I live in my car so I can do my dream job – I can’t afford a caravan yet
DEPENDING on where you live, finding affordable rental housing can be difficult.
One employee shared her decision to continue living in her car in order to keep her dream job.
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In a after On Mumsnet, user ForTodayFinch shared her struggles to find a place to live near her work.
She explained that her career was going well, but due to circumstances she had no place to live.
“I have been offered an ideal job in the city where I currently live, but my temporary lease expires in a few weeks,” she wrote.
The poster went on to say that she had “tried everything to find a new place to live.”
Learn more about the cost of living
However, the limited availability in their environment was a major obstacle.
“There is nothing to find in this small town and I have no friends or family close enough to help,” she said.
Not wanting to give up their new job, she decided to live in their car for the time being.
As time passed, hopes of a place where the poster had been found became less and less.
“I have now reached a point of desperation and think that the chances of me ever being able to rent a home from a private individual again are slim, even if something ever becomes available,” she says.
She explained that a “string of bad luck” left her with limited options due to her “depleted finances”.
The poster was also summoned to court for staying too long at a gas station when her car broke down.
According to Gov.UKA court ruling will remain in your file for six years.
“Banks and lenders use this information to decide whether to grant you credit or a loan,” she explains.
The poster stated that the ruling had been made while she was living abroad and that she only found out about it when she applied for a new place to live.
What to do if you have become homeless
In England, your local council is obliged to help you if you are legally homeless or will become homeless within the next 8 weeks.
You may be legally homeless if:
- you have no legal right to live in accommodation anywhere in the world
- you cannot enter your house, for example because your landlord has locked you out
- it is not reasonable to stay in your home, for example because you are at risk of violence or abuse
- you are forced to live apart from your family or the people you normally live with because there is no suitable housing for you
- you live in very bad conditions, such as overcrowding
There are different types of support that your local authority can offer you. For example, they can offer you advice, emergency housing, support in finding long-term housing or help to ensure that you can stay in your home.
If you are looking for advice, you can contact a housing association Hideout for advise, Legal advice for citizens for legal assistance and speak to your local council for assistance.
“There goes the opportunity to rent privately,” she said.
She indicated that she had the choice of becoming “homeless and destitute,” moving further away and staying with relatives or living in their car to take advantage of the job opportunity.
“I think I’ll live in my car,” the poster ended.
“Good jobs are scarce here. It doesn’t pay a lot, but it is in a very competitive sector and exactly what I was trained and qualified for.
“I feel extremely honored and fortunate to have been offered this position. It would be an ideal career move.”
She explained that she had taken out a membership at the local recreation center so that she could take showers.
When someone suggested that she buy a caravan, she indicated that her limited financial resources prevented her from doing so.
“Caravans are unfortunately too expensive for me,” the poster wrote.
“It’s high season and a popular summer vacation destination. If it were winter, I might have a chance.”
Other Mumsnet users shared their thoughts on the situation in the comments section.
“Even a bed in a shared room in a hostel, or a tent at a campsite, is better than sleeping in your car,” someone noted.
“You’re crazy to do this. Soon you’ll be so exhausted you can’t do the job properly. Then you’ll be homeless and unemployed,” said another commenter.
“Are there any universities nearby? Many rent out their rooms in the summer,” one reader suggested.
