The Real Cost Of Renting A Flat In London

Hello :)

So I'm in this new exciting chapter of my life, but it's definitely not all sunshine and lollipops. There have been loads of problems with the fixtures, lighting etc. This flat is far from perfect. It should've been cheaper to be honest.

I'm not looking forward to the end of the month. Bills bills bills. So many bills. I did a projected forecast for us when we were thinking about moving out but this is crazy. I didn't know water costs so much! There's a reason they say rent should only be a third of your monthly wage, bills takes the rest of the money!

We've decided not to get sky, which is gonna be hard (no more MTV!), but we need broadband because of my job. Who wouldn't want broadband anyway? It's essential these days. Did you know you have to have a landline to get broadband (except with Virgin apparently)? So that's an extra £16.70 a month we don't need to lose (provided by Talk Talk with half price broadband for 18 months). I must not forget the TV license (£145.50 a year), electricity and gas bills (around £100pcm) and council tax (£1208 a year!).

Remember to factor in your phone bill, transport, groceries and anything else not rent related as well.

Money is such a problem. The plan for work was one contract would end and the next would start but now it's been postponed and I'm having to pray I get one of the jobs I've applied to. If not, honestly, I'm screwed.

Please explain to me how a girl who ran a jewellery business and knows the difference between a diamond and a swarovski crystal gets rejected from every jewellery job? It's not like I'm too young. AND I have retail experience. Disheartening :'(

I knew it was gonna be expensive to move out properly and not be cushioned by university halls, but this... this is gonna be hard. I wouldn't have stayed at home knowing this though. We needed to open our eyes to the world and do these things for ourselves.

I'm gonna leave you with one piece of advice. If you're thinking about moving, make sure your BUDGET accounts for EVERYTHING. Don't let these little surprises hit you each month.

It's scary but exciting. Where there's a will there's a way!

Shanice x