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Is There Better City Living On A Boat?

onaboat0110.jpg There are plenty of alternative living situations in New York City, particularly for those who are brave and/or not picky — there's a trailer park, tent city and shipping containers, to name a few. But remember those kids who lived on a houseboat in the Bronx? Sure, their boat wasn't a perfect solution nor an ideal living situation — but what if a better floating abode were available? The Daily News takes a look at the appealing option, which can often be cheaper than living on the land... and can even look like a city apartment.

The paper notes that there are actually few to no restrictions to living off-shore, so boats can indeed provide a legit living situation — one which thousands of New Yorkers have taken advantage of. And to make things even more appealing, the "live aboards" (as they call themselves) often pay less than the rest of us land-bound suckers. You can even get a tax break! The paper notes, "If the boat has a galley, head and a place to sleep, owners (whether local homeowners or renters) can deduct the vessel as a second home."

Intrigued? The Boat Show is running through Sunday at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. There you'll be able to take an up close look at some options — which include a $299,000 two-bedroom vessel that features three outdoor seating areas, a kitchen, a bathroom, 360-degree windows... and, we're guessing, peace and quiet. One buzzkill over at Corcoran, however, says, "I’ve heard boaters are happy twice in their lives, once when they buy the boat and then when they sell it."

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Comments [rss]

  • SikBug

    I did this in DC for 2 years, it has its drawbacks for sure but it's fun too.

  • Wza

    lol@the pic

  • This reminds me of the Bushwick Boat.

    It's a pirate's life for me.

  • Guest

    ...not very appetizing either. :-/

  • Spirit of 76

    Forget living on a boat. Buy Sully's plane and have a one of a kind home. It might stink a little after having been under the Hudson for a while, but nothing a few thousand gallons of Febreze couldn't fix.

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