A woman has swapped her mouldy room in a London house share for a luxurious two-bedroom apartment up north – and it’s saving her money.
Lecia Jacobs had lived her whole life in Manchester.
But, after graduating university, she got “itchy feet” and decided to leave everything she knew behind for the UK capital.
READ MORE: ‘We sold our three generation holiday home – only to buy it back along with 28 OTHER families’
- Advertisement -
The 31-year-old ended up forking out around £1,000-per-month, with bills included, for a “mouldy” room within a house share.
Quickly, it became clear that London was not the place for her, and, so, after her boyfriend, Dan, also 31, got a new job in Manchester, she moved back.
And it was the “best” decision she’s ever made, as she’s now living within a luxurious apartment complex that comes with a jacuzzi, pool and gym for the same price.
“It felt like London had totally defeated us,” the social media manager told What’s The Jam.
“I don’t think I realised until now how much living somewhere awful can affect you.
- Advertisement -
“At first, I felt unsure about moving back to Manchester.
“I do like an adventure, and because I’m from there, it didn’t feel as exciting to me as somewhere completely new.
“But we’ve definitely come out better for it.
- Advertisement -
“I’m not getting roped into the same rush here.
“Life moves at a slightly slower pace.
“It feels easier to breathe and not like I’m constantly chasing the next thing.
“And, when I was in London, I was saving nothing.
“Now I’m putting a few hundred pounds away each month; which is a huge shift.”
Lecia made the move in 2021.
She agreed to live within a four bedroom house with three other people.
The cost, including bills, was split £825 per person; though Lecia ended up paying a bit more since she had a bigger room.
After this, she was left with a healthy £1,500 leftover per month.
Sadly, this didn’t stretch too far and, as a result, she spent most of her time indoors.
This was only made harder as the property was “infested” with mould.
She said: “It was full of old rotten furniture.
“There were mice, too.
“I genuinely can’t believe how much we were paying for it.
“I started off in the smallest room in the house.
“It was cramped, mouldy and honestly felt a bit haunted because everything was so old and neglected.
“I was given this yellow and orange-stained sponge mattress – not foam, actual sponge, like the stuff you’d wash dishes with – but I put my mattress topper on it and tried to ignore the reality of where I was living.
“Over time, the issues started to wear me down.
“Nothing was ever fixed and even still, the rent kept going up.”
In October 2025, they went back to humble beginnings.
Now, they pay £925-per-month, with bills included, each for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom 16th floor flat.
They have a balcony which looks over the city and have access to the rooftop pool, gym, steam room, sauna and games room at no extra charge.
While she still has “itchy feet”, Lecia won’t ever return to London.
Lecia, who shares her life on Instagram, (@leciasfeast), added: “I can now afford to go on three holidays a year and still save a little on top.
“The two don’t compare.
“In London, I had given up in a lot of ways.
“I was just existing rather than living.
“Now, I’m living the high life – for the same price.”
READ MORE: ‘I’m an American buying a house in the UK – these three quirks have left me BAFFLED’
