Living
Houseboats Get a Fresh Look in London’s Brutal Real Estate Market
High mortgage rates, elevated home prices and a search for space are driving interest in Thames living.
Michael Fox on his 40-meter Dutch barge on the River Thames in London.
Photographer: Tom Skipp/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
They come with stunning water views, exquisite outdoor spaces and discounted prices that their neighbors could never match. The catch? They float.
Luxury houseboats are getting a post-pandemic glow-up in London. On land, higher mortgage rates are dampening demand for houses and flats. But on the River Thames, the vessels’ lower costs, prime locations and relative energy efficiency are attracting new residents trying to eke out a bit of luxury even as inflation bites.