Advice needed about all my options!

jojo89_2

Hi there,

This is my first post and is going to be like a life story I'm afraid. Ok...

I'm an admin assistant in an office in Cambridge (about 12 miles from where I live), take home £959 a month, I'm 19, have a boyfriend of 3 and a half years who is 21 and at university in Chelmsford. I am currently living in a council house (not as bad as people always think) with my mother (50) and brother (23).

My brother has been looking at buying a house with his girlfriend but they have decided that they can't afford it at the moment, so have chosen to rent a flat in the town instead. They have signed all the paperwork and will be moving out next month.

My mother has been in a relationship with a lovely man for about 3 years and they have decided to buy a bungalow in March and the offer was accepted for this yesterday.

I know this sounds like my family are being really horrible in leaving me but I really don't mind. They are just moving on in life, so I am fine with it.

The problem I have now though is that I have so many options of what to do with my life! These include:

• Staying in the house and seeing if a friend would be able to move in with me. (my preferred choice just not sure about the utlity costs)
• Getting a transfer in my job to London and move there (I would really like to move to London - just don't know if I can afford it yet)
• Rent somewhere else (again, not sure if this is affordable)
• Rent a room in a house (not something I think I would really like to do)

I would really appreciate your thoughts and advice on what I could do and if you can think of anything else that may even be better.

Thank you so much in advance and I'm sorry for the length of the post!

Jo

theartfullodger

Have the council confirmed you can take over the tenancy from your mum (I would expect that would be OK) and what is their policy on you getting people in to share (2 different questions)??

Cheers!

Lodger

PS Good luck! Sounds like an interesting time with lots going on!

jojo89_2

Hi Lodger!

I have not spoken with the council as I have only found out today that their offer was accepted. Thank you for the advice though, I will ask them as soon as, both questions and see what they say. Sorry if I sound stupid I just have no idea what I'm really supposed to do.

Do you think that if they let me do both of those that that would be my best option?

Thank you

22225

Hello,
Just a few ideas.
1) Renting a house with friends/people like you can be lots of fun, a bit like being at university. If you don't get on with the others it can be a bit horrible but then you can always move out. I think you should definitely try it as it's like a less risky way to try out the responsibilities of having your own place. If you rent a place by yourself it seems more official, you're responsible for everything yourself, sometimes you have to have a credit check done on you.

2. I moved to the outskirts of London to work a few years ago and I really enjoy it. I'm very pleased I moved. I didn't know anyone when I moved but I have made friends. If you can find a way within your company or with a new company to move I think you would probably like it. If you are willing to live further out it needn't be too expensive. However you would definitely have to house share in London, even on the outskirts, renting alone would be too expensive on an admin wage (sorry that's what i'm guessing). But house sharing in London would be how you make friends!!

I'm sure other people will have lots of other ideas.

LandyAndy

jojo89 wrote: »

Hi Lodger!

I have not spoken with the council as I have only found out today that their offer was accepted. Thank you for the advice though, I will ask them as soon as, both questions and see what they say. Sorry if I sound stupid I just have no idea what I'm really supposed to do.

Do you think that if they let me do both of those that that would be my best option?

Thank you

Can't offer any advice but I will just compliment you on being a 19 year old who can set out a well written and well thought out OP.

mlz1413

How long does your bf have left at uni? do you want to live together asap or later on?

Can you stay living with your mum in the new place?

Are your earnings likely to increase, ie promotion?


In your position I would initally plan to move with my mum so that I knew I had somewhere secure to live. Then I would look for lodgings nearer to work, lodgings (where the owner lives in the house) tend to be nicer than shared houses.

jojo89_2

Thank you 22225, I agree with you that house sharing with friends would be fun, I just think that at the moment they aren't paying rent - living with mum and dad - so might find paying for bills a bit of a shock! But we've all got to get independent at some point right?!

jojo89_2

Thanks mlz1413. The bf has 2 years left at uni. We'd like to move in together and have spoken about doing it when he has a secure job after he's graduated. So maybe 3 years down the line. Hence my thinking of renting and therefore hopefully getting a deposit together for a house while he's still at uni.

My mum has offered me the room in the new house, but it is about an hour's car drive away from Cambridge - not including the Cambridge traffic!! I've looked at trains too, but they don't really seem much better. And about £200 a month for a season ticket.

My manager says that I will get a promotion within a year, where my salary would increase. By how much though, I'm not sure. I'd take a guess of about £3k a year.

I'd like to move to the new house but just don't see the travelling to Cambridge working out.

I'm going to have a look at lodgings near Cambridge now though - thanks for that

22225

True yes it might be nicer nearer the folks and work. Don't want too many changes at once anyway. You've got lots of time in the future to go to different places etc. good luck with your decision. i'm sure no decision will be wrong and you'll be happy whatever xx

MunnyBoiler

Hello

As a priority, do check to see if the council will let you take over the tenancy. Based on experience, I would be surprised if the answer is yes but do check so at least you know if this is an option or not.

mike5678

Also bare in mind, you work in Cambridge and live nearby, a very nice place with nice people. I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to move to London, where for your sort of budget you are not going to be able to afford to live in a nice area with nice people.

I've only ever lived in London and it is such a breath of fresh air and feels much nicer when I get out of the capital into a satellite town for a day or two.

Work out what your budget is and what you can afford then look at some places that you could afford to house share in. Then take a visit and see how the surroundings compare to where you currently are and I think it may come as a bit of a shock how unpleasant lots of London really is.