4 ms·

Oh the house prices. I’ve gone from looking at £250+K houses and thinking I’ll never be able to afford one on my own to “I’m buying a house in the next 12 month

Oh the house prices. I’ve gone from looking at £250+K houses and thinking I’ll never be able to afford one on my own to “I’m buying a house in the next 12 months”. £5K deposit (not even joking), a 3 year mortgage (which will end up costing about the same as my rent down south) and I’ll be set. I looked at Durham as well, and when it comes to buying, if I spot a good one there, that’s where I’ll go for sure. The town I live in is nice, quiet, the people are super friendly, there’s literally no downside if you’re a remote worker. These places aren’t a scam, they just don’t have high paying jobs available, but that isn’t a problem if you come with your own job.

disgruntledphd2 5y ago
It's only a problem when you need to change job (this is why I haven't done this).
- moreira 5y ago
  Even if your next job requires you to move somewhere else, you’ll still have had 12-24 months (or however long) of cheap living, and you get to save all that money. For me at least, between rent, bills, and not having access to the same expensive habits as in a big city (Uber Eats and ease of going out), means that this year I stand to save about £20K compared to the previous year. Even if it was just rent+council tax I’d still be saving about £10K. That makes a huge difference, especially when the move itself was only about £2K (moving company and a few other bits). Even if I had to move again next year I’d still be coming out ahead. Obviously it’s not for everyone but the savings are too big to dismiss something like this, in my opinion.
  - disgruntledphd2 5y ago
    I guess I was considering from a buying perspective, rather than renting. I agree that if you're not locked in to a well below market rent, then this would definitely make sense.
- tonyedgecombe 5y ago
  Or your flexible employer changes its mind on working from home.
  - nly 5y ago
    Bingo. In the UK contracts almost always state your contracted place of work as <office address>, and WFH is a privilege not a right.

disgruntledphd2 5y ago

It's only a problem when you need to change job (this is why I haven't done this).

moreira 5y ago
Even if your next job requires you to move somewhere else, you’ll still have had 12-24 months (or however long) of cheap living, and you get to save all that money. For me at least, between rent, bills, and not having access to the same expensive habits as in a big city (Uber Eats and ease of going out), means that this year I stand to save about £20K compared to the previous year. Even if it was just rent+council tax I’d still be saving about £10K. That makes a huge difference, especially when the move itself was only about £2K (moving company and a few other bits). Even if I had to move again next year I’d still be coming out ahead. Obviously it’s not for everyone but the savings are too big to dismiss something like this, in my opinion.
- disgruntledphd2 5y ago
  I guess I was considering from a buying perspective, rather than renting. I agree that if you're not locked in to a well below market rent, then this would definitely make sense.
tonyedgecombe 5y ago
Or your flexible employer changes its mind on working from home.
- nly 5y ago
  Bingo. In the UK contracts almost always state your contracted place of work as <office address>, and WFH is a privilege not a right.