Londoners opt to live in canal boats as housing properties costs skyrocket

Even with Brexit holding down price increases, London homes averaged more than 609,000 pounds in November, about 20 times the cost of a secondhand 60-foot narrowboat.

In London, which suffers from one of the most expensive property markets in Europe, thousands have found alternative housing for less than the cost of a  parking space — though it helps if you can repair an engine or plug a leaky hull. Narrowboats, which aren’t much wider than a king-sized bed, have gained in popularity for those willing to sacrifice space and some creature comforts. Moorings on the city’s 100-mile canal network can be had for around 1,000 pounds ($1,284) a year. 

The waterways crisscross the metropolis, allowing boaters to live in posh areas such as Primrose Hill and