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?

Or even cheaper - Croydon or South Norwood/Norwood Junction. Shit but good transport links

My mate has a one bedroom flat in Norwood she's been there for a few years I think it's £950 a month

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134748860#/?channel=RES_LET

Definitely speak to them, I don't really have any advice but to say that's really fucked up and I'm angry on your behalf.

I think you can do it.

Dream jobs are worth keeping, and going into the office may well help with the new life you'll be building.

First thing: ask for a raise.
Explain - they might offer more flexibility instead of a raise. Or even, if the gods are smiling on you, know someone who's moving out of the secret, low-rent central flat we all know exists but is never advertised.

Next thing: I remember flat-hunting in & around London, and have been reading accounts lately that it's even more cut-throat now (it was vicious then!) Do book a week off, and devote it entirely to the search for your next acceptable home. Get up early, go to the area where you're looking (pick one each day), be first to enquire and first to view.

Agents used to organise mass viewings, where the only logical strategy was to be first and literally fight to get inside early and to get the agent's attention.

It also doesn't hurt to have immediate access to the deposit money; even better if you can pony up six months' rent.

Excellent idea to apply for any social housing or intermediate schemes in Tower Hamlets. It's going to be largely luck & timing whether you can get something, but go for it!

Lastly - I'm the least woo person you could imagine, but ... I have a feeling that being in your dream job will facilitate your home hunt. There is some woo to my conviction, but the rational part is that talking to people in and around your job will throw up ideas, connections, suggestions.

Good luck!

Considered Chippenham? Commute but worth a look!

Room as a lodger rather than house share.

Sorry about the split but don't quit the dream job - it's so good to find work you actually enjoy.

Why not consider Bush Hill Park near Enfield in North London Just looked it up and it's just under half an hour on the Overground into Liverpool Street and from there about six minutes on the Elizabeth Line to Canary Wharf. So the commute would be under an hour on the days you have to go into the office.
On the other days you'd be in a place that's got lots of open space, shops including Waitrose and Lidl, a town market, parks and good transport links. There's also the Dugdale Arts Centre and writers and painters groups. Definitely suburban but well connected with the city.
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/details/62110730/
According to the ad this is less than 0.2 miles from Bush Hill Park station (disclaimer not my property!)
Hopefully close enough to commute to work but far enough away from the family in Essex!

To add to the suggestions, have you looked at places in Reading OP? https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136249772#/?channel=RES_LET

Trains are 23 mins to Paddington and from there you can get the Elizabeth line to the Canary Wharf area. That's a commute of roughly an hour, which is pretty standard for most people working in London.

Am I the only one here who thinks your employer, if decent and value you, will likely say don’t come in for the next X amount of months or maybe don’t bother?! I would expect them to be a bit sympathetic at least. They should be paying you enough to live. Is your salary as good as you thought? If not it might be time to ask for a pay review. Equally if they off you no support you might be better leaving for greener pastures! I’d also consider moving wherever and then saying I’ll come to office one day a week or two days every fortnight and that way you can stay over somewhere or just do one trip. Good luck xxx

Busses are the answer. Look at bus routes and places from there. .

Don’t quit your dream job. I did that for financial reasons and bitterly regretted it. I would be looking for a studio rather than a 1 bed.

Oh OP I really feel for you what a terrible situation to find yourself in :( I agree with others talk to your manager, talk to HR, talk to would workplace EAP (employee assistant programme). Make every effort to let work see if they can adapt things given your situation has changed.

If all of this doesn't work then I think look for similar jobs in areas you can afford, hopefully in places with some social support (friends or family). But don't quit until you've checked if work can do anything to help or lined something else up.

Look at Ashford, Kent. 35 mins out of st pancras. Tickets are pricey but the offset lower rents will make it better.

I can't imagine an employer falling over themselves to bend their rules just for the OP? Unless she's the world's greatest employee doing a job no one else in the country does??!! Everyone is struggling with COL and lots of people have been "caught out" by taking jobs mid covid and WFH for the last 2 years now being required to attend the office. It would be unfair on colleagues to make an exception for the OP.

Like others have said you could live In Peterborough or Rugby and be in landing in less than an hour

Failing that - find a job outside of London

I was going to say this too. These places don’t seem to be considered commuter towns (yet?) but you can get to Kings Cross in well under an hour and rent is much cheaper than London/ Surrey type commuter towns.

You need to move north. My mortgage is 570 a month for a 4 bed detached house!!

Hi OP

Lots of helpful posts.

Just wondering, shouldn't your work be factoring in this cost? I mean if for example, if my contract was to work in London and they asked me to work in York 2/3 days a week, I would expect work to pay for travel and accommodation.

I have London based staff who moved away during Covid due to hybrid working however, as it's now a requirement to be onsite part of the week we have an agreement they come on site X consecutive days a month. Costs covered by staff members as they are paid the London high cost of living supplement.

If this is the case for you, maybe you can negotiate this option, so it's not a weekly cost.

Have u asked at work if anyone has a room to rent ,or knows of anyone who does

Right. Good for you.

The OP’s dream job however is in London

Given it’s Canary Wharf, maybe look out along the Elizabeth line? Maidenhead, slough, reading. All a direct train into Canary Wharf now.

House share in Aldgate, £1050pcm Inc bills. Bus/cycle to canary wharf.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135780992#/?channel=RES_LET

Don't quit.

Explain situation to boss ask if you can come in once a week for a month or less instead while you find your feet.

Then take a week off work and find somewhere. Lodger, flat share, reading.

It is a shock when your housing suddenly changes back to sharing. But give it time, you will adjust and your job is your stability right now.

Cheaper flatshares look really depressing. they may do but that's what you would have been living in if you hadn't met your ex presumably. Loads of people live in them. Grab your independent woman spirit and you'll be fine.