A first time buyer "priced out" of the London housing market bought a 10-bed mansion in France for less than a one-bed flat in London.<br /><br />Natasha Marie, 28, worried she would never be able to secure a mortgage in London on a single income - so decided to look at properties abroad as she had always loved France. <br /><br />After moving back to her family home in Greater London, with her parents in January 2023, Natasha was able to save a deposit for a first home.<br /><br />After spending summer holidays in France growing up, Natasha decided it would be the perfect place to buy a home as she could get more for her money.<br /><br />She decided to look elsewhere and settled on Occitanie, France - 759 miles away - where she found a 10-bedroom mansion on a one-acre plot for less than the average one-bedroom flat in London for £500k. <br /><br />Natasha - who now does her corporate job remotely - moved in December 2023 and says the restoration of the mansion is a life-long project.<br /><br />The property's ceiling is on the verge of collapse, it has black mould and a rat infestation.<br /><br />Natasha is living in the mansion whilst she is resorting to it and using her savings to get the building back to its former glory.
