Would I survive in London with a maximum of 600 pounds per month?

Question

My budget is a certain 500 pound salary I get from my part-time job, plus some money my family sends - amount is uncertain, I'd say another 100 p/m.
So I've done some looking to see what's available out there and I am thinking I could hopefully find a cheap house share with bills included, e.g. around 95 p/w, ideally near enough to work so I wouldn't need transportation. I also think of budgeting the shopping not to exceed around 120 monthly. So, unless something urgent and expensive came up, I would be able to deal with it all.

I will be looking for more hours of work, of course, but I wonder how I could cope if I decided to go sooner than later. I am a person who lives simply and healthily and doesn't spend money on alcohol, cigs, luxuries etc. I would say I'm scared but would also find it thrilling to have some quiet time and my own space.
What else would there be to count as an expense? And what is your general opinion?

Thanks

Answer 1

Adding my suggestions to Nikita's very helpful pointers....



It's not going to be easy, but then you already know that. But, yes, it's just about possible for someone like you who is clearly frugal in their lifestyle.



Bar work may fit in with your part-time job. Not great pay but good English-speaking staff are always in demand.



Things which may help eke out your budget:

Use local libraries for internet access (and to keep warm on days you're not working!) This will save you money on heating.



Cut your transport budget immensely by getting hold of a bicycle. Will a friend or relative lend you one? If not, register with your local freecycle group and look out for a bicycle and a lock for it; also a helmet. I would love to say 'buy a new helmet', but if you can't afford one, 2nd-hand is better than nothing.

If you have anything to offer first on Freecycle (I've seen all sorts offered (magazines, even empty jam jars!) this will make you more credible with the other group members and you can then post a "wanted" notice for a bicycle. Also join the Freecycle cafe group if there's one in your area: people there are always swapping skills, time and other free stuff. There's usually a good community you can tap into: help and be helped!



You can get free help to repair and maintain bikes in lots of places in London. The people at Hackney Bike Workshop are great and I'm sure will recommend if there's another bike hub nearer for you. http://hackneybikeworkshop.com/



Food. Find your nearest Aldi, Lidl, Asian supermarket and/or fruit & veg market. All these are cheaper than any of the big supermarkets for a lot of stuff. Get to know the basics ranges of Sainsburys etc: quality is absolutely fine on most things (flour, cream cheese, canned tuna, eggs are some of my staples). If you're in the City on any Sat afternoon, check the various big-name supermarkets for sandwiches & ready-meals at crazy-reduced prices (20p for BLT etc).



Porridge is my great economy! A 1kg bag of oats from the supermarket costs £1.10 (Sainsbury's price; may be cheaper elsewhere)... I measure 25g for a portion, add water not milk plus a good shake of cinnamon (buy cheap from Asian shops) and a teaspoon of cheap marmalade, bring to the boil and leave it to stand for at least 15 mins to fluff up before bringing back to the boil and serving. Keeps body and soul together more healthily and cheaply than any other breakfast I know, and the oats keep for months.



It's not all gloom and scrimping. Enjoy all the free stuff London has to offer! Museums are almost all free and often so are talks and other events there. There are free lunchtime concerts in many churches (with a collection at the end, but an appreciative audience is welcome even without contributing) and there's often free music in the lobbies of the Festival Hall/Southbank complex. Big events like the New Year's fireworks, Thames Festival, Lord Mayor's show etc are all free. Even paying gigs can be really cheap: my best bargains this year have been some brilliant sessions at the Water Rats (Grays Inn Road) with tickets at £8.



Anyway, good luck. If you have other questions, you know where we are.

=)

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I've been there done that - out of desperation for a while. Eventually got a job and moved into my own place and it was all worth it in the end. I'm a great believer in where there is a will there is a way. It will be super hard on that amount of money but if you find a backpackers (no privacy) close to where you work (no transport costs) and back that up with cash in hand work also in walking distance - stick it out for 6 months get money behind you and hopefully more job working hours and you'll be okay. Unless you are planning on going travelling? In that case you would be better off doing a working holiday in Greece or somewhere busy and seasonal - they are crying out for good workers who speak English and its a holiday in itself. Whatever your journey best of luck:)

