For most Londoners, a stunning city view comes at a premium, but for one 23-year-old, her £1,200-a-month apartment provides a spectacle that football fans pay hundreds to see.
The Ultimate Free Ticket
Noemi Oberhauser, a singer-songwriter, lives in a two-bedroom flat directly adjacent to the Gtech Community Stadium, home of Premier League club Brentford FC. From her living room window in West London, she can see almost the entire pitch, with only the goal nearest her building partially obscured.
When she moved into the apartment block behind the East Stand in 2022, Noemi had little interest in football. She told reporters she simply thought it was "a cool place to live." Now, after three years, she's become a dedicated Brentford supporter and has no plans to leave.
Match Day Becomes Party Day
Noemi has fully embraced her unique situation, regularly hosting friends for free viewing parties during matches. "The view is always great to see - especially on match days," she said.
Her setup includes binoculars for close-up views of the players and a television tuned to the broadcast to catch any action missed from the window. Her friends think her situation is "pretty cool," and she even hosted a massive party for the first match of the year against Arsenal on January 1st.
From Unknown to ESPN Star
Noemi's unique living arrangement has attracted attention beyond her friend group. She's made an appearance on ESPN Brazil and collaborated with restaurant chain Zizzi's, who provided food for one of her match day gatherings.
She has also worked with the Brentford FC marketing team and attended the Player of the Year awards in May. Remarkably, the noise and activity on match days don't bother her; she says she even missed the atmosphere during the summer break when matches weren't being played.
The value of her view becomes clear when considering that a season ticket in Brentford's East Stand, offering a comparable perspective, costs up to £495 annually. Having celebrated her three-year anniversary in the flat, Noemi confirms she "absolutely loves it" and would "never move out," proving that sometimes the best seats in the house don't require a ticket.
