[NSC] Life Choices- Moving From Brighton

[Eeyore]

I’ve lived in Brighton since I was two years old, apart from a nine month period in Australia and a couple of countryside excursions. In fact, literally in the same triangle area. It’s all I’ve really known.

For many years I have been renting. Never taking a mortgage which I really regret now although perhaps being divorced it may have been for the best. But I’m reaching a cross roads and would be interested in what other folk would do in this situation.

I work from home in a job that pays enough to keep me going and put small amounts away. Although I’m not convinced the job will last more than two or three years. I can afford to rent my flat, in a prime area, because the landlord charges me well below the going rate. It’s in his interests to do so as well because in a couple of years he will be selling. But, for this reason, I need to pre-empt the problem.

If he sells I cannot remain in Brighton in any decent standard of accommodation at this rent. No chance. And I don’t really want to live anywhere other than this particular area. I know the issue is looming and I need to put serious thought to it.

A mortgage is a bad idea for a number of reasons. I’m in my 50s and cannot claim benefits if I did come out of work as I would be above the threshold. I would have to pay my own way. I have always had a love affair with the North and could afford to buy a small flat outright in a number of reasonable areas. In Scotland, the same. But not in Sussex, it’s just too expensive. But it’s a huge change. I know that at some stage I will have to leave behind everything I have known anyway because once he sells that the end of my time here.

I don’t have trouble getting to know folk. I know a few in Yorkshire and across the central belt in Scotland. I am still friends with an ex in Glasgow (no going back !) and, as it stands, I could take the job with me. But it’s a massive move.

I have thought about retirement flats. I have a great relationship with older folk. But they are cheap for a reason and other costs can spiral as there is no control.

I’d just be interested to know what folk in my situation would do. So many considerations. All is well now, but any choice I need to get right.

 

[Insel affe]

How long have you been where you renting ?
a friend of mine lived in a long term rented flat and the landlord wanted to sell, he got a sizeable chunk to leave.
regarding your choice, tuff, tuff call, have you thought about housing associations or part ownership, a fair few flats being built around and in Brighton that offer shared ownership etc.
good luck.

 

[scooter1]

It kinda sounds like you don’t WANT to leave Brighton, and would be only for financial reasons. So with that in mind you could consider compromising your living location. Perhaps an immobile mobile home, or cabin home on a fixed park. There are options, but will all require compromise in some way shape or form

 

[Eeyore]

How long have you been where you renting ?
a friend of mine lived in a long term rented flat and the landlord wanted to sell, he got a sizeable chunk to leave.
regarding your choice, tuff, tuff call, have you thought about housing associations or part ownership, a fair few flats being built around and in Brighton that offer shared ownership etc.
good luck.

I've been in this flat for five years. He only recently put the rent up, but it's still £200-300 a month less than many would want. He's been really good. I never hear from him and if I need something done he just leaves me to sort it and take it off the rent. Perfect landlord really.

But if I was out of work I would have to pay. I'd rather own my own place rather than pay someone else and see nothing for it.

 

[Seagull]

It sounds as though you would prefer to stay in Brighton. I would investigate all possible alternatives, including other areas or circumstances where you could be happy living. You might find you could flex some of your “red lines”.

 

[Eeyore]

It kinda sounds like you don’t WANT to leave Brighton, and would be only for financial reasons. So with that in mind you could consider compromising your living location. Perhaps an immobile mobile home, or cabin home on a fixed park. There are options, but will all require compromise in some way shape or form

Yes, I like the Upper Beeding/Steyning area and there could be options there. It's a thought.

 

[albionalba]

I would think very hard before any move to Scotland. Property isn't cheap in the (nice bits of the) cities. There's a continual scarcity of decent stuff - that's why there are so few 'Location Location' episodes in Scotland. One of the main reasons is that there is far less turnover of property up here, so it creates a kind of artificial shortage. If a place looks cheap in Scotland there will usually be a reason. Plus higher taxation and the SNP (though grip hopefully reduced after next year's election). It may be that when the university crash and burn happens in the next few years and the bottom drops out of student accom a few of th HMOs and flats will come to the market cheap, but rarely in nice areas. but that will happen in cities across the UK.
It's a long way to the Amex.
Don't end up like me (and the cheery Albion fan from Belfast on his routine 'all home matches' visit I met at Gatwick recently).
Good luck with resolving though, it sounds like an unpleasant thing to have looming. I hope you have been reading the lottery thread too....

