I spent a few weeks on a live aboard sailboat. I have cousins who lived for years on a live aboard and was visiting them. We were in the British virgin islands during my visit, but they have sailed up and down the east coast, and throughout the carribean. They have two teenage kids who are/were homeschooled (one is now in college). It was fabulous. I'm not sure I could deal with the lack of space long term, but they are super organized and efficient and really love it.

Op, have you seen the movie Houseboat with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant?

I have friends who live on a houseboat in Sausalito -- 2 BR/1 BA, one kid, a couple of dogs. It's cozy -- but the most affordable way they can live where they do, and they love the community on their dock.

Their kid is two and a half, and its all working so far .... And I love to visit (although not stay, obviously).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The children. You will drown them. What are you, a pirate? Are you trying to raise a pirate family?

OP just said she was curious, not that she wanted to raise children on them.

OP here. Exactly. I'm not moving to a houseboat. But sometimes I sit at my desk and I wonder what other ways of life are like and DCUM seems like as good a place any any to ask.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The children. You will drown them. What are you, a pirate? Are you trying to raise a pirate family?

OP just said she was curious, not that she wanted to raise children on them.

Yoho!

Anonymous wrote:The children. You will drown them. What are you, a pirate? Are you trying to raise a pirate family?

OP just said she was curious, not that she wanted to raise children on them.

My sister lives on one on Lake Union in Seattle (and I've visited, though not actually lived on it). It's just like a regular house--except that it moves when someone steps off the dock onto it. But otherwise you'd never know unless you looked out the window.

It was originally a 1 story, 1 bed/1 bath--but they expanded it and it's now 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. They have 4 kids.

The children. You will drown them. What are you, a pirate? Are you trying to raise a pirate family?

Yes, near Charleston SC.

Imagine the smallest studio you've ever seen. Now imagine that it smells like fish, has lousy plumbing and the weirdest neighbors ever, and that you have to move in with a friend or else fear for your life every time a storm comes through.

If I were single (or even married with no kids) I think it would be SO MUCH FUN. If you have even 1 kid NO WAY. We stayed on a sailboat in Annapolis with our 1 year old for days at a time and I can't say it was at all relaxing. Wouldn't even dream about it in the winter.

I'm just curious what it's like. (Also, where was the boat docked when you lived on it?)