Renting in your 40's and staring into the abyss

lisyloo

FI was referring to sharing a bedroom.
I recently heard of a construction worker sharing a bedroom with 2 male mates to earn some good money in London.

If this is so unusual then it's very good news because our standards have certainly risen and things aren't that bad. Some people do choose to do it to save money or a commute and that doesn't make them weird.
Everyone in London unless they are rich has to make some kind of compromise - that's either time (commute), money or living space.
I personally don't judge others for making a different decision to mine and I don't think they are weird for not wanting to spend hours on a train or not valuing their privacy.
Some maybe have come from backgrounds where they've lived in much rougher conditions like the army perhaps.
I'm sure some economic migrants might find 2 or 3 to a room to be luxurious, but I'm very glad if I'm out of touch in a good way. That means things are really rather good if most people have access to private accomodation.

catshark88

wotsthat wrote: »

The UK has an abundance of open doorways of opportunity and I get a bit sick of people moaning because they decide not to walk through them.

Well said! :T

Cornucopia

At the risk of going off at something of a tangent, I was thinking of how to demonstrate to younger people what things were like "back in the day". Co-incidentally, I had a nostalgic viewing of On the Buses, yesterday.

There are a number of TV series that are very much a social commentary on the lifestyles that people used to live, including how housing has worked in the past. I was around during much of this period, and I can attest to its accuracy.

We have:-

- On the Buses (late 60s, early 70s). The central character is Stan, a relatively mature bus driver, who lives at home in his Mother's house with his Sister and her Husband. Obviously, bus drivers have never been particularly well-paid, and there is the occasional suggestion that Arthur (the brother-in-law) is either out of work, or is also low paid.

- Man about the House (early 70s). Two girls are forced to flat-share with a man they don't know. The feisty landlady and her husband live downstairs.

- Rising Damp (70s). A motley collection of characters share what we now call an HMO, with a resident landlord.

- Bread (80s). A family of adult children come and go from their Mother's house, as their fortunes dictate.


At least some of these programmes should be available on ITV player or Youtube.

lisyloo

It's not off tangent at all.
We keep hearing how it's unaffordable to buy property but it's clear that standards have risen.
People who are 45+ remember sharing with the other gender after childhood.
That's become unacceptable today.
That's not a bad thing, but it does show we're not comparing like with like and that expectations have changed.

princeofpounds

- On the Buses (late 60s, early 70s). The central character is Stan, a relatively mature bus driver, who lives at home in his Mother's house with his Sister and her Husband. Obviously, bus drivers have never been particularly well-paid, and there is the occasional suggestion that Arthur (the brother-in-law) is either out of work, or is also low paid.

- Man about the House (early 70s). Two girls are forced to flat-share with a man they don't know. The feisty landlady and her husband live downstairs.

- Rising Damp (70s). A motley collection of characters share what we now call an HMO, with a resident landlord.

- Bread (80s). A family of adult children come and go from their Mother's house, as their fortunes dictate.

- Young Ones. A houseshare of students live off their grants, pay no fees, and get into all kinds of scrapes (before presumably getting into power. running up the national debt and charging their children for the same experience so they don't have to cut their pension entitlements)

Mistermeaner

Not being all 'look at me' but I'm a single working parent and I've managed to buy a house.

It's not big or fancy or in an 'ideal' area but it's mine and its a home for me and the boy.

I did this in 2004 age 24 not long after leaving uni. Lived with parents to save a deposit then bought on a 95% interest only mortgage.

House is now worth less than I paid for it but never mind!

I do think it's harder for young folk to buy now - don't think anyone could buy today in the same circumstances I did, but anyone who is my age (35) or above and is moaning (is this woman 45?) Has noone to blame but herself.

When I bought in 2004 I was earning 13900 and had 13500 of student loan debt

lisyloo

I do think it's harder for young folk to buy now

I definitely think it's harder now.
I though the dividing "line" was abround 40, but maybe it's a bit younger.
Certainly I don't envy young people.
I'm 47 and I had no student debt. My starting salary was £12,500 in 1990.
In fact I'm feeling better about those "greys" and laughter lines already. Thanks.

ukcarper

lisyloo wrote: »

I definitely think it's harder now.
I though the dividing "line" was abround 40, but maybe it's a bit younger.
Certainly I don't envy young people.
I'm 47 and I had no student debt. My starting salary was £12,500 in 1990.
In fact I'm feeling better about those "greys" and laughter lines already. Thanks.

According to Nationwide average earnings to average house price crossed long term average in 2002 and went above previous peaks in 2003. Someone who 35 now would have been 22 in 2002.

missyrichards

Mistermeaner wrote: »

Not being all 'look at me' but I'm a single working parent and I've managed to buy a house.

It's not big or fancy or in an 'ideal' area but it's mine and its a home for me and the boy.

I did this in 2004 age 24 not long after leaving uni. Lived with parents to save a deposit then bought on a 95% interest only mortgage.

House is now worth less than I paid for it but never mind!

I do think it's harder for young folk to buy now - don't think anyone could buy today in the same circumstances I did, but anyone who is my age (35) or above and is moaning (is this woman 45?) Has noone to blame but herself.

When I bought in 2004 I was earning 13900 and had 13500 of student loan debt

I bought in 2003 and it was definitely easier back then. Our house is worth far more now to the point that it now would be unaffordable for us if we were first time buyers.

It does seem like people born after 1979 have had it harder and especially if they live in London and the South East. Actually I'm sure there is a book written about people born after 1979. ETA it's called Jilted Generation.

It does seem like the woman made what turned out to be some poor choices but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

lisyloo

So as a general ballpark seems like there is a dividing line around 35/36 year olds now.