Cost of living

[Blaze]

I did a secretarial course when I left school after A levels (had no particular desire to go to uni) and at that time, with good speeds, getting a job in London was easy. I did a lot of temping which gave me the freedom to come and go. When I lived in Germany, flat sharing as I knew it in London, didn't exist. People lived in a type of "commune" of about 10 or 12 people with a shared interest like politics (ugh) or on your own. It was a valuable experience for me to live on my own in a foreign country at 21 but I was glad to go back to London and flat-sharing again.

Flat sharing in London was never permanent, we all had to move around for various reasons. I had a wonderful young, free and single life with no responsibilities - I had absolutely no desire to be tied down and fortunately didn't meet Mr Right until I was 27 ! I had some long-term temping jobs and earned enough to buy a car which gave me even more valuable freedom. I couldn't have afforded to buy in London even if I'd wanted to. I did manage to save a little but sometimes there had to be a choice - saving or going on holiday .....

At that time, very few of my friends had bought flats, and those that had, had had to move well out of the centre. The last, and by far the best flat I shared, was a duplex in South Ken with plenty of residents' parking. A friend had bought the flat and asked 4 of us to live with him to help pay his mortgage. It was bliss and I lived there until I got married and moved to Devon.

[MAD87]

I grew up in South Ken, so know it well.

[Blaze]

I grew up in South Ken, so know it well.

I lived mostly in South Ken and Earls Court .... last flat was in Cornwall Gardens !

[MAD87]

I grew up in Redcliffe Gardens then Cathcart Road. SW10, so not strictyy South Ken but, in the triangle South Ken-King's Road- Earl's Court. All SWs. We may have passed each other in the street!

[Blaze]

I lived in Redcliffe Mews for a year with a couple of friends while the owner was abroad but sadly had to leave when he returned.
Yes, perhaps we took the same tube on the way to work !