Living in London

Blinkz

Blinkz

Blinkz

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
3,184
Location
Frimley, Surrey or 38,000ft
Hey everyone,
As some of you may know I'm moving back to the UK at the end of the month to fly out of Gatwick. At the moment I'm planning on moving to Guildford since its not too far to commute to the airport and I have friends there. However I have always wanted to live in London since I love the hussle of big cities. I would have to live somewhere near to Victoria since that is where the Gatwick Express train goes from. I had a look at flat prices and you seem to be able to get a nice place for around £1000-1200 a month. This is a little more then I was planning on paying but its do-able. My main concern is that I won't know anyone. My friends live either near Stansted or in Guildford. Has anyone else moved to London not knowing anyone? What was it like? Is it hard to meet people? I guess a flat share is an option however I don't like the idea of having to move in with someone you don't know, since it could all go horribly wrong if you don't get on well. Any thoughts and opinions would be good! Thanks!
 
I'm confused; would you rather move to London or Guildford?

There is a direct train from Gatwick to Guildford if that helps.
Guildford will be a bit cheaper than London.
You have friends in Guildford.
Sounds easy to me.
Only downside is the lack of big city hussle, but it's got a good atmosphere.
 
Was having a quick look at flats to buy in London, and it strikes me as it may be cheaper to just buy instead of renting. £180k seems to get a decentish flat, with 25 year mortgage, repayments ought to be £600 + fees/interest, so I don't see why renting a flat should be £1200 :o.

Granted I only had a very quick look and have no idea on mortgage fees and all. Appriciate enlightment.
 
Phyre said:
£250 per month on bills? Wouldn't have thought so...

I'm guessing you're looking at a 1 bed flat? Try looking into a houseshare? Most people aren't bad and you'll cut those costs about 50%.
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Or don't live in an overpriced district. Plenty of nice suburbs that cost less than half that amount and still have good transport links.

rsatd said:
Was having a quick look at flats to buy in London, and it strikes me as it may be cheaper to just buy instead of renting. £180k seems to get a decentish flat, with 25 year mortgage, repayments ought to be £600 + fees/interest, so I don't see why renting a flat should be £1200 :o.

Granted I only had a very quick look.
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In Victoria? Why spend 180 on a flat anyway? What about deposit?
 
Hey everyone,
Thanks for the replies. I guess I should be a little clearer. I'm going to initially be moving to Guildford and my question was more in general about London since I am considering it for the future.

What would it be like to live there and not have any friends close? Whats the city like for people in those situations? As has been mentioned a flat share is an option and also away to meet people however I would still be apprehensive since it would be a pretty awkward situation if you don't get on with whoever it is you're living with.

As has been said, its not the cheapist of places to live either! Again a flat share would help with that, but even a nice 1 bed flat in Guildford is around £700-£800 a month!

So anyone who has any opinion on what its actually like to live in London it would be nice to hear!
 
I moved to London not really knowing anyone* and have found it to be pretty good so far. I moved in with Freefaller, initially it was as a sort of trial but since we get on well we've just extended the arrangement. I've found getting to know people at work and at the gym is fairly easy, despite the reputation not everyone in London is unfriendly. In fact since I pass through Victoria most days if you want to go for a pint at some point then let me know and I can probably make it.

*Not strictly true in that I know a couple of people in or around London but none are anywhere near where I live and work, they're also not friends that I'd expect to see all that often either for various reasons.
 
Phyre said:
£250 per month on bills? Wouldn't have thought so...

I'm guessing you're looking at a 1 bed flat? Try looking into a houseshare? Most people aren't bad and you'll cut those costs about 50%.
Click to expand...

3 bed flat in a borough with the cheapest council tax in the UK, and we pay £1350 + £210 bills each month.

With council tax being double in other boroughs, that would be £270 on bills between 3 of us.
 
gumbald said:
Holy moly, £1200 a month just to rent somewhere, that's frightening.
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As a single person, you need £93,000 a year salary to live comfortably in London.
Living there is one big joke if you're not a banker/doctor.

Im starting my job in banking there in 2 months, and even I will be struggling with a pretty decent income.
 
lambda said:
As a single person, you need £93,000 a year salary to live comfortably in London.
Living there is one big joke if you're not a banker/doctor.

Im starting my job in banking there in 2 months, and even I will be struggling with a pretty decent income.
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I was just about to post the very same fact. To buy an average house in London you need to be on 93k. Ridiculous. Why do people keep wishing the property market to 'recover'? :rolleyes:

I'm always wondering whether starting a career in London is a bad idea. When on earth am i going to be able to buy a house (read: flat)?
 
in a bad area.. for example north london.. you can get a flat for 600quid.. including electricity and bills for water, gas etc etc.. all other adds to you.. phone, internet etc.. some flats have net already on..
 
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