In my 30s and in London - what do I do?

[Deleted User]

A lot of people in similar situations are either staying at home with family, house sharing, or bank of mom and dad to help with rent costs or deposit for a property.

Similar with any city like London, majority of income going on rent.

Have to earn more or relocate somewhere cheaper.

sheramber

It is not a new situation.

20 years ago a colleagues daughter and son in law moved from London to Edinburgh when she became pregnant,  as , despite having two salaries, , they could only afford a small 1 bedroom flat.

[Deleted User]

sheramber said:

It is not a new situation.

20 years ago a colleagues daughter and son in law moved from London to Edinburgh when she became pregnant,  as , despite having two salaries, , they could only afford a small 1 bedroom flat.

House prices have risen over 140% in most UK cities in the last 20 years. Salaries haven't. So, respectfully, I think you're very wrong.  

AFF8879

[Deleted User] said:

zagubov said:

In my last workplace (in inner London) the staff were mainly recruited from all over England and beyond. They came to start work in their mid-20s and invariably left for promoted posts in the midlands and points north when they were getting married and starting families.
It didn't cross their minds at all to stay here and raise a family. It was always obvious to them that London's not set up for that.
Just about every other big city's got all you need. Even some small cities have it.
Can I please ask, what is it that's stopping you from exploring other more affordable and liveable cities?

I live in Norwich. I moved there because I couldn't afford to live in London or anywhere near London. I'm miserable in Norwich because all of my friends and family are in or near London. I don't know why I go to work for 5 days a week to sit in a flat in a city I don't want to be in, hundreds of miles away from my friends and family. 

I understand the situation. A generation has been hung out to dry by the one above it. 

I’m in your generation, and this is quite frankly a stupid take on the situation (although I understand it, given you’re stressed and anxious about the future)

People of any generation buying houses are not cackling whilst rubbing their fingers wanting to pull up the drawbridge. People took advantage of the opportunities at the time. There’s lots of things you can blame for the current housing situation but entire generations is not one of them.

zagubov

wildbilljones said:

theoretica said:

Another option would be to look throughout the UK at where might combine jobs, more affordable housing than London and a social life that appeals.  Glasgow?  Manchester?

Thanks. Yes I've been considering Glasgow. I have no desire to live there and would resent having to move away from my family and friends to live in a city I have no interest in, but it seems like this is the kind of choice that people have to make if they are from the southeast and aren't wealthy. 

I've lived in Scotland and east Anglia before living in London

If you're going to judge how welcoming the whole UK will be to you based on where you've lived before can I just say prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

You may well find that distance and reticence are much more of a way of life in some areas than others.

Helplesssheep

Hi, I really really empathise, and think a lot of the comments above aren’t very helpful. Also work for a charity in London and similar age - had been saving for ten years, and only now, having had a promotion to a wage a bit above the average good charity wages you cite, have I been able to buy a two bed property in an ok place in London, but still far out. Also didn’t want to move to to a new city where I didn’t have anyone, as at least in London I have a community through my work. 

what is your actual top budget? Have you looked at the outskirts of south london? Croydon? Before I got my promotion, I had thought I could scrape together to buy a one bed in some locations…

onetimeatponycamp

I sympathise, I’m 40 and just about to buy my first house, but I earn over double what you do - if I didn’t it would be impossible. I’m not buying in London though!

just wondering how you decided on Norwich, and have you looked at other options? Eg somewhere on the Thameslink line might be better for you - the trains run all night and it crosses London so easier to get to all parts. There are some more affordable places on the line - luton to the north or Horley/Crawley to the south. Or even Brighton! Which is very vibrant, a lovely place to live, and still commutable.

I do think it’s worth making more effort to make local friends either way though! Believe me, your friends will all be pairing off and getting married soon, and your life will change as a result anyway. Definitely worth cultivating some hobbies and making friends around those to keep busy, if you’re not that fussed about settling down with a partner. Try Meetup.com, there’s something for everyone on there.

[Deleted User]

AFF8879 said:

[Deleted User] said:

zagubov said:

In my last workplace (in inner London) the staff were mainly recruited from all over England and beyond. They came to start work in their mid-20s and invariably left for promoted posts in the midlands and points north when they were getting married and starting families.
It didn't cross their minds at all to stay here and raise a family. It was always obvious to them that London's not set up for that.
Just about every other big city's got all you need. Even some small cities have it.
Can I please ask, what is it that's stopping you from exploring other more affordable and liveable cities?

I live in Norwich. I moved there because I couldn't afford to live in London or anywhere near London. I'm miserable in Norwich because all of my friends and family are in or near London. I don't know why I go to work for 5 days a week to sit in a flat in a city I don't want to be in, hundreds of miles away from my friends and family. 

I understand the situation. A generation has been hung out to dry by the one above it. 

I’m in your generation, and this is quite frankly a stupid take on the situation (although I understand it, given you’re stressed and anxious about the future)

People of any generation buying houses are not cackling whilst rubbing their fingers wanting to pull up the drawbridge. People took advantage of the opportunities at the time. There’s lots of things you can blame for the current housing situation but entire generations is not one of them.

Well no. The 'boomer' generation was an enormous generation of people that voted in their own interests for decades. The UK led the way in asset stripping too. 

I'm not blaming anyone. It's just the way it is. Greed was encouraged. My landlord in London owns 12 houses. 

[Deleted User]

onetimeatponycamp said:

I sympathise, I’m 40 and just about to buy my first house, but I earn over double what you do - if I didn’t it would be impossible. I’m not buying in London though!

just wondering how you decided on Norwich, and have you looked at other options? Eg somewhere on the Thameslink line might be better for you - the trains run all night and it crosses London so easier to get to all parts. There are some more affordable places on the line - luton to the north or Horley/Crawley to the south. Or even Brighton! Which is very vibrant, a lovely place to live, and still commutable.

I do think it’s worth making more effort to make local friends either way though! Believe me, your friends will all be pairing off and getting married soon, and your life will change as a result anyway. Definitely worth cultivating some hobbies and making friends around those to keep busy, if you’re not that fussed about settling down with a partner. Try Meetup.com, there’s something for everyone on there.

Thanks. I chose Norwich because it's a nice city, has beautiful surrounding countryside and the train to London only takes 1hr50. 

Brighton would be a fine option but the rental and buying options are just as bad as London. And Luton is horrible. So I haven't been able to find an option closer to London that is better than Norwich. 

Thank you for the advice. 

jumblejulia

I'm in a very similar situation. Late thirties,work for a charity in London, previously house sharing in London. I've now moved to a village near Reading with a train station. I pay £700 for a 1 bed flat. I've been lucky and had to haggle my landlady down from close to £800. There are still some good deals out there to be had. The fast trains take just over 30 mins to London from here. I'm now saving for a deposit on a flat.
I totally share your dilemma though. It's really rubbish. Single people lose out for sure.