To move out of London

[OurMiracle1106]

I have no remaining family. But I do have a job I love and good friends around me. However. I’m living in a flatshare which will come to an end in about 6months time so I spoke to council and they have said “no priority need” as I’m a single person but have referred me for homefinder UK which means a council/housing association tenancy but it would be far out of London- somewhere like hull Liverpool or Newcastle! So pretty much other end of country. I don’t earn enough to rent privately on my own and due to past trauma I can’t face flatsharing with strangers.

WIBU to give up my job in London and move somewhere completely new where I’d know absolutely no one and probably be on benefits for a short time before finding work?

OP - how about renting privately but topping up your rent with universal credit? As you have no family i would be very reluctant to move away from the familiar.

OP if you're not a priority for social housing then you won't get a social housing tenancy outside of London. All areas have a shortage of social housing and pretty much everywhere has a local connection requirement, for you to have lived in an area in a permanent address in that area for two years or more.

Unless there's something that qualifies you that you haven't told us then you'd need to save up a deposit + rent in advance and apply for a job in a new area.

I've moved cities a few times as a single person and it is daunting but if you're prepared to go to another city where there's a bit of a buzz, join a few clubs/hobbies etc then it's definitely doable. It would be tough in the short term but longer term you'd have better prospects re quality of living, because the housing costs are so much reduced. London is an amazing city but only if you've got the salary to match!

Sorry just re-read and saw you were looking at homefinder - technically you can move to social housing nationally with the site but in practice its rare. Each provider has their own criteria re how they prioritise applicants for a property. Just because you're allowed to bid doesn't mean you'll have a realistic chance of getting a property.

Can you not look further out of London and commute and then find a job in that area? Or use a site such as rent a room temporarily.
Contrary to popular belief there are some cheaper areas in the South you may need transport though..do you have a car?

The issue for me with a flatshare is that as I was a victim of sexual abuse in my last flatshare mentally I’m just not able to do it. (I was also a rape victim prior so for me it’s just not realistic).

I currently private rent with a friend but they will be moving in near future.

With the budget I have it’s very difficult to find anywhere within commutable distance of where I work, either that or I’ll be paying astronomically in train fares which means it’s not financially viable.

orange cinnamon I don’t have a car and can’t drive as I am epileptic. I doubt I will ever be able to drive.

ourmiracle I'm so sorry you've had so many terrible experiences. It does make me think that leaving your friends & job may not be the best move at the moment l. Do you think it's worth looking here?
m.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/?search_id=727180048&

You can search on specific areas, gender/age etc of existing occupants. You often see what looks like nice shares with female house owners who just want some help paying the mortgage. You can of course be as picky as you want until you find someone you are comfortable with..

OurMiracle

Sorry you’ve gone through such awful things

Would an all female flat share be something you could consider?