| The popularity of houseboats is gaining strength | | | | "houseboating" emerged as people tried to find |
| as time goes by, especially in the United States. | | | | more ways of being able to interact with water |
| They have become a primary option for families | | | | more. The modern concept of houseboating in the |
| and friends who would want to take a break | | | | United States is said to have come from the |
| from their daily routines and try something new. | | | | waters of Lake Cumberland, which is located in |
| Some people would take the idea of living in a | | | | Kentucky. Lake Union in Seattle is also a haven |
| houseboat on a whole different level and turning it | | | | for houseboats. |
| into a way of life. | | | | Living on a houseboat |
| Houseboats are basically boats which have been | | | | There are two main situations that come into play |
| modified or have been designed to be able to | | | | when thinking about living in a houseboat. The first |
| accommodate individuals or families who would | | | | one is that an individual or a family would like to |
| want to live afloat waters. A houseboat is (as the | | | | live on a houseboat for good. The next one is |
| name implies) a combination of a boat and a | | | | that someone is thinking about living on a |
| house and is primarily used for the purposes of | | | | houseboat for a vacation. Well, if one is thinking |
| dwelling. There are houseboats which have | | | | about living on a houseboat for good, he might as |
| motors and can be used to travel, while other | | | | well try it first to see whether he would really |
| houseboats are stationary, usually tied-up to a | | | | want to live on a houseboat permanently or not. |
| single place. | | | | Living on a houseboat can be compared to a |
| Houseboats all over the world | | | | normal life in a subdivision or a rented apartment. |
| All over the world, houseboats are being | | | | The basic activity, which is "dwelling' basically stays |
| patronized. There are countless numbers of styles | | | | the same in different locations. However, there |
| and functions of houseboats. Some houseboats | | | | are many factors that come into play when you |
| are permanent places of residence by local | | | | live on a houseboat. Safety and security are two |
| people, such as in Southeast Asia, while some | | | | main things that one has to consider when looking |
| houseboats are rented as vacation hotels. | | | | at a houseboat. Another issue is space, a |
| Houseboats are also popular in Kerala, India, where | | | | houseboat may not be as spacious as the normal |
| dense populations live by the Dal Lake. One can | | | | house in a subdivision, if you know what I mean. |
| find the most exquisite and expensive houseboats | | | | Another important issue is access- when you live |
| in Europe, particularly in the waters of | | | | on a houseboat, you may have to transfer to a |
| Amsterdam in Netherlands. Amsterdam is home | | | | place which is far from other important places |
| to a number of houseboat- hotels which have | | | | such as Wal-Mart or the convenience store. Other |
| become favorites of visiting foreigners. Aside | | | | things like parking space, cost of transferring and |
| from these houseboat-hotels, there is an | | | | the overall sturdiness o the houseboat should also |
| estimated 2,500 families are living in houseboats in | | | | be considered. |
| Amsterdam. | | | | One might need to go into a houseboat vacation |
| Down south, in Australia, houseboats are also | | | | to be able to appreciate the beauty of living in a |
| well-known, especially in the River of Murray. One | | | | houseboat and be able to make an objective |
| can find houseboats of different functions and | | | | assessment whether to live in one or not. There |
| sizes in this river. There are motorized and | | | | are many companies that are offering houseboats |
| stationary houseboats here, some of which serve | | | | for vacation. Just make sure that you canvass as |
| as primary residence while some are used as | | | | many companies as you can to be able to spend |
| holiday shacks. | | | | a nice time in the boat which you would prefer. |
| In U.K., the narrow boats, which traverse the | | | | Houseboats are nice. Living in a houseboat is also |
| canals, also serve as a dwelling place for some. | | | | a nice thing to think about, however, it is not |
| One can even rent one of these boats if he | | | | meant for all people. Think about it thoroughly until |
| needs a place to stay in for the night. | | | | your mind and your heart agrees with a specific |
| In the United States, houseboats have gained a | | | | decision. |
| stronghold. During the 1940s, the activity that is | | | | |