Want to Move ... Do I Deserve a Spot of Luxury ... Should I Blow 90% Income on It?

PasturesNew

Bootski wrote: »

I would ask though that if you have a living allowance along with capitol from the sale of your place, how does that work out. Don't want to pry and you don't have to answer but is it cause your capitol comes under the savings threshold. If so I can understand your reluctance to dip into those savings should they only last a year or so!!

I'm not 100% sure what that means, so I will half answer the bits I think I understand.

I don't get a living allowance .. I get random income from, well let's say "writing". I write, money arrives.

Not sure what a savings threshold is at all. I am hesitant to ever touch the capital because I don't know how much a house will cost in the future, so didn't want to just spend it freely then find I am £10k short in 2-3 years' time when I pick one.

It's just expensive being a single. If I were a couple the rent would be £280/month for my half - and the bills would be about £150 for my half. It's just there aren't any nice/decent/clean/sunny places because everything cheaper is small bedsit flats round the back of buildings and the entry point to the marketplace is about 2/3rds of a lovely place... and I am fed up with not living in a lovely place based simply on the fact nobody loves me

silvercar

The holiday point is a valid one. We think it reasonable to blow £1000 on a two week holiday with nothing to show for it but a tan. If your priorities are different what is wrong with spending that on somewhere you will spend at least 50 weeks of the year?

Thinking about it we take less holidays than we could because we made to decision to move and take on a relatively large mortgage (or it was at the time).

PN, Some might say that your standard of accommodation now is below the minimum level they would consider. It will always be the case that lower level earners pay a much higher percentage of their income on essentials.

One last point, please please consider the extra money as a cash injection into your home costs and don't attempt to starve yourself in order to balance the books.

Bootski

Pastures, I'm single too and spend my time at the bottom of the garden eating worms (My late Mum's words on also being single!!)

Seriously, I know it costs a lot more to live on ones owe, have being single all my 3rd decade due to illness and...well.... nobody loving me!!

I ask as I'm sellling my mothers property (or trying to) and don't know how best to secure my future. I, unlike yourself have relied on benefits, and so any capitol I make will reduce any Housing Cost I'd be entitled to & I understand this.

Have though of shared ownership but am really quite put off by the idea. Anyhow, don't know your circumstances fully, only your threads on 50 (or so) viewings and was delighted for you when you managed to sell after so long.

I know housing costs are halved when those are in a relationship but I'm not and don't want a lodger.

I do think if you've seen somewhere that you envisage could make you happy for a while - then do it. do it! do it!

PasturesNew

silvercar wrote: »

One last point, please please consider the extra money as a cash injection into your home costs and don't attempt to starve yourself in order to balance the books.

Well, it was more an explanation of my frugal mentality than a reality.

The reality is I could buy one of these places for cash and not even have to check the bank balance first. So I won't starve

PasturesNew

Bootski wrote: »

I do think if you've seen somewhere that you envisage could make you happy for a while - then do it. do it! do it!

Well, seen on t'Internet .... reality mgiht make me think "!!!!!! ... dosshole!".

Although I have 1-2 specific places in mind that are actually for rent right now, I think the orientation doesn't meet my needs... it's really the idea I am talking myself into. I should go look this week. Tomorrow maybe. Even creating this thread and asking has unnerved me and I had a restless night (with the statutory nightmares I get during times of change).

The other issue about being single, of course, is never being taken seriously anywhere. If you go into any buying situation (from a takeaway pizza to a new car) as a couple, you're approached with a smile and enthusiasm... as a single you seem to get overlooked/ignored and then dismissed. "Can't be serious, didn't have a man".

Bootski

PasturesNew wrote: »

Well, it was more an explanation of my frugal mentality than a reality.

The reality is I could buy one of these places for cash and not even have to check the bank balance first. So I won't starve

Well why not rent it for 6 months or so, if you like it buy it, and as quoted above, negotiate hard on the price. You're looking for some security in the long run any way and you might love it. That way you keep your options open.

Bootski

PasturesNew wrote: »

Well, seen on t'Internet .... reality mgiht make me think "!!!!!! ... dosshole!".

Although I have 1-2 specific places in mind that are actually for rent right now, I think the orientation doesn't meet my needs... it's really the idea I am talking myself into. I should go look this week. Tomorrow maybe. Even creating this thread and asking has unnerved me and I had a restless night (with the statutory nightmares I get during times of change).

But, being single, if you don't talk yourself into it, who else is going to encourage or discourage you. That's the hard part, Making the decision for yourself. You are & have been independent for a while and only you know what's in your best interests.

The other issue about being single, of course, is never being taken seriously anywhere. If you go into any buying situation (from a takeaway pizza to a new car) as a couple, you're approached with a smile and enthusiasm... as a single you seem to get overlooked/ignored and then dismissed. "Can't be serious, didn't have a man".

Again, I've been ripped off a few times. Nothing too serious though and if you have to pretend you have a partner or that your Dad's in the !!!!!, then so be it. Just do yourself up, put on a bigger smile than those salespeople, say you're interested but will have to liaise with all those loved ones in your life before you want to commit. Once you're in, you're in!

My last job I had a flashy company car, 1st time ever, and couldn't believe the change in attitude towards me. Single and successful with loads of money!! NO, single, lucky in getting the car as the rep left the company with no notice hence I got the use of it ( co. still had to pay the lease on it) & not particularly well off.!!!

PasturesNew

Bootski wrote: »

Well why not rent it for 6 months or so, if you like it buy it, and as quoted above, negotiate hard on the price. You're looking for some security in the long run any way and you might love it. That way you keep your options open.

I'd never buy a flat. Most flats aren't good "for life" places.... which is what I'll eventually buy.

But for a year it might be fun.

Bootski

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd never buy a flat. Most flats aren't good "for life" places.... which is what I'll eventually buy.

But for a year it might be fun.

I live in a ground floor maisonnette with a flat above me. (over every 2 maisonettes is one flat above) Never had a problems with upstairs till they put a shower pump in. Driven me mad but then I'm, apparantly very sensitive to noise!!)

No the worst is living in a block with renters, social tennants. Before anyone bangs on to me they're not a problem, I agree. However it only takes one family (viciouse noisy dogs, rubbish, obnoxious fowl mouthed young children etc etc) to lower the tone of the whole neighbourhood and discredite a small village, whole community. & would NEVER rely again on leasehold properties in this situation as Freeholder could'nt care less about their properties, neighbours nor the environment, though the profess to do so. Fact is it used to be lovely here, clean and friendly. NOT any more.

zzzLazyDaisy

I lived in an apartment for 18 months before I bought the 'for life' bungalow where I now live.

I loved the apartment, it was private, safe and secure, easy to look after, all on one level, and great views. I have very happy memories of it.

But a noisy family (two kids and a dog) moved into our little block (six apartments). The kids used to bring their muddy bikes up and park them on the landing. They had half the kids in the neighbourhood hanging around the common parts because their dad wouldn't let them into the flat. The chap dropped a tin of paint down the carpet on the stairs. They played music till the early hours and swore at anyone who complained....

Anyway, you get the picture. In the end it didn't matter too much to me as the apartment was just a temporary bolthole and it served its purpose. But the point is, people in flats live in close proximity and one unsociable tenant can really spoil things.