Renting alone in London- The Good, Bad and The Flipping Expensive
My Lady Cave
If you’re thinking about renting in London from an estate agent, you’ll probably be expected to put down a deposit as soon as you see the flat and decide to take it. Make sure you have all your finances sorted before you even go to the viewing.
Expectations
You want the freedom to come and go as you please.
You want to be able to answer to yourself.
You want to do your washing as and when you please.
You want to create your comfy own lair.
You want to shut the world o ut and retreat to your safe place.
You want to be all the way independent. Yaassss Goals honeyyy!!!!!
Reality (Well at least mine)
Council Tax Monthly is a bitch- it can range from £15-30 a week depending on where you live
Electricity is bloody expensive-The price of keeping my all electric apartment running is close to £800 a year
TV licence people are very persuasive.- Yes! Expect to get threatening mail from these people before you settle in-I personally don’t have a TV
70% of your salary will be spent on rent.-Be prepared to be broke baby, make sure your place is worth it. Sometimes I feel like why do I work again ugh!
Be prepared to pay a fortune for a shoebox apartment - Don’t expect to be able to swing a mouse in your apartment
If you are lucky enough to have parents that are loaded and and willing to facilitate your explorations of living alone. This tea is not for you.
Here is the true tea on how I do it sisters and brothers…Sip slow
Here are some tips that have helped me live my best life on a budget.
The app Too Good To Go is great for getting takeaway for next to nothing. Basically restaurants sell the food that would otherwise be thrown away, but at a fraction of usual cost.
Drinki app to receive a cocktail every day but it’s also a help to remember that bars, pubs and restaurants are forced by law to provide tap water, so there’s always a free drink available, and some restaurants even allow bringing your own wine– perfect for sourcing that cheap bottle for your night out.
For going out, try Firsttable to get 50% off food if you get the first table of the morning, day or evening.
Shop when the highstreet sales are coming to an end! i’ve found my best bargains :)
Pick up free Time Out magazines; they always have great articles about free events/exhibitions/markets in London.
Rent is an arse, so be open minded about where you live, there are some really cool areas that are less well known (although do factor in travel zones) and don’t limit yourself to things like wanting an en suite or a double bed.
Online banks such as Monzo and Starling can help you budget, but people do live full and happy lives on student budgets in London, so try not to stress!
Remember you are in one of the greatest cities in the world.
Don’t compare your situation to anyone else. You are you and you are doing the damn thing!
YOLO!
I hope this has helped some of you, let me know if you would like this type of blog for my time in Sydney, Australia (Lived there for 3 years)
Leave some helpful tips down below, Let me know your thoughts!
much love!
Yasmin xx
