Through the end of the year, we are examining life’s marquee moments through the unique experiences of baby boomers, Gen X and millennials in a series called the Generation Project. As part of the series, we’re bringing back some of our favourite articles that tell these stories.

Many Londoners would be envious of the postcodes Matthew Winters has lived in: the likes of Broadway Market, Angel, Camden, and Little Venice are amongst the city’s most hip and expensive. Many more would covet his electricity bill: £600 ($754) for the next 15 years. How, then, is he only 24 and a resident of London for just two years?

Winters, an actor, is part of a booming trend for houseboat living among young Londoners. And specifically for what’s known as a ‘continuous cruising’ (or ‘CC-ing’, in boating parlance), meaning for around £800 ($1,004), which covers your annual insurance and boat licence, you can moor up wherever you want… but only if you move every two weeks.