I am asking on behalf of a friend I work with. She is currently in a house share but is desperate to rent her own place. Even a tiny 1 bedroom flat will do. She earns about £25k and is currently paying £1k in rent at Finchley. She was recently interested in a place at Clapham but they only wanted people who earned over £30k.
I have advised her that for her budget, she really ought to lower her standards a little if she really wants her own place. I recommended she looks somewhere cheaper in East London or South London. She says she wants to 'feel safe' where she lives. I find this statement ridiculous as I believe she has written off whole areas of London because of her preconceptions.
Anyway, is there anywhere that could fit what she wants? I personally don't think this exists in her budget in London unless she pushes her search further out.