To quit my job because I can't afford to go

[Megapops]

I have my dream job, I absolutely love it, and thought I was on a decent salary. Recently the organisation has asked staff to go into the London office 2-3 days a week. Not a problem.

But.. just broke up with my partner who I've been livng with for a few years and I'm obviously looking at moving out into my own place now. To rent a modest, 1 bed place within an hour/hour and a half commute to work is more than my monthly salary. And to rent a room in a houseshare costs around half my salary. Living further out means more expensive train fares too. I'm looking right outside London too. (Considering moving back into a houseshare, and it costing half my salary is also making me die a bit inside).

I dont know what I'm going to do? The only solution seems to be to quit my job and move somewhere else because I literally can't afford to go to work. Although rent doesn't seem much better anywhere! Any advice?

How about buying a van to go to London and sleeping in that? It's survivable for 2/3 days per week (1-2 nights). You'd be surprised how many people sleep in cars.

I haven’t read every post but there are towns quite far from London but get there fairly fast by train

Just as an example, Ashford in Kent has a fast service to London.

Also many of the coastal towns in the South East get to London within 80 minutes.

You could technically stay in a hotel , long term and it would work out cheaper than some of the high rents I’ve read about.

An acquaintance has moved to a small apartment in East Croydon as useful to get into London. Lots of new apartments are up to £2k or more

But they've got one for £1400. Some they lookecxatvwee £1200 ish

Sharing with one other might be do-able? The two beds have 2 bathrooms. And conceirge to take parcels in 😃

There's loads of house shares in London in soare room.com. I'm in a lovely 1 bed flat in Milton Keynes at 1100 a month and that's only high because I have 2 dogs. You could get one for 900ish. Even houses are around 1200. It's 35 mites into Euston. Travel does add up but if you're on a good salary should be OK. You cam get some really nice flats right next to the train station so no travel or parking and MK is fan place to live. The last train back from London is about 1am. Just look around you'll get somewhere.

This is living in London now. As a friend put it to me, you find a scam to get by or you play by the rules and starve. My advice is find your scam, tell no one, pretend it’s all from hard graft. It’s what we do. I guess people just assume we have ‘family money.’ We don’t.

Haven't read whole thread: has anyone mentioned Cohabitas as a place to look?

Where I rent a large 1 bed flat, it's far less than a month's salary and 40 minutes or less into Waterloo depending on whether it makes only 2 stops or most stops. Trains run into London and down to the coast every 15 minutes or so, as many residents along the Portsmouth to Waterloo line are commuters.
I live near Guildford which has every shop you'll need and plenty of leisure activities plus bars, great transport links...everything including green spaces.

Best thing to do is Look at rail networks and work it out from there looking at different options. I know many who commute into London from Warwickshire etc because the mainline trains only take an hour or just over. The property is so much cheaper, and they get a seasonal train ticket. Which still works out cheaper then living in common London commuter areas.
Also maybe talk to your employer about it, as it's better 2 days then 3.

Commute in on the first morning, stay one night at the Premier Inn and commute home late the next day. There will be weeks you don't need to do this (eg annual leave), It sounds like you are struggling with adjusting to your new situation, which is understandable, but dont let short term challenges get in your way.

Staying in hotels is unlikely to be cheaper, the very cheap rooms might be available if you book months in advance but then you risk losing your money if your plans change - the cheap rates are non refundable and it might not always be possible to stick to a certain pair of days, depending on the requirements of employer and colleagues.

Plus lots of people will be doing similar so demand will be quite high and this, along with increased CoL/post Brexit/COVID landscape means that even PIs and Travelodges have got significantly more expensive. I suspect the £25 a night room, or anything much less than £100 effectively doesn't exist near enough to CW to make it worth doing.

Unfortunately for the OP, it's going to be a case of 'cost, location, size', pick two.

@Megapops I live near Bournemouth which is commutable into London. We have a large family home. If you are interested let me know. I’m sure we could work something out that was affordable for you. Sounds like you have been through a lot which I’m sorry to hear. Happy to try and help you ☺️

Here's a self contained 1 bed flat £745 pm, Station Road, Liphook Hampshire, on the Portsmouth - Waterloo line. 45 minutes to London. Agents are Warren Powell Richards.

Actually I got the price wrong. It's £725 pm, (167pw) unfurnished, gas central heating + white goods.

There’s an organisation, I can’t remember what it’s called, but you “house share” rent free with an older person, it’s a companion type of thing for people that need/want to have someone around but you don’t provide care or anything. Google it, obviously you need to pass DBS checks etc but it may suit you if you can be matched to someone in the right area

OP, you sound like every family’s dream lodger

I think you should ideally try to stay in your area, surrounded by your friends and hobbies. You’re going through a tough time, and need to not make any rash decisions.
why not put cards up in your local library/art centre and try to get a room in nice person’s house. That way you can take stock and make plans when you’re feeling less bruised.
Good luck in your new and special life!

I haven't read through the whole post ao not sure if someone has mentioned it, but have you looked at spareroom.co.uk or airbnb? You can get lodgings and very often bills are included.

You could try posting on Nextdoor for a room in a family home. Dulwich might work for you location wise and it's nice. There are some family homes that might have rooms.

When I have split from an ex
I have never considered giving up my job !
I've asked around if anyone had a room to rent or knew someone who had a room to rent locally.
I secured somewhere new to live

Have a look at Milton Keynes. 30 minute commute into London, and a studio/1 bed flat is usually less than £1k a month in some areas.

@Megapops just wanted to come on and offer our spare room in case you’re still considering this option. We are in the countryside but there’s a bus to nearest town where there’s a good train service to east Croydon / London Bridge - aprox 1.5 hr commute. Started thinking about this when I first saw your post (as pp has said you do you like a dream lodger!) but only just had a chance to discuss with DH. Please message me if you’re interested or would like more details.