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<\/p>\nRESIDENTS in one of the UK's poorest area make just \u00a3800 on Universal Credit – yet are surrounded by super-rich neighbours.<\/p>\n
Roehampton, south west London, has the lowest income per household of any neighbourhood in London.<\/p>\n
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Located on the border of Richmond Park, households in the suburb earn an average of just \u00a338,900 a year, according to Office for National Statistics data.<\/p>\n
But it is bordered by the more affluent areas of Putney, Wimbledon and Barnes.<\/p>\n
Holly Willoughby, Gary Lineker and Ronan Keating are all said to live in the Barnes area.<\/p>\n
Parts of Putney, meanwhile, have been transformed into a Billionaire's Row in recent years.<\/p>\n
And Simon Cowell is said to have purchased a six-bed home in Wimbledon in recent years, while Ant McPartlin is also believed to live in the suburb.<\/p>\n But residents in neighbouring Roehampton say it is difficult for them to make ends meet.<\/p>\n Steve Penfold, 63, said: "I have been out of work for 18 months and I\u2019m on universal credit at the moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n "I get about \u00a3819 per month. I live on my own in sheltered accommodation, but have made some great friends here.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "It\u2019s good to have them to rely on when I am feeling a bit low. I\u2019ve been on a lot of Government courses to try and get back into employment, but haven\u2019t had any luck yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n "By the time I have paid for all my bills – like rent, electric, my phone and food – I don\u2019t have much left. It\u2019s very tight at the end of each month.<\/p>\n "The Roehampton community it really friendly, but there are some areas that I won\u2019t go to now at night because of my age.\u00a0There can be a few unsavoury people around.\u201d<\/p>\n Chloe Nixon, a 24-year-old a retail worker, lives in Roehampton with her three-year-old son.<\/p>\n She said:\u00a0\u201cMy bills have increased quite a bit over the past few years, especially with food.\u00a0I think things have always been a bit tough though.<\/p>\n "I enjoy living here, and my soon goes to a good school in the area.\u00a0 Usually people are very friendly.\u00a0<\/p>\n "The local church plays a big part in the community; I know they collect for a local food bank and organise activities for the kids in the area.<\/p>\n "Some people might say there are some parts of Roehampton that are a bit dangerous, but it depends on your outlook. It\u2019s all about what you choose to focus on in the area."<\/p>\n Mr Smith, who did not want to provide a first name, has two children and now works in Roehampton.<\/p>\n He described how there are some people in the area who are struggling with the cost of living and there's no quick fix.<\/p>\n The 37-year-old added: "This is a good community but I see people in this area everyday who are really struggling, and working class people in particular.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to work in construction, but the wages just haven\u2019t increased in a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n "Even though they generally make good money, it still is not enough. Even if you are an electrician, you might only just be earning over the minimum wage.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a high suicide rate in construction and loads of guys would take drugs just to get through the day \u2013 and I\u2019m not judging. I\u2019ve been there myself.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone looks after one another here, if you see a chance to help your community you take it. Charity begins at home, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n Local resident Cindy Grove, 40, has lived in the area since she was 12.<\/p>\n She said:\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a lovely place, and there are some good people.\u00a0<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-24617004-1699000417080.jpg\")
<\/picture>STORM SCARE <\/span><\/p>\nI live in the most flooded town in the UK and Storm Ciar\u00e1n has caused carnage<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/EB_CABIN_COMP.jpg\")
<\/picture>STAY WARM <\/span><\/p>\nI live in a cabin in the woods – I keep it warm without raising my heating bill<\/h3>\n
Most read in Money<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/man-dressed-santa-claus-standing-786447582.jpg\")
<\/picture>MERRY XMAS <\/span><\/p>\nDiscount supermarket to close all 1,000 shops on Boxing Day<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/wilkinson-hardware-stores-ltd-wilko-855318377.jpg\")
<\/picture>WILKOME BACK! <\/span><\/p>\nExact dates new Wilko stores will reopen under new owner The Range<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/RR-COMP-P25-WITHPRICE-v2-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>SAVE A LIDL <\/span><\/p>\nWe flew to a Lidl in Poland for our weekly food shop and saved cash<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-24614041-1698950254324.jpg\")
<\/picture>OFF THE SHELF <\/span><\/p>\nHeinz discontinues one of Brits’ favourite sauces leaving shoppers fuming<\/h3>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
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