Answer 4

I don't think it was necessary for you to be so rude in your comments. You asked a question and seem annoyed when peoples answers didn't fit your preconceptions. I live for less than £600 a month, living in a house with a large bedroom in zone 2. I have a great social life, plenty of food and go to university. You seem to be living in a bed sit, yet do no want to listen to people who have lived successfully in London for much longer than you. You need to start listening to advice before you vent your anger at messing up your housing situation on others. This is very obvious. If you dont want help, then why post? Without advice then you are a dreamer for thinking you can live for less an £600. Its actually hilarious that you vented at people for living at home when you've only lived in London for 5 little months in a bed sit with your friend because you weren't savvy enough to look for something worthwhile. Stop being so cocky and listen, it'll get you much further than your one bed, zone 25 hovel you call home.

Answer 5

depends on your rent, for a studio in west london it ranges from £600 - £1000 easily. Then you have to think about bills, food and travel. A monthly bus pass is £55 so it depends where you will be living and how far you have to travel. London is more expensive than other cities, but you can get around spending loads!

Answer 6

It's possible but you won't living a life of luxary.

Most places in London cost £600 just for rent alone (and that's usually outskirts of London or in rough parts) so I would advise you to flat share.

Food shopping can be pretty cheap if you shop in means, I just live with my mum and we go food shopping once a week and spend around £60-70 for the two of us in Tesco's (and that's including brands) so if you shop in Iceland's I'm sure you get it cheaper.

It would probably be pretty hard for you do luxury things such as clothes shopping, going to cinema and night outs, so if you are happy to give that up then that will save you some money.



I agree with you, I live in a poor area in London and many people survive on 600-1000 per month in London, not everybody in London is rich, but those people don't live luxury lives so if you are happy to live by your means then yeah it is possible I guess. And like you said, London can be cheap if you make it, I grew up poor because most of my childhood my mum was in University and trying to work a night job and now I'm older we live a good life but as a child it was hard and we like many people in London adjusted to our situation and learned to live by our means, especially if you grow up without a lot of money, you are used to a certain lifestyle so it doesn't faze you I guess.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

No.



The cheapest house shares I see cost at least 110 a week on the outskirts of London.

You need to calculate the cost of travel too.

Food shopping which is around £60-80 a week per person even if you shop in budget places.



Sorry but you are dreaming.

They dont say London is expensive for no reason

Answer 9

You could probably survive if you were to get some help to top up your income, but you would not have a very good way of life, with little or no luxuries. You wouldn't be able to go out for fun, and so would it be better to live somewhere else and have a little more to your life than just paying out on a meagre survival?

Answer 10

no, because even the cheapest house share in London is £400 per month PLUS Bills. Rent and council tax will mean you have nothing left. You certainly won't get anywhere in walking distance of the centre.



not happening.

Answer 11

you can "survive" on any amount of money. However in London you need a lot more than £600 a month to have a lifestyle anywhere near decent. Even with £1,200 you'd just about "get by".

Answer 12

1

Answer 13

Why would you want to do that to yourself? Sounds like you've made your mind up and can't be persuaded. I would not choose to live like a tramp, never having any new clothes apart from charity shop stuff but if you're enjoying it then good luck to you.

Answer 14

you wont get a box room with just enough room for a bed for less than £110 a week. You could buy a tent and camp out on parliament square or commute from somewhere here

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?searchType=RENT&locationIdentifier=REGION%5E571&insId=1&radius=0.0&displayPropertyType=&minBedrooms=&maxBedrooms=&minPrice=&maxPrice=400&maxDaysSinceAdded=&retirement=&sortByPriceDescending=&_includeLetAgreed=on&primaryDisplayPropertyType=&secondaryDisplayPropertyType=&oldDisplayPropertyType=&oldPrimaryDisplayPropertyType=&letType=&letFurnishType=&houseFlatShare=false

Answer 15

a part time job in a cafe or restraunt would take care of some of your food,but i don,t know about the rest.

Answer 16

no you won't.



a basic london living wage is £8.30.



Everything is expensive here...can of coke in some areas £1.50.....more then 200% the price then let say reading where its as cheap as 50p

Answer 17

You would have an utterly miserable existence.....THAT is not enough even in the cheapest areas of the country.....

Answer 18

VERY SIMPLE ANSWER NO WAY!!!!!