Seattle Houseboats Are Exceptional!
It is said that the “houseboat capital of the world” is in British Columbia on Shuswap Lake. This may or may not be true but worth exploring. Seattle houseboat culture began back even before 1905 with the earliest recordings of property and in the 1930’s the number of Seattle houseboats peaked at approximately 2,000. Now there are only about 500 left and this is why sale prices are breaking historic records.
Think about it, Canada has stunning waterways which form lakes and rivers that are ideal for houseboats. Cities like Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have some of the most scenic bodies of water one can find in the world. Houseboats in Canada are typically motorized and moved around for recreation in contrast to the Lake Union houseboats that are more often moored as permanent dwellings. That’s OK Canada because I personally find it difficult to stay in one place for very long. this all being said, there are some beautiful floating homes in Vancouver.
You may be asking why I’m referencing Shuswap Lake in my blog…consider how close of a neighbor these folks are and a relatively short distance for a friendly visit. They should not be threatened by visitors because it’s not like our Seattle houseboats are going to take the place of their boats. They’re far to difficult to move. We simply have something in common to share and it’s fun exploring.
It’s neat that our houseboat cultures are similar in that residing over water and having access to Seattle Waterfront Living℠ is an option for home buyers and vacationers. Many houseboats are available to rent in waterways outside of Lake Union and Portage Bay. Lake Shasta or Shasta Dam as it’s called in California is an example of where recreational house boating thrives and Lake Cumberland, Kentucky is considered to be the birthplace of house boating in the United States. The Columbia River and the Willamette River showcasing the neighborhood of Hayden Island in Portland, Oregon has many Portland houseboats. Many of the Portland Floating homes moorages are perfectly located for relatively short commutes to downtown Portland and also the recreational offerings of fishing, water skiing and kayaking. Houseboats are also available for rent in Central Oregon on Lake Billy Chinook. There are many coves to anchor the houseboat and water skiing is popular here.
Houseboats on Lake Union and Portage Bay are here to stay and what a life!
Exceptional living for folks who love being near water. It is important to know that “Seattle houseboats” is a general term which refers to Seattle floating homes, vessels, and barges. Seattle floating homes are the closest to true real estate versus the other types of houseboats.
If you have questions about Seattle houseboats for sale call my friend Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 or email courtney@cooperjacobs.com