A woman living in the heart of the Lake District has revealed how she pays just £190 a month in rent – saving herself around £6,000 a year.
Amber Powe lives in staff housing provided through her hospitality job and pays a flat monthly fee covering rent, gas, electricity and Wi-Fi.
The 31-year-old says the unusual set-up has allowed her to live in some of the UK’s most sought-after beauty spots for a fraction of the usual cost.
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And she estimates her current arrangement saves her around £6,000 a year compared with renting privately in the area.
“To live where I do at the moment it would be an extreme high cost to privately rent as it is a sought after Lake District tourist destination,” Amber, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, told What’s The Jam.
“I would estimate I save around £6,000 a year living this way.
“You find a job on job platforms such as Indeed that are advertised as live in jobs, these are often found in hospitality, care work and nannying.
“You then apply go for an interview as usual, if successful there will be a room waiting for you from the get go.
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“Some businesses have multiple staff houses with around seven rooms per house.
“Some are of a smaller scale.
“They then took the accommodation rate out of your wage each month.
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“The best part about live-in jobs for me is the freedom to change locations without having the stress of finding private rentals in each place.
“It’s a very cost efficient way to live in highly sought after areas.
“They are usually in destinations that are rich in nature which suits me greatly.”
Amber lives with a chef in a cottage with two bedrooms, a living space and kitchen.
She is a 10 minute walk away from the closest shop and the local village has a pub and hotel.
Amber has completed two live-in hospitality jobs in the Lake District, including roles in Elterwater and Ullswater.
While living in Australia, she also completed four farm-work placements.
Over the years she has worked across a range of industries, including hospitality, sales, delivery driving and call centres.
Amber says some of the biggest challenges come from the nature of hospitality work rather than the accommodation itself.
She said: “The shifts can be long hours and feel underpaid for the amount of effort you put in.
“It’s not unusual to find yourself living with someone that you wouldn’t typically choose to live with either, some people can be messy or awkward but generally I’ve had a smooth ride with this.
“I find this it to be a simplistic life that is both adventurous and humbling.
“It gives a sense of adventure and widens options with travel and making spontaneous connections.
“If you’re somebody that values large, predictable luxurious living spaces then it wouldn’t suit.
“But for me, at the moment at least, I am happy to sacrifice this for an explorative life where I feel unanchored.”
Living alongside fellow seasonal workers has also helped Amber build friendships with people from around the world.
She added: “I feel I’m constantly growing and exposed to people from different backgrounds, different cultures, different countries and I love being in this state of evolution.
“I also enjoy being around like-minded typically nomadic people who share similar values, it’s a cool way to meet new people, hear about their journeys and share tips and inspiration.”
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