There are lots there that our well out of my price range. Wester Hailes - the Edinburg eqv. of Beirut on a good day! Off to Tranent in ten minutes; will check in later.
M 45 W 52 SD22 S9 D8 BD 6 April 2015 Not living together 4 Dec 2015
Me:43 Her:42 M:14 S:9 EA started 2014/03 (or there abouts) PA started 2014/05/30 BD:2014/11/05 I left 2015/10/01 I returned 2015/05/02 She left 2015/06/10 OM still on the go.
For those of you in the rest of the world, Tranent is a former pit (coal mining/colliery) town in deepest East Lothian. If you look at Edinburgh on a map, it's east, near the coast. There has been a lot of regeneration, but it's still a bit depressed and most people commute in to Edinburgh.
Looking on the web, it looked ideal. Good location (cul de sac), light, airy, modern. I got there and the location was great. It was beside a care home for the elderly, perfect. However, there were people waiting to view when I got there (a single mum, a couple expecting a child and a single woman) and it started to look bad when I could see flies against the window.
When I got inside, I saw why. The kitchen had the remains of the last tenants food left on the cooker, and the place hadn't been cleaned for several months. There were holes in the wall, and wires dangling that had been ripped out. It had all the hallmarks of a repo job.
Things didn't get better upstairs. The previous tenants files and papers were still there and had been distributed on the floor. It was a no from me!
A pretty depressing experience, but I have others booked. When I got home, the kids were jumping all over me when I got in. This, at the moment, really annoys W, as she knows how much it will hurt them if she goes. She said 'alright' to me again, but nothing special. SD asked about flat and I told her.
All in all, my first foray in to renting wasn't wonderful, but it could be worse!
M 45 W 52 SD22 S9 D8 BD 6 April 2015 Not living together 4 Dec 2015
Welcome to the world of renting. That's how it works and its not nice. You have to look beyond the filth and think can I make this a home? Remember, it's temporary but if you remember back in my sitch I said I wouldn't rent? Well this is just one of the reasons why.
But it's only your first viewing so you at least have a standard to avoid. But let me tell you someone will take that flat.
What about buying? You could buy somewhere. Sure, legal fees etc are a pain but it's an option.
Me:43 Her:42 M:14 S:9 EA started 2014/03 (or there abouts) PA started 2014/05/30 BD:2014/11/05 I left 2015/10/01 I returned 2015/05/02 She left 2015/06/10 OM still on the go.
Tough when the first one didn't meet expectations but you have time to do entry of looking. NDY seems to have a good few insider tricks to help so you will find something to suit. Persavance !!
NDY - the filth was just the start. It was in a poor state of repair and the 'airy' pictures had obviously been done with lighting. I'm going to up my search area a bit. Can't afford to buy right now, in the timescale. Renting is only temporary, but it's got to feel comfortable.
RD - perseverance. It's like patience. I have to do it.
M 45 W 52 SD22 S9 D8 BD 6 April 2015 Not living together 4 Dec 2015
Unfortunately mate you need to consider the demographic for the prices of the flats you are looking at in the areas you have picked. The lower end of the market are all going to be DSS and not the best neighbors. Looking on my portal there have only been 45 rentals with 2 bedrooms in that area in the last 2 years. The prices are between £500 and £750 a month.
To try and get to the better properties I wouldn't touch anything less than £650 pcm.
If you go up to 3 beds in that area they range from £550 to £800 per month. Now lets be honest here a 3 bed for £550 is going to be a dump. £800 is modest at best. We have only had 13 in the last two years.
It's a minefield and that's why I suggested buying. You say you are skint but there must be equity in your existing house you can use as a deposit?
Me:43 Her:42 M:14 S:9 EA started 2014/03 (or there abouts) PA started 2014/05/30 BD:2014/11/05 I left 2015/10/01 I returned 2015/05/02 She left 2015/06/10 OM still on the go.
One more thing. If you see a flat and it's during working hours let me know the details (area, price, bedrooms etc) and I'll give you the info I have.
Me:43 Her:42 M:14 S:9 EA started 2014/03 (or there abouts) PA started 2014/05/30 BD:2014/11/05 I left 2015/10/01 I returned 2015/05/02 She left 2015/06/10 OM still on the go.
Thanks NDY. I have three more booked in. 2 are in Musselburgh and one in South Gyle. I also have two more I want to see, but just can't get through on the phone. I am taking a walk out soon to see one of the agents, which is a couple of minutes walk away. One I have seen has been on the market since August, has been reduced three times, but is in Corstorphine. It seems too good to be true!
M 45 W 52 SD22 S9 D8 BD 6 April 2015 Not living together 4 Dec 2015
As sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, I have returned home to find another change of mind from my W!
All of a sudden, she's interested in where I'm planning to rent and if they are furnished or not. I'm looking at both. W wondered if I was taking the setee. It's a big seven seater job, but it's in my name and she didn't want anything to do with it after BD. W - 'Are you taking the setee'; H 'yes, it's mine and I'm paying for it; W 'yeah, like one man needs a seven seat setee on his own. I want it but can't afford it'; H 'sorry about that. If you want the setee, I come with it'. No response from W.
I made the kids tea and then sat down. On the TV was an advert for weight loss surgery. I know W has looked in to this. She turned to me, and for the first time in six months, started a normal conversation about how a teacher at school had had the surgery. I said I thought it was dangerous. W looked at me and said 'do you think I need it', I told her she didn't. We talked a little more and then W told me she had made an appointment to see the council again (here) to discuss housing. I acknowledged and am now running the kids bath.
So, the dynamic is changing (just as sandi2 said it would) but I still have to press on with my plan. I have a couple of viewings tomorrow and one on Thursday. I hope to have it wrapped up by the weekend.
M 45 W 52 SD22 S9 D8 BD 6 April 2015 Not living together 4 Dec 2015
