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Robby789

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  1. not at all, far from my mind re prices of boat, I have one - in a roundabout way as previously mentioned. But i just mentioned it , because an earlier post mentioned it, one of the negatives or rather thoughts to be considered seeing as I have ' a choice right now' boat or rented apartment - new start either way. They mentioned, boats lose money over time. Just mentioning, that, right now, seems to be increasing in value thats all. I also sense that perhaps ive asked too many questions and the tone has shifted a little. I have plenty to go on , and final time I thank you all for your feedback. I am a little bit more despondent truth be told from when i first posted. But, as others mentioned, decision is down to me, give it a go, see what happens. Tricky because of house sale, nowhere to store/sell ( aside from a lockup ) , i have to bite the bullet regardless it seems.
  2. Lilmiss - thats great to read that all is going to plan for you then, and the fact a work colleague lives on a boat is a bit plus and must really help any doubts you might have. As you have said, this forum does seem to have so much valuable advice. Too much in my case right now, bit of a minefield to be honest with what consitutes perm. living aboard for a start / and having an 'address'- which is a must for me for the first few years at least. May will not be a long time coming around, so fingers crossed all goes to plan for you.
  3. Tony1 and others, again ( say it every post i know ) valuable advice, which i do need to take time to read and sink in and evaluate. The one issue - which i didnt think I would have ( initially at least ) is this ole chestnut which appears time and again in your posting of what constitues residential mooring / whether i can perm. live on a boat . From what i gather even if paying extra, still could be a case of 'being allowed' to stay or 'asked to leave on days notice' does not appeal at all, for a total newbie to live on the water and having to earn a crust. But..again.. plenty of posts and advice I need to sift through, thanks for that. ( to throw a stone into the water - i've actually read that of late canalboats/narrowboats have increased in value..quite a bit in fact. Aware other posts have said, tin depreciates in value, brick/morter appreciates ( providing its not a rental property..which it would be in my case. )
  4. The informative post by Alan - a few messages back - i noticed it mentioned amongst the wording for Residential - no liveaboards? There is a lot of knowledge on this thread alone I need to take it let alone all the threads! which i need to take on board, i do have a few months to prepare before setting a boot onto the canalboat ( although coming weeks will be spending a couple nights on her ). So - i am easily confused ( and watching how to sink your narrowboat - simply because of a wet rope across the middle of the boat..is..worrying!..particularly as i will be on my own, navigating locks etc...although, again, the plan is to stick to one spot for time being ( but as others said, part the pleasure, and the point! of narrowboating is the wherever you lay your hat scenerio! ) . So if I am lucky enought to secure a Residential place....what is this about not really allowing stayonboards? Perhaps ive misread Alans post there, but seemed clear at the bottom of the post to be honest. ( more i read, more perhaps i do need to narrow the net and , although certaintly wanting to avoid Cov/Brum - perhaps bit further north than Leicester might be the spot for time being as others have mentioned on here )
  5. Tony1 and others thanks for this , further reading indeed required. As a newbie, mooring towpath etc, i dont want to go down the 'keeping head down' route - just yet! - not that i have money to burn, but fully expect to pay upwards of £3000 - so - for now - whilst starting out a couple of years of more mooring at an offical spot I would prefer. Just aware of 'hens teeth' comments - which is a shame, but as mentioned, i am open to any routes really ( although aware avoiding midlands limits it a little ) and no car/ getting job etc - all make it more akward. But still, postive, do-able comments, liking it, options, nothings ideal, nice to be aware of pitfalls in the early stages.
  6. Paul C - i am liking your post! ( appoligies Ditch -for username mistake )
  7. Hi DITCHCRAWLER, yes, i have been on it, and yes ready to go. A lot of info been given by your good selves so i will be looking into all this. I mention Res.moorings because i assume for a total newbie..keep it as simple as possible at first, and get a job..which..again will look into...but Res. mooring gives me the all important 'address' needed. Maybe the Lesiure moorings doesnt give me that option? if so..that will be problematic. I really hope i can find Res.mooring...as i am ...flexible..right now re where i lay my hat so to speak.
  8. Tony1 - the boat has recently been blacked - thats about the height of my knowledge mind you - but yes thats ones sorted. I will be noting all this valuable advice.
