After the recession hit, Susan Jackson knew she had to think outside the box to prepare herself for the financial challenges ahead.She spent many evenings racking her brain about what she really wanted out of life and then decided to give up her cosy cottage in favour of a simpler life at sea.Ms Jackson purchased a 44ft motor yacht last September. She now lives on the two-bedroom boat, moored in Dockyard, and catches the ferry to and from Hamilton for work.She said the move drastically reduced her monthly payments, and enabled her to maintain the standard of living she was accustomed to.“I was just intimately involved with people who had lost their jobs or were struggling to make their monthly obligations and make ends meet,” she said of the move.“I realised that I was also spending a lot of money on rent and things that I really felt I couldn’t afford any more.“So I started to really explore how I could live in Bermuda on less money and still be able to live my dream life.”Ms Jackson, the mother of two college-age children, said she always loved being on the water and it was always her dream to own a boat.Then one day while searching online at emoo.com, she noticed an affordable two-bedroom, two-bathroom boat for sale.Her knowledge about the mechanics of boats was limited, but since the purchase she’s completed a navigation and engine drivers’ course with the Bermuda College. Eventually she may decide to sit the exams to become a licenced pilot.But the move wasn’t all smooth sailing. Ms Jackson experienced a few eye-opening challenges within her first week on the vessel.“Everyone teased me because I moved on the boat in September or October, right in the midst of the hurricane season, and sure enough my first experiences was bad weather.“Two things happened; one was waking up in the middle of the night and thinking I was drifting out to sea. I was rocking so much I felt I was out in the middle of the [Great] Sound somewhere.“The second was after getting on the boat and feeling a little queasy I had to wonder if I had just purchased a home that was going to make me sick every night.”But after the first storm she thankfully developed her sea legs.She hasn’t experienced any more sea sickness and said she actually finds the rocking soothing during bedtime.In fact, she says life has changed for the better since living on the Island’s waters.“From day to day, going to work, I think I have been able to maintain my standard [of appearance] and been able to still do things like blow dry my hair and have the wardrobe and maintain that standard of a corporate image,” said the communications manager.“But life on the boat is quieter. It’s relaxing and it’s very beautiful and soothing, so to come home at the end of a very busy day and to have this quiet gentle rock [of the ocean] is almost like cradling you into a relaxed state.“I sleep much better. I have more energy to take care of chores than I did when I lived on land and I think that is because I am happier and I am challenged by the adventure of it all.”She said the boat requires no more maintenance than a house would; she goes through her checklist of chores to care for the vessel each week.Ms Jackson also relies on public transportation more and said she has “saved a fortune” in gas and parking fees.“I only drive the car now for special occasions and maybe on weekends,” she added.“This experience has allowed me to see Bermuda with new eyes.“I think that before living on land I was very easily caught up by day to day activities and sometimes Bermuda didn’t feel any different to me than living anywhere else in the world.“But living on a boat has allowed me to look at the Island in a whole different perspective.“I just didn’t realise there was so much to explore and see in Bermuda and I never get tired of it.”Another blessing is having a vibrant neighbourhood, complete with a movie theatre, shops, a pastry shop, museum and restaurants, at her ‘doorstep’. She said living in Dockyard was “just amazing”.She has devoted less time to television and tries to read more, listen to the radio, take walks through the area or just watch other boats come and go.Ms Jackson said the ocean was a largely untapped resource. “I think there are a lot of opportunities on the water and it may not be about living on the ocean, but it could be a trade of restoring boats or opening your own business as a water taxi or commercial enterprise, I don’t know, but there is potential out there.”While living on a boat might not be for everyone, she said there were lots of things people could do to save money and live more fulfilling lives if they do the research and take the chance.“This could have been a challenging experience. I could have ended up with a home that could have caused a lot of issues, but I have been methodical in making sure I have experts and very good surveyors to make sure the boat’s in good working order.“I was passionate and determine to find the answers to all my questions. That included how to finance this, learning about the boat and the ocean.“I almost became preoccupied. That was all I thought about for the good three or four months that it took to actually finalise the move. Now I can say I’m living my dream.”