Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Anyone live in a studio??

65 replies

Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 20:39

At the moment I pay an eye watering amount of rent to live in a two bed with a garden. It’s just me and my dog.

Opportunity has come up for me to move to a studio - it’s 35 square metres. Kitchen is separate then there’s. One big room. It’s got great views. The twist is that I could live in the studio for no rent.

It would be for maybe six to eight months.

I lived in a studio way back when for a while when I was a student. But I’m mid 40s now!

just interested to know if anyones made a move like this and how it went??

OP posts:
WillMySofaEverArrive · 23/05/2022 20:53

Is there still a garden for the dog?
its not something I would choose personally, the same 4 walls would feel like they were closing in on me after a while. It was fine for several months in my early 20’s but I’m not sure I could do it now.
mind you, rent free is a temptation.

Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:04

No garden for the dog….but opposite a park.

i know - in my twenties we upset have thought twice!

but I pay £1750 rent T the moment and I want to move anyway as I have spent SO MUCH TIME in this flat over the past couple Of tears and I’m ready to move in from
the city I live in.

im so torn!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:04

The studio has amazing sea views which is something…

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/05/2022 21:06

For a fixed 8 months rent free, hell yeah!

Siphon the rent you usually pay into a separate account and that's £14,000 saved. In under a year.

Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:09

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz yes I think that’s what I need to hear!

OP posts:
Fernsinthegarden · 23/05/2022 21:12

I did it for almost 5 years, it was only supposed to be for a year! I loved it to begin with and utterly resented it by the end because of the lack of space, we did every space saving storage solution you can imagine. If I had to do it all over again Id look into converting a horse box and travelling the country instead!

ComtesseDeSpair · 23/05/2022 21:14

I moved into a tiny studio cabin when I returned to London after several years away and my own flat was still rented out for the next eight months. It was fine. It was unfurnished which helped as I could furnish it to maximise space: I had an IKEA Hemnes day bed as a sofa and bed and I packed duvet and pillows away and turned it back into a sofa every morning so it didn’t feel like I was living in a bedroom. I used a big Kallax storage unit to create a room divider so I could have a little dining and study area (and it was also brilliant storage) and just got really good at making sure everything had a place.

I probably couldn’t have done it indefinitely, but for under a year, absolutely no problem.

EmpressaurusWitchDoesntBurn · 23/05/2022 21:16

I lived in one for a while while saving for my deposit & it was fine - I got better & better at creating storage space. I think the most important thing is that it’s self-contained & you’re not having to share a toilet or whatever.

Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:22

Yep self contained and the kitchen is actually quite generous!

I’ve just measured up and in theory my super king bed could come With me 😁

OP posts:
NellesVilla · 23/05/2022 21:23

Go for it, @Cavviesarethebest - to save or not to save is a no brainer. See it as an enriching life experience for you and the pup, and perhaps once a month you can rent a nice spacious air bnb away from the studio to break the time up a bit?

Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:24

I agree it’s got to have different life experiences!

okay - I’m gonna do it 😁

OP posts:
Lilboots · 23/05/2022 21:25

I did, while I was saving to buy a bigger flat. It was really tough during lockdown but when it only had to function as my home (rather than home/work/everything) it was great. I still miss it, even if I have much more room now! It was cosy, cheap to run and just flipping cute. Go for it!

TibetanTerrah · 23/05/2022 21:27

I live in a tiny one, almost like those micro crash pad flats you see in London, though I'm a different SE city. It's OK, I manage and I'm mid 30s. I love the location and although I've looked at whats around I wouldn't move.

You need to be smart and practical with space (I'm still working on this!), but fgs rent free hell yeah I'd do it!

stodgystollen · 23/05/2022 21:29

The worst is going to bed being able to smell your cooking and seeing the dishes, so it's already barely a studio with a separate kitchen!

I did lockdown in an apartment the same size (bedroom was a cupboard). It was good because it forced me out for a walk every day. The most important bit for me was having three chairs with different views: a work chair, a meal chair and an evening chair. Then you can move round and section off your day and mood. You don't really need separate rooms to do that when you're on your own.

Imagine the holidays you can have with your saved rent when you need an escape!

Pugfostermum · 23/05/2022 21:32

I’d do it for rent free living in a heartbeat!

piecesofham · 23/05/2022 21:33

Yes! I lived in a studio in my late teens, with a dog and a grassy area downstairs and a huge park nearby and it was the best time of my life.
I had separate kitchen and bathroom and there was also a big cupboard in the hallway so there was enough storage though, it may have been more difficult without space for clothes/ books/ hoover etc. but from the money you're currently paying to nothing I'd jump at the chance! Are you wfh? Is there space for that?
I had a small double futon that was mostly left down, covered with a throw and cushions during the day and an armchair with footstool and a tiny wine table for reading etc. Telly could be on the wall these days which saves space and Ikea do lots of space saving storage. You could afford to buy things that'd help with the money you'd save in rent. With sea views! I'm excited for you 😂

AllFreeOwls · 23/05/2022 21:33

What are you planning to do after the 8 months is up?

ShandaLear · 23/05/2022 21:34

A free private studio with great views next to a park and beach, with a dog? It sounds blissful.

Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:38

Oh I’m all excited!

after 8 months the plan is to maybe buy or at least move somewhere else to rent in a different city to where I am now.

I’m really over where I’m living. One of the things I had in the back not my mind was to go travelling for a few months but I was a bit worried about the cost of full time travel - this is kind of is the perfect solution because i can still do some travelling but have this as another place so I can manage funds.

im excited now 😁

OP posts:
GettingItOutThere · 23/05/2022 21:40

no i havent and i would not long term. BUT 14k saved is very tempting, how far is the toileting for your dog? That is the only thing that would get to me is late night wees... but short term I would absolutely do it.

confusedlots · 23/05/2022 21:43

Oh definitely do it! We've been living in a static caravan for a year while we're building a new house, in our 40's, with 2 young children and a pet. Yes there's days I get a bit fed up with it, but you just get on with it, and it's really not that bad!

Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:45

Toilet literally just across the road so annoying to have to go down stairs etc etc but will manage it.

I’ve already been decluttering the last few weeks and am now gonna go super hard core with the de cluttering!

OP posts:
Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:46

(That’s toilet for my dog by the way…self contained toilet in the studio for me 😁)

OP posts:
Original poster
Cavviesarethebest · 23/05/2022 21:48

The no rent would be a huge relief because I feel a bit ill seeing it coming out every month knowing it’s not paying off a mortgage…

OP posts:
Lindy2 · 23/05/2022 21:50

I think I'd struggle to live with another person in such a limited space but as it's just you and your dog, you wouldn't have the issue of living in someone else's pocket.

Thousands of pounds of saved rent, park opposite, sea views - I'd go for it.