Living in London as a single mum?

[dellacucina]

Where would you suggest living? Is it affordable in any way? Salary around £60k.

Are you looking to rent or buy, what area do you need for work and transport, how many children have you got. Parts are affordable, depends on what you need..

Hi OP. I think people live in a London on a lot less but I guess it depends what you’re looking for. How close to Central do you need to be? If you were willing to move to zone 4 then rent/house prices would be considerably less.

I’ve been on/off with a guy for some time but irrespective of that I was planning a move to London whether I was with him or not. I’m in the process of moving to London Fields, Hackney which is a lovely area of London. I’m renting at the moment because my property purchase fell through but it’s costing me £3k a month for a property overlooking Victoria Park. You can definitely rent for much cheaper though. Previously I rented in a similar area for £1,800 a month but again these were in pricey areas. When I was looking at purchasing a property it was going to cost me at least £1m for a Victorian terrace (with a mortgage until I’m dead!)

If you need childcare then you’d need to factor that in too and it’s bloody pricey! I’ve got a live in nanny moving in with us next month and it’s costing me £35k per annum which I’m told it cheap!

The cost of living is ore expensive than anywhere in the UK but it’s definitely doable I think.

Didsomeonesaybunny

I gather you're a single mum making much more but living in London Fields? (I actually know that area reasonably well.)

To be honest, nothing you have said is very encouraging for my particular circumstances, but I'm quite curious about your situation!

cheesywotnots work in NE, one DD, need a 3 bedroom for various reasons, would prefer not to have a car.

And I am imagining renting, but maybe could buy in a year or two. Budget would probably be around£ 500k or less.

Bump

If you like Hackney, then Walthamstow might work for you. Lots of Hackney people move there to breed because you get more house for your money.
I'm not a single parent but I know plenty and there are a lot of decent childcare and school options.

I think you might struggle to rent a three bed plus pay for some nursery on £60k to be honest. Would you be working in central London if so commuting costs are a factor. Look at south London or south east eg south croydon, penge, Crystal palace

Nightmanagerfan I work in Northeast.

Yes, that's my concern. It looks like Wanstead maybe could be ok, but a bit expensive. Walthamstow is also on my radar!

Wanstead is nice, very middle class, cute shops and restaurants ,no big supermarkets in walking distance. Lots of doctors, lawyers, teachers. Central line.
Walthamstow much more mixed ethnically and class wise, lots more shops, eateries, supermarkets and great street market. Lots of creative/freelance people, many of whom are parents. Leads to lots of child oriented activities. Victoria line and two overground lines. Cheaper housing.

There's more street crime in Walthamstow but it's mainly youth gang related and doesn't affect the average resident.

Walthamstow is really lovely OP and definitely less expensive since. I was a single parent when I made the decision to leave Wales but yes, I do earn considerably more. I do still think it’s possible for you to move to London though, rent is the highest cost without a doubt. If you can lower that cost as much as possible then I think it’s doable.

Bump. Still considering all of this!

Realistically I know I may not be able to afford a 3 bed place. Walthamstow was a place I considered even before this thread and it seems to be the main suggestion - but are there any more?

Ideally there would be decent primary schools in the area for DD to attend.

I'd say Redbridge schools are better than Waltham forest on the whole,. You may struggle to buy 3 beds on 500k although, unless you wanted a flat. It is doable though, you can afford the rent so make the move and see how you like it.

Thanks! I am looking to move in the autumn.

Leyton is close to Walthamstow and you would pay around £400-420k for a 2 or 3 bed flat there. It is close to Walthamstow and Stratford (one stop in either direction), is on the central line and has really changed in the last 15 years since I bought my flat there. I don't live there now (I rent out my flat) so I can't comment on childcare costs but I do know the area is massively developing with good coffee shops, baby groups etc but prices are significantly cheaper than Walthamstow. Maybe I should send you the details for my flat that I'm thinking about selling!!

(Sorry just seem you are looking at schools not childcare costs!!) but have a look at rightmove under E10 and look at the school checker function to get an idea in ofsted ratings for schools in the area (sorry if this is obvious!!(

Childcare costs also of interest! Thanks.

Would you consider further out on the Central Line, eg Loughton? It’s a bit suburban and a bit TOWIE but very pleasant and quite quick (half an hour) into town. And it’s on the M11 to get you into NE London. I think the schools are pretty good.

Hi op, I lived in Wanstead lots of nice nurseries and primary schools. Rent is quite high. Nursery costs range from £55-69

Leytonstone just round the corner but schools and nurseries not as nice. Rent slightly cheaper.

Have you considered highams park, Chingford or South Woodford?

As you won't be working in central London, move to Travel Zones 4-6. Anywhere else just too expensive in terms of both travel and living costs.

Travel links are excellent in London you can get to anywhere you need to go. Some bus & tube lines are 24 hour.

pp's have mentioned some good areas in/near or very easy to get to NE.

Should have mentioned - I'd like to retain the option to move to a job in the City if needed!

I have never even heard of some of these areas! Will research them.

I would like to avoid a place where I must drive and I think I would be very out of place in a TOWIE area, though I wouldn't necessarily rule it out without further consideration.

City is easy peasy on the Central Line - half an hour to Liverpool St and a few more minutes to Bank/St Paul’s

Ah - cross post. Keep it up your sleeve maybe!

I definitely will, thanks! It's just that I am not English and very not TOWIE in my style and mannerisms iyswim!