London's Housing Market: Agence France Presse reported in May that an agency had just rented out a 54-square-foot apartment in Notting Hill (loft bed over a kitchenette, closet and shower) for the equivalent of US$1,065 a month.
My last landlord, in a suburb of Chicago, was letting a room in his building for $700US/mo. It was one room, about 6 ft. x 8 ft, with a toilet in the corner, a small sink, and a standup shower stall in the corner. No cooking facilities at all, no seperation between any of it, and unfurnished.
I'm in South Kensington, London right now, and my flat is costing me almost exactly that price. Of course, all I get is one small bedroom which 4 people are living in, and half a closet and 4 drawers to call my own. There is then one kitchen and 2 bathrooms that are shared by all the bedrooms in our flat (10 people). It's basically like dormitory style, except about $1100 US $s per month. Also, I've already seen 2 cockroaches and 1 mouse.
Yah, it's expensive and a little gross, but hell, I'm in London. It really doesn't get better then this.
Oh, that $1100 is just my portion of the rent. That means that our room is costing $4400 per month, and the entire flat (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen) is $11,000 per month. Hmmmmm...doing the math makes me feel like I'm getting ripped off. Of course, this is a very posh area, and one of the most expensive in London. I'm right near hyde park and kensington palace. I'm also practically accross the street from Christie's and only a few blocks from Harrods. Very nice area, but very expensive.
X Member
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2005 | 12:19 PM
Thats Horible.....Hell, I only pay $540.00 for a 734 sq. ft. apartment, thats nice as well....Great area!
For a 3 bedroom, 2 bath country home + barn and two more out-buildings on 16 acres (approx. 700,000 square feet) our mortgage is only $1200 US per month.
I guess you have to REALLY like living in the city! But not me, I prefer having NO ONE else within eyesight. You can't even see another house from ours and I couldn't imagine it any other way!
