Simone, age 55, came to New York from Italy more than 25 years ago. The Boat Basin has changed a lot since he first arrived; it's lost the free and easy atmosphere that first attracted him, though he still appreciates the view from his living room window.

I've lived on houseboats for 25 years—for 20 years on this one. I bought this one and built it up. I added a second floor, the last time they allowed it. Like in Rome, they build up on the rooftops so they make it grow. It's not legal, but then they always get amnesty.

I came to New York to work for the UN, producing and directing films for their Dept. of Public Information. As soon as I got here, I found out it was an island, for crying out loud!

I met a woman who no longer exists, unfortunately, who had a houseboat that was a gallery also. She was a very freaky lady, her houseboat-gallery was down at the South Street Seaport, back when the only restaurant there was Sloppy Louie's. When there was nothing there. She needed someone who would stay there at night and open it up in the morning and close it up at night. So I lived on it, and opened it before I went to work and then closed it up when I came back at night.

After that I rented houseboats here in the 79th Street Boat Basin, and then bought one, but it sank once a year for six years. Finally, the last time it sank, no one came to help and I bought this one.

Mostly I like the view and the light. I go to an apartment and I feel closed in.

Plus the community, it's nice. Or it used to be. When I first came here there were 130 boats, with young people and hippies; it was fun and parties all the time! Now there are about 45 boats, and everyone is middle aged and a pain in the ass. I had a party last year and a neighbor came over at one in the morning—at one!—and said her children were trying to sleep, could I turn it down.

It used to be really fun. But I still like the view. And the light.