DISCOVER:
FLOATING HOME LIFE
Living on a floating home is a unique lifestyle choice that offers an intimate connection to the water and nature, all while being anchored in the heart of the city. Our close-knit community is defined by its shared passion for the environment, a strong sense of mutual reliance, and a distinctive, self-sufficient spirit. These insights offer a glimpse into the practical realities, benefits, and responsibilities that come with life on the lake.
Life on a dock means you naturally cross paths with your neighbors every day. You see people walking their dogs, heading out on kayaks, tending plants, or carrying in groceries, and those small moments turn into real relationships. The same big city surrounds us, but our little world with water lapping beneath our homes gives us a strong human connection.​
Floating homes started as scrappy, creative places full of artists, shipbuilders, dreamers, and families who shaped the culture we still honor. Many of our docks have stories stretching back a century, from colorful characters to fierce preservation battles. When people visit, they can feel those layers of history underfoot. Getting to know us means stepping into a living piece of Seattle’s past.
​
Depending on the day, it’s just as easy to slip into quiet or wander into company. Floating-home living lets us close the door and enjoy quiet when we want it, while still feeling knit into a community. It’s a rare middle ground that visitors instantly notice. You’re close enough to greet people on the dock, but far enough to feel peaceful inside your home. That balance is one of the reasons so many of us stay for decades.​
Floating homes attract people who like to build, design, write, imagine, and tinker. The homes themselves are often little masterpieces — shaped by the lake, the weather, and their owners’ quirks. You’ll find gardens on decks, handcrafted railings, and clever solutions to life on the water. Musicians play from our homes to the paddlers.
​
Creativity isn’t a hobby here; it’s part of the culture.​​
We share our neighborhood with herons, ducks, otters, bald eagles, salmon, and the occasional curious beaver. You can watch seasons change not by leaves alone, but by the rhythm of wildlife passing your windows. Kids grow up knowing bird names, adults slow down to catch the sunset, and even busy days feel a little lighter. Nature isn’t a weekend getaway - here, it’s part of our home.
After all, we have fish living under our feet.
People decorate their decks with plants, lights, kayaks, art, and cozy chairs that catch the last of the evening sun. On the water, small lower decks bring you right into the world of fish, beavers, and ducks. Up on the roof, the view opens to floatplanes, bald eagles, and the city rising in the distance. Each one becomes a personal retreat — a place to read, sip something warm, or watch the water roll by. ​
VRBO rental in Leavenworth, WA
It's this location. Living in a floating home reminds us how lucky we are to have simple joys right at hand. We can slip into a kayak or a sailboat within seconds, feeling the quiet of the water before the day even begins. Just a few steps off the dock, the city opens up with classes at nearby universities, world-class gyms, fresh fish at Pike Place, and downtown close enough to easily walk to work. Within half an hour, we can trade the water for mountain trails and evergreen air. Or a spa in Leavenworth. And now and then, it’s still amazing to remember that another country sits only a short car ride or seaplane flight away. This place keeps us grounded, thankful, and aware of how special it is to be connected to both nature, the city and the world so easily.​
Life on the docks makes it easy to lean on your neighbors and just as easy to be there for them. Someone’s always willing to help carry groceries, give a ride to the vet, water plants while you’re away, or team up for a Costco run. These little gestures add up and create a community where people feel seen and supported. Our FHA Dock Leadership Team meetings are a great chance for dock leaders to get together, enjoy some social time, and swap essential tips on everything from finding the best maintenance folks and tackling DNR forms to keeping our homes safe and our beautiful environment clean.​
Dock Leadership Meeting Fall 2025
Every beautiful floating home has its own personality, shaped by the owners, the lake, and a dash of engineering magic. Some are modern, some historic, some quirky, some elegant. No two are alike, and that’s part of the charm. Visitors are always amazed to learn that these aren’t houseboats drifting around but real homes with foundations that rise and fall with the water. It’s a rare kind of architecture that makes people smile before they even step inside.​
Living on the lake gives us a sense of responsibility that we all feel. We look after the water that supports our homes, keep an eye on wildlife, and do our part to protect the shoreline. We help each other with repairs, advice, and the little tasks that come with caring for such unique homes. This shared mission links us in a way that goes beyond neighborliness. It gives our community purpose, pride, and a sense that we’re all stewards of something rare, worth protecting and bigger than ourselves.​
