Millennial buys apartment on a cruise ship because it's more affordable than living in Southern California

Photo byAlonso ReyesonUnsplash

Here's a creative way to address the increasing cost of living. Austin Wells, a 28-year-old from San Diego, bought an apartment on the MV Narrative, a residential cruise liner with lifestyle amenities like a spa, a workspace lounge, a gym, indoor/outdoor golf, and a marina at sea level to enjoy boating and watersports.

How was someone so young able to afford this? In Wells' case, it's simple. He realized that at $50,000 per year for an on-ship apartment plus food and amenities, living full-time aboard a ship was actually more affordable than paying rent in Southern California.

Wells works full-time remotely for Meta, so he isn't accountable to anyone for his whereabouts. As long as he's working, he can be at any port in the world and his employers are fine with it.

This also suits Wells because he loves to travel but doesn't like how unsettling travel is to a person's routine. On the ship, he can slow travel, moving from port to port without having to get on a long flight or deal with jet lag.

The ship is designed for long-term residency, so there is a medical staff aboard. So if Wells or another passenger needs a check-up or has an issue, they're covered.

MV Narrative will have around 500 suites so there will be approximately 1,000 people on board. To ensure that passengers have plenty of social time, the ship has plenty of communal spaces, like lounges, decks, and a library.

Wells will maintain his work hours in the Pacific standard time zone, which means while traveling Europe that he'll be on the clock later in the afternoon and evening. But he sees this as an opportunity to spend his daytime hours exploring exciting ports of call.

Those who travel remotely while working (often referred to as digital nomads) can be accused of inflating economies in lower-income countries. Living full-time on a cruise ship mitigates this issue because Wells won't be staying in vacation rentals, which can inflate rent costs for locals.

Instead, he and his fellow passengers will be adding to local economies, buying whatever supplies they need to live on the ship.

Wells' floating apartment will be just shy of 250 square feet and will include a foldaway bed, pantry, desk, and shower room. His meals will be provided, but he also has access to a private kitchen if he would like to cook for himself.

The ship is expected to be completed in 2025 when Wells and other residents will take possession of their apartments and set sail.

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