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Your area and cost of living.
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Hi, I was speaking to a guy at work yesterday,who has recently moved from central London to up North. I was absolutely flabbergasted to hear that he had been paying £135 a week for a one room flat/apartment.
I live in a studio apartment. Happens to be in a converted Edwardian mansion, in its own grounds, tree lined driveway, no other houses for two miles either way. My windows overlook the canal. A beautiful, tranquil setting.
It costs me £250 pcm rent. Even came furnished with a bed, settee, dining table, chairs, fitted wardrobes and occasional furniture. Plus a six foot floor standing tropical fish tank that the previous tenant left.
There is no gas, so I don't pay gas bills. Some may tut tut,. But since I moved in two years ago I have not had an electric bill, think my landlord is paying for it, but too late to say anything now.
My only other home bills are water, £12 a month and council tax, £68 a month.
I know I am blessed.
How expensive is your house/flat?
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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A hell of a lot more than that 
But then we’re south east England, 3 bed semi with a family of 4.
If this thread doesn’t descend into chaos, it’ll give us a great insight into regional variations of the cost of living, which will actually be really interesting  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I'd put some money aside for that electric bill if I were you,just incase they come knocking for it."
Wouldn’t that depend on who’s name on the electric supplies contract and what the tenancy agreement says.
I used to pay 400 a month all bills inclusive including a window cleaner for a one bedroom flat in a converted large house with a jacuzzi corner bath. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Put it this way ..... I've been told that if my main home and my property investment were located in the south east they would have a combined value well in excess of multiple millions ......
Smug sox......
PS have I ever mentioned my amazing charity work  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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The average rental cost is about £800 pcm for a one bed flat in this area. Before I bought my new house and in between selling old one and moving into the new one, I rented a house. That cost me £1,450 pcm. |
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By *eliWoman
over a year ago
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You are very lucky!
My mortgage is a fair bit more than that but I know I wouldn't have been able to get what I have now down South (semi-detached, three bedroom, large garden, Victorian house).
After water, council tax, g and e and mortgage (including overpayments to be fair) it's around the best part of a grand gone. |
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An identical house to ours a few doors up the road was recently rented out. It's a 3 bed semi, garden, garage, drive etc. They are getting £700 per month which is much higher than our mortgage!
As for other costs, £124 gas and electric this month, £14 water, £120 council tax.
I think our living costs are pretty good. Especially the electric and water as we have a hot tub |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Prices by me are ridiculous. They just keep going up and people seem to be able to ask what they want for their houses when they sell them and they sell quickly.
My council tax is £211, mortgage is over £1000. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Living in York is fairly expensive. We also have dogs, which limits our choice of rentals and also means we have to rent a place big enough for them to be comfortable. Leeds was cheaper, but I'd rather pay more and live in York because it's awesome. |
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"Hi, I was speaking to a guy at work yesterday,who has recently moved from central London to up North. I was absolutely flabbergasted to hear that he had been paying £135 a week for a one room flat/apartment.
I live in a studio apartment. Happens to be in a converted Edwardian mansion, in its own grounds, tree lined driveway, no other houses for two miles either way. My windows overlook the canal. A beautiful, tranquil setting.
It costs me £250 pcm rent. Even came furnished with a bed, settee, dining table, chairs, fitted wardrobes and occasional furniture. Plus a six foot floor standing tropical fish tank that the previous tenant left.
There is no gas, so I don't pay gas bills. Some may tut tut,. But since I moved in two years ago I have not had an electric bill, think my landlord is paying for it, but too late to say anything now.
My only other home bills are water, £12 a month and council tax, £68 a month.
I know I am blessed.
How expensive is your house/flat?
"
Must have been a rough area of North London as £135 a week is cheap |
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"Put it this way ..... I've been told that if my main home and my property investment were located in the south east they would have a combined value well in excess of multiple millions ......
Smug sox......
PS have I ever mentioned my amazing charity work "
Shame that they're both in Sunderland with a combined value of £7.50 soxy  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Put it this way ..... I've been told that if my main home and my property investment were located in the south east they would have a combined value well in excess of multiple millions ......
Smug sox......
