[mcjiggerlog]

Having to share a flat in London was a good 50% of the reason for me moving to Madrid. Wanting to live in your own home is not so much to ask.

Sadly, this seems to be a trend in many other places too - even in Madrid itself it's not that realistic to live alone if you are young and on a local wage.

[isostatic]

Back in 2003 I managed to find a tiny bedsit, with a shower in one corner, sink + countertop oven in another, and bed in the third. It was a shared toilet, and cost half my take home wage.

I couldn't afford a proper 1 bed studio for £800 (with a separate bathroom), nor could I afford to commute on tube (I found one 35 minute walk from work), but it did the job.

I couldn't abide living in a house share, however somewhere that's effectively a hall of residence, with a kettle and microwave in my room, would be far more preferably than a house share.

18 months after my salary had increased enough that I could afford a 1 bed flat in Twyford and the commuting cost (cheap car, free parking due to shift work, 7 days a fortnight), which was great

My mortgage in 2018 on a 4 bed house in Cheshire is less than I paid for the rent on that flat in Twyford in 2004.

[jxub]

Well, in Valencia you can still rent a 1 bed for around 500 euro in the centre or a 3 bed for 700 euro near a metro station. Madrid and Barcelona are another story though.

[Symbiote]

Same here. I realized I needed a big pay rise to continue living in London, given what living alone costs. With the other 50% of my reasons, I ended up moving to Copenhagen.

The choice in London seems to be between a tiny, grotty apartment within 45 minutes of the centre, or something a bit nicer but also further out. Friends with the former had no money left to go out. Friends with the latter couldn't be bothered to travel the longer distance to come out.

[magic_beans]

It’s helpful to live with a significant other. Splitting rent for an outrageous 1-bedroom in a big city is basically the only option...

[fwdpropaganda]

Shout out to Madrid. Lived there for 5 years, loved it. Very under appreciated city.