Narrowboat couple quit 'rat race' to live off-grid and travel full time
A couple have chosen to embrace an off-grid lifestyle to live and travel full time on their boat. Amy Cross, 28, and her partner, Wes Arthur, 30, a designer, decided to take control of their lives, leaving behind their 40-hour work weeks in Sheffield.
Tired of their rented £675-a-month three-bedroom home and the stress of their jobs, they opted for a complete lifestyle overhaul. The couple, who were not particularly keen on getting a mortgage, invested £48k in a 50ft narrowboat - christened Gregory's Girl - in June 2021.
Now, they work remotely from their boat, navigating the waters around the UK. Their aquatic journey has taken them through Wales, the Midlands, and down the entire length of the River Thames.
The couple spent £48k in a 50ft narrowboat named Gregory's Girl in June 2021 (Boat Time / SWNS)
Inside Amy and Wes' cosy boat (Boat Time / SWNS)Amy and Wes, along with their Labrador cross, Rufus, and rabbit, Rupert, have found freedom on the waterways. They've sailed the length of the UK and claim to have never been happier. Amy, a content creator originally from Nottingham, said: "We were working full time and renting our house. We were looking for what was next. We did start looking down the mortgage route, but we weren't passionate about it. We weren't excited about the prospect of getting a mortgage and a house."
They decided to rent one for the winter of 2020, to see if it could provide their new full-time lifestyle. Wes, from Lincoln, added: "We have always been interested in travelling. Our favourite holidays have been city breaks - where we can do a lot of travelling - and we were toying with the idea of getting a van and travelling around Europe."
London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard
After a few months of living on a rented boat, they were smitten. The couple took out a personal bank loan to purchase their own vessel. Amy shared: "She was the third boat we viewed, and we have been on her ever since - we absolutely love her."
The couple changed the layout of the boat so they enter through the kitchen (Boat Time / SWNS)The couple had specific requirements for their floating home. "We wanted a cruiser stern - a larger boat with outside space - as we knew we wanted the dog out with us and wanted to be comfortable," Amy explained. They also desired a reverse layout, preferring to enter through the kitchen rather than the bedroom, which is common in many narrowboats. Additionally, they sought a boat that was ready to sail without needing extensive renovations, as neither of them were particularly handy with DIY projects.
Moving onto the boat prompted Amy and Wes to reassess their lives. Amy left her full-time admin job to focus on content creation, while Wes resigned from his position as a lead gaming designer to work independently as a designer. Wes said: "A lot of it comes down to feeling like we are in control of what we want to do. Not having to have a large sum going out other than our bank loan is easier to manage our own way."
The couple have taken on new, less stressful jobs (Boat Time / SWNS)Amy, who was high up in her old job, decided to step down and join a different company where she could shoulder less responsibility and stress. "It has allowed me to focus on my mental health and adventure rather than constantly trying to grind money," she revealed.
Despite their family's initial disappointment at seeing them less due to their nomadic lifestyle, they were largely supportive of the couple's decision. Amy said: "On the most part, they were all really happy - there were definitely some questions about how things would work. There was some scepticism, but overall, they were really excited and supportive."
The adventurous couple move their boat weekly, with their travels taking them through Wales, the Midlands, and the entire length of the River Thames. "We bought the boat near Chester. We have done the whole of north Wales, headed east and went near Nottingham, and then since we have come south through Leicester. We have done the whole Thames - going under Tower Bridge was a special moment," Wes said.
Wes believes that their off-grid lifestyle has made them resilient in ways they wouldn't have been if they had stayed in the "rat race", and has been left "surprised" at how much it has built their characters. He said: "It has made us very resilient, being forced to tackle random problems head-on and being forced to improvise. It really does prove to yourself that you can handle more than you think. This journey has not only been challenging but also a significant confidence booster. We have figured out how to make it work, and that is very rewarding."
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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