PS have I ever mentioned my amazing charity work
Shame that they're both in Sunderland with a combined value of £7.50 soxy "
Sam the smaller of my guest bathrooms id bigger than your house |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It’s something I’ve been researching
You won’t really get anything below £600 pcm in Exeter and below £800 is looking at places that are not the best
South West Water is excruciating - £56 a month at the mo and we are on a metre
I’ve no idea how the council tax compares and always shop around for gas and electric anyway
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Reading isn’t cheap to live in  "
I remember back in the early 80's a friends brother and his wife moved from Sunderland to Reading to take a teaching post .......
The price of housing in reading even at the time was unbelievable |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I have a two bed apartment that I own and let for £700 pcm in Swindon. I rent where I live - two bed cottage - for £750. Bills come to about £250 a month but I have electric storage heaters that are ridiculously expensive. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"My biggest gripe is a scandalous service charge, that keeps going up and up.
Don't buy a flat!
"
I totally agree with this. I've had an eight year battle with the property managers of my flat. They capitulated last year and we're now paying about £800 a year in service charges rather than the £1200 they were trying to charge us. I'll sell it next year just to get rid of any future potential hassle. |
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By *s_macWoman
over a year ago
Traffic land |
"Reading isn’t cheap to live in "
Nope, neither is Wokingham. I could cry when I see what I could get for the money I pay in Birmingham, although even that isn’t enough to draw me back |
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My mum sold her house in Derbyshire, 3bed semi, cul de sac location, immaculate decor,massive landscaped gardens that my dad won awards for, just under a £100k.
Similar properties here in Sussex, you wouldn't get much change from £500k
I'm on a rent to buy plan with the council, my house is £450 a month, but the average private rent on properties like mine is over £1k a month |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
"I own my properties, but I rent them out (mainly 2/3 beds, unfurnished excl bills) for, on average £2300 per month. That’s Peckham for you."
Peckham gone posh since Del Boy moved out and the hipsters moved in...... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I own my properties, but I rent them out (mainly 2/3 beds, unfurnished excl bills) for, on average £2300 per month. That’s Peckham for you.
Peckham gone posh since Del Boy moved out and the hipsters moved in......"
Been there all my life. That’s why I’m charging the blow-ins so much. |
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"My biggest gripe is a scandalous service charge, that keeps going up and up.
Don't buy a flat!
I totally agree with this. I've had an eight year battle with the property managers of my flat. They capitulated last year and we're now paying about £800 a year in service charges rather than the £1200 they were trying to charge us. I'll sell it next year just to get rid of any future potential hassle."
I should have said leasehold flat.
I'm paying approx £1,200 for 2017. Any week now I'm due to get the service charge for 2018 through, and it will increase again. All their associated fees are a joke. I need to move, but, it's not straightforward due to work, family etc.
Two MP's we're discussing in Parliament at the end of last year that something has to be done. The whole industry is unregulated.
It makes me laugh when you've got the Government/media/press banging on about the cost of living with capping energy prices. That's a drop in the ocean compared to having to pay a service charge.
They never mention it. |
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"My biggest gripe is a scandalous service charge, that keeps going up and up.
Don't buy a flat!
I totally agree with this. I've had an eight year battle with the property managers of my flat. They capitulated last year and we're now paying about £800 a year in service charges rather than the £1200 they were trying to charge us. I'll sell it next year just to get rid of any future potential hassle."
I'd have never bought it in the first place if it had been made clear to me what buying leasehold entails.
So much for paying a solicitor to do the conveyancing! Grrrrr |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've a few properties around the north west and our rentals range from £550-£950 pcm
My own house before I decided to sell was going to be priced at £9.5k pcm but I saw others around for a few grand more |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"My biggest gripe is a scandalous service charge, that keeps going up and up.
Don't buy a flat!
I totally agree with this. I've had an eight year battle with the property managers of my flat. They capitulated last year and we're now paying about £800 a year in service charges rather than the £1200 they were trying to charge us. I'll sell it next year just to get rid of any future potential hassle.
I should have said leasehold flat.
I'm paying approx £1,200 for 2017. Any week now I'm due to get the service charge for 2018 through, and it will increase again. All their associated fees are a joke. I need to move, but, it's not straightforward due to work, family etc.
Two MP's we're discussing in Parliament at the end of last year that something has to be done. The whole industry is unregulated.
It makes me laugh when you've got the Government/media/press banging on about the cost of living with capping energy prices. That's a drop in the ocean compared to having to pay a service charge.
