A couple gave up life on land to live on a houseboat—and doing so saved them $27,500 every year.
Sarah Spiro and her boyfriend, Brandon Jones, spent $23,000 to buy a one-bedroom houseboat and moved in two years ago on Fontana Lake, North Carolina.
Sarah said it was a “no-brainer” to move, and the duo pays $2,500 a year to be able to live there compared to their $2,500 each month for rent on separate two-bedroom properties.
After living atop the water for two years, the couple has started renovating a bigger houseboat, with plans to rent the smaller residence to vacationers.
“We were always spending all our free time on the lake,” said Sarah, a 27-year-old mountain guide. “We were always boating; it was our favorite thing to do.
“It’s been a long-standing dream of ours—and it is so cheap, too. Here we only have one yearly fee. It is a huge step for us.”
The self-described ‘water rats’ bought the boat in March 2021 and spent two months renovating it, spending $23,000.
“It is so peaceful here. You still have your day-to-day trends like doing the dishes and laundry but you get to do it all in this phenomenal view at all times. Whatever the time, whatever you are doing you are surrounded by peace and serenity—it is paradise.”
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Their biggest challenge is the cold winter, with temperatures on ‘most nights’ dipping below freezing. They did add a small fireplace in the corner of the room.
“You do have to make sacrifices convenience-wise. You can’t get food delivered, the grocery store is 40 minutes away. You have to be more intentional about planning the things you need but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” added Sarah, who parks their car at the marina, a five-minute boat ride away.”
Most importantly, Sarah said that living on the houseboat has improved their mental and physical health.
“It is the sensation of being out in a nice open space. It has benefitted our nervous system. I wear a Fitbit watch and it is crazy to see how my heart rate has decreased living here.
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“My state of anxiousness is a lot lower too.
“I love the freedom it has given us: It has freed up our wallets, and given us all the things we love right on our doorstep.
“It is also an affordable and more sustainable way to live.”
Currently, the pair are renovating a new cabin to move into and hope to start renting their current cabin out to holiday makers.
Have a look inside the residence with the video below, and get updates on renting the houseboat on their YouTube channel or on social media (@KeepingAfloatWiththeJoneses)…
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