Living on a Narrowboat in London: Challenges and Realities

High rents in London

When I decided to buy my narrowboat called Summer Place , I was still living in London and thought it was a great choice spending a little money on an old narrow boat. I aimed to transform it in a stylish home.

I was paying 650 pound a month for a small shared room in a flat with other four flatmates. I was honestly annoyed by their noise. Their dirty dishes bothered me. I couldn’t stand their gossip.

I suggested to my partner of the time ( now ex ) to share the rent with me if moved in a studio flat because at the time I was starting to work as a self employed and was not sure of the monthly income. But he denied any financial help because too busy in buying expensive photo cameras and props to take pictures at naked young girls found through a weirdo amateur modelling website.

I wanted to prove to myself that I was strong. I wanted to prove that I was brave enough. I was ready to start this adventure as an independent and hippie captain.

When I was visiting Little Venice in London or Devices locks or the Marina in Bristol I felt intrigued by how people were apparently enjoying their life on those vessels. I come from Italy and an accommodation on a narrow boat is practically impossible. We do not have so many canals and…