They never mention it. "
Not many flats are freeHold  |
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"I've a few properties around the north west and our rentals range from £550-£950 pcm
My own house before I decided to sell was going to be priced at £9.5k pcm but I saw others around for a few grand more"
£9.5 k a month?? Is it Buckingham Palace ?? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I live near Brighton - it's often known as London-by-Sea because of the cost of housing. I'm lucky in that I bought my house 13 years ago so am just working thru my mortgage, but rental costs are ridiculous - a small 3 bed family house is over a grand in rent per month round here. I don't know how people are ever supposed to get onto the property ladder when the cost of renting and living is so high, people just can't save, and you need a hefty deposit nowadays to buy anything.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I've a few properties around the north west and our rentals range from £550-£950 pcm
My own house before I decided to sell was going to be priced at £9.5k pcm but I saw others around for a few grand more £9.5 k a month?? Is it Buckingham Palace ??"
Not quite but it's a desirable location. You can pay almost double that for some here and let's not even talk about London  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'm thinking of re locating.
I just can't afford to live in St.Albans anymore - and I don't like the type of people that are taking over here 
I admit it's a good area with a nice town etc..
But a one bedroom flat is minimum £800pcm before bills
I grew up here and friends and family that have sold or renting their houses that they very sensibly bought many years ago are making a fortune!
I do not fit in here |
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"I'm thinking of re locating.
I just can't afford to live in St.Albans anymore - and I don't like the type of people that are taking over here
I admit it's a good area with a nice town etc..
But a one bedroom flat is minimum £800pcm before bills
I grew up here and friends and family that have sold or renting their houses that they very sensibly bought many years ago are making a fortune!
I do not fit in here "
I'm starting to think the answer might be to leave the country, to be honest
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This thread reminds me of my ex husbands parents.
35 years ago they were living in a small 2 bed flat in London. They had one son, a daughter and another baby in the way. They decided that they just couldn’t afford to buy a bigger property in London and stuck a pin in a map of the uk. It landed on Boston, Lincolnshire so they sold up, upped sticks and moved. They bought a 3 bedroom house, huge garden and lived mortgage free thanks to how much they sold their pokey little flat in London for.
Location really does make a huge difference. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I take home nearly £500 a week and it's still a struggle where I am. Outgoings are 400 at least but I couldn't ever live in London it's just a ridiculous amount "
Where in Northampton?
We moved to the outskirts, same rental price but bigger house, more outdoor space and soooo much quieter! |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Oh and as far as the electric bill. I have never received one, guess initially I waited and waited, but it never came. Eventually I got to the point of no return. Legally I have not committed fraud although I do understand that I am responsible for the bill, if it ever comes. |
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"I take home nearly £500 a week and it's still a struggle where I am. Outgoings are 400 at least but I couldn't ever live in London it's just a ridiculous amount
Where in Northampton?
We moved to the outskirts, same rental price but bigger house, more outdoor space and soooo much quieter! "
Near Weston Favell not an especially well to do area but council are just wankers and I wanna blow the building up  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"This thread has made me sad that there's such a marked difference in ability to buy a house now compared to a few years back. "
My parents bought a house in Brooklyn for $200,000 15 years ago. When it sold, it was valued at around $1.5 million. I don't think I can afford rent on the sidewalk outside the house I grew up in.  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I (Chrissy) have a 2 bedroom house which is 350pcm. Rest of my bills are probably that much again so count myself very lucky to live where I do. Only downside is that I live about 45 minutes away from the main shops and hospital. Xx |
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"I live near Brighton - it's often known as London-by-Sea because of the cost of housing. I'm lucky in that I bought my house 13 years ago so am just working thru my mortgage, but rental costs are ridiculous - a small 3 bed family house is over a grand in rent per month round here. I don't know how people are ever supposed to get onto the property ladder when the cost of renting and living is so high, people just can't save, and you need a hefty deposit nowadays to buy anything.
"
My son & DIL bought a house this year, after years of renting.
They knew a mortgage on a 2 bed house would be far less than what they were paying for a teeny studio fast, but the deposit was what had previously prevented them.
My dad left him a large amount of money when he died, only reason they managed it in the end.
It's sad that hard working young people today, with great careers & earnings are trapped into the high priced rental market & only sonething tragic can alter that situation |
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"Oh and as far as the electric bill. I have never received one, guess initially I waited and waited, but it never came. Eventually I got to the point of no return. Legally I have not committed fraud although I do understand that I am responsible for the bill, if it ever comes."
