To wonder how ordinary people afford to live in such expensive places?

[Sienna290]

I have been job hunting and I saw a position based in Kent. I am not planning to apply for it but just out of curiosity I went on Rightmove to see how much it would cost to live there.

I earn 52,000 and would have a deposit of 50 so I was looking at around quarter of a million for starters. This would buy me - a rundown terrace or a one bed / studio flat.

Do most people buy in couples? Or is this just how it is in expensive towns and cities - ordinary people don’t live there!

A lot of the new houses being built where I live are for the London market and personally I think many are overpriced . I feel for those buying next to the scrap dealer and near the sewage works

There is that. So it might be difficult to sell in future?
Hmm.

My mistake you said it was a bit shitty to bring up children there. Clearly lots of people disagree hence the prices. I grew up & have lived there, never noticed the overrun commons. Fantastic for me as a teenager.

For me amenities are key, I can get to Wim village in 25 mins but that's long. I want my high street to have what I need without having to travel & be its own destination. That's more important to me then tennis, but then I don't play just watch it, at Wimbledon 😄

Oh I'd struggle without the tube

@Teateaandmoretea

It isn't quite that simple there are expensive areas in the midlands and north also.

Completely agree.

Whilst I would love to live in those areas (moving from near T Wells to Harrogate, would be such a leap! 😂) we've narrowed our search down to a few places between Cambridge and his home town (not TOO close mind), all of which would allow us to be mortgage free, with space for kids/family visiting.

We'll never do it, we have too many reasons to stay where we are - work, schools, family - but it's frustrating. We don't need the commuting benefits of the Home Counties, it's just where I was born and my family are!

@downlow I’m sure you wouldn’t find it too busy if you’re used to it. For us it’s a bit different as DH grew up in the country, I lived between the city and the country. So for our family home it was either a case of being out of London or just on the edge. S Sutton has worked out well as we are within walking distance of lovely countryside and have tons of amenities to suit out outdoorsy/sporty lifestyle. I do like a bit of fancy shopping but it was easy to compromise on not having it on the doorstep.

@MyuMe I find that house a bit of an odd one. If you’re a young professional with 400k to burn, you can find somewhere cooler for the money (a flat, though). If you’re planning a family, then the downstairs bedroom is not fit for baby/toddler (too far from parents) and it’s easy to get a better house near better schools for the money. I would only think the property might suit a childless older singleton/couple as it’s freehold with a bit of garden and probably a short bus ride to Richmond for restaurants etc.

@JoJoSM2 yes, that is the kind of place I am looking at - a starter base if nothing else. Part of me says go for a doer upper to add as much value as possible but another part of me says, instead go for a job on as high a salary as possible, but whatever I can and rely on hpi. If there are small changes I can make, great. I would n’t have much in savings after deposit to pay for alterations, etc.

I think the best option is somewhere with a garden where maybe you could extend or a loft conversion. They would really add value but I have no idea how much they would cost.

@JoJoSM2 I agree about the house. It would suit me now. But I am concerned about being able to sell it on as they cant sell it even knocking £140k off the price.

I dont really want a flat as I dont like leasehold.

That’s cheap where I live!

It's batshit in the SE. Everyone else has made tons of money from rocketing prices over the last 20 years. Now things are levelling off because properties are simply unaffordable on flat wages. For those of us coming later to the market it's a nightmare.

@NewYearsRevolution2020

Ballpark for extending is 2k/1m2. Loft conversion on a small terrace maybe 50k (if possible as you need space for a staircase and enough headroom in the loft). So they aren’t cheap projects. Tarting up of a flat can be done on 20k if you’re careful and can get you a good return if you buy well.

When I bought my first flat, I didn’t have a penny left and things like basic furniture or the iron went on a credit card...

@MyuMe Do you commute to central London? Have you looked at Worcester Park? Zone 4, train much faster than Isleworth. There’s a Waitrose and a bunch of other shops and restaurants and houses are cheaper.

What can I do, guys? 10 years teaching exp, some admin and start up exp. Currently learning python (machine learning programme), masters in digital asset management including html/tricks/xml.

Was looking at ux as have some experience plus last year and a half have done marketing/social media/publicity for one organisation plus academic publishing (preparing files for digital repository).

I feel with 20 years plus experience in work plus lots of voluntary exp I should be looking at a decent salary. Undergrad mediocre but post grad from top uni plus masters (international).

Help!

TEI not tricks!

Apologies for derail, OP!

@NewYearsRevolution2020

I’m a SAHM so no clue about career advice lol but with property, just start small. Once you’ve had a property for 3-4 years, paid down the mortgage a little, maybe put in a new kitchen to increase value, maybe your salary will be 5k higher etc you can move up the ladder.

@MyuMe

Or if you want pretty and villagey, then Carshalton ticks those boxes. Zone 5 but lots of trains between Carshalton and Carshalton Beeches station.

Thanks, @Jojo that’s the plan!

@JoJoSM2 thank you I will look at those areas.

Yes I do need to get to London

A large 4 bed Victorian detached with garden front and back.
Greater Manchester.