I believe all the replies have much to offer.
I will try to address the more specific question of wha I find more difficult about
living aboard. We moved aboard 3 years ago and although I cannot imagine living back on land now that attitude did not come always come easily.
The first 6 months were the hardest mostly because I believe we were on a
mooring so we had to take a
dinghy to shore to let the
dogs relieve themselves, bring my husband to work and get my daughter to
school. Since we moved aboard in February the
weather was bad quite often and the
dinghy ride would often suck. In our case my husband is still working for the fire department so he would be gone for 24 hours at a time and if he had overtime (which was often) he would be gone 72 hours which left me in charge of anything that came up including making sure my daughter made it to
school each morning. It was difficult and there were several times that I thought I could jump ship.
Then the better
weather came (what a difference that makes on a boat). Life was easy and we all started getting the hang of things. The next two winters were a lot easier. We still had bad weather and wet dinghy rides but we had adjusted and found ways to make life easier on ourselves.
My
advice would be:
Get a boat that suits you.
If you are not going to be tied to a
dock a nice dinghy with a reliable
outboard is great.
If you can stay away from schedules by all means do.
If both you and your husband are retired it no doubt would be better.
Give yourself time to adjust and by all means don't move aboard when there are a bunch of storms on the horizon
Now on the positive side of the coin livingaboard is one of the best things we have done. We have the freedom most only dream of. I really believe fear of change keeps most from fulfilling there dream.
Also we can travel the world and never leave home (how great is that?).
We have all gained some perspective on what life is really about.
We have met some great friends with similar views.
I think living on a boat has ruined me for ever being happy on land again.
A great way of life in my opinion and one that should not be missed if you can make the move.
Best,
Jackie