December 28th 2024.
Hey there! Welcome back to What I Rent, Metro's series where we take a peek into the lives of renters in the UK and beyond. This week, we're heading to Birmingham to chat with Patrick Magner. He's been kind enough to invite us into his one-bedroom flat that he shares with his girlfriend.
Patrick, who is 24 years old, first moved to Birmingham seven years ago to attend university. Like many students, he fell in love with the city and decided to stay. He now works as a transport planner in the city and lives with his partner, who works at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Their flat costs them £1,275 a month and is fully furnished, with access to all the amenities in a brand-new, purpose-built rental building. Patrick loves the spaciousness of their apartment and the fact that it's furnished with a king-size bed and modern furniture. He also appreciates the abundance of windows, something that he found lacking in other city centre flats.
But what really sets their flat apart is the amazing residents' facilities. Patrick and his girlfriend have access to a 'Sky Lounge' on the rooftop, offering stunning views of the West Midlands. This has made them the designated hosts for get-togethers among their friends, with some even considering moving into their building once their tenancies are up.
The building also has a gym that rivals any mainstream membership chain, according to Patrick. As a runner, he loves having access to squat racks, trap bars, watt bikes, and Smith machines all under one roof. They also have a business lounge, courtyard garden, and a team onsite round the clock. Patrick loves working from home in the quiet areas and meeting rooms, thanks to the superb broadband.
When asked if he feels like he's getting a good deal, Patrick is quick to point out that this is his seventh year living in Birmingham and he's experienced his fair share of renting. He believes that their flat offers great value, especially when compared to other rentals in the city. He also mentions that their friends are considering moving in together to experience the same level of luxury.
In terms of décor, the couple didn't feel the need to make any major changes as they were happy with the layout and style of their brand-new, professionally designed apartment. They also love the fact that it's spacious, with plenty of clever storage solutions. The under-bed storage has been a game-changer for them, allowing them to store things without cluttering up the space.
The only thing Patrick feels their flat is missing is an ironing board, but he's quick to add that this speaks volumes about how well-equipped their home is for them. They've had no problems so far, and any minor issues were quickly resolved by the onsite team.
While they do eventually want to buy their own place, Patrick and his girlfriend are happy to stay in their current flat until they've saved enough in their Help to Buy ISAs. The location, just a 20-minute walk from Patrick's office and close to the city's nightlife, bars, and public transportation, is perfect for them.
Before we wrap up, Patrick wanted to show us around his flat. He loves to cook, so naturally, the kitchen is one of his favorite spots. The living room is looking festive with some small personal touches here and there. And the views of Birmingham from their flat are simply stunning. They've truly made this place feel like home and are looking forward to getting to know their neighbors and the building's team even more through community events.
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