What was your life like at 23?

Martinslovechild

At 23 I was in the process of buying my first property, viewing houses with my then-girlfriend. I bought it a few months after I turned 24.

At the time I remember feeling that my earnings were very low (they were!) and that I had very little money for anything - this was particularly true after I'd purchased the house as just about every penny went on things such as tile adhesive, grout, screws, tools, tiles, wallpaper adhesive, interior doors etc.

I was (and still am) a massive music lover, nothing's changed there. I was also probably more optimistic than I am now. Not that I've become pessimistic - just probably more 'realistic'...

Looking back, I'm delighted that I decided to purchase the house when I was 23-24, though I very nearly talked myself out of it at the time (simply due to lack of funds etc), but it did me a huge favour as the housing market had just undergone a massive crash at the time so property prices were struggling, meaning that I was able to get more for my money than would have otherwise been the case (though the initial mortgage rate was 7.99% - kids think they're hard done by with current rates at 2% !!).

I loved doing all the work to the property - not just all the usual stuff such as wallpapering, painting etc - but tiling & grouting the entire kitchen from floor to ceiling, same in the bathroom, sanding a parquet floor in the lounge, landscaping my garden and lots more besides.

Would I rather be 23 than my current age? Not really. I feel far more secure in myself now, I really didn't have a clue at that age.

girlsmum

I was having the time of my life, it would have been 1989, i was still living at home, i had a well paid job in the west end of London and it was party central, Friday nights after work were almost always brilliant nights. My best friend used to work for a tour operator and we went on holidays all over the world for a few £'s i cannot remember where i went at 23 i will have to look back over my photo albums i went away so much i cannot remember which year i went where LOL ...I met my ex husband 7 years later and all that stopped.....i guess i thought at 30 i should calm down and settle down...worst decision i made LOL. (well not all bad i got 2 lovely children from it).

ineed

ineed wrote: »

Awful, I was very ill. It's better now a few years on (I'm 27) .

I should add though that despite this there were some good things about 23 for me, I brought my first house which is where I currently am, nice three bed two bath place that's mine alone :j. I was gifted a large deposit so only needed a small mortgage, while it was a mistake at the time to take on the responsibility on top of everything it's worked out in the long run :beer:.

kooplah

I'm currently 23 and I've managed quite a bit in the last 2 years:

• Graduated university
• Got a great job (completely unrelated to my degree)
• Left my boyfriend (my first proper relationship, he wasn't worth the hassle)
• Got promoted
• Got a rented flat with a housing association (in a lovely area too, this May I go onto a full tenancy which is much more secure than private renting. I live alone and I can decorate it however I want!)
• Got a cat
• Passed my driving test and bought a car. It's an old banger but it gets me from A to B
• My best friend is getting married, so it'll be my first time as a bridesmaid
• Fingers crossed I'm also going on holiday abroad too for the second time in my life

I couldn't be where I am now without my incredibly supportive parents. They helped me decorate my flat and ran me around to buy furniture. They came with me to view my car and test drive it for me. They let me kip on their couch when I get a bit lonely at my flat. And I know if things go downhill and I lose it all, I'll still have a home with them to go back to. Most of all, they taught me the value of money, which has meant I've managed to do this without getting into debt (with a smidgeon of help from mum and dad, carpets are expensive!)

ruby_eskimo

At 23 I was living at home, working in the local hospital full time while studying part time for a masters. The job wasn't something I thought I would ever do but I loved every second of it. I thought the masters would get me one step closer to the job I dreamed of, and hated every second of it, it was just a means to an end. Towards the end of my 23rd year, my boyfriend proposed to me while we were on holiday. In the lead up to it I thought we were going to break up but instead his weirdness was all about keeping this big secret. We were living in different counties and it was difficult.

