Being a young person in Islington isn't all it seems!

You’ve just graduated from university and you’re looking to rent your own place. One of the boroughs you’re looking at is Islington. What’s not to love? It has a vibrant nightlife, endless amounts of attractions, numerous bars and restaurants. And a sky high average rent price.

On average, a one bedroom flat in Islington costs roughly £350 a week to rent. This does not cover bills, travel, food, hobbies or anything else. Some say this is unrealistic for a young person, like you, to even begin to think about paying. You’re already in debt. How are young you supposed to become independent when you can’t afford it?

Islington is well known for being expensive to live in.
Photo taken by David Holt.

Councillor Dave Poyser said, “It’s [Islington] London’s smallest borough yet it has a huge share of London’s best bars and restaurants.” The Hillrise ward councillor said Islington is “unaffordable” for young people and said, “We are a pioneering council trying to help people in the private rented sector with a fair rents operation and legal advice.”

“The future for Islington is great. There are some great projects that are going to totally revamp the borough from Barnsbury to Archway.” The councillor continued, “There’s a lot of jobs going in Islington but they should go more often to local people.”

The councillor thinks even though the borough is not affordable for young people starting their careers, there is still a lot for young people to do within the borough. He says there is a lot for young women to do for their careers in the borough but it is difficult to get started.

He carried on to say, “buying [a property] is near enough impossible.” The Islington resident thinks this is one of the downsides of living in the borough because it is difficult to get onto the property ladder in London.

So how are you supposed to live in a borough which is seemingly too expensive for you to afford? The council are hoping to offer fairer rents to young people which mean the rents should be affordable for your lifestyle. Otherwise, there are plenty of flat or house shares which divide the cost of a rent between the people who live there making it cheaper for everyone.

However, Imogen Crowe, 25, moved out of her parent’s home in Finsbury Park last year. She now lives in a house share with three other people in Archway. The university graduate moved back to her family home when she graduated to save money before looking for her own place. “It’s really hard to save up enough money to move out,” she said. “I don’t blame people for moving out when they’re older because it’s so expensive.”

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Miss Crowe works in an office in Farringdon as an executive assistant. She earns enough money to be able to pay her share of the rent, pay for essentials and luxuries. The assistant said there is “no way” she would be able to afford her own flat in Islington because of the “extortionate rent prices.” She says she was fortunate to find her job and be able to pay for her lifestyle. “A few of my friends still live at home because they just can’t afford to move out,” she said.

Imogen believes Islington is the perfect borough for her to live in because it is close to where she works and it is near her family home. She is one of many who find the borough convenient to live in.

Some people find other areas of the borough ideal for their lifestyle. Rory Stoves said there was “plenty to do,” in the area. He finds the borough lively and feels this is the area he will stay for the foreseeable future. Mr Stoves did say, “unsurprisingly renting is expensive.” The TSB press office worker said this is what may deter some people from living in Islington, especially if they have just started their career because some people do not have the money to settle in the borough.

Despite the cost of living in Islington, there are still many good reasons as to why you should live in the borough whilst starting your career. These include; there is plenty to do in the borough, the borough is notorious for housing young people, like yourself, and so you will be able to meet people easily, and the borough isn’t far away from the City so you will be able to travel to work easily.