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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Natasha - who now does her corporate job remotely - moved in December 2023 and says the restoration of the mansion is a life-long project.

The property's ceiling is on the verge of collapse, it has black mould and a rat infestation.

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.