You know, I have been saving up for years to buy small land and been searching for ways to build the cheapest house because the price of land even outside of the city is way too expensive to afford I was thinking about container house but that is pricey as well Even though it is cheaper than brick houses, I still cannot afford that. I even thought about buying big bus frame as a house wall, lol.
But after I saw your boat and outdoor office, wow, I do not know why i never thought about living by the river with a boat I even have friends who can build such boat too. Have you ever wrote about how you Built the Narrowboat of yours? I would love to know how it works, how you get electricity, and everything in it. @millycf1976
Hello there!
It's interesting to hear all the different ideas that you've considered. They all sound good, and our friend who owns a Wharf House lives in a converted bus. It's simple yet luxurious with a Thai theme, influenced by his partner. It's like a big playhouse - large screen TV and surround sound. When he took me on a tour, he kept bursting out laughing at all the quirks and he immediately transformed into a happy 'big boy'. It was fun a watch him.
I'm not sure where you're based. However, narrowboats are popular in the UK, and you can find cheap empty shells and restore and do the interior decor yourself.
We purchased our boat fully decked out though.
We have solar energy, with the option to plug into main power if we are at a marina. Our fridge is 12V, which uses solar battery power, as the lights. We have USB power throughout the boat for charging mobiles, and other than that, we use power when the engine is running.
We bought a generator a few days ago and additional energy and we will get a power bank soon so we can have laptops and other appliances charged. We tend to only use manual appliances such as a Moka pot and French press, but we have a gas stove with oven and grill too.
We have the basic amenities of any small flat.
Here's a good website that you could search to see more possibilities for narrowboats - https://www.apolloduck.co.uk/.
Your friends house sounds amazing 🤩. I live in Malaysia but currently working in the UAE I just checked on Malaysian law for having a boat and to live in I have to register it to the government saying that I live on a boat ⛵ but might need to go back and ask the properly for more details.
Solar powered energy I've been seeing a lot of those in the UAE even the street light. What kind of maintenance do you do for the solar energy.
Sorry for so many questions I've been finding ways how to make this dream of mine works. I even studied how to make diy cheap bricks 🧱 yesterday on YouTube with 5 to 7% cement mix with gravel, sand etc.
Also thank you for the reply so now I need to check the price for solar powered energy equipment in Malaysia
We don't do any maintenance on the solar, we must ensure that we keep the battery level up to 12V at all times.
I heard that solar energy is super cheap here in the UK right now, but I can't imagine it to be the same in Malaysia. I lived in the Philippines and solar energy was ridiculously expensive there.
That's excellent.
In the Philippines, I realised the difference in hollow blocks and how their quality of differ. Some of them I could easily break with my hands, just like in the Kung Fu movies.
Alternative living is worth exploring. It's important to consider the natural disasters prone to the region too:)
I just checked the price of solar in Malaysia it's more expensive than the container house haha 😂 sigh.
I guess my only option is the diy bricks 🧱 cement in Malaysia is cheap but the labour cost is expensive but I can do it myself so I can cut the cost about 70% to 80% a lot of work but I can just make a small house no need to big gonna be alone anyways lol 😂
As for natural disaster we only have flood problems so I can just elevate the ground with stones and cement for foundation need to dig a big hole for the drainage system and I'm good to go. Should be few months work if I do alone that is.
But first need to buy the land which I think in one more year I can buy it. Earlier if I can get my HBD up to cover some of the cost.
Anyway I'm talking too much haha 😂 too much on my head thank you again for this I appreciate your help
You sound so excited about your goals and I'm happy for you. Labour costs are indeed expensive in those places, so if you can do a lot of work yourself and have a network, it saves you.
It's crazy how they out-market solar energy in Asia, where the sun is always at a 'premium' just to capitalise on the energy supply.
Another kind of alternative buildings that work in Asia and Africa is yurts. Check out this resort in Siquijor in the Philippines, called Infinity Heights
The structure is like a round permanent tent and you can make it basic or as luxurious as you like, on the inside:)
Yea anything to do with housing they mark up the prices like crazy no regards for average income people here.
I checked the yurts it might work actually it cost around 300+ it's cheap but I need to make sure it can withstand the wind in Sabah my location in Malaysia is the Borneo side most windy compare the other parts of Malaysia.
But I guess can use the bamboo wood to build to strengthen the walls and cement the floor should be good to go thank you so much I have more ideas now for my future house. I'm thinking about making the area for business as well all day breakfast 🥞 restaurant while enjoying the local tenom coffee ☕.
Yurts I need to remember this
Yeah, the possibilities of yurts are endless, and a brilliant option if you plan on making a business of it too:)
Best of luck!