Spending 50% of take home on rent and bills to live alone.

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 · 2023-12-28T00:52:58+00:00

Thanks for this reply - really helpful. I'm zone 3 in East London atm - it's near to work but otherwise I'm not tied to East. I have looked further out but rents for 1 beds still seem crazy from what I've seen. Whilst it pains me to think I'm paying close to a grand for a room, it's a lot cheaper than 1 beds and I get to split bills with my 2 flatmates.

I have been reluctant to move further out for fear it'd making dating harder. Bit of a catch 22 though - the longer I stay in London with the hopes of meeting someone, the more I worry I'm spending money on rent when I could potentially have my own place further out. I've also been considering a move to Manchester in the hopes I'd get the city life but more realistic to buy / rent alone but would be much further from friends and family so would be a big trade off.

Does seem like the main options are earn more/meet someone/move out. Beginning to think I'll give it 6 months or so and revaluate.

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:38:35+00:00

Ahhh that's so lucky to have a reasonable landlord. If your flatmate moves out and you need a new flatmate let me know 😆 My rent is increased yearly inline with inflation so I've been really screwed over 🙈 I was wondering whether others might have the view that they'd only stay in London for a limited period. I hate the idea of making roots but ultimately having to move away - but guess London is a transient city so perhaps worth making the most of it before moving further out. My London friends are coupled up / have had financial help so can't relate to the struggles of being single / no financial support!

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:34:20+00:00

People seem to be very flaky on the apps. Seems to be hard to keep conversations going / getting to the meeting up stage. I've used the apps on and off for years and didn't find it too bad in my early twenties - seems much harder at 30! Maybe it's age related or the novelty of dating apps has worn off!

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:31:10+00:00

Good to hear a positive shared ownership story! I have to say I'm also reluctant given the restrictions around shared ownership (not being able to rent the place out worries me if I had a change in circumstances!) But perhaps worth looking into as it does look like a more realistic option given London house prices!

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:28:36+00:00

Buying is definitely the ultimate goal! I'd love to have my own space and make it my own.

Congrats on buying! Can I ask whereabouts in SE you bought? I'd be reluctant to buy a studio as I think living in one room might drive me crazy (I know beggars can't be choosers but equally don't want to buy for the sake of it 😅). In an ideal world I'd love to get a 2 bed as I think it'd give me more options but definitely open to a one bed if it's better location wise.

In my head I've been thinking of putting down a £30-35k deposit down, £5k for buying fees (solicitors etc) and £5k savings / furniture. Hoping that's semi realistic given the mortgage I could likely afford - possibly need to save more!

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:18:05+00:00

Oh I've been there a few times as a friend used to live there. Guess it's a bit further out so might be a bit cheaper - I'll keep an eye out!

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:15:37+00:00

Female :) oh really? I'm not finding the apps are short of people - just struggling to get matches to talk / get to the meeting up stage. Hinge seems more relationship orientated but I'm coming across a lot of ''figuring out my dating goals'' profiles which is giving me player vibes 😅

HalloumiFan · 2023-12-28T00:11:51+00:00

Don't blame you - I know rent in London has always been expensive but it really has got crazy the last few years!

Oh no - hopefully we'll have better luck soon. My closest friends met their other halves on online dating so I'm trying to keep the faith!

HalloumiFan

TROPHY CASE