I lived on the Island most of my life and I always contemplated with the high cost of living (barely discussed here) that for adventurous or quality of life orientated folks to think about the possibility of a full-time houseboat - in Seattle and many other parts of the country and the Netherlands it is a very real possibility for instance in Holland they are building homes that rise with the tide or flood waters a good thing for Islanders that like the water instead of putting longer sticks under their house (cough westharmpton).
You can get some kick booty houseboats now a days and construction isn't as complicated as you might think and cost obtainable - When I went to college in the early 80's instead paying the high costs of trying to go to school and pay for on off campus housing we bought a cheap big dock queen for 1000 bucks (old boat no engine) and parked it in Port Jeff harbor for the price of a mooring fee. Saved a lot and had quite a bit of fun - except for Gloria... but made it through.
Just a thought the upside is no property/school taxes and just the mooring or docking fees and maintenance like any house, which year round is not as bad as you would think if you find a place for year round docking with bubbles - less than taxes for sure. Additionally if you were to buy a lot close to the water or not you would just pay the taxes on the lot not having a home and you could shore it up for the winter if you didn't want to be in the water for the winter. And lets say you buy a lot with mooring rights then hey you are part of the community like it or not.
And if you want to move tow or drive it to the next town - sounds crazy but it is possible - with all the negative just thought a possible alternative would be interesting to discuss...
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