£90 less per month rent and alot less on bills as they are split, the saving is equivalent to getting a 4-5k pre tax payrise. So it is a downsize
I know where your coming from but this place is a nice saving for me while still getting somewhere nicer. yeah i could live in a tiny bedroom off of a student type accommodation but i value my sanity more than getting on the property ladder in the shortest possible time. I'm in a situation with no dependants so I'm free enough that i don't need a house at the minute.
(NB: one of the main reasons for not buying is my working location is up in the air at the minute )