Becoming homeless for my dream job

[ForTidyFinch]

I've been offered and ideal job in the town where I currently live but my short term tenancy is due to end in a couple of weeks. I have tried everything to find a new place to live. There is nothing available in this small town and I have no friends or family living close enough to help. I have decided to start the job and then live in my car. I've reached a desperate point now where I think there is little chance of me being able to rent privately even if something does become available. A run of bad luck has drained my finances and a CCJ was taken out against me without my knowledge (for overstaying in a service station when my car was broken down!) This was taken out while I was living abroad and I have only just found out. So there goes the chance of renting privately. So the choice I see it is being homeless and destitute staying with relatives or living in my car and starting this interesting job opportunity. I think I will live in my car. WWYD

It's a job that would be hard to find the like of again. Not impossible but I might be waiting years to find another opportunity like this even if I was to move anywhere in the UK. The job also offers a higher wage and more responsibility than I've had before. Its enough to live on in the area (despite being overpriced area) if only I had somewhere to live! It's definitely a step up and forward in career terms and I think that's more important than the wage to be honest. I think it being in a small town means the wage is probably lower than it should be for the level of responsibility but I'm willing to take that considering how it would improve my experience and put me on the right career trajectory. It might not even be a job I want to do forever but it's exactly what would put me on the path to realising my (career) dreams. Something I feel I would regret if I turned down as housing situation is likely to improve but another work opportunity like this might not come up again. I am also very passionate about what I do maybe a lot of my self-worth and aims in life are tied up in it? Maybe I am making it out to be more than it is?

@ForTidyFinch

On the assumption that you are still very young, OP, as posters have suggested, what would be your ultimate dream job?

You've said that the job currently being offered would help towards your ultimate dream career.

What would you like to be doing when you are, say, 40? I think that you said somewhere that you are a graduate, so I assume that it might be connected to the subject your degree is in.

Long shot but it might be worth asking around the hotels, restaurants and B&Bs on the offchance they've got a staff shortage (many have) and accommodation (few have). Not ideal to be starting your career job while bartending or cleaning in the evenings, but as you're young and resilient ... ?

I’m not sure whether this would be suitable OP, but assuming you do stay in the area and begin your new role, would it be worth in the meantime researching and applying for a few other options just in case things aren’t manageable, or just to give you choices? If there are any areas you can find where you could apply for a job you would consider, and that also have more ready accommodation including share house and sub let type where initial credit issues might not be such a issue, it could be worth targeting those and just seeing if anything comes of it.

For me it would have to be a six figure salary with gold standard perks to be worth all this. Sorry.

Also as a ps to my post above, areas that have better public transport to open up options on work and home fronts.

I had typed a reply, but then I remembered that I don't feed trolls.

@ForTidyFinch I think you might be suprised OP unless it's incredibly niche and specific to something in that area (someone mentioned surf instructor)that there are other similar roles elsewhere- with more going for them- this probably seemed an easy and suitable opportunity as it's where you live- I'm thinking something like venue manager at an arts centre etc-or a small regional publisher etc - I might be totally wrong of course.

All I can say is have a really good job hunt in similar fields whilst you are still in your situation all over- because it may be other things in similar fields are out there - even if it's slightly less money or sideways step - but way easier to sort some accommodation out

One thing I'm wondering about. You've been living and working in the area for a while, but you haven't made a single friend or any useful connections. So it strikes me that while it may be a nice area on the surface, people aren't very welcoming or open. It's a big risk that the people at your new work will be equally unfriendly.

whoah That’s a leap. The op maybe the one with issues, you’ve no idea.

That's kind of harsh, though. Most people are able to make a friend, especially when young. I'm just wondering if it's such a great place to be, after all. Super expensive, no housing, no public transport and no friends... The job would have to be bloody amazing to compensate for all of that.

I’m sorry did she say how old she is?

I think she said "young" rather than giving an age. It's a bit harder when you're older, but even in that case, to live and work in a place and have zero people to show for it suggests that it's not a friendly, welcoming place.

Op, what kind of help did the council offer when you let them know you're about to be homeless?

And by which date do you need to leave the property?

Well, I think a lot of us are only a few short steps from being jobless, homeless, in debt etc. especially if we don't have friends and family on hand to help. Drastic times call for drastic measures but you really can't live in a car for very long.

OP, I do hope something works out for you. Literally ask everyone and anyone, you never know who might help or know of something. Think laterally! I wouldn't rule out the camping idea but you would need to have a more protected spot and have the campsite manager on your side.

Follow your dreams OP. Give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose.

OP does have friends and family she can stay with, if she can accept the fact that this job doesn’t work for her right now.

@ForTidyFinch

OP, what brought you to the area where the job is originally? Is it where you come from or did you move there because of a job or a relationship?

Have you checked out local FB groups?

In the last week I have seen a woman advertise for a female lodger for a free room in her house so that she can work night shifts whilst lodger babysits her DC - this was a closed FB group for local women.

Another FB group for the elderly was asking for a lodger to help with a few odd jobs for a reduced rent (not a carer role). My friend actually did this in her 20s, lived in an elderly persons home for reduced rent, did some odd jobs but was mainly there for company - it benefitted them both and it was a great set up

Have you checked local sites?

University rooms is, I think a website for, well, university rooms. Spare room, youth hostel association, long term b and b booking is sometimes cheaper than a regular booking. If it's a holiday place lettings may be much cheaper when the season ends you just have to get through the summer.

Is it worth reaching out to people who may have children going off to university, they may be glad of someone company and extra money. One of my daughter’s friends mum rented out her room whilst she was at university. It started off short term the agreement was room was available when daughter needed it. It became a long term thing and the daughter ended up in the sofa when she came home! Lodger is still there now 5 years later.

OP I've mentioned it a few times, but if you have savings can you not buy a van? That's so much more comfortable to live in than a car and you can get one fairly cheap.

OP does have friends and family she can stay with, if she can accept the fact that this job doesn’t work for her right now.

Well, I said 'on hand' as in close to where she needs the help so she can take this job she wants so much. I wasn't saying OP doesn't have friends and family anywhere, just no-one useful!

But no, this job doesn't make a lot of sense right now. Living in a van or tent for a while maybe, broken down car....not really.

@ForTidyFinch

https://www.gov.uk/county-court-judgments-ccj-for-debt/cancel-the-judgment

Hi, sorry I missed your PM @ForTidyFinch , can you post it on here ?