Moving Out? We’ve got you covered

Don’t want to move back in with your folks after uni? Well, it’s no surprise that so many of us dread the thought of moving back in with our parents – all that freedom being taken away from you in an instance? No, thank you. But when it comes to weighing up your options, it can be hard to wrap your head around what choice is right for you. That’s why we’ve given you the lowdown on the different options available – to make the choice just a little bit easier.

Communal Living

Do you ever find yourself bored in your own company? Then maybe communal living is the right choice for you. Although not an obvious choice, communal living has soared in popularity over the last couple of years – and for good reason too. Not sure what communal living is? Communal living, or co-living as it is also called, is a modern-day twist to your everyday home: people have their own private rooms but often share communal spaces such as kitchens, gyms, restaurants, spas and even cinemas. Think of it as an upgrade from your halls at university – just without the drunk freshers making their way home at 4am in the morning.

Although still relatively new to the housing scene, there are a wide range of existing companies which provide this type of lifestyle across the capital including the Collective, LHA London and Fizzy Living to name a few. Manchester is also jumping on board with plans to open their own co-living building called Echo Street, acting as the perfect accommodation solution for young people in the city.

Having a wide selection of shared spaces means you’ll never have to be alone again. Plus, if you’re someone who loves the idea of meeting new people, then this way of living provides the perfect opportunity. Head of Sales and Marketing at LHA London, Laura Kerridge, states that: “many residents make lifelong friends at LHA London and we regularly see friendship groups building in our communal living and dining areas.”

Sound too good to be true? Well, communal living can be a tad on the expensive side with rooms at the Collective for around £245 per week. But there is a way around it - LHA London offers a range of deals such as reward loyalty schemes, a reasonable deposit and flexible contracts.

Flat Share

If you’re someone who loves getting more bang for their buck, then flat sharing is undoubtedly one of the cheapest living options out there. Although it might require a bit more research than say, communal living, it can be more beneficial in the long run and can end up saving you some serious cash.

There are plenty of websites to find rooms to rent with fellow flatmates including Roomgo, Ideal Flatmate and Spare Room being a firm favourite. Most people flat share with other strangers but if you want to move in with your friends, it’s worth checking to see if there are extra rooms available in certain flats.

And we’re not saying that flat sharing can’t be a sociable option either, as sharing a home with others can be a great way to make friends too. Often, it’s the company which really makes a living option worthwhile so it’s best to meet your future flatmates beforehand, if possible. Just make sure you do your research and you’ll be one step closer to living that affordable lifestyle.

Working Abroad

Does staying in the UK just sound way too mediocre for you? If you find yourself nodding your head, then perhaps working abroad could be a great way to earn money and live in another country.

As living abroad is such an exciting possibility, it’s no surprise at the amount of options there are available nowadays. Work abroad programmes are quickly becoming a popular choice with postgrads and there are heaps to choose from - whether you’re interested in working for a summer camp, teaching English or volunteering. Some great examples are AmeriCamp in the USA, JET in Japan and even Disney offers working abroad opportunities in China with their network Disney English.

Although moving half way across the world may seem like an extravagant holiday, it’s not for the faint hearted. When living abroad, many will often feel a sense of culture shock and you may be surprised at how much you’ll miss home. But if you’re someone who’s always up for a new challenge, is exceptionally daring and is willing to try out new things, then working and living abroad may be the perfect experience for you.

Check out our recent post 'A Working Abroad Experience' to discover Zoe Lane's personal story about working abroad in America!

Although the amount of living options can often seem overwhelming, there’s a suitable choice out there for everybody. If you’d rather not spend all your pay check on your rent then consider flat sharing and if you can’t wait to see the rest of the world, consider working abroad.  Whatever your choice, make sure you choose the one that’s right for you - you’re the one who’s going to have to live with it.