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Original poster

Is renting a super nice one bed a waste of money? (link)

34 replies

lewayveh · 08/12/2024 17:46

Our current lease is coming up for renewal and is £2,200 a month. Perfectly nice flat and about 30 mins on the tube to work.

We've gone to view this place and it's so cool - would be great for hosting parties and it has outside space (current place doesn't). We can also walk to work in about 20-30 mins or bus in 15 min.

But it's an extra £12k rent a year which is a lot of money, slightly over 1 month's take home pay for both of us.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155503808#/?channel=RES_LET

Check out this 1 bedroom duplex for rent on Rightmove

1 bedroom duplex for rent in Dingley Place, Clerkenwell, London, EC1V for £3,250 pcm. Marketed by Savills Lettings, Shoreditch

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155503808#/?channel=RES_LET

OP posts:
Stressybetty · 08/12/2024 18:33

Gorgeous place but I wouldn't take it. Risky having so much of your money tied up in it. Also looks like it would be a nightmare to keep warm with the high ceilings and open plan. If you want outside space keep looking

Movinghouseatlast · 08/12/2024 18:39

To me, being able to walk to work and have outside space would be worth it.

How much would you save on the tube? Could you commit yourself to always walking? I used to walk 20 mins to the train station every day, you get used to it. Even without the travel saving t's £125 a week each for a much better quality of life.

oopsupsideyourheadisayoopsupsideypurhead · 08/12/2024 18:44

No way. You can't even sit up in bed with a cuppa!

Lamplighton · 08/12/2024 18:49

Totally depends on how much money you have. £12k could pay for a lovely holiday each year but maybe you can afford this flat and £12k on a holiday as well.

Birdseyetrifle · 08/12/2024 18:50

Wouldn’t you rather save that £12 grand towards a deposit for a house!!!

pinkdelight · 08/12/2024 18:50

I wouldn't pay that much to twat my head on the ceiling whenever I sat up in bed.

Temporaryname158 · 08/12/2024 18:51

Total waste of money - save for a deposit!

MayaPinion · 08/12/2024 18:57

You’re committing over half your joint salary. That’s a lot for rent and a big risk if one of you loses your job, or you break up or get ill, etc. That said, if you have a cushion, aren’t bothered about buying your own place, and want to have a lot of parties then go for it!

HPandthelastwish · 08/12/2024 18:59

It would cost a fortune to heat, and doesnt come with the furniture, the chances are once you put your furniture in, it won't look so swish unless you've paid ££££ for a fancy sofa and loads of artwork to put on the floor.

SapphireOpal · 08/12/2024 19:14

I'd either go further out with a garden, or less big/swish and walking distance to work. You can't afford both imo.

Original poster
lewayveh · 08/12/2024 19:17

HPandthelastwish · 08/12/2024 18:59

It would cost a fortune to heat, and doesnt come with the furniture, the chances are once you put your furniture in, it won't look so swish unless you've paid ££££ for a fancy sofa and loads of artwork to put on the floor.

Edited

That's an excellent point... our current sofa would look ridic there.

OP posts:
Original poster
lewayveh · 08/12/2024 19:18

MayaPinion · 08/12/2024 18:57

You’re committing over half your joint salary. That’s a lot for rent and a big risk if one of you loses your job, or you break up or get ill, etc. That said, if you have a cushion, aren’t bothered about buying your own place, and want to have a lot of parties then go for it!

No it's about 25% of our take home pay per month

OP posts:
postinate · 08/12/2024 19:20

I used to live nearby and it's a great area - near Old St tube, bars in Shoreditch, walkable to the City, Barbican, Angel and Regent's Canal. But personally I would see no value in having a nice place to entertain (as I hate hosting and would rather meet up in bars) and I'm not bothered about outdoor space. And I'd rather squirrel money away for a nice house that I own. Only you can decide if those factors make it worthwhile for you - it wouldn't for me (but walking to work is brilliant and definitely worth paying more for).

HundredMilesAnHour · 08/12/2024 19:23

Personally I wouldn't. It's very overlooked and the bedroom looks like a real compromise with the lack of headroom above the bed. For >£3k/month, you can find nicer (and equally central) 1 beds.

Purplecatshopaholic · 08/12/2024 19:35

Lovely flat. I would totally rent that if it made sense financially.

Creaturesoflove · 08/12/2024 19:37

That sort of flat needs a certain sort of art and furniture to look good. If you don't have that then I'd look for something else

ClicketyClickPlusOne · 08/12/2024 19:47

For all those worried about headspace over the bed: it could be turned through 90’ to go against the blank wall.

BookGoblin · 08/12/2024 20:25

Absolutely batshit place 😂

You can't sit up in bed! And no you can't turn the bed, cause then one person won't have space to get in. And also that's only a small double, the bedroom is tiny and yet the deranged architect decided a second loo was a good use of space,

It's MAD.

BookGoblin · 08/12/2024 20:27

More bathrooms than beds.

Honestly the planner must have been drunk

DetestTheClockChange · 08/12/2024 20:35

And the bathroom tiles look manky too

GettingThemFromHereToThere · 08/12/2024 21:59

How often do you have parties?

what’s the issue if it’s only 25% of your joint salary?

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 09/12/2024 00:22

Movinghouseatlast · 08/12/2024 18:39

To me, being able to walk to work and have outside space would be worth it.

How much would you save on the tube? Could you commit yourself to always walking? I used to walk 20 mins to the train station every day, you get used to it. Even without the travel saving t's £125 a week each for a much better quality of life.

I agree. Also with that lovely outside eating area you'll eat in in the summer more than going out to beer gardens so save money there. But I don't like the bedroom layout

FelixtheAardvark · 09/12/2024 11:28

I'd have it in a heartbeat but then Clerkenwell is an area I know well and really would like to go back to.

SabreIsMyFave · 09/12/2024 11:31

Nearly £40,000 for the year's rent? Are you having a laugh? Confused

It's not even that nice. Far better putting it towards a deposit on something!