Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

179 replies

Nicebucket · 22/08/2015 03:21

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 Sad

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

OP posts:
TiredButFineODFOJ · 26/08/2015 22:50

Yy deserted
It's not easy to buy, but London has it's own shared ownership market going on.
If Nice is seriously considering £1250 per month, better to get a loan, put down a deposit and own part of the place and repay the loan. Easy enough to sell and prices are going up with Crossrail coming soon.

SerafinaScoresby · 26/08/2015 22:51

Why do you have to be so close to Canary Wharf? What's wrong with commuting in from the suburbs like the rest of us? DP and I have a 2 bed flat in Morden for 750. Northern line to Bank then DLR to Canary Wharf.

Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 22:53

Buying is out of the question for many reasons I can't get into. And no, I don't have spare cash for down payments, legal fees etc.

It has to be rented.

Yes, tried gumtree. Didn't find anything.

Ghostspirit- frankly, everything. As a 27 year old adult who likes her space and works very hard I don't see why I should have to share with like 3 other people and live like an 18 year old. One bed flats in any safe area are unaffordable. Studios are mostly hideous- they're either overpriced or too tiny to fit my things.

I don't understand why it's impossible to find a civilised place to live in what is supposed to be one of the most sought after cities of the so called first world.

Sorry, I'm just massively pissed right now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 22:55

Serafina- I dont? I've mainly been looking now at options much further away. But they haven't worked out- either the area has been awful or the studio has been unsuitable. Maybe I've just been unlucky.

OP posts:
Sazzle41 · 26/08/2015 22:55

You could be me, I would rather have less money and peace. Ot a part time job as well which is what some people resort to, to live alone here. I have had god awful shares even with just one person where my food and clothes went missing. Oh and coming home to find their latest dodgy boyfriend nosing round my room. Unless they travel constantly or spend all their time at their partners I wouldnt even consider it.

I'd ask around at work if anyone who travels a lot wants a sharer who would keep it tidy/looked after while they are away. Loads of people in canary wharf need to travel constantly for work and have a tenant just to keep it looked after & not obviously unlived in to burgle - I say that as there has been spate of burglaries round there, every house in one square at one point.

Desertedislander · 26/08/2015 22:57

I don't understand why it's impossible to find a civilised place to live in what is supposed to be one of the most sought after cities of the so called first world.

That's exactly why, OP. Because it's in such high demand.

Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 22:57

The thing is, I really do need some money to save right now because I need to help my mum out. So I can't just say ok, I'll spend everything in rent and have nothing to save.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 22:58

DesertIslander- yeah and so are a hundred other cities, but they're not in the same ridiculous situation. Something's definitely wrong with London, let's just admit it.

OP posts:
Desertedislander · 26/08/2015 22:59

I would absolutely never house share with strangers either, so YANBU to consider spending the money to rent alone... I just worry that you can't afford it Sad and will be even more miserable when you're poor!

Once you paid travel/phone/internet will you have enough for food and the occasional meal out/new top etc?

Desertedislander · 26/08/2015 23:01

What about a part time job then? I did that when I was younger.
I completely understand where you're coming from. I felt the same frustration when I felt forced to leave because I couldn't afford my rent on maternity pay.

SerafinaScoresby · 26/08/2015 23:02

so are a hundred other cities, but they're not in the same ridiculous situation. Something's definitely wrong with London, let's just admit it. Grin my thoughts exactly...

Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 23:07

I'm on a visa- not allowed to do part time jobs.

OP posts:
Solasum · 26/08/2015 23:08

I know you don't want to share, but at least look at spareroom.com. You can search by commute time. You CAN find a house share with just one other person. I lived with a canary wharfer for a while, and barely ever saw him as he was always working. Occasionally we had parties where our respective friends would gape at the weirdness of the other side.

I'd recommend looking at Southwark, London Bridge, Canada Water, but really for CW people come from everywhere. Far far better to share and start in zone 1/2 than live out of London and not have a social life as a 20-something, in my view.

Solasum · 26/08/2015 23:10

There are so many nice people looking to share these days. Not everyone is horrible, promise!

MountainDweller · 26/08/2015 23:15

I lived in London for years and understand the problem. Live overseas now but DH worked in CW for 6 months last year and rented in Haggerston (Hackney/Islington border). He did a M-F let so obv a different situation to you but rent was not too bad and area ok with easy commute via overground.

Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 23:15

I've looked at spare room already. Honestly, sharing for me is a fate worse than death. I have no way of knowing the person isn't a thief or something worse. And I have zero patience with noise and mess. I don't really even want to socialise or be friendly with a flat mate and deal with their drama.

I work such long hours and I've got so many issues in life just now, when I come home I just want to crash. I don't want to see anyone or be obligated to tolerate their chatter/mess.

I know I sound like an awful person, but it's the truth.

OP posts:
Whatthefoxgoingon · 26/08/2015 23:17

London is very hard to live well in if you don't earn a huge amount. People are willing to put up with a terrible quality of life to live in a shoebox here. I'm afraid that won't change any time soon.

lavenderhoney · 26/08/2015 23:21

On rightmove there are places to rent for much less than that ( studio/ one bed) in SW1 ( Victoria, Chelsea, St James) or try battersea or Fulham, Putney?

Where are you working? Have you asked around at work?

If they aren't big enough for all your stuff then get rid of any surplus stuff or put it in storage. Then get rid of it:)

wtfisgoingonhere · 26/08/2015 23:26

What about a commute from kent? Am hour in to central London from maidstone or you have the high speed from Ashford.

Season tickets aren't cheap but you can get a 2 bed flat for c £800

Jermajesty · 26/08/2015 23:27

I've just had a quick look on rightmove:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-53837852.html

Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 23:30

I could put up with a commute, but how expensive are tickets? It might not make any sense at all if the total cost just comes to the same as what I'd spend on rent somewhere closer.

I'm feeling so trapped right now. As much as I've always loved London, I really don't want to live here.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nicebucket · 26/08/2015 23:32

Jermajesty- that's a lovely flat, but with bills I'd end up paying the same as the amount for that studio closer to work. Around £1250-£1300.

The studio was £1300 with all bills. This will come to the same.

OP posts:
Solasum · 26/08/2015 23:33

I think you need to think about what would be your least bad option.

If you are going to be working very long hours and then have a long commute I think you will have a wretched life.

Someone on here the other day was recommending groupspaces.com/UCLU-Catholic-Society/pages/accommodation

Not all are only for students, and likely to be quiet.

wafflyversatile · 26/08/2015 23:36

Advice use to be that you don't spend more than 33% on rent. However that is impossible for many in London these days.

You want to save to help your mum and have some FUN!

Maybe you need to expand the areas you are willing to look at. Also if you don't have much spare time you shouldn't need a big space.

How about Stratford? Easy commute from there.

I live in a place that is notorious. In 20 years I've never been assaulted/mugged on the street and only been burgled once. I don't think there is anywhere where you can guarantee never being burgled.