A man who bought an apartment has revealed that he did so because it's cheaper than living at home - and it comes with the perk of traveling!
We all love a nice vacation, but what if I told you that you could go on vacation indefinitely and it could end up being cheaper than your standard housing costs?
Austin Wells, a 28-year-old from San Diego, bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of city living, opting for a unique life on the high seas, as reported by CNBC.
Wells' new floating abode is far from ordinary. The cruise ship boasts an impressive array of amenities, including 20 dining restaurants and bars, a microbrewery, a library stocked with 10,000 books, a movie theater, three inviting pools, a fully-equipped gym, an art studio, and even an onboard medical facility.
One might assume that such an extravagant lifestyle would come at a premium, but Wells' costs may astonish you.
He made the decision to live on the cruise ship after securing a remote position with Meta - the tech giant that owns Facebook and Instagram - allowing him the freedom to explore various countries for an estimated three and a half years.
The ship, known as Storylines MV Narrative, is scheduled to set sail in 2025 and is poised to embark on a breathtaking journey that includes stops in Rome, Naples, Venice, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, and Turkey.
Wells' role in Meta's augmented and virtual reality division is fully remote, affording him the flexibility to travel continuously without being tethered to midweek office meetings.
Wells' studio apartment on the MV Narrative - a residential luxury cruise ship - comes with a price tag of $300,000 for a 12-year lease.
Given that the average rent in San Deigo (as of July 2024) works out at an estimated $2,995 per month, per RentCafe, it's safe to say that Wells' decision is much cheaper than if he decided to stay on land. (That would work out at $431,280 over 12 years.)
His room measures 237 square foot, with the ship boasting around 500 rooms and apartments in total, per Metro. According to the company behind the liner, owners can choose from "coastal" or "contemporary interior design styles".
Wells explained to CNBC: "The thing that most excites me is I don’t have to upend my daily routine in order to go see the world.
"My working hours will be shifted towards evenings, nights, and very early mornings. But that does open up the ability for me to... maybe see a city midday to afternoon and then start my workday around 6:00PM or 7:00PM.
"This is probably the first time ever that there is even the ability to have a standard job and even consider working and living from a floating apartment complex."
For those times when Wells might miss his family and friends or feel a bit seasick, he has the option to rent out his apartment if he wishes to return home, or he can extend an invitation to friends or family to join him on the ship for a month.
If you're enticed by the idea of leaving behind your overpriced city flat and setting sail, you're in luck, as there are still apartments available on the ship.
Most leases run for 24 years, approximately the life of the vessel, although Wells secured a 12-year lease by getting in early. Prices for other apartments start at around $1 million and can soar to a staggering $8 million.
Living on the ship works out cheaper than dry land. Credit: David Sacks/Getty
For those seeking an even more carefree experience, there's a "fractional ownership" option of three months per year, and an all-inclusive package can be added for an extra fee of $2,100 per person.
So the question is, what are you waiting for? More information can be found here.
