London’s Water Hippies

London’s Water Hippies

London has always been one of the busiest metropolitan areas of the world. One of the Planet’s leading financial and cultural centres - the British capital, is home to more than 13 million inhabitants. The growing population of the city in relation to the chronic shortage and unaffordability of conventional housing has created a demand for alternate places in which to live. Houseboats are the one of the most popular of these alternatives. Around 100,000 people living across London’s canals. The cost of a boat can be dramatically cheaper than a flat of the same size, and can offer a slower pace of life within the busy capital. Canals today are populated with growing linear ‘villages’ within London’s waters. These communities are very diverse, they consist of young couples, artists, musicians, families, as well as elderly couples. The majority of them are people who are going against the modern lifestyle and chose a non-mainstream way of living. There is also an increasing number of more vulnerable people who choose houseboats as an affordable way of life.

by contributor Anna Pantelia

London has always been one of the busiest metropolitan areas of the world. One of the Planet’s leading financial and cultural centres - the British capital, is home to more than 13 million inhabitants. The growing population of the city in relation to the chronic shortage and unaffordability of conventional housing has created a demand for alternate places in which to live. Houseboats are the one of the most popular of these alternatives. Around 100,000 people living across London’s canals. The cost of a boat can be dramatically cheaper than a flat of the same size, and can offer a slower pace of life within the busy capital. Canals today are populated with growing linear ‘villages’ within London’s waters. These communities are very diverse, they consist of young couples, artists, musicians, families, as well as elderly couples. The majority of them are people who are going against the modern lifestyle and chose a non-mainstream way of living. There is also an increasing number of more vulnerable people who choose houseboats as an affordable way of life.

Saturday morning in Kensal Rise canal, London 2015 Yan is playing the guitar in his houseboat in west London, England "Do what we want" is written by scramble letters. Emily is doing the dishes in her houseboat in west London, England. Freedom of the City of London is purely an honorary award, presented only to the great and the good, or for particular bravery, for example. However, this is true of only a very small number of City Freemen. The Honorary Freedom of the City of London is indeed the highest honour that the City can bestow, but it is granted very rarely. London, England A little Christmas tree is still decorating one of the house boats of London's Canals. London, England. Emily moved to London after completing her studies in Manchester in order to find a job. Andy is a young professional working. London, England London's Canals are hosting a big number of narrow boats of different sizes and design. London, England Marie-Ann, a high-school teacher, is correcting students' recent exams in her houseboat in London, England.