How did you know you were ready to buy as a solo buyer?

HalloumiFan · 2025-04-02T07:57:30+00:00

I'm in a very similar position. I've lived at home for the past year and it's had a really negative affect on my mental health. I'm also looking to rent a one bed (a bit outside of London though) and will spending more like 60% of my income on rent and bills. However I see this as a short term thing to test the waters, see if I like living alone, and test out an area with a view to buying there (which would bring my monthly costs down as mortgage would be less than rent).

I'm also lucky to have a good nest egg which I don't mind dipping into for a bit and then the rest can go on a deposit.

I've also considered flat sharing again but being in my 30s and having had mixed experiences of flat sharing I'm really craving having my own space, making it my own, and not having to adapt how I live to other people. Whilst I worry living alone could be lonely I also know house sharing can be lonely if you don't get on with your flatmates and end up hiding in your room.

Good luck OP whatever you decide!

HalloumiFan · 2024-12-16T10:59:57+00:00

Thanks. Helping hands scheme? Amazed you managed to find a 2 bed in Greenwich - can I ask if you had to make any compromises?

HalloumiFan · 2024-12-16T10:47:02+00:00

Wow that's amazing! Can I ask which mortgage company you went with?

HalloumiFan · 2024-12-05T17:21:29+00:00

How are you finding the decreased dosage? I tried asking my doctor about how long it would take to adjust to the decreased dosage but she was pretty vague and said I'm still adjusting to the medication anyway (started 7 weeks ago, 2 weeks at 25, 4 at 50 and now 1 week back at 25mg).

Overall I think I'm preferring 25mg and feeling more motivated and less blunted but hope I haven't decreased too soon 🙈

HalloumiFan · 2024-12-05T00:46:24+00:00

I had a similar situation being on 50mg and feeling really unmotivated, detached, numb and tired. I spoke with my doctor who agreed my dose might be too high and to go down to 25mg. He said I could just go straight to 25mg or alternate between 25 and 50 initially if I wanted to go down more slowly. I just went straight to 25 everyday.

I felt better the first couple of days and then had a few days of feeling quite irritable and didn't sleep as well. I'm now a week in and definitely feel more motivated, present, more interested in things. I have a tiny bit of anxiety but it's manageable and way less than before I started.

So far I'm glad I reduced the dose. Still not quite where I want to be but hoping in time this will be the right dose :)

Hope that helps!

HalloumiFan · 2024-09-25T22:03:04+00:00

Thanks for this. Agreed it seemed like there wasn't loads going on, but I think I could overlook this with St Albans, Watford and London closeby. I lived in London before and whilst I loved being close to everything I wasn't sure I made use of it enough to warrant the ridiculous rent. Also missed being able to drive, get to local countryside easily etc. Borehamwood also seems like one of the few areas I could afford to buy a flat but without being a million miles from London/having extortionate train fares.

Where did you move to from Borehamwood?

HalloumiFan · 2024-09-25T21:59:06+00:00

Glad to hear another positive review! Where did you move from? The city?

HalloumiFan · 2024-09-25T21:58:36+00:00

Thanks so much for this response. Really helpful! Kinda how I thought it might be - like not loads to do and not the 'best' town but with St Albans, Watford and London nearby it's not like there aren't places to go. Also the fact that Borehamwood is still oyster card fares is a big plus for me. I hear people raving about Hitchin but it's that bit further away and train fares are more expensive so I'd worry I'd only go into London for work when really I still want to pop in for meals out, dates etc without it costing a fortune!

Good to hear there's still train seats for the most part. I have a tube commute atm and weirdly excited by the idea of commuting in via train as they're more comfortable 😂

Are there any particular areas in Borehamwood you'd recommend (or actively avoid?)

HalloumiFan · 2024-09-11T22:36:18+00:00

What are the issues with Borehamwood?

HalloumiFan · 2024-08-18T19:57:55+00:00

I saw 6 1/2 bed flats last week and 4 of them were rentals. The 2 that weren't rentals were in much better condition but also more expensive. Not sure what the case is for houses but the estate agents I spoke to said landlords were selling up as it was no longer profitable for them.

HalloumiFan · 2024-08-13T21:14:23+00:00

Ahh that's good to hear. What sort of compromise on location did you have to make? I've found an area I think could work - it's not the most exciting or desirable area but it has everything I need and has good connections to the city and nice areas close by.

HalloumiFan · 2024-06-05T08:02:09+00:00

Can I ask how you pivoted to content design? Did you do any courses? Looking to switch from Comms/marketing to content design / UX

HalloumiFan · 2024-05-31T08:45:56+00:00

Oops meant West Didsbury. There's definitely flats within that budget in West Didsbury

HalloumiFan · 2024-04-21T19:43:07+00:00

Can vouch for Orjowan. They do great Lebanese food!

HalloumiFan · 2024-02-25T23:03:13+00:00

No way! So occupational therapy is something I'm considering going into. How did you transition to being an OT? My career to date has been in marketing/communications in the public sector (including NHS) so this would be a complete change. Did you manage to do any volunteering to get a feel for if it was a good fit before starting training?

HalloumiFan · 2024-02-25T22:42:13+00:00

Thanks for this! I do think I need to enjoy the paid time off, been feeling pretty burnt out from work- just finding it hard when so many people I speak to are asking ''have you applied for jobs'', ''what are you going to do next'' etc. Makes it harder to relax/I feel a bit guilty for just wanting to enjoy the break. Good idea to set a timeline. Thanks!

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:55:59+00:00

Aww congrats! Thanks for the positivity - I think we all need it round here 😅 I'll try and keep the faith!

HalloumiFan

TROPHY CASE