// BBC BUSINESS NEWS — FINANZA
The homeowners selling up for a life on the water
Ken Tracey sold his house in 2022 and now lives on a boat
The cost of living crisis is well documented and for many people a mortgage is a millstone around their necks - but a growing number have chosen to cut costs by swapping their houses for a narrowboat.
The BBC took to the waterside in Leeds to find out how it's worked out for some of them.
Ken Tracey, 57, sold his house in Suffolk in 2022, citing the need for "a change in life".
"The cost of the house, it was really tricky to keep up with everything, keep the payments going," he says.
"I've not got a mortgage any more, but I own this, so it's safe."
However, he admits there are "swings and roundabouts" to his new lifestyle.
Alongside trying to save money, Ken says he bought the boat to "live an adventure" - but admits he had not realised how difficult boat life would sometimes be.
"You're not really prepared for it at the start - things like winter are a different thing.
"You've got to deal with a whole load of things that you wouldn't have to deal with if you're in a house. And then travelling around, you've got to solve problems every day."