I've been around boats my whole life. Looking at them, sailing on them, paddling them, jumping off them...you name it. A few years back, it occurred to me that a boat might actually make a great home for a nomadic and independent individual like myself, and since then, I've been eager to test out the liveaboard life. Thanks to Airbnb, I found the perfect little slip on Lake Union housing the Little Betty, an adorable houseboat just a couple miles between downtown Seattle and my house.

Walking the docks instead of residential, asphalt streets made for the most romantic neighborhood. Although I only stayed for one night and met only one of my "neighbors," the liveaboard community is quite friendly due to the unique camaraderie they share. I've done some reading on what it's like to live in a boat community, and you kind of have to be friends with your neighbors. There are a lot of technical elements to living on a boat, and whether you're a seasoned expert or in your first year on the water, you're bound to need help with something. 

But as a guest? Let's just say I spent my time focusing on reading during my wine & cheese hour.

 

Photography by Michele Equitz

During my stay I posted a ton on Instagram and got so many questions about the place, so I'm excited to be able to share pictures and details today. For the record, houseboats are much cheaper in the off season than in the summer, but you want to be able to soak up all of that outdoor time, so it's really worth the extra cost. I ran into a rainstorm late morning after I'd walked down the street for my morning coffee, but I'd brought a book to read so it made posting up in the large and comfy loft bed that much cozier. 

Staying on a boat is such a unique experience in Seattle & other coastal cities. Although I'm partial to the Pacific Northwest, now that I've stayed on a boat I imagine it'd be a really cool way to experience other cities on both the east and west coasts. There's really something to be said for bobbing away on your rooftop patio, hot coffee in hand, watching the world go by on the water. It turns even your average Monday into nothing less than a dream.