Relocation advice

biscuit333

Hi all, I have read lots of topics on these forums over the last couple of years but this is my first post so please be gentle

I lost my job in October and so me and my partner have spent the last 6+months on JSA looking for work. After many applications and interviews I have received a job offer for a great job starting in September which would give me good money, lots of experience and many opportunities in the future. The problem is that the job is in Reading and I live in Southport.

The company has said they provide £2k expenses towards relocation costs which I can claim once I begin work. However, this still leaves me looking at all the costs upfront before I can claim.

I have looked up removals costs and these are running in the range of £1400. Then I factor in rent, deposits, fees, council tax which could cost around £3k. So I'm looking at upfront costs of £4.5-5k which I don't have and I don't know where to turn

I used to be really good with money and I saved well and regularly, but the last 1-2yrs have been tough.

Has anyone been in this position before? Has anyone got any advice they could give me?

zzzLazyDaisy

First, congratulations on getting a new job.

One possibility is for you to rent a room as a lodger in someone's house, Moday to Friday, and come home at weekends until you are established there. This would mean that you could save for the upfront costs.

Alternatively, you could give up your current place and put your furniture into storage temporarily, and get a double room in a shared house. That way you'd both move together, the storage costs would be cheaper than renting where you are now, and you'd get back the deposit on your current place. This would also allow you to take your time looking for somewhere to rent.