A FULL-TIME firefighter ditched her flat — and her ex — to live on a 49ft narrowboat, saving £100s on rent… but faces a huge downside.
El Sutcliffe, 27, from Burton-on-Trent, East Staffordshire, took the plunge into boat life in May 2024 after selling the Birmingham home she shared with her ex-partner.
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With just £15,000 to spend, she chose not to buy a one-bedroom flat in a rougher part of town.
Instead, she snapped up a narrowboat – even though it had previously sunk and came without basic flooring – for £15,750.
Speaking to PA Real Life, El said: “It just seemed like a no-brainer. I don’t have any regrets – I think the housing market is all a bit mad.”
El has since spent the last year renovating the boat with help from her parents, transforming it from a rusting shell into a cosy floating home.
So far, she’s installed a log burner, fitted a full kitchen with a gas cooker, sink and fridge, and carved out a bedroom and living area.
The bathroom is nearly finished, and once the inside is complete, she plans to repaint the exterior herself to avoid a hefty £12,500 professional fee.
“I can’t see myself getting rid of it – it would absolutely break my heart because we’ve built it from the ground up,” she said.
“It’s not been all sunshine and roses.
“I’ve cried, I’ve stormed off, I’ve sat in my car wondering if this was a terrible idea.
“But now it’s nearly done, I love it.”
Despite the savings, boat life isn’t all smooth sailing.
El says she spends around £550 a month on mooring and general upkeep, and that doesn’t include surprise repair bills.
From servicing the engine to repainting the hull and dealing with maintenance below deck, the costs can quickly add up.
“There are parts that are hard,” El admitted.
“It’s such a small living space – less than 20 square metres – so storage is a nightmare.
“I had to get rid of a lot of clothes but I’ve settled into it really well.”
The narrowboat lifestyle has forced El to rethink what she really needs.
She’s pared back her wardrobe and belongings and now lives much more simply.
“I’ve realised how little stuff you actually need,” she said. “It’s quite freeing, actually.”
She’s also using TikTok to show what real life on a narrowboat looks like, beyond the romanticised views often seen online.
“People say, ‘This is my dream lifestyle,’ but those beautiful boat scenes you see – that’s only about 10 per cent of the reality.
“I think that needs to be spoken about more.”
El often posts updates about the renovation process, showing both the triumphs and the setbacks.
Her videos have attracted thousands of views, and she’s found an online community that’s both supportive and curious.
“It’s been lovely to connect with other boaters and people who are interested in alternative living,” she said.
Living on the water has brought unexpected upsides too.
“I’m moored in a stunning spot, I’ve got amazing neighbours, and the boating community is fantastic,” she said.
The sense of community and freedom to move around are things she says she’d never find in a typical home.
El also enjoys the flexibility of being able to relocate easily.
“If work changes or I want a new adventure, I can just untie the ropes and go,” she explained.
“That’s a freedom you don’t get with a house.”
But she’s realistic about the work involved. “It’s not for everyone,” El warned.
“You have to be ready to get your hands dirty. There’s always something that needs fixing or checking.”
El hopes her experience helps others make informed choices.
“Especially now, when people are looking for cheaper ways of living and it’s becoming more popular, they need to know the full picture.”
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