us.

[@noelborden8787]

This is really interesting. When you moved onto Silver Fox, did you store some of your household goods and once you moved into your wee croft in the Highlands did you bring stuff back? I mean, you would have been purchasing a lot of things just to have a home. You two are so wonderfully smart.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Nope. As we said in the video, we got rid of 95% of our belongings 👍🏻

[@mikereilly5005]

Hi Just discovered your channel and have watched a few ,I find your channel very amusing and informative at the same time, cannot wait to door your back catalogue (dont) of the canal boat Look forward to more postings Mike

[@FoxesAfloat]

Welcome aboard!

[@susanseller5825]

Very interesting, and lovely to catch a glimpse of the wonderful Dillon at the begining. Lots of number crunching in this, thank you xxxx

[@pyconsable]

I am a big fan, like the way you explain your adventures

[@FoxesAfloat]

Awesome, thank you!

[@sandyprosser805]

Another brilliant video. Enjoyed it. You pair are soooooo good together. Have great week. Love to you all😊

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thank you! You too!

[@bennysh]

LOL it came from uranus 😂 To be honest, even if the costs are more for a boat (much more, depending on location, size and condition), it's worth at least try for a period..

[@jordiribas2883]

So living costs are more or less the same, no savings here. I'd dare say that the "huge savings" of selling the house and moving to a boat are purely in the price difference between the house and the boat.

[@robertwalton6674]

by the way i was at Ellesmere Wharf Shropshire last november & there was a narrowboat called silver link moored . it looked very much like your old one

[@FoxesAfloat]

Yeah, there are a few copycats about 🤣

[@robertwalton6674]

OK enjoy Scotland we have had a couple of holidays at Jackals Rest Lairg. So are you somewhere near cos we noticed you posted a few things around Dornoch 😊

[@trevorsbarkingmadchannel4501]

Very interesting comparison. Quite a surprise too tbh. Thanks guys. ❤

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks you two

[@kirkoful]

You guys need to move over to Ireland. Absolutely zero fees over here.

[@markattardo]

Interesting info. Rent for my apartment without heat is about the same yearly...and it's on the very low side for the area (possibly cheapest with the housing insanity).

[@Bosunsbikes]

Great honest review

[@stephenshippam9374]

Hi guys another great video really enjoyed it best wishes to you

[@srqlisa7881]

I bet your glad your not on the boat this past week. Stay dry boys and warm. ❤❤ ❤❤ one for each of ya.😁

[@chrismarydownes8153]

Love the photograph guys, walked past there many times, happy memories of you on the Peak Forest Canal, 2 years ago. Where's the time gone???💕🐾🐾xxxx from us both.

[@FoxesAfloat]

❤️❤️❤️

[@AmandaJayne46]

❤ awesome job guys, it is as you say. Home or boat living is a personal choice so it’s logical for the costs to be as individual as you are. As the guys say always go and try something first and always research. Give yourselves a good year of research and trying again and again through the year. That way you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t work for you ❤ Always remember though, if your not having fun 🤩 your doing it wrong. Please 🙏 stay safe and healthy 💋

[@Rovinman]

Absolutely Wonderful ! Great to get those comparative costs ! Loved the Out-takes ! Hillarious ! You aught to get a Teleprompter, with that £77, then you CAN'T forget your words ! But it wouldn't be as exciting ! When are we going to get a Jeep maintenance Vlog ? I now watch your Vlogs, until the screen goes Black, + 15 seconds, just so that I don't miss anything ! Love you guys ! Take care, Keep safe ! Stu xxx

[@FoxesAfloat]

Ah, it would be less fun with a teleprompter 🤣 I have a guy who sorts the Jeep. I’m useless at mechanics 🧰 x

[@3dognite]

Great video you two. I would have thought the narrowboat would have been cheaper. Although, I don't live near water. I have thought a lot about narrowboats and house boats. Richard and I are trying to downsize from a large house. Something like this would be fabulous. Much of this is just dreaming, but we are both retired so we can do just about anything now. Your video was informative. Thanks for sharing Guys.

