Commutable places to Westminster

[Aldiisnodifferenttowaitrose]

I have the possibility of a job which will be 2-3 days in the office (close to Westminster) and 2 days from home. I'm currently living in the North of England so commuting isn't doable. However, is a contract gig so it wouldn't be forever so I'm looking at the possibility of moving temporarily within a commutable distance.

I'd probably need a place on my own due to needing a dog walker and people might not like a dog walker letting themselves into their house share home. I'm also probably a bit old to share.

So I'd be looking for a dog friendly area with dog care options, less than £900 pcm (I know this is low for close to London). Less than 75 minutes to Westminster commute via public transport. Happy for it to be a tiny 1 bed place - I don't need lots of space. Even happy for it to be a caravan, boat etc if I can live there for the full year.

Is there anywhere you'd recommend I look? Thank you.

I’m illustrating that other adults have made compromises for employment, you won’t compromise. Which limits your likelihood of finding pet friendly accommodation
My point remains same your dog is a considerable barrier to getting a rental. For you it’s non negotiable. So,You'll struggle to get accommodation in Ldn on that budget with a dog

I'd already be making lots of compromises. Leaving a lovely home, leaving friends and family, paying out more than I've ever done on rent, renting a tiny place when I currently have lots of space and a garden, selling my car, probably having to live in a bit of a shit hole area to make costs achievable. You're making it sound like I'm choosing to prioritise a tiny inanimate object. It's my dog. They can't fend for themselves and when you get a dog you sign up to a life time of care regardless of circumstances changing.

£900 pm is houseshare price in Woking and surrounding villages.

A dog walker will also be £20ish a day.

Your budget for rent is just too low for surrey and Hampshire borders. And there's not exactly a glut of rentals around here, LL can be fussy and dogs are low down in the pecking order (we had a lot trouble finding somewhere which would accept our cat).

I work from home and could walk the dog in my lunchbreak. There's a park 5 mins walk away.

I am (like others) pointing out that a dog is a barrier to renting. LL don’t like it
You’ve got a nonnegotiable criteria(dog) that massively impacts your limited choices. If that’s your position, fine, be aware it means you have v limited or no opt. Maybe Ldn isn’t a viable option after all
I illustrated to you I have colleagues who’ve left babies,children,pets,partners to make Ldn work for them. They made difficult choices.
It is of course up to you. I’m simply observing your 1 nonnegotiable criteriaof dog plus your budget will make it v hard. I recommend Home Counties and remember to factor in travel costs although if you travel by oyster there is a daily cap
What about Epping (central line) Hounslow (Piccadilly)Watford /Rickmansworth (metropolitan)

That's so kind. I'll look into things and will get in touch once I've done a bit more reading on logistics. Thank you!

Why not look for a room in a shared house where they're ok with your dog? Something like this https://www.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/flatshare_detail.pl?flatshare_id=17190681&search_id=1371813571&city_id=&flatshare_type=offered&search_results=%2Fflatshare%2F%3Fsearch_id%3D1371813571%26&

It might take a bit of time to find the right fit in terms of them being happy with the arrangement you need but it's much more likely to work than looking for your own place on that budget.

Because I'd have to hire a dog walker and it's unlikely house mates would be keen on a dog walker having a key and letting themselves in. Also, like many dogs they would demand attention if people were around which would be unfair if they were working or trying to relax on a day off.

This is what I mean by taking time to find the right fit. Someone out there will be happy with a dog walker having a key. Or find a house share near a dog day care where you can drop the dog off yourself before you go to work- there are plenty of these.

My daughter’s friend looks after dogs on the days she works from home. They spend the day with her from all the photos she posts.

If you find a dog friendly house share they might have someone who will be at home who will walk the dog, or walk the dog before/after work and then who whoever is at home can keep them company.

I think this is more likely than finding a flat in the south east for £900 tbh

what is your budget for travel? Places like Bedford or Milton Keynes are probably doable for the rent but would have hefty train fares in.

It could be worth seeking out areas where the £900 rent might be affordable and putting out a post on a local Facebook page. There might be a dog loving person who would consider taking a lodger/ renting an annexe if it was on a fixed term basis.
Alternatively is this position worth all the compromises that you're making? I'm assuming it's not a massively well paid role as you would otherwise have a more flexible accomodation budget

It wasn't an offer, but if one person on here has that sort of situation, then there are probably others. Might be worth asking, especially with the cost of living as it is.

(There is a genuine reason why I can't actually offer right now. House needs a lot of work etc.)

Yes it's worth it. It's a 30% salary increase and a great experience. However, the price differences between my part of the country and London are dramatically different so the 'well paid' role feels less well paid than it should.

No problem.

The travel budget depends on the rent cost really and also depends on if they say I have to do 2 days in the office or 3.

@Aldiisnodifferenttowaitrose
Coventry to Euston is just under an hour. If you book in advance you can do it for £50 a day.
There are a few 2 bed terrace houses and flats going for around £900 a month rent in Earlsdon. One in the next street to me. About 15 mins walk to the station. Large park and a common near for dog walking.
More available at £950 - 1050
I used to work in a govt dept with an office in Westminster. Very do able as long as it's not every day

Places like Bedford or Milton Keynes are probably doable for the rent but would have hefty train fares in.
The commute will be over 90 mins.

Bear in mind that a commute is door-to-door, so walk to station, catch train, change trains if needed, walk to office.

People do rent rooms to lodgers on a part week basis, and it must be possible to find one who is dog friendly.
do you want somewhere to live full time, ie do your work from home days there, or will you be going back north for the wfh/weekends?
on that budget a part time lodger situation in london is feasible

I'd rather avoid the back and forth but if that was the only possible option than I would do it.

Presumably you’ve accepted the post. When do you need to relocate? What’s the timeframe?