Milton Keynes – Renting Property Locations and Prices

MK_Hunter

Hi guys,

I’ve been browsing these boards for a while and have regularly seen requests for location recommendations, which make me wonder if you guys who are familiar with Milton Keynes may be able to help me and mypartner out a little.

Not sure which information is relevant to your help I’ll tryto include as much detail in brief as possible;

· Both 25
· I’ve been in MK for 6 months on a graduate scheme, which has now concluded and a job offered but at a salary of £20,000
· I’ve had to rent 4 places in the last two years due to moving around on the graduate scheme, so have good references in places from previous landlords and letting agents to confirm payment on time and infull as well as payment amounts etc
· She received accommodation as part of her current job, but will have references from her employer who acts as her landlord also
· Partner is a Vet Nurse, currently working inHertfordshire on £18,000, will be moving in with me in MK and looking for work locally, can expect similar salary
· She won’t be moving till a job is confirmed, so we are looking for jobs and properties to run parallel. She has registered witha Buckinghamshire Veterinary recruiters.
· After taxes, student loan repayments, pension,between us we would have roughly £2,500 a month to cover all other expenses
· Neither have family in the area, both being from Leeds
· Neither of us drive, so we rely on public transport – certainly intend on getting this sorted ASAP
· I work in MK1 postcode
· Ideally looking for a 2 bedroom flat/house so that family and friends can stay over when visiting as we are both so far from our family and friends
· Accept that we may only be able to afford a 1 bedroom
· She won’t consider a flat share long term
· I’m already in a flat share in the city which roles onto periodic at the end of August, when discussing options with the landlord and finding out if he any suitable properties for a couple, he agreed she could move in temporarily for an extra £100 a month – I’m concerned this would artificially create a new tenancy agreement which we don’t want
· Prefer some where relatively modern, safe and clean (who doesn’t) with easy access to transport links – for social activities as much as for work
· Will be in the area for minimum 2 years before looking to move back North.

I think we could probably afford to go somewhere around the£500-£600 mark for rent alone, and then pay bills/council tax on top to take it somewhere to the £800 - £900 region a month. But it seems slim pickings out there at these prices which is why I’m asking if someone has some more local knowledge about ease of access from surrounding areas, maybe Northampton, Leighton Buzzard or the like.

Also, is the extra £300 a month an appropriate figure to cover things like gas, electric, water, council tax, internet and TV licence? I’ve always gone bills included, even throughout University, so not sure of accurate estimates

We looked at Caudwell Letting Agents which appeared to have some 1 bedroom properties or studio flats for around £450-500 a month and two beds at around £600 a month which may be suitable for the next few years….just put off by their £300 admin fees! Of course I know this is totally normal and it’s something I’m going to just have to accept.

Sorry guys, that was a bit longer than I expected it to be,I think the main things are – area recommendations, if anybody has experience ofgood letting agents we can register with and if our estimates sound about right for expenses?

Cheers!

Hanky_Panky

So you work around Stadium MK and are hoping to rent somewhere within easy distance for you to get there not having a car.

Not the greatest area in the world but how about West Bletchley ? Somewhere off Whaddon Way would work well for you. Having said that you could pretty much pick any estate south of the city centre and be within a short bike ride to MK1.

Your biggest obstacle is your budget - £600 is not very much for renting around here so I don't think you can be too choosy. I know people paying £400+ for a room in a house share.

I can't see either Northampton or LB being much different plus you will have the hassle of trying to get into work.

Are you looking through the Citizen every week for rentals ? Loads of agents advertise in there and you get private ads too.

MK_Hunter

Yea, I thought it may be a bit of a challenge with thelimited budget. I’m not sure what our take home pay is really allows for toomuch more than that. £800 to £900 all in would represent a little over/under athird of our available money.

I agree that flat shares are around the £400 mark aroundhere, but I also think that’s typical across the country. I’ve paid between£350 and £420 for flat shares in Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds. As a flat shareyou pay a premium to not take on a whole property and the responsibility ofbills.

Great advice about the local paper, I’ve got one at thekitchen table at home which I’ll look at tonight and watch out for over thenext few weeks.

moments_of_sanity

Have you tried over Kingston way, it's a couple of miles from MK1 but does have good bus links or easy to cycle along the Redways. Kents Hill, Walnut Tree, Monkston, Old Farm Park, Brownswood, all fairly nice areas.

Just had a quick look, know it is above your budget but is only 1 mile from Kingston shops (large Tesco, next, m&s etc.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-31303896.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-43926535.html

MK_Hunter

Brilliant help! They both look nice enough from the outside and you've advised us of a new area we can take a look at.

mk_78

MK_Hunter wrote: »

Hi guys,
Also, is the extra £300 a month an appropriate figure to cover things like gas, electric, water, council tax, internet and TV licence? I’ve always gone bills included, even throughout University, so not sure of accurate estimates...

...Sorry guys, that was a bit longer than I expected it to be,I think the main things are – area recommendations, if anybody has experience ofgood letting agents we can register with and if our estimates sound about right for expenses?
Cheers!

I have a two bed house in MK and my monthly housing expenses are:

Council tax £125 (band C, over 10 months - band B would be £110 )
Gas/Elec £65
Water (metered) £25
Landline/broadband £25 (you can normally get a start up deal meaning you pay a lot less to begin with)
TV Licence £13
Freesat from Sky - £0 (Subscription Sky TV would be £25+)
Contents insurance £12

Based on those figures your £300 for household bills should be ample. If you're earning 38k between you (assuming your girlfriend gets a VN job on the same wages) then I can't see why you couldn't afford a two bed @ £750ish

You can check what council tax band the property would be in on this site: http://www.voa.gov.uk/cti/InitS.asp?lcn=0

Just an example of three in Furzton (v. close to where you work yet still close to CMK for nightlife too).

£750 http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-46800614.html

£750 http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-47002937.html

£695 http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-30501018.html

Area wise I would recommend the Western flank of MK - Westcroft, Furzton, Emerson Valley, Shenley Brook End, Tattenhoe. All close enough to MK1 and all 'nice' areas.

Here's a previous post of mine with my list of Yes/No areas I did for a relative...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/65674530#Comment_65674530

bedfordshireboy

Leighton buzzard is more expensive as it's a coupe of stops close to London.


The bus routes in MK are decent so pick a nice flat/house in as nicer area as you can afford and enjoy it.


Personally would avoid Northampton.

As someone who lived in Leighton Buzzard for 15 years, worked in MK for 5 years and works in Northampton currently I can safely say I would stick to MK for both value for money and local amenities etc.


Good luck.

MK_Hunter

I certainly think a part of this is naivety and inexperience on my part. I've only ever been in flat shares and the same for my partner, and we both pay roughly 30% of our current wages on our respective rents. So we didn't want to over extend ourselves by committing to a higher rent and then finding out we struggled to live.

Though I also haven't considered how our other expenses will fall. We won't be paying out two separate food bill's for example or we won't have to pay out nearly £100 a month in train tickets to travel and see each other.

But I like the suggestions you guy's have made and the information on the surrounding areas.