  9. Thanks Ange for the support. I appreciate all views and knowlege on this, and yes Arthur,Tracy i can understand through my posting that I might not be coming across 'serious'. Aside from youtube videos, i am yet to delve deep into the sites mentioned here let alone maps and routes. I thought first port of call is to seek out a forum, and post under the 'New to Boating' topic. The many replies i have received, and many being very honest with the reality check, are very welcome and I appreciate the time taken to reply. Each to their own in regards to learning, understanding, myself i like to see the pros..and more the cons..and the bigger picture. So, this is all helping. Again, without bogging the thread down, hence inital lack of posting personal details, i was just putting the question out there - but i am very serious about all this, it's a viable option, as mentioned before, a run down villa in Italy i would prefer but thats a lotto win away! Right now house to sell, some of the pennies will allow me to board my parents 'unused/hobby' canalboat. Been on it a couple of times, its..up the to job..a lot to learn. I would be living on it on my own. I am not a particularly confident, outgoing person, so some of the 'community' things..or the reliace on others makes me think twice so to speak, not unfriendly in any way, but given the choice, happier to be out of the limelight. A bit of hard, messy work, hands on, does not scare me in the slightest and i actually welcome it, once i know what i am doing. I would be looking at a few courses taken by 'experts'. The appeal of not stuck in a rut like i have been, from personal to work and the 'opportunity' of the canalboat option appeals because I will..for a while at least feel a little bit freer / a change albeit with the many problems and issues outlined in this thread wants me to give it a go. I am well aware 'wanting a change' may sound to some as foolhardy considering canalboating is a way of life and not to be taken lightly - and perhaps should just rent a small flat near a bus stop. But, i am very determined not to do that, been there had the flat etc No. I can really see myself doing ok on a canalboat, it would just be the right fit I think. But without doubt, questions raised on this thread, are important to me and a real plan needs put in place. As the title states, mid-life crisis, im under no illusion here. One worry is i do not drive. And although i could learn..i doubt I would. I am no stranger to lugging bags of shopping around, i was 'saved' by my partner many years back, car, house etc - but as mentioned - changes - and seems life is a cycle indeed. A mooring site where washing machine etc and a town a bike ride/bus line away is 'the dream' for me right now. Keen to avoid Brum only because for many years lived there, moved well away, coming back..pin in the map idea clearly isnt the way forward then going by the replies...Onewheeler mentioned Lancaster canals which i will take a look at,likewise around Chester area. Paul C. you mentioned parent/council tax. Im going to use that word again 'naive' to all this. Parents, retired, own house. Thats it. I would be moored a very good distance away - some families closers than others lets say. Other comments about no address, postal, doctor ( i havent seen a doctor for 20years! and keen to keep it that way!! but , yes, knocking on..so whats the odds ). SO, can i put down parents even if stacking shelves a good distance away? or will it be ok then with that Residential mooring for a year or two? ( again, have to re-read all replies here, a lot on my mind ). It does appear ( in my mind, despite what some have said ) - please correct me if i am mistaken here - I can 'simply' look around, find a 'residenital mooring site', pay a 'few thousand' for the privledge of having onsite facilities for a year..ok...clearly be more than a year to find my feet..2 yrs! Bike into a job, agency, tesco etc , battle with some hardships of the maintence of the boat. A few times venture out onto the canal ( assuming I need to get bottles of gas, water etc..unless they come to you whilst docked?....and see how it goes from there. Build up some confidence ( hopefully ) and then, perhaps, down the line I move on to another spot..or maybe not. Aware, inital money will run out, hence job from the very start, to keep things going ok..packet noodles as one mentioned does not appeal! but beans on toast or even cold beans on bread if the elec./gas a problem will suffice time to time! SO, am i far off the mark here? some said do-able - so..will stick with that. Whittling on, but just hopefully answering a few of the posts re. being doubtful -which again, totally get. Asking silly questions i know, but thats always been how i learn best. Thank you all once again, not dishearted by some comments, seems like theres a lot too it. I was hoping that some things like the way water/gas/elec/batteries/engines may of...improved over the years, being 2022 as a kid in the 70's, a bit of caravaning, things are still very hands on and same old issues. Please don't think i am disallusional i am not, but maybe i have viewed too many youtube videos with posh canalboats, the white ceilings, spotlights..no wood paneling in sight! 'My' canalboat has the panalling, but with the few quid i would have as a starter, i would be looking at a few things to make maintence easy, aka, better life batteries, wall panal / press a button for heating etc..thats all for another thread perhaps in the future!...the Capt's steering wheel appeals but even i can see the cost of fitting that ( if possible ) I'd be stretching it a bit!!
