I live on a boat with my cat – I sleep in a cubby ‘bedroom’ that’s right off the bathroom but I don’t pay rent
A GUY has upgraded from van living to life on the high seas.
He lives on a boat with his adorable ginger cat off the coast of Florida.
He sleeps in a cubby "bedroom", with the bathroom right next door.
Space might be tight, but it's just how Jake (@jakesvan) likes it.
He doesn't pay rent and lives in a beautiful spot.
There was huge interest in his living circumstances.
His video has gone stratospheric with over 1.7 million views and another 10,000 comments.
Jake has found a solution to the surging rental market in the Sunshine State that has outpriced many young people.
The Palm Beach Post quoted a recent study by Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and the University of Alabama.
They found that "South Florida is one of the least affordable places for renters in the U.S."
Jake has been living rent-free on his boat in Florida since 2023.
He's moored off-shore and uses a small dinghy with an outboard motor to get onto dry land.
There is little extraneous about boat life.
Everything has a function and must be strapped down or put away.
The main living space is called a saloon and the kitchen - with running water - is a galley.
On deck, solar panels charge power banks.
In the forward is the bathroom and right next door is his 'cubby' bedroom.
It doesn't get lonely at sea because Jake has a crew mate.
Calcifer, a ginger-purring Tom, is the boat cat.
"He likes the boat more than land, and loves sailing," said Jake.
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One commenter had returned to boat life after a break.
"I did it for seven years. Best of my life until I got married and bought a house, divorced, lost everything. Back on a boat again," he said.
There was a lot of love for Calcifer and one viewer wanted to be sure all safety issues had been considered.
"Please tell me Calcifier has a little life vest somewhere," he asked.
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But boat life was not for everyone.
"I’d rather pay rent," confessed one commenter.