'All the flats I saw were gruesome'

It took Danielle Churchill, a 23-year-old graduate with honours from Leeds University, only a few months to realise that London was too expensive for her. She had got a job in a newspaper advertising department, earning £14,000 a year, and initially stayed with friends.

"The shock came when I tried to find a place to rent," she said. "I fancied Clapham but that was way too expensive. I then saw some really gruesome flats in Tooting and Stockwell, but there was nothing for less than £600 a month and what there was at that price was horrible or in places that felt really unsafe."

Ms Churchill decided that a new job would be easier to find than an affordable London home. She now works at credit card company MBNA in Chester.

"My friend and I are renting a lovely little house with two double bedrooms, wooden floors, and a nice garden. It's near work and the rent is £670 a month. I am looking to buy later this year."