How unreasonable am I being to consider spending this much on rent?

[Nicebucket]

I'll try to keep this brief, even though I'd love to have a moan and a rant.

I've moved back to London recently (job transfer) and I'm hunting for a flat. I've lived in London before for 3 years as a student, so I am familiar with the city.

I'm going mad searching for a flat!!! I'm working in Canary Wharf and anything close to work is hideously expensive.

I would really prefer to live alone if I can (or maybe share with just one other person) but obviously that's very expensive.

I saw a studio flat today that's about 10-15 mins from work, near Crossharbour and its for £1300 a month with all bills included. The additional bills I will have after this are the Oyster card, phone and Internet.

The studio was tiny, but modern and in a really peaceful area.

Am i being crazy to even consider this?!

I could get by if I got this flat, but just barely. I wouldn't be able to save anything and wouldn't have money left over for luxuries.

Is it worth it? My colleagues and friends tease me mercilessly for being too much of a princess to share, but I've had such terrible experiences in the past with flat mates! One of them stole my stuff and disappeared

Also, I'd make a terrible flat mate. (Seriously!) I dislike noise and mess and Since you can't avoid that with flat mates, I'd be an awful nag. I literally hate noise and parties, even on weekends. I'm so dead tired from work, I just want to sleep or have a nice, peaceful day. I love my own space

Is there any hope for me? Is it even possible to live alone in London and still manage to save some mkney?!

You don't earn enough to pay that rent!

Sorry hun but its the truth. No more than 1/3 rd on rent

I think it depends on what hours you'll be working. I wouldn't discount the idea, I live closed to work at one point and my career flew, all that time that time that colleagues spent commuting I spent doing extra work and study. If the jobs has prospects you might find you get a pay rise anyway.

I lived near Crossharbour when I was in my 20s and loved it. I did share for the first 2-3 years until my income had gone up a bit and I had some savings behind me. Most of the grads in their 20s where I work (law firm) live in a couple of a flat share. It's the norm in London.

Look more towards east london such as barking.

Come to Bow, near Victoria Park/Roman Road. Your commute is the 277 bus or a 45 min stroll along the canal. The park and local cafe culture are fab, on the central and district line too (but no tune to work thank heavens).

*tube

New cross / deptford is actually quite ok you know - loads of nice pubs? Don't really know Woolwich. I used to live in Bow, then I moved to SE London and worked in new cross. Of the two I think SE is nicer, greener, bigger flats etc. and if you find somewhere on the DLR eg elverson road, commute will be great and easy and no miserable tube.

Well, two weeks and absolutely nothing.

I'm up against a wall and I'm honestly regretting moving back to London :( I wish I hadn't taken this job...

I really don't want to share and the studios are either too expensive or they're in an absolutely awful and dodgy area.

I don't understand how anyone saves in London without seriously compromising on their quality of life.

I know I'm having a bit of a rant but some of the studios I've seen are literally a human rights violation! How could anyone live in those and not lose their sanity.

If there was a way of leaving London now, I'd do it. The move is seeming like a bigger and bigger mistake everyday

I live up the jubilee line in a zone 2 station. It's about 40 mins door to door to work at One CS (about 30 mins on tube) and we pay £1250 for a one bed flat. Personally id rather live further afield for more space. I also get a seat almost every morning!

prices have really rocketed (again) in the last few years

I think you're right not to share but I think you need to compromise on area without it being a hideous commute.

To clarify I don't live 'at' the station!

'In' even! I'm leaving now. Too tired!

How could I ever afford £1250 for a one bed?

There's no way.

Like I said, I just want to leave but I cant.

I'm quite ignorant about the politics of it all, but surely the government must be shite? How is this even being allowed? London is unlivable

Oh my.goodness jeffsanarsehole I used to live on that road!! OP that is a beautiful part of London to live in and you are very close to Canary Wharf. You would have a lovely quality of life living up there!

nice what are you finding hard about living in london. i guess what is ok for one person is not for the next and depends what people are used to. but i agree with others in general

Have you considered shared ownership? You need some money for a deposit and furniture and legal fees, but fater that you pay rent service charge and mortgage. Mine comes to just under £800 for a new build spacious one bed flat. If I worked in CW I could walk there in under 30 mins.

I feel for you :( London is so expensive. I left when I had my son but I'm considering moving back, your post is giving me another wobble.

Do you have any savings? Buying in London is even less doable than renting BUT there are some excellent shared ownership schemes. I think you have to live in the borough to apply but if you have any savings it's worth looking into.

1250? that seems steep for a 1 bed/studio. im in a 3/4 bed and my rent is less than that. in se london

After not fater! One bed flats are in such demand in London you would be able to sell it on without losing money, possibly making a small profit, in a few years.

Also, £1300 for a studio is a lot, I can't see where you've given your take home but having no spare cash would be awful!
I rented a 2 bed in clapham south with a garden for £1950 so I'm sure there's better out there. Have you tried gumtree rather than right move?

X post Tired