Faced with soaring rent and a moving target in the housing market, one couple made a radical decision to escape the financial squeeze by trading dry land for a life on the water.
From rent rises to river life
In early 2024, Josh and Tish Scripps, from Staffordshire, felt trapped. With their rent continually increasing and the dream of home ownership slipping further away, they confronted a stark reality. Their alternative, they reveal, was potential homelessness if they couldn't drastically reduce their outgoings. This prompted a fundamental rethink of what they wanted from a home.
"We'd been saving for years and never stopped to think about whether we even really wanted to buy a house," explains Tish, 35. "When we asked ourselves what we wanted, they were all things a boat could provide, with the added bonus of an adventure."
Acting on this epiphany, they purchased a 57ft narrowboat on April 9, 2024. Despite the requirement to move mooring locations every fortnight, the couple insists the dramatic lifestyle change has been "totally worth it," transforming their daily existence into what feels like "a holiday."
The financial breakdown of boat living
The move delivered immediate financial relief. Their monthly outgoings fell by approximately £1,000 after leaving their bricks-and-mortar rental. However, they emphasise that costs are variable and require careful budgeting.
Their essential monthly costs include a £122 licence fee paid to the Canal & River Trust, which funds waterway maintenance and functions similarly to council tax. Gas costs them around £10 per month, with a bottle lasting four months.
Seasonality plays a huge role. "Our costs are determined by the weather; summer is much cheaper because of sunlight," Tish says. In winter, heating and electricity needs push their diesel bill up, making it roughly £200 a month more expensive. In contrast, for about eight months of the year, their solar panels provide free electricity.
They also budget for longer-term maintenance like "blacking" the hull every few years to prevent rust, and replacing batteries and solar panels. The couple fund their nomadic lifestyle through their photography business, specialising in weddings and family shoots.
The realities and rewards of a waterborne home
The lifestyle is not without significant inconveniences. Tish highlights the practical challenges: "It's a more time-consuming way of life. I can't pop my rubbish into my wheelie bin. If I'm lucky, I'll find a bin a mile walk away."
Laundry is a major task, as they have no space for a washing machine and must leave their home to clean clothes. Travel is also slow; a 12-minute car journey can take five hours by boat. Refuelling requires planning, relying on passing fuel boats or fetching cans themselves.
Yet, for Josh, 36, and Tish, the benefits eclipse the hassles. They feel liberated after parting with 90% of their belongings to fit into their 57ft home. "What we hold value to now has changed; sunlight, water, nature and our loved ones are the most valuable things," Tish reflects.
She also reports a profound positive impact on her mental health and a deep connection with nature, citing encounters with wildlife from ducklings at their door to rescuing a squirrel from the canal.
A final word of caution
While acknowledging the appeal during a cost-of-living crisis, Tish urges thorough consideration. "Money is the wrong reason to do it," she advises. "It's a way of life, and that's the main reason. Batteries don't last forever, blacking is done every few years, and there are lots of other costs to factor in."
For the Scripps, the decision to live their retirement dream decades early has brought peace, adventure, and crucial financial breathing space, proving that an alternative path can be both challenging and richly rewarding.