Now it's 4 years later and we're getting married this year. It took me another year to find a job in the same area as him but we eventually started living together. We're still in the same flat and trying to save a deposit for our first house. I've found a field I enjoy working in and I don't think I would be here if it wasn't for the masters. I'm about to start a new job next week and I definitely wouldn't have had that opportunity if it wasn't for the extra years of studying. For the first time in a long time I feel settled and happy with my lot in life.

kettlefish

On my 23rd birthday I was 8 months pregnant, having been married for 2 years. It was my first day of maternity Leave and, as it turns out, my last day of work (I didn't go back). We also started NCT classes that day, where I met some wonderful friends.

Now I'm 26 and have a gorgeous 3 year old and the worlds sweetest 1 year old. We've just moved in to our second house. Life was bloody good at 23 but it is even better now

kitty_kins

I am currently 23, bought a house with my boyfriend just days before my 23rd birthday. We will have been together 7 years this April after meeting in college.

We have no pets, we are employed by my parents and being groomed to take over the family business. He's let slip that we might get engaged this year. Overall, being 23 has been lovely, although money is still a little tight! It sounds like you are in a good place in your life, so I'm sure you will love the next year

With your deposit - remember to put aside money for other costs, Stamp Duty and Legal Fees too! We tried to, but had no idea how expensive it really was! (It cost us another £3500 in total on top of our £12500 deposit!)

Sanne

At 23 I dropped out of uni (not in the UK so I hadn't been there just as long as it sounds - plus I had done a three year college course beforehand!) and moved to the UK after having been in a distance relationship for three years.

I started my first job which was rubbish pay considering I wasn't completely unqualified (£13.5k) but, on the whole, I was lucky as it was a great start for my career and helped me getting where I'm now. Can't be picky when you're new to a country without any relevant work experience.

We also moved into our first rented flat after having stayed at his mother for four months to save up a deposit (my partner previously house-shared with his mother to save costs) with very little furniture, indeed, we had a table, two chairs and a bed, all bought second hand.
Also got a TV and a TV cabinet for free from a work colleague.

We also got married that year, very small civil ceremony with six guests and a simple Italian meal out; the restaurant didn't even know it was a wedding. My skirt was from Ebay (brand new with tag from Monsoon - label said £300, I paid £5!) and my top from the Monsoon outlet for £15 (instead of £150!).

A lot of change that year so quite an exciting time!

Now I'm 30, saving for our first property (2 bed flats which need complete modernisation are going for £200k, better ones for around £240k so need a lot!) in a good managerial position in IT paying well. I graduated just three days before my 30th birthday as I always wanted to complete that degree and could now do so thanks to distance learning. Still happily married but with lots more furniture now :-D

trolleyrun

I was miserable at 23. I was dirt poor, living in a cold flat in a dodgy area. I was skinny as a rake due to no funds for food. I was working 16 hours a day, trying to pay off bills previous flatmates had left. I had friends but felt very isolated and quite lonely.

Fast forward nearly 20 years and I'm in a job I dreamed of doing as a child. I have a flat (with a mortgage),a dog, a new man, lovely friends and am very happy with my lot. I'm not rich in monetary value, but it feel lucky to be alive and healthy.

Go explore the world, do random things, have fun and most importantly: believe in yourself

crazylady_012

I'm not 23 until July, but I'm so proud of what I have achieved so far.
I 've managed to graduate from a good univeristy with a great degree with no student loans (working and saving like crazy since about 15), have a mortgage on our little 2 up 2 down house with my gorgeous man and getting married in April (low budget wedding but just as we both want it).
Currently doing my PhD and OH is an apprentice but we are definatly getting there. Things are getting easier than when I was doing my undergraduate and hopefully will continue to get easier as OH comes off apprentice wage (hopefully) next year and after I graduate with my PhD in 2018, my wages should go up as well!
I can't wait to go travelling (during and post PhD). No children planned anytime soon, just wanted to enjoy life a bit!
We have some savings and are even managing to overpay on our mortgage!!!!