Shared house or own place?

Slime101 · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:48

I'm starting a new job in feb (2ish weeks time) in a strange area and need to relocate there first.

Thing is i would like my own place but prices are high and i'm not convinced that after rent, council tax, food, bills, and travel costs etc i will actually be able to afford it despite starting on a fairly good salary.

So should i look into a rented shared house, as there is a lady at work with a spare room looking for someone (yes shes fit before anyone asks but this is irrelevant!) or should i risk it for a biscuit and get my own place?

Gilly · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:50

Why don't you rent and then buy once you've settled in the job and know what you have to spend?

helpimcrap · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:51

id share for a couple of months until im settled... you may find an area dirt cheap but on the up when you know where your going.

Slime101 · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:52

This is the problem, renting might well tip the scales and be more than i earn!

By shared house i mean shared rented place, not shared ownership. I'm not even considering buying at this point in time.

Gilly · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:52

Slime101 said:
This is the problem, renting might well tip the scales and be more than i earn!

By shared house i mean shared rented place, not shared ownership. I'm not even considering buying at this point in time.

I read it wrong. I thought you meant buy or share. By rent I meant share.

dirtydog · 15 Jan 2007 at 17:57

Only you can answer it

You know your income and the cost of housing in the area you are moving to - plus you know whether you could stand to share or not. I wouldn't like to share personally.

djbenjo · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:04

Slime101 said:
there is a lady at work with a spare room looking for someone (yes shes fit before anyone asks)

Think you answered your own question there really!

Slime101 · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:08

dirtydog said:
Only you can answer it You know your income and the cost of housing in the area you are moving to - plus you know whether you could stand to share or not. I wouldn't like to share personally.

Housing is about £575+tax+bills+food etc etc for my own place, or just £280+bills sharing, its a massive difference.

As for standing it, i guess i might have to!

dirtydog · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:10

£575 isn't too bad. Have you considered what it will be like sharing?

Slime101 · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:26

dirtydog said:
£575 isn't too bad. Have you considered what it will be like sharing?

Thats ok until you add on the rest:

575 Rent
100 Council tax
25 Water
25 Elec
25 Gas
120 Food
10 Contents insurance

Thats just basics, Then add other things like:

30 Mobile
15 Internet
10 Phone line (for above)
30 car insurance (360/yr)
18 car tax (215/yr)
3.75 car mot (45/yr)
21 car service (250/yr)
100 fuel

£1090/month - without any leeway for extra fuel, going out, buying clothes (i dont buy many but will have to wear suit/shirts now!) etc. etc. and it doesnt leave much!

Matt · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:37

Personally i'd share for a bit first. It gives you someone to go out with who's nothing to do with work, and will help you settle in much quicker. I really wish this had of been an option to me when i moved to where i am! It also costs about half as much :eek:

Saying that though... having your own place is always great

masslac · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:42

Share, then sign up for the local housing association.

fonzee · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:47

take up the offer with the fit bird. you know it makes sense.

Slime101 · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:48

masslac said:
Share, then sign up for the local housing association.

I won't be eligable for that, i earn too much (which sounds daft condsidering the above!)

dirtydog · 15 Jan 2007 at 18:56

Slime101 said:
...it doesnt leave much!

Living is expensive

Unless you earn good money you can't expect to have your own place, run a car etc. and have loads left over as disposable income. Not if you live on your own.

Slime101 · 15 Jan 2007 at 19:06

dirtydog said:
Living is expensive Unless you earn good money you can't expect to have your own place, run a car etc. and have loads left over as disposable income. Not if you live on your own.

I know its expensive, but when i was with my ex (and 2 kids) we still seemed better off, i guess it more of 2 incomes although smaller made it easier on the bank balance.

I dont consider my salary to be bad, but when single it doesnt go far! Guess i might have to consider sharing more than i wanted to, at least for a bit!

Matt-Page · 15 Jan 2007 at 19:21

Slime101 said:
So should i look into a rented shared house, as there is a lady at work with a spare room looking for someone (yes shes fit before anyone asks but this is irrelevant!) or should i risk it for a biscuit and get my own place?

Is it? I'm confused..... Chance to live on own in dump, or move in with hot girl? Hmm..... it's damn tough to decide...... :confused:

My advice would be to rent somewhere cxheap to start with, get your feet on the ground and decide if you like the job/people. If you find somewhere, put a 6 month deposit down and then hate it, your stuck for a bit.

Plus if you move into somewhere with someone, you have already met someone, who will in-turn introduce you to others. Good ice breaker for meeting people.

dirtydog · 15 Jan 2007 at 19:25

Matt-Page said:
Is it? I'm confused..... Chance to live on own in dump, or move in with hot girl? Hmm..... it's damn tough to decide......

Because getting involved with a girl at work, who you also rely on for the roof over your head is such a good idea

masslac · 15 Jan 2007 at 19:28

Slime101 said:
I won't be eligable for that, i earn too much (which sounds daft condsidering the above!)

Housing associations to not take income into account at all, their points systems being based solely on living conditions (overcrowding etc).

I am on a good wage, and still got a very nicely priced ground-floor flat in York (cul-de-sac, french doors, garden, not in a block etc) within 18 months of applying whilst living in a fairly decent shared house.

Slime101 · 15 Jan 2007 at 19:35

dirtydog said:
Because getting involved with a girl at work, who you also rely on for the roof over your head is such a good idea

Indeed, sh@gging my collegues when new at the place isnt high on my list of ways to impress the boss!

Matt-Page - Living on my own wouldnt be a dump, far from it as its a nice place but struggling with money from month to month with nout to spare isnt exactly gonna make it a smooth transition from my old life to my new life!