To lose sleep over this?

[JasmineAshley]

So I'm going to London for a 4 month work placement and it's been a nightmare finding an affordable property in a decent area! In case you didn't know already, the rent in London is bloody expensive, especially for short lets :( I didn't want to live in zones 5-6 because of the commute, and central London is very,very,very expensive.

I finally found something in a central (and what I think is safe) area at a price that I have been told is reasonable for London.

After weeks of hunting, I've finally found a place to stay. Hurrah!

Maybe I enjoy worrying but I am still not happy. The flat has a top to bottom window on one wall that opens to a teeny, tiny garden (if you can call it that). It seems like a quiet and safe area, but I'm losing sleep over the possibility of a burglary, because I imagine that what is practically a glass wall might be an easy target.

I've paid a deposit for the flat with this french window already, but the landlord said I could switch over to a different one if I wasn't happy. My other option is a basement flat which is much smaller and always dark.

(These are literally my only options due to time and money-related constraints right now.)

Am I overanalysing the situation? What do you think I should do?

Is window doubleglazed?

namechangesforthehardstuff : The route home is very safe. It's a very lively area with people walking around around till midnight. The tube station is just a short walk away and I won't be out very late anyway. Should be home by 6-7pm.
I'm not so worried about my personal safety to be honest.

Stuff like clothes and TV is just stuff, but things like my laptop and a couple of my extravagant splurges (handbags, shoes etc.) are a bigger deal.

The rent has wiped my accounts clean and I will have no cash to replace them if they are stolen. I suppose that's where the concern is coming from.

Nope. It's an older building so it isn't double glazed.

Take a look at police.uk. You can look up crime stats for your area and see how many burglaries have been reported recently in comparison with other areas. I have lived on central London for 11 years (just been forced to move to zone 2- sob!) and always feel safer in places where there are loads of people and places are open late, than in the quiet, sleepy suburbs.

The crime rate in that area is around 3.8 burglaries per 1000 homes (quite low).

I have requested the landlord to keep an eye out for first and second floor flats in the same building and to let me know when one becomes available so that I can transfer my contract to that one instead.

I've vetoed the basement flat, because those are as much of a security risk, if not more, and also have a fire safety hazard.

So hopefully I can transfer my deposit and contract to a first floor flat by the end of the month. If not, then I guess I will just stick to the one I've booked.

Thanks for all your advice everyone :)

Any other suggestions and points of view will definitely be welcome.

I've never known a burglar to take shoes and bags! don'tt think they're as easy to sell on as a kindle :) but maybe my wardrobe just isn't up to scratch...

It's 4 months of your life - not a long time in the scheme of things! You are worrying about nothing and I'm the world champion at worrying!!!

I have gadgets insurance. Don't really have contents insurance, but I'll consider it based on what it costs per month. I can't even afford a TV license right now.

I doubt anyone will take away my massive size 8 shoes. If they do, the joke's on them because nobody will buy that stuff.