Not sure what to do...any help?

sillylittlejill

Hi everyone :wave:

Basically me and OH have been living together for about a year. We moved into a very overpriced rented flat last april and moved back in with my parents a few weeks ago as I am unemployed and OH can't afford to pay all the bills.

We live in Cumbria and I am finding it difficult to get any type of job that doesn't involve having a car. We are looking to relocate to the Washington/Sunderland area as OH is originally from there.

The idea of moving back to my parents was to save up enough money for a deposit but as I am finding it near impossible to get a job, that is going to take a lot longer than we thought and we honestly cannot live with my parents for more than a few months-thought it would be a lot easier now we are "grown ups" but its even harder!

Basically the only way of me getting a job is to move over to the Sunderland area as the public transport system is so much better there and I could potentially work anywhere in Newcastle/Gateshead area which gives me a much greater chance of getting a job!!

The question I have is whether to rent privately or try to get a council house in that area.

We don't have any children (yet! We are waiting until we are settled over there so you can imagine how desperate I am to move!) it is just the two of us. My OH has a good job at an opticians and should be able to get a transfer to a store in the north east relatively quickly.

Although OH has family over there, there is no-one we could stay with for more than a couple of nights (i.e. kipping on sofa). We really need to be over there by xmas ideally.

Sorry if this post doesn't make much sense, Any questions let me know

Thanks

xxx

pawpurrs

Sounds like you should move there then, if there is more opportunity for you, remember if you do have kids then you *may* not be working so will have to manage on just your partners wage.

simpywimpy

IMO I would move to the area and rent short term so you can see if you feel comfortable and happy there. Jobs are harder to come by these days everywhere and neither of your initial choices might be where you end up if you're prepared to move for work.

Once you find work, save hard for your deposit and then you'll be in a very good position for buying, but don't rush into it until you find a place you really want to live long term.

Wickedkitten

Why would you need a council house? Just rent a flat.

sillylittlejill

Thanks everyone

I thought if we rented a council house, the rent on those are much cheaper than renting a flat and as silly as it sounds I hated living in a flat, I want an actual house lol.

I'm glad you agree with me though, OH isn't as sure as he's worried about money etc but there will be more chance of more/better money if we are over there.

Any more opinions would be gratefully received

xxx

PasturesNew

Council house waiting lists are years long... forget it really.
Sunderland currently has 2,180 people on the list

Just rent privately.

McKneff

You have absolutely no chance of getting council accommodation up there.
just set your sights on private rental and go for it.

poppysarah

If your OH gets a job up there and you need to move for work you are a higher priority than just turning up.
Take advice from shelter on how to get the best from your council housing application.

sillylittlejill

I thought there was something like that, council housing works on a points system so I assume that we would get more points for something like that?

I have heard about a housing association that apparently specialise in young families in our position, so will give them a ring.

thanks for the advice
xxx

poppysarah

Speak to shelter as they can give you the very best advice.