 

[Sirnormangall]

It will be tough moving away from a part of Brighton that you’ve known and loved most of your life. You’re doing the right thing in planning your future now rather than waiting for the inevitable to happen, but it seems that you’re going to have to compromise somewhere along the line. Moving away for awhile might tell you how much you miss Brighton - there are great places to live in the UK much cheaper than Brighton, but if you find that you miss Brighton a lot you’ll be more prepared to compromise to comeback. Whatever you eventually decide, good luck.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

“I know that at some stage I will have to leave behind everything I have known”

This line made me feel sad. It’s also feels like a huge risk given you’ve rarely known different and you seem quite happy. I’d exhaust every Sussex option first. Maybe even compromise on getting a mortgage somewhere cheap in Sussex?

I wish you all the best.

 

[Weststander]

A wealthy uncle of mine who wasn’t a snob (working class Brightonian, born in Canning Street) sold up about age 60 and with his wife moved to a large ‘mobile’ home in the Newhaven area. They loved it. Sociable people, they got on well with the neighbours and took up a hobby or two.

Someone mentioned that scenario above, good idea.

Scotland … unless you’re a high earner, you won’t be hit by greater taxes. But would you miss the sunshine here? I know someone who moved back to Scotland and they said that was the one downer.

 

[Comrade Sam]

Have you considered marrying a rich Brightonian in a part of town you like?
My Dad moved to Worthing a few years ago and loves it. It's much cheaper than Brighton.

 

[Wes Tupper]

Would you be averse to a flat or house share?

 

[Eeyore]

Would you be averse to a flat or house share?

I'm just too independent. I've lived on my own for so long that I couldn't see it happening unless I entered a relationship again. I love my own space.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Apologies, this may not be helpful, but should be key considerations for your decision.

1. If you want to retain control and stability of where you live, renting will never truly give you this.

2. How are you going to pay your rent in ~20 years time when you want / have to give up work?

It's a tough one and hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wish you the very best of luck.

I left Sussex in 2002. Sometimes I wish I was still there but mostly pleased I did.

 

[Sussax]

One recommendation I can give you regardless of where you move to is to use this map. https://data.cdrc.ac.uk/dataset/index-multiple-deprivation-imd

Always better to get a house/flat in a nicer area, than a nicer house in a worst one.

 

[The Clamp]

I’ve lived in Brighton since I was two years old, apart from a nine month period in Australia and a couple of countryside excursions. In fact, literally in the same triangle area. It’s all I’ve really known.

For many years I have been renting. Never taking a mortgage which I really regret now although perhaps being divorced it may have been for the best. But I’m reaching a cross roads and would be interested in what other folk would do in this situation.

I work from home in a job that pays enough to keep me going and put small amounts away. Although I’m not convinced the job will last more than two or three years. I can afford to rent my flat, in a prime area, because the landlord charges me well below the going rate. It’s in his interests to do so as well because in a couple of years he will be selling. But, for this reason, I need to pre-empt the problem.

If he sells I cannot remain in Brighton in any decent standard of accommodation at this rent. No chance. And I don’t really want to live anywhere other than this particular area. I know the issue is looming and I need to put serious thought to it.

A mortgage is a bad idea for a number of reasons. I’m in my 50s and cannot claim benefits if I did come out of work as I would be above the threshold. I would have to pay my own way. I have always had a love affair with the North and could afford to buy a small flat outright in a number of reasonable areas. In Scotland, the same. But not in Sussex, it’s just too expensive. But it’s a huge change. I know that at some stage I will have to leave behind everything I have known anyway because once he sells that the end of my time here.

I don’t have trouble getting to know folk. I know a few in Yorkshire and across the central belt in Scotland. I am still friends with an ex in Glasgow (no going back !) and, as it stands, I could take the job with me. But it’s a massive move.

I have thought about retirement flats. I have a great relationship with older folk. But they are cheap for a reason and other costs can spiral as there is no control.

I’d just be interested to know what folk in my situation would do. So many considerations. All is well now, but any choice I need to get right.

Move to Norfolk. It’s like the North without the Northerners.

I’m considering it.

 

[Bry Nylon]

It’s like the North without the Northerners.

They should put that on the road signs on the approach to Harrogate.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Have you considered marrying

Steady on. The poster is already on the verge of making one big mistake……

 

[Weststander]

Apologies, this may not be helpful, but should be key considerations for your decision.

1. If you want to retain control and stability of where you live, renting will never truly give you this.

2. How are you going to pay your rent in ~20 years time when you want / have to give up work?

It's a tough one and hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wish you the very best of luck.

I left Sussex in 2002. Sometimes I wish I was still there but mostly pleased I did.

Housing benefit to pay rent?

 

[LamieRobertson]

Move to Norfolk. It’s like the North without the Northerners.

I’m considering it.

You given up on Tuscany