You don't have to pay if you move out when it gets to a certain ti_eline. I think it's about two years. Legally they can't chase you after. Look it up. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Blimey, i mean I knew already but some of these london prices are eye watering!
We live in a detatched 5 bedroom house w/granny annexe. Pay approx £800 pm mortgage and bills.
Mr"
right that's it Im moving up north! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I'm thinking of re locating.
I just can't afford to live in St.Albans anymore - and I don't like the type of people that are taking over here
I admit it's a good area with a nice town etc..
But a one bedroom flat is minimum £800pcm before bills
I grew up here and friends and family that have sold or renting their houses that they very sensibly bought many years ago are making a fortune!
I do not fit in here
I'm starting to think the answer might be to leave the country, to be honest
"
I'll meet you at the airport in an hour  |
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"I'm thinking of re locating.
I just can't afford to live in St.Albans anymore - and I don't like the type of people that are taking over here
I admit it's a good area with a nice town etc..
But a one bedroom flat is minimum £800pcm before bills
I grew up here and friends and family that have sold or renting their houses that they very sensibly bought many years ago are making a fortune!
I do not fit in here
I'm starting to think the answer might be to leave the country, to be honest
I'll meet you at the airport in an hour "
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Our mortgage is £600pm, council tax £115, water £48, gas/electricity £100. Add all the various insurances we have on and our monthly outgoings,without petrol or food shops, are around £1500 pm.
Expensive this home owning fuckery. Wonder if it's too late to move back in with my parents |
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"I'm thinking of re locating.
I just can't afford to live in St.Albans anymore - and I don't like the type of people that are taking over here
I admit it's a good area with a nice town etc..
But a one bedroom flat is minimum £800pcm before bills
I grew up here and friends and family that have sold or renting their houses that they very sensibly bought many years ago are making a fortune!
I do not fit in here
I'm starting to think the answer might be to leave the country, to be honest
"
Good idea.
In our part of Germany a decent 2 bedroom flat will cost between 400 and 500€ pcm plus bills although prices are much higher in some of the bigger cities.
Where we have our house in Spain the same money would get you a very nice flat or a good sized townhouse. Most come with community pool. |
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Bournemouth is around £1000 for a two bed flat. nice in summer as live near the sea. i live with my sister and pay £400 a month for the downstairs of a 3 storey townhouse. i think the days of people living on their own are dying out. its a good £260k for a 3 bed house in the crappy areas of bournemouth. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I'm thinking of re locating.
I just can't afford to live in St.Albans anymore - and I don't like the type of people that are taking over here
I admit it's a good area with a nice town etc..
But a one bedroom flat is minimum £800pcm before bills
I grew up here and friends and family that have sold or renting their houses that they very sensibly bought many years ago are making a fortune!
I do not fit in here "
Crikey.. are the wages higher to compensate? Feck I did 27 hours overtime last week. An extra £500 before tax on top of my wage. That's before the rest of my overtime for previous weeks.
I don't live in a dump, the location is rural, next to the canal and a nature reserve.
My only complaint is.. although silly, is that there are no local shops, a half hour walk to nearest one.
But on the upside, no gangs, no kids causing havoc, no parking problems. And waking to the sound of birds in the trees, outside my window every morning, or the gardener cutting the communal lawn.
I could not ask for more.
It's a relatively small flat, but it is my sanctuary.
And to top it off, my local pub is a Sam Smith's pub, a fifteen minute walk, but right next to the canal. Good home cooked food and a pint of Sam Smith's bitter is £2.00. And a pint of Sam Smith's lager is £2.30. Both lovely drinks btw.
Check out "The Collier's Arms Pub Elland" on Google or Facebook. The pub was devastated by the floods Xmas 2015, but has since been refitted...
Video of floods in Elland. Luckily enough I live on higher ground, so was not affected.
https://youtu.be/E-iu5wy33nQ
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I take home nearly £500 a week and it's still a struggle where I am. Outgoings are 400 at least but I couldn't ever live in London it's just a ridiculous amount
Where in Northampton?
We moved to the outskirts, same rental price but bigger house, more outdoor space and soooo much quieter! Near Weston Favell not an especially well to do area but council are just wankers and I wanna blow the building up "
You really need to look at the outskirts, I live in a 3 bed semi with front & rear gardens, driveway & it's really quiet here.
My outgoings are less £900pcm for all house stuff.
Is it worth looking sweet |
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