I stayed in a houseboat in Amsterdam for four nights. The houseboat cost $2,802.55 after taxes and fees, or roughly $700 per night on Airbnb. Even though it was on the pricier side, it was worth it to live like a local for a few days.

But the reality is that living on a boat is often more affordable than land-based accommodation,” the website shared with Travel + Leisure in a new report. “In the world's big cities, with housing prices skyrocketing, more and more people are taking to the water as a more affordable option.”

“We think Amsterdam cannot be without houseboats. It's part of the scenery. Most of the people who live on a boat are handy people, who are kind and would love to help each other. We are a bit more independent than people who live in a 'normal' house, because we need to do more things.

Twentieth century The old wooden sailing ships were bought and transformed into living spaces; house-ships. In times of housing crises, especially around the outskirts of town like in Amsterdam-Noord, slums on water emerged. Houseboats gained popularity during the course of the twentieth century.