Living alone (renting) in London?

lulalola

Good evening all.

I am trying to decide whether to apply for a job in London. It looks like a great job and living in London partially appeals; my main worry though would be that I would have to house-share. I haven't done this since uni, which was a horrible experience. Having lived alone for a couple of years now, I think I would really struggle to try it again. I've been looking on Rightmove and Gumtree, and comparing with Google Maps, to look at what self-contained accommodation is available, but I don't know London at all and it's often hard to work out from the ads whether the flats really are self-contained. So if you rent alone in London, I wonder if you could tell me how much you pay, what kind of flat you live in (studio, 1-bed, furnished/unfurnished?), and what part of London you're in; it would be great to see some real life examples

I'd be working in Central London (nearest Tube stops Russell Square, Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road, Euston Square) and would like a self-contained furnished flat (tiny studio flat would be fine) ideally within 30 minutes travel time of work (by public transport). I think I'd have up to £600pcm to spend - maybe up to £700 if council tax and/or water were included in the rent. What do you think - do I have no chance??

Thanks for any help

marny_2

Hi
Just have a look at right move. Upwards from £600 will get you a studio flat and possibly even a one bed flat in a few areas all within 30 mins of where you'll be working.

lulalola

Thanks Marny. I've been looking at Rightmove but not knowing London at all I am having to totally trust Google Maps to tell me distances etc - and my experience of GoogleMaps is that they're not too reliable!

Mrs_Z

I think with your budget you'd be pushed to find anything other than a house share. Mind you, for £600pcm you'd get a very NICE house share or a very grotty studio, definitely not a 1 bed flat (in any decent area).

marny_2

Hi
I wish I could post some links to help you but I can't. However, I am biased towards south london - simply because it's cheaper - you get a lot more for your money and there are some pretty good areas . Look at rightmove and you'll find, for example, a studio with separate bathroom and kitchen in Dulwich, Thurlow park Road which is equidistant to Tulse Hill and West Dulwich train station. Two stops to Victoria from W Dulwich and then the Victoria line will take you to Warren St, Euston etc. Seems nice, conversion flat in nice road.

Quite a few in Catford but they seem to be a little far from the stations, one in Streatham too.

I think you'll be able to find something OK. Just ask advice on areas on here and I'm sure they'll be people to advise.
Good luck

marny_2

Sorry forgot to add that studio is £650 pcm

marny_2

Oh and I've come across a few in Forest Hill & Crystal Palace - both nice areas. Crystal Palace is a bit further out though.

agrinnall

I don't see why Google maps wouldn't give you an accurate 'as the crow flies' distance, however, distance isn't really the important factor, it's how long it takes to travel the distance, and that depends on what type of transport you would need to take. Train and tube are the quickest methods, and if I was moving back to London (which I might have to) I would be looking for somewhere that is within walking distance of a tube or train line that goes somewhere near my place of work. To find journey times you can use the TFL planner to give you a reasonable idea.

As to where to live I would suggest that you come up with a list of possible locations that fit price and travel time then ask again on here for advice on what it's like to live in them. As others have said £600 pm is much more sharing territory than living alone, bearing in mind that the other cost such as Council Tax and bills will all fall on you if you have your own place. Plus it can be pretty hard to make friends in London so if you're sharing there is at least the possibility that you'll get on well with your flatmate. Marny is right that south of the river tends to be cheaper but for your work location there will be better transport option on the north side.

hazyjo

Somewhere on Central Line would probably work well as you'd not have to change trains if you went to Tottenham Court Road), but not sure you'd get anything in a nice area for that budget. Areas to check (that I'm familiar with and that are very nice) would be Wanstead, Snaresbrook, South Woodford, Woodford (and anything including and further out than Buckhurst Hill on that line, but they'd be very pricey on the travel. The first few I mentioned are all Zone 4). Bear in mind travel costs can add a lot to your monthly expenditure.

Jx

Hermia

I think you might need to look at zones 5&6. If you can get somewhere near the end of a tube line that would take you straight to work it wouldn't be too bad. My friend lives 15 minutes from Ealing Broadway tube station and pays £675 for a small self-contained flat. My cousin lives in Uxbridge and doesn't mind the journey, although I'm not sure how long it takes.

FTBFun

Do you have any friends in London? It might sound a tad personal but if you don't I would strongly suggest joining a flatshare as IME they're a pretty good way to make friends.