{"id":5696,"date":"2026-04-04T07:16:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T07:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/5696\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T07:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T07:16:15","slug":"i-pay-2600pcm-for-my-south-london-one-bed-heres-what-i-get-for-my-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/5696\/","title":{"rendered":"I pay \u00a32,600pcm for my south London one-bed \u2014 here’s what I get for my money"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Dot
\n\t\tThis weekend, we\u2019re in Nunhead visiting Dot at her two-bedroom flat (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

Welcome back to\u00a0What I Rent<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Metro\u2019s\u00a0tenant diary<\/a>\u00a0series exploring what\u00a0renting<\/a>\u00a0is like in the UK and further afield.<\/p>\n

When Dot Anande decided to move from London from Manchester<\/a>, she quickly realised how competitive the rental market<\/a> is in the capital.<\/p>\n

She managed to secure three viewings in one day \u2013 but by the time she\u2019d got on the train, two of them were gone.<\/p>\n

Despite the tricky house hunt, she\u2019s now been in London for four years. And, just recently, she\u2019s moved into a flat she truly loves: a one-bed in leafy South London.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what she had to say about her renting journey\u2026<\/p>\n

Tell us about yourself!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m 29, and I\u2019ve been in digital marketing for about seven years. I moved from Manchester<\/a> to London<\/a> for work in August 2022 and I love it here.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m all about decorating, vintage shopping, and sharing my finds on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What kind of property do you rent, and how long have you been there?<\/p>\n

My boyfriend and I converted one bedroom into a living room, as two friends shared it before us. <\/p>\n

The old living room was set up in the reception. Now, it\u2019s a makeshift office\/dining area. We\u2019ve been here for two months.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Dot
\n\t\tDot moved to London from Manchester four years ago (Picture: David Sandison)
\nWhat was the transition like moving from Manchester to London?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/p>\n

To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I was paying around \u00a3500 to \u00a3600 for a room in a two-bed in a sky-rise. There was a gym, concierge, and parking. <\/p>\n

Navigating the London rental market is an Olympic sport, but it\u2019s given me my dream job, access to my favourite music and cultural events, and it\u2019s where I met the love of my life.<\/p>\n

How much do you pay to live here?<\/p>\n

We pay \u00a32,100 for rent, and around \u00a3400 for bills. I like the house being warm and well-lit, no matter how much it costs.<\/p>\n

Do you feel like you have a good deal?<\/p>\n

Yes. We were paying \u00a31,650 for a one-bed nearby just before this. The extra few hundred for a garden and another bedroom was a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

Where is your home based, and what do you think of the area?<\/p>\n

We\u2019re in Nunhead. Everything we need is on our doorstep, but it\u2019s never too busy or chaotic.<\/p>\n

Nunhead Cemetery is absolutely stunning, and I like going for walks there.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Dot
\n\t\tShe splits the rent evenly with her partner (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a local caf\u00e9, Crossways, and they do a great no-frills fry-up.<\/p>\n

How did you find this property?<\/p>\n

Online. I think it was Dexters.<\/p>\n

How have you made this place feel like home?<\/p>\n

I create my own art but also buy prints and postcards. I love rust and blue colour schemes, and 80s-style prints.<\/p>\n

As our contract here is for two years, I want to try some peel-and-stick tiles in the kitchen to change the look.<\/p>\n

My boyfriend and I have a shared Pinterest board with ideas, and we\u2019re always on the same wavelength when it comes to home d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Dot
\n\t\tDot\u2019s a big fan of rust and blue colour schemes (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

For larger purchases like the wardrobe and desk, we\u2019ll usually shop online together and find something we both love.<\/p>\n

Most of our new furniture and decor is from Daals, Facebook<\/a> Marketplace, eBay or Dunelm. We\u2019ve spent between \u00a3800 and \u00a31,000 on interiors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My home is also far from \u2018finished,\u2019 and I constantly compare my home to others. But, as someone who is actively renovating, sometimes you just have to accept it, because everyone\u2019s budget is different.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m really hoping I don\u2019t look back on my current design choices in years to come and cringe, but I guess it\u2019s a sign that everyone\u2019s tastes are always evolving. I\u2019m enjoying the process.<\/p>\n

You share your home on TikTok, what\u2019s that journey been like?<\/p>\n

I grew up in the beauty YouTube era, so I followed a lot of creators. I started posting on TikTok for fun, and achieved a few viral posts.<\/p>\n

One of my most popular series documented my flat-hunting progress in London. It surprised me to see how many people were interested (and horrified) about what you can get here.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been rewarding looking back on the d\u00e9cor progress, and other creators are happy to share their knowledge, too.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tShe met her boyfriend when she moved to London (Picture: David Sandison)
\nWhat would you like to have but don\u2019t with this flat?<\/p>\n

A larger bedroom would be nice, and maybe a repaint to freshen it up.<\/p>\n

Are there any problems with the home you\u2019ve had to deal with?<\/p>\n

When we moved in, it wasn\u2019t very clean. The hob is broken, and some skirting panels are falling off. <\/p>\n

We\u2019re working with the landlord on fixes, but overall, it\u2019s solid.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tShe used to live just around the corner (Picture: David Sandison)
\nDo you have any plans to move again soon? What about buying?<\/p>\n

When we move out of here, the plan is to buy, ideally as close to this area as possible. If needed, we might extend our contract here. But buying depends on finances, so we\u2019ll see how it goes.<\/p>\n

Shall we take a look around?<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tDot loves sharing her interiors finds on social media (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tNetflix, anyone? (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThey converted one bedroom into a living room (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\t\u2026as there were two friends living there together before that (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThe bills come to around \u00a3400 between the two of them (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tDot loves the house being warm and well-lit (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\t\u2026no matter how much it costs (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tShe\u2019s also a big fan of creating her own art (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tHer partner is very supportive of her interiors style (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\t\u2026and together, they share a joint Pinterest board (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThey love the local area (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tEverything is walkable, and they\u2019re a short walk from Peckham Rye (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tDot\u2019s a big fan of Facebook Marketplace (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tShe also enjoys the strong community feel (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tTogether, they\u2019ve collected a few trinkets to personalise (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThe flat came unfurnished (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\t\u2026so they\u2019ve been adding their own small details (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tScrub a dub dub (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tDot also likes to decorate with plants (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\t\u2026and a few personal photos (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tWe\u2019re enjoying this sassy lips print (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tIt\u2019s not a home without a fridge magnet (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThe rest of the art she\u2019s collected over the years (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tDot will usually spend her Sundays trying out a new design hack (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThe landlord wouldn\u2019t let them change the light fixtures (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tYou\u2019re never too old for a teddy bear (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThey\u2019ve also managed to repurpose this area as an office (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tDot recommends other renters try their hand to a bit of art (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tIt\u2019s lamps over the big light in this flat (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\tThe garden was an added bonus (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Inside
\n\t\t\u2026which they didn\u2019t have before (Picture: David Sandison)<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Estate agents say this \u2018unfashionable\u2019 London area will soon be the next Hackney<\/a><\/p>\n


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