Kimberly Wynne, a 30-year-old accountant in Manchester, has chosen a shared ownership scheme to buy a one-bedroom apartment in the city center. She made this decision partly because of the high cost of renting for single people. In July 2026, she secured a 25% share in a property valued at £264,000. Her deposit was £6,600, supported by a £3,300 contribution from her mother and a 5% deposit incentive from the housing association L&Q. Kimberly’s monthly costs include £371 in rent, £314 in mortgage payments, and £221 in service charges, totaling around £900. This is much less than the £1,500 she previously paid in rent for a two-bedroom apartment shared with her ex-partner. Including bills, council tax, and internet, her total monthly expenses are around £1,200. To save for the deposit, Kimberly used a Lifetime ISA, a government-backed savings account designed to help people save for a home. While she found the mortgage process manageable, she faced challenges with solicitors not providing timely updates. She is thinking about increasing her ownership share in the future and plans to paint the apartment’s white walls to make it more personal. The property has storage space, open-plan areas for her two cats, and hardwood floors, which she finds easy to clean. Kimberly praised the shared ownership scheme, calling it an affordable alternative to renting, especially for single individuals. She highlighted that it doesn’t require a large deposit. She lives in the Northern Quarter, which offers a range of local amenities such as restaurants and cafes, which she enjoys.