Single, older women are selling their homes to live on boats in marinas

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Many Australians dream of living out their retirement years within the comforts of their home, but an increasing number of older women are opting instead for life on a houseboat, as it’s more affordable.

Transcript

00:00From above, this Gold Coast marina looks like the perfect spot to moor your boat, but for

00:08some owners, like Virginia Frost, it's home.

00:13The 73-year-old sold her Surfers Paradise unit to pay off her credit card debts and

00:18mortgage.

00:19And with the leftover funds, she bought this houseboat, which she berths for $930 a month.

00:26You couldn't rent anything for that amount of money on land with your own privacy and

00:33you'd have to live in someone else's house, basically.

00:36Widow Stacey King also chose to sell her home because the thought of retiring on land was

00:42daunting.

00:43I found living in a house, especially when I was on my own and having to face losing

00:50your partner and all the plans that you had and shared, it can be so isolating.

00:55Her neighbour Lynn Emmett, who lives aboard this boat, built by her late husband, says

01:00it's a stark contrast to living at a marina.

01:03It's peaceful, it's free, it's easy, there's constant movement, which is beautiful.

01:09Queensland is one of the few states in Australia that allow liveaboards.

01:14While there is plenty of space out on the broadwater, getting a berth at a marina like

01:19this one can be difficult.

01:21The Boating Industry Association says there are berth shortages across the state, with

01:26the demand expected to continue to increase in the future.

01:30But if you love the water, come and do it.

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