buying is always better off and you're better gettign on the ladder as quickly as possible.

if you're throwing away X hundred quid on rent a month in makes saving up for a downpayment on a mortgage much harder.

What you need is a desperate chick quick who will move in with you within a month and also pay her share of it. You pay half the mortgage, are still legally the owner and have a free maid

failing that you could look into sharing a mortgage with a mate or renting out a spare room.