  10. thank you so much for the replies, the postitive and the negative. Just when i read something that ushers in sense of actual reality - i also read some more positive views. The position i am in, means i have to go against my natural instinct ( glass half full ) and grasp nettles and just go for it. I am continuing to read/research/learn. Chester / thereabout may be where i end up. For the first year I would feel more comfortable in having a residential mooring..to get used to it all..and hopefully get a agency job ..see how it goes. Reading your views. Im thinking...even with a residental mooring ( assuming i can get one )...maybe i could put my parents address, midlands...or...is that not allowed..when applying for a job...sorry for the non-canalboat question..could google i suppose...just wondering really...possible to put down parent address and yet work miles away living on a canalboat? Just..curious..food for thought...looking at options.
  11. Just curious to know, how did you get on? Seeing this is dated back in 2022 and you had a fair few replies. Did you make the plunge, work out ok? I am in a position re total newbie, reading more negative than positive.
  12. Once again thank you all for the intresting reading. ( was just looking up peoples experiences with water ( lack of ) and electric..Im not deterred but add to that your comments, Tony, Paul Alan - its not going to be easy. But, i am serious about it, and in a situation which ....make the best of a situation...and really not wanting to rent a small place etc So, Mark1, sadly, I do not drive.. I am double the age of 25, and limited funds ( but enough for a couple years assuming i can also get a job ). Biking ( things electric bike..aware..electric may be an issue....i assume some of the offical mooring sites have unlimited elect and water? no? . Mark1, when you said some cost £100/week - this burst my bubble..but looking at other kind replies..falls in line with the £3000 or so..ok..perhaps Southern England is out..maybe Chester is in then. For the first year or two...i would want a 'residential mooring'...and then...'bike' into work ..like when i was 25! Argos, Tesco etc...life is a cycle indeed for me! So their are 'canal police' then..or perhaps 'other boat users' who like to spot you if you are moored for two long at a place..and who notes that, 'youve only moved a half mile'? Serious issue? But, again, for now, it would be residential. Thanks Tony glad to hear that its all 'do-able'. Wont be a doddle, but I accept that. comment noted. If you can recommend a nicer spot..perhaps maybe not - as i was thinking too down South owing to cost -please let me know. I did the whole 'worst places, best places in England' usual ones come up on both lists! a couple of best places ive lived there..and certaintly are not. A place is what you make it, so..make it a good one - I'm sure DocBrown said something like that!
  13. Ditchcrawler, thank you for the reply and the comment about the seaside thread. I need to and will scour this site. So long as I know this is possible as my previous posts mentioned. You mentioned Bristol etc might be out of pocket on Tesco wages. Just curious to know, and welcome your knowlege on this. I think..roughly could cost £8000 - £10000/yearly to live ' a life' on a canalboat... are you reffering to the actual Mooring costs being the reason why couldnt afford or sustain it? If so - then yes, perhaps a large town outside of Bristol, Kent area...and get a small job around there. Is that...feasible? surely if your on even a low wage..say, takehome monthly £1200 ....Its..possible..isnt it? or again, am i missing something obvious? Again, i wont keep blocking up the forum with my naive postings, just at this stage, i wanted to know if...i will be totally out of my depth...or...is what i am asking..possible. Nothing grand etc..just a very humble life..maybe pressure free, earn a few quid....im aware i wont be living the dream...but right now..it sounds better than what im doing.
  14. Ok Higgs. I get that, is that harder to find? I looked on some sites , seems spaces..but again open to all locations right now hence my inital message narrowing it down ). But ok,so, i moor up at a residential spot, spend say 2yrs...get a small job. That ..possible? No real issues with that? Or am i missing something massive?
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