[Cov]

Honestly

I have moved to this room where I live now on the 17th of January 2008 and I broke my own rule NEVER MOVE TOGETHER WITH THE LANDLORD, but because I was under time pressure and the gentleman made a good impression to me initially, I decided to go for it.

Now I need to move by the end of the month (because of an argument) and the nightmare starts all over again.
Having viewed rooms no-stop after work in the evening, I start doubting to find anything and may end up on the street on the 1st June.

Housing is a N I G H T M A R E situation in here.

On the way home today, when I was walking on the street, I thought how hostile this city really is, realizing how much waste of space I can see at many places. That is remarkable considering the intense need for homes.

People need a home to stay. A home to feel home in. A home to recharge their batteries from the drainage of the day at work. But the sad reality is that there's no space for dignity. You're just not welcome. You're classified as an enemy before you had the chance to proof yourself.

I don't want to live in a society like this, but I have no choice.
At least I can express myself on gumtree ... before I end up on the street.
But consider this ... if I had the power in form of a nuclear bomb, I wouldn't think twice to set an example. To wake up the fat capitalists who think the world is wonderful because they're unable to imagine a situation like I'm in.
Once the earth shakes, they'll be able to see ... when it's too late.

That'd be a sweet revenge and I'd be very happy to dig the graves for you ... and for me.

[hugheskevi]

Nicely put

It does make you wonder where we are headed - the more scarce property is, the higher the price goes, so people work more (and/or borrow more)...which just drives prices ever higher.

It is a bit like a mouse in a wheel running ever faster

A bit tragic that a whole nation becomes so obsessed with something that they will all compete with each other about who can scrape together the most money to throw at some dingy collection of bricks.

I do wonder how history will end up recording this era of humanity in the dim and distant future - we have enough inequality between people in this country, but when you look at the inequalities on the global scale, I fear we will go down as an extremely selfish, materialistic, cynical , uncaring society.

Gross national income per person per year in Burkina Faso is around £250. Equivalent to about a couple of week's rent in London.

[nobrand]

You have to adapt. Due to the mass influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe, landlords more than ever take advantage of the supply.
Lie about where you work, get a letterhead printed and ask a friend or pay a small company a tenner to give you a reference if prospective landlord wants someone to phone. Refuse to give personal details like passport no. and birthdate and never allow anyone to credit check you. ID fraud is possible now, so explain you have to take precautions.

[weeowen]

It's called supply and demand, my friend.

You don't have to live in London - I, and many others, do not. And, I would say 100% I am better off for it too. It is after all, your choice.

[Cov]

weeowen... I'm familiar with this rule, my friend.

You put it as if it's ever so easy to change locations like you change your underwear. You completely ignore the tiny detail called job.
The only source of income.

Even if I had the savings to manage moving from London to a different, unknown place, How would I cope with the transition between unemployment and (hopefully) new job ?
I guess I can even forget Job Seeker's Allowance as it'd be me who terminates the employment and not my current employer.

I will have to sacrifice my circle of friends. You might not now, but maintaining friendships from the distance is impossible.

And finally, if I'd find myself in the same situation elsewhere (same shit just different colour) then I should think of you and your clever suggestion.

[weeowen]

Seems to me then, you were either born into slavery, or settled for it.

It's the price you pay to live where everyone else wants to as well. It's not that unusual to apply for jobs else where. Share rent will get you new friends (it worked brilliant for me, at least). And finally, since life is so hard in London, I suspect (although I'm happy to admit I am wrong if I am) that you'd not be moving a baby-grand piano and the like, should you need to shift - so your lower living costs should ofset the minor moving costs. I paid mid 200's all in to live with 9 people in a huge house and garden in a leafy suburb in the West Midlands, and now 300 all in for a 3 bedroom place. Met loads of people, and spend my surplus cash on beer. Brilliant.

[Cov]

I'll tell you something. Actually I should be grateful for your point of view.

Over the last few months I thought seriously of going back to the country where I come from.
Telephoning with my mum once in a while, I know that the housing market there is very relaxed, a dream compared to here. The problem seems to be jobwise. Even so difficult that the job situation could be compared with the hostile housing situation in London.

But I might be forced to check it by myself ... after having spent almost 10 years in London ... well, I tried, and failed.

The only shit is my passport has expired last January. I tried 100 times to get through to the embassy by telephone to get an appointment for a new one but there's no chance to get through. That sucks.

Have been to the embassy personally recently and could get at least an appointment for applying a new passport ... the earliest one: on the 18th July ... in almsot 2 months.
After the application has been received, it will only take 4 to 6 weeks processing time.

I think life hates me.

[weeowen]

Sounds like it.



I'd never live in London, even if you doubled my wage, so I can't balime you for wanting to get out.

[bella77]

Cov, it will get better eventually. I've lived through a lot of very difficult situations - never having enough money to pay for a deposit, having to live in horrible places and never feeling I had a home.

I slowly pulled myself out of it, by getting tiny promotions at work, studying while holding a day job + an evening and weekend one.

Now I live in a great area. It's a bit annoying to still live in a studio, as I'd love a flat. But there are too many people in London now, compared to when I first arrived, so the housing situation is getting worse. The prices have been so inflated that even people with good jobs can't afford a flat (unless they go to zone 3 or 4)

[happypole]

[Cov]

bella77 & happypole ... thank you for your postings.

Well, here my update to this thread (not so new anymore though) ...


Have managed the impossible ... have found accommodation !!!

... in London. Incredible !!!

I was looking around for a long time and viewed one over priced shit hole after another.

Until Thursday evening, I checked a place like so many others and what can I say ? It was nice ... yeah, I know. Almost all adverts say VERY NICE ROOM, BEAUTIFUL ROOM, MUST SEE, ... ect, ect, ect ... and all the other bullshit for the same low quality standards.

But this advert was diferent, and so was the place. Without exaggerating and using superlatives, the description was this time pure & honest. How refreshing after all the pathetic lies. And how happy I was to see a place fairly priced !!

At the right point I carefully asked when I could get the result if I'd be accepted. The young landlady (from Russia) asked surprised: Are you sure you want to take it ?
I expressed how happy I'd be, and from there we came to terms quickly.

After I got through all the homes for cattle rather than for human beings, I was more than happy for this good sized room in a beautiful area to a very fair price ... only 20 minutes walking to my office, and without bloodsucker agents (!) I'm such a lucky bastard.

I almost gave up hoping though. In my mind I was already buying a rope from Homebase ... to hang myself.

Thank you Gumtree !!

PS: Now I only need a girlfriend to spoil.

[happypole]