Guest post by Brendan James
It’s no secret that homes in London aren’t cheap, especially if you want to live where the action is. This means that anyone on a budget looking to move into the city needs to plan carefully, to prepare themselves for a home on the smaller side of the spectrum. While moving into a smaller home might be no problem for some, for others, it could represent a challenging move full of complications.
Making the wrong move and being stuck in a bad living situation while locked into expensive rent or mortgage payments can be seriously detrimental to your ongoing physical and mental health. With this in mind, here are some tips and experiments to consider before jumping into the deep end. They might not provide a perfect illustration of what life in a cramped home will be like, but it’s still much better than going in blind.
Being Comfortable in Smaller Spaces
The first element you’ll need to concern yourself with in a smaller home is the potential for claustrophobia. Even if you have only mild symptoms, being confined in a smaller area without much room to stretch your legs can amplify these uncomfortable feelings over time. If you cannot alleviate this issue, you can be left feeling panicked and unable to properly function in your daily life.
Source: Pixabay
If this is something you are concerned with, it can be a good idea to map out nearby locations where you can experience open space. Parks and walking paths are great here, but they might not be available in all weather and all year round. You could also consider malls and other large indoor areas which, when paired with headphones to block out exterior sound, can help mitigate stress and help you achieve your daily steps.
It’s similarly important to consider how you might feel living with others for long periods. Whether you’re flatting with friends or moving in with a significant other, being confined in a small place together can be challenging. If you can’t get time apart, minor annoyances can become major pains, so you need to be sure of their habits and your relationship before committing.
Preparing Yourself Beforehand
If you’re comfortable with accepting the above concerns, then you can move on with the preparations. Your first must is to ensure you have the funds ready to achieve exactly what you need. Selling your old property, for example, is a must, and it can be tricky with long-lasting sales processes. There are alternatives here, however, such as online estate agents who specialise in fast sales. These options are faster than the majority of the UK’s top traditional estate agents and can sell for free with no surprise hidden fees. With this element of financial strain managed, you can be much more confident in the rest of the moving process.
It might also be a good idea, if possible, to challenge yourself to face the elements of the move you’re already feeling uncertain about. If you’re uncertain about the space, practice staying in a cramped space for a few weeks, or, if you’re worried about being stuck with others, ask if they would consider a trial period so you can adapt. It won’t be exactly the same as fully moving into a new home, but it can help reveal concerns you might have overlooked or unexpected physiological or mental responses.
Source: Pixabay
With all this in mind, you’ll be far better equipped to manage your move into your small London home. It might be a real challenge for some, but others could find that this approach offers a life that’s better suited to them than the alternative. Whatever the case, we wish you the best, and remember to check out our other tips for Londoners on a budget.
