Sick Of Paying Rent? Live in the Grosswanus Canal!

We all know it's expensive as balls to live in NYC, which is why I'm a WEE BIT jealous of the Brooklynites who discovered a loophole to living rent-free under the radar. Granted, if they step out into the "yard" they'll probably emerge looking like some slimy Rocky Dennis with a gazillion nasty diseases. But still -- their disfigured asses wouldn't be paying a fucking penny to live in the highest-priced city in this here US of A.

A gaggle of hipsters and one environmentalist occupy four houseboats that are currently docked in the toxic stinkfest that we know as the Gowanus Canal (Which, in the case of the hipsters who are just sunbathing in orange thongs and pooping GODKNOWSWHERE, is kind of gross). But for environmentalist Adam Katzman, this lifestyle is an experiment.

Via HuffPo:

Katzman bought the boat for $1, according to Back to Nature NYC, and then equipped it with a homemade rain harvesting and filtration system, solar panels and a “humanure” composting toilet--all in an experiment to live autonomously and without the aide of many modern technologies.

He's sort of like an urban version of Tom Hanks in Cast Away. Except it's voluntary. And he can probably venture to the Farmer's Market any time for fresh herb chevre or whatever. OK, I'm reaching. But I am a little impressed with his whole set-up.

Here's another interesting tidbit about the whole sitch, via The Post:

Gowanus activist Eymund Diegel said it “ironic” that the “city legally dumps about a million gallons of sewage daily into the canal, but it’s technically illegal [without government approval] to dock houseboats in the Gowanus – even one helping clean the water.”

While the boaters have docking permission from property owners, the floating homes still must pass city Buildings and Fire department safety inspections to be considered legal.

One top city official said it’s “highly unlikely” the city would allow houseboats on the Gowanus, adding the residents could face fines for docking “illegally.”

For those who even give a shit, do you consider this illegal lifestyle COOL (see: sexy lure of illegal activity/living rent-free) or JUST PLAIN GROSS (see: cesspool conditions/again, where do the hipsters go to the bathroom)?