[@thedude6688]

The neighbours who saw u through the window didn't need therapy they were loving it looooooooooooool

[@FoxesAfloat]

😉

[@melabert7269]

Been watching your Vlogs for the last couple of years and I absolutely love them. I am looking at buying a boat right now. I have found one privately and want to secure it with a deposit, although I am a little nervous about giving someone I don't know a couple thousand pound. Do you know of a brokerage service that will be the middleman for the transaction? Any other advice would be great as well.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Private sellers don't have to use a brokerage, it's like selling a car, so a degree of trust is needed. There are lots of brokerages around who sell boats.

[@flyinghedgehog3833]

House with own private mooring would work..yes not cheap.

[@mishkawp8200]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@ashdrive]

Fabulous....love the outakes....xx

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

Another informative video gents. What went wrong for you in 2004 then when you first lived on a boat, compared to your later second attempt? I'm still researching boat life before I jump ship.........See what I did there?! lol

[@FoxesAfloat]

Go right back to the first 4 videos and you’ll see why xx

[@sharlenemorris3821]

Brilliant video Colin and Shaun , love you both x

[@Mark-yk1ny]

Dam good show as always thanks 👍👍

[@FoxesAfloat]

Much appreciated

[@dazives8340]

Great vid guys, very fair caveats at the end, do you miss the water these days or are you enjoying the land life?

[@FoxesAfloat]

Don’t miss it at all x

[@hiltopuk]

Well said guys, very enjoyable as usual.

[@donstarr2118]

Hi guys, Assuming you're not connected to mains so have you factored in emptying your septic tank? Costs us about £400 a year. Love the vlogs and the Highlands. Jealous ++.

[@FoxesAfloat]

We listed all our expenses 👍🏻

[@andyrbush]

I very nearly spat my beer all over the computer when you said for cooking.

[@moosabones]

Look up Shetland Sheep. They are fab! Lots of different colours. Great characters.

[@thebigchip]

I’d like to see how housing costs would compare with living in a marina. Thanks for your info both.

[@FoxesAfloat]

You’d have to ask someone who lives in a marina 👍🏻

[@ocean686]

Almost double the cost

[@conniesmith3922]

Nice job guys! 💕

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thank you!! 😁

[@DRSEXPLORING]

Brilliant video great job, has both of yours lives improved since moving intro a house ????

[@FoxesAfloat]

It’s different but still great 👍🏻

[@beckyrobinson5672]

Thanks again for video. Take care and God bless.

[@natwilliam7375]

Is it just me? Or does Colin look like the bad guy from "Avatar"??? Bar the scar on his face. I can't unsee it now lol

[@Will-ky9hr]

Nice video, interesting to hear your thoughts 😊

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks! 😊

[@michaelsharod6372]

Did I miss your costs for your gas boiler maintenance which would be about £100 on your house account.

[@FoxesAfloat]

No. Everything we pay is listed.

[@AuntieSullivan]

Great home/boat finance lesson! Be well.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thanks, you too!

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Great video guys well put across again , great info and fun 😊😊 Just makes you realize as you say Great stuff 😊😊😊

[@christopherbutler7588]

That was very interesting thank you 😊 have a lovely weekend 😊

[@FoxesAfloat]

Thank you! You too!

[@christopherbutler7588]

@@FoxesAfloat 🤗🤗

[@alistairholes7633]

Excellent vlog Colin and Shaun poor Shaun In the outtakes I know what you should do Shaun I think you should pull Colin's 👖 down and run round the living room 🤣🤣🤣

[@RobertSmith-zv1xo]

That was very usefull and things like doing your research you have said before.

[@FoxesAfloat]

Glad you think so!

[@lynn-in-the-tanglebox]

Great vlog,interesting breakdown of everything, can we have a whoopsie/ oops it’s gone tits up vlog please?you know….rain,mud,dog hair,locks getting stuck,pounds running dry,getting frozen in…. I’m a lovely doom n gloom b*gger aren’t ? 🙈😂xx And… making me broody with little Ollie looking all cute and handsome ❤️ Xx xx