A young couple from Hertfordshire have slashed their monthly outgoings by more than half after swapping their one-bedroom cottage for life on a canal boat. Dottie Turnbull, 21, and Tristan Van, 24, now spend less than £600 per month on living costs, compared to the £1,750 they used to pay.
The pair purchased their 50ft narrowboat in September 2022 for £30,000, using savings built up from working from a young age. Dottie, a marketing professional, said she had always dreamed of living on a boat despite having a fear of water. They now moor permanently at Hartford Marina in Cambridgeshire, paying £400 a month for the berth.
Utility bills have been drastically reduced. The couple previously paid £120 a month for electricity and water but now pay just £50 every three months. Their electric and gas costs come to less than £8.50 each per month, while water is free. Other expenses include an £83.33 monthly licence fee, £60 for diesel, and £8.30 each for insurance.
Dottie acknowledged that living on a boat comes with challenges, such as an hour-long commute to work and the need to have spare cash for repairs. 'Our engine and heating have broken before, which is costly and freezing,' she said. However, she emphasised the benefits of the lifestyle, particularly the sense of community at the marina.
'We are the youngest couple on site but everyone is so welcoming,' Dottie added. 'We didn't move for the savings; we moved for the lifestyle.' She looks forward to summer, when waking up to see swans from the boat makes it all worthwhile.
