Diaries of A Hopeless House-Hunter That's Only Kind of Picky
The first year was somewhat easy. Applied for my top 5 student accommodations and got my third choice. A decent one bedroom ensuite with 6 other bedrooms and sharing a large kitchen. The only issue? A not so desirable location. Not only was it in East London but also obscenely North. So North that some (actually most) wouldn’t even consider it part of London. The neighborhood and building had its ups and downs. Lidl, TK Maxx, Iceland, Wilco, and Argos all right across the street but also a horrible color palette covering the building, mice, regular stabbings and no resemblance to any other part of London (a painstaking accurate resemblance to Route 46 in Denville/Rockaway though).
Corona ended my year short which gave me more than plenty of time to search for a new house. A four bed flat with not super picky people, should be easy right? NO. Not right. In fact over 50 different locations all with their own issues. And to make it even more stressful, each listing is only posted for a few days before it's been taken.
My genuine search began in April. Without being able to actually visit any place in person or call without heavy international fees, I relied on online renting sources. Zoopla, Openrent, Rightmove: all my most used apps to this day. My main issue with London is my lack of knowledge concerning safety in each area. Spending my time in Tottenham Hale and commuting to Oxford Circus for school with a few nights out (surrounded by friends), I had yet to experience a late night scared in another part of town (plenty in my own mind). So when it came to finding a flat, I really wanted something in a ‘safe’ area close to the tube. And let me tell you, it’s not nearly as easy as it sounds. Turns out, there is actually not one four bed flat in my budget within a one mile radius from Covent Garden. The only places in Shoreditch border the Tower Hamlets (aka a rough area) or are a 20 minute walk from the nearest underground.
The list of complications, sneaky realtors and hours of time difference could go on for decades. This search has been no joke (well sometimes I joke that I’ll quit fashion and become a professional house hunter, but that’s a conversation for another time).
Every time I thought I might have found a gem, it would be too expensive, or have only one tiny bathroom, or no living room, or an even smaller kitchen or be located in a sketchy area, or was already taken and had been left on the site. And I know what you’re thinking, “I thought you said you weren’t picky”, well guess what? I might be a little picky. BUT it's only for my well being (only slightly joking).
If I were to put in all my wants/needs the list could possibly never end, but in reality I mostly care about a living room, and decent location. If it also has a large kitchen, open plan, multiple bathrooms, wood floors, BIG windows, modern appliances, a reception, elevator, safe area, crown moldings, and a little unique flare, all within my tiny budget, I wouldn’t be opposed. It’s difficult for me to prioritize my actual needs when house hunting. Why? Because I get my life confused with a 30 year old MILF with a 24/7 sugar daddy. Sometimes (more often than not) I forget that I don’t have designer clothes to fill up a walk-in closet, or need a bright pink flat in Notting Hill with a dog friendly garden. I have to sit back, pinch myself a few times, and realize I’m just a student that would be living in a dorm, sharing a room and bathroom, if placed at any other school. A hard reality check.
It’s currently July 14th, 2020 and no to answer your question I haven’t secured ANY house. Funny enough I started writing this piece on July 7th, which happened to be the day I put my deposit down and thought I secured a flat. But to my own disbelief, the realtor (snake) ‘messed up’ and gave it to someone else. It was a gorgeous refurbished warehouse complete with tall ceilings, exposed brick, modern appliances, floor to ceiling windows and a 5 minute walk to the tube. But enough about that. At the moment I am looking at three places all within okay areas but all pretty small compared to that last gem.
Until I secure the bag, I'll be couch hopping and begging the local realtors for some help. Best of luck to future me.
