In the midst of the cost of living crisis, where we live and what we pay for our homes has become a huge talking point. With rent costs and house prices skyrocketing, people are more eager than ever to find out what they can afford to buy or rent on today's property market.
All across Greater Manchester, house prices and rent costs vary hugely from one borough to the next - and the difference in affordability in each area alone is often staggering.
Each week, as part of our new Where I Live series, we'll take our readers inside a different home in Greater Manchester to have a nosey around, see who lives in it, find out what they pay and how they've made their house their own.
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This week we spoke to Charlotte Kerrell, a 25-year-old PR and events assistant from Essex, who rents a one-bed flat in Salford for £750 per month.
Charlotte originally moved to Manchester from her hometown of Braintree, back in 2015, to study at the University of Salford.
Despite falling in love with our city, the graduate was forced to move back home and live with her parents when the pandemic struck due to financial concerns. But as soon as restrictions were lifted, Charlotte began her search to return to Greater Manchester.
"I've always wanted to do a masters degree and I loved living in Manchester - it’s a lot more affordable than the south," Charlotte told the Manchester Evening News.
“But the search for rental accommodation was incredibly stressful and competitive. It was a really busy time of year - students were returning to Manchester and it was just after the final lockdown so it felt like everyone was trying to move at once.
"I was trying to find somewhere in Manchester whilst still living in Essex, so I had to be prepared to either put my name down without a viewing, or be able to travel to go and view something on the day - otherwise it would get snapped up."
Charlotte ended up finding her flat in Salford by pure luck, but it wasn't without its stress. “I arranged to come to Manchester for the day and I had 10 viewings lined - but nine of them got cancelled," she said.
"The appointment for this flat was the last one of the day and only one that hadn’t been cancelled. Luckily I loved it and went for it. It was a really stressful time but I got there in the end.”
The PR and events assistant, who has almost completed her Master's degree in International Fashion Marketing, told us what it's like living in her apartment.
"When you walk in there’s a nice long hallway, one door goes off into the bathroom, then I have a really reasonably sized bedroom at the front," Charlotte explained.
"The final door goes into an open-plan layout with a kitchen that wraps around the first corner, a dining area and then a living room area at the other end.
“I have a really nice view, it’s a lovely, bright and open space so it doesn’t feel crammed in. I feel like this is just the perfect size for one person - not too big and not too small, it’s just right to feel homely enough.
"I like to think that when I invite people round they feel comfortable and settled."
Charlotte pays £750 per month for her space, which came fully furnished alongside amenities such as a TV, microwave and other appliances. But she does not get her bills included in the price.
"On average including bills and council tax I pay around £950 a month," Charlotte explained. “I definitely think the price is reasonable for what I get. Looking at what flats are going up to now, I think I’m quite lucky to have this apartment for this price.
"We don’t have a gym or a concierge but I think if I wanted something like that then I’d expect to pay more."
Included in the price Charlotte also gets access to various outdoor communal spaces including a rooftop garden area and 24/7 maintenance who come very quickly if there are any problems.
But the 25-year-old says the best part of her apartment is the location. "The transport links nearby are really good. I can easily get into the city centre, to Trafford and there's easy access to the motorway," Charlotte said.
"I drive but I don’t have my car here in Manchester so it was really important for me to be able to get to and from the train station easily, especially when I am going back home to my parents' house in Essex.”
Having lived with friends in university and her family at home, Charlotte is living on her own for the first time.
“I think living on your own is something that you definitely get used to. When I was looking for an apartment I wanted first and foremost to feel safe, and I do here. It’s my safe haven."
Making her flat her own was an important part of the process for Charlotte who says that her flat has a lot of personality.
“I added lots of accessories that I felt reflected my personality. I brought a lot of things with me from my family home as well to make it feel homely," she said.
“I didn’t spend too much on it as a lot of it I already had from renting prior to this. You end up accumulating a lot of stuff when you constantly move so I brought a lot with me.”
Despite loving her home, one thing she wishes she had was an outdoor space.
“I would love to have a balcony. When it is warm in the summer, like the weather we’ve had this year, it is a struggle. It would be nice to hang things out on the balcony so save me using the dryer all the time too, especially with the cost of living going up.”
Charlotte plans to stay in her flat for the foreseeable future but has goals to one day own her own place - and is currently saving up for this.
“I’ve signed my contract for another year but the goal is to buy my own place. I could see myself buying an apartment like this. I think Salford is becoming more and more developed so I like living here. I’m happy to stay here as long as I can afford to if prices don’t go up," she admitted.
Giving advice to others who are trying to save whilst renting, Charlotte said: “I often sit and review all of my bills and outgoings to see if there is anything I can save on. I look at my direct debits and assess if I really need them or if I can get them cheaper elsewhere.
"I also always track what I’m using with my water, gas and electricity. Renting is definitely tough, especially on your own. You just have to save what you can.
"For someone who is just starting out in their career like me, renting allows me not to be too tied down somewhere. As much as I want to own a property in Manchester, I’m not at that stage yet where I know exactly where I want to settle.
"Renting or buying always splits the crowd but I think renting just allows you that bit more freedom whilst you’re working things out.”
Want to get involved? Each week we'll take our readers inside a different house and see who lives in it, whether they've got a mortgage or pay rent and how they've made their home their own.
If you transformed your home on a budget or spent a big pot of money on it, or had to scrimp and save and make huge sacrifices to buy your own home - we want to know about it.
If you are interested in featuring in our weekly series, please email your name and details to phoebe.jobling@reachplc.com.
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