Let’s be honest, apartments are expensive, and we pay through our noses for tiny spaces and no views. California is particularly known for its more expensive lifestyle. One only has to browse through a few rental ads to realize that the average earning citizen cannot afford the cost of housing. There are, however, other options… Have you ever heard of the option to live on a cruise ship?
Austin Wells, a San Diego resident, bravely purchased an apartment on a cruise ship. He insists it’s cheaper than his previous apartment in his hometown, California. The best part? He gets to travel day in and day out without lifting a finger! Imagine being able to see the world from your bedroom window.
Under construction, the ship is due to set sail in 2025
Speaking to CNBC, Wells revealed that he had spent $300,000 on a 12-year lease on a studio apartment on the MV Narrative. A mega cruise ship boasting some impressive features. A whopping 500 private rooms and apartments are on board, and Well’s room is 237 square feet. Additionally, it features a desk, shower room, pantry, and foldaway bed.
People like Wells who live onboard 24/7 are granted access to a private gym, a farmer’s market, 24-hour room service, and private kitchens. On top of that, they also have access to medical services. What’s more, the ship also hosts 20 restaurants and bars, a school, a library, a bank, a cinema, AND a swimming pool! Talk about sounding fancy.
28-year-old Wells shared: “The thing that most excites me is I don’t have to upend my daily routine, in order to go see the world. My working hours will be shifted towards evenings, nights, and very early mornings. But that does open up the ability for me to see the city midday to afternoon.”
Working from a cruise ship
He added: “This is probably the first time ever that there is even the ability to have a standard job and even consider working and living from a floating apartment complex.” He also hopes that he’ll get to meet many new and interesting people on the cruise ship. Maybe even make some friends. Friends he can literally travel the world with.
“A flat in San Diego costs around $2,500 per month while Wells’ room on the MV Narrative will set him back about $2,000 per month, which adds up to an instant saving of $500 on rent alone.” States The Sun. A genius idea dreamed up by Alister Punton and Shannon Lee, the bosses of luxury residential ship brand Storyline who wanted to find an opportunity to offer more affordable apartments at sea.
There are an estimated 1,000 residents set to make the MV Narrative their new home once construction of the enormous vessel is completed in Croatia. With 11 different types of homes on offer, there is likely an option for almost anyone. You can find out more about the Storyline brand here.
This article originally appeared on TIffy Taffy and has been republished here with permission.
Keep Reading: Woman Who Lives On A Cruise Ship Shares The Four Things She’s Not Allowed To Do
Sources
- “Living on a Cruise Ship.” Storylines
- “The easiest way to travel full time? See what a 28-year-old paid for an apartment on a cruise ship” CNBC. December 6, 2022.
- “Man buys flat on cruise ship because it’s cheaper than home and he can travel the world.” Lad Bible. Aisha Nozari. December 9, 2022
- “CRUISE HOME I’ve bought an apartment on a cruise ship – it’s cheaper than home and I get to travel the world too.” The Sun UK. Hope Brotherton. December 9, 2022