To want to move to London or Brighton?

[toptramp]

I am a single mum and I live in a small town where I grew up. I have lived in cities before; Glasgow and Liverpool but I always come back here when I mess up (frequently) as dad lives here.

I have a profession in teaching but there are hardly any jobs here. I do feel like I want to get London out of my system. Is it doable on an average single income? I would consider Brighton as it sounds like a cool alternative.

I would imagine both London and brighton are expensive TBH but yes, both nice places (well some parts anyway).

Maybe do some proper research to see if it is do-able.

Since you are willing to relocate, why not find a market town where you can teach and set yourself up again. It seems asking for extra difficulties to move to an expensive city like London (or Brighton) when you will also have childcare issues. It can be done, but you will have better home accommodation dation and easier travel to work if you go somewhere smaller.

YANBU.
I haven't got kids but moved to Brighton on a whim last September with my DP who was starting uni here. Absolutely love it.

I think some areas are more cost-effective down here rent wise as long as you don't mind being not-central and it would be fine on a single full-time income. DP and I live in an expensive share house quite comfortably on a joint income of about £900, could stretch to a one bed apartment (or more) if we headed out of Brighton a bit and skimped on take aways/meals out and the more expensive food bits we have!

I can't comment on London as I haven't lived there and wouldn't like to live there either so haven't looked into housing costs! Love visiting though!

I love Brighton and if we move back the UK I will consider it. I lived in the shittiest part of London for years. Loved it but accommodation costs are huge.

YANBU!

I am a teacher and have lived and taught here for 25years and I LOVE it

Both are expensive places to live - London more so than Brighton obviously - but ime it's easier to be skint and still have a good time in Brighton.

Be warned though, there is a lot of competition for teaching jobs within Brighton and Hove. Most of my teacher friends work outside the area (commuting to London in some cases).

Housing can also be an expensive headache in Brighton, but if you're willing to house-share like confusedpixie and her DP you'll get more bangs for your bucks.

Sorry OP - just seen that you have DC which would probably rule out house-sharing.

If you're in local authority or HA housing, you could try looking for a swap maybe?

How old is your child? What about schooling and childcare expenses?
If you mess up frequently and need your dad, will that support be something that you would miss?
It's OK living the dream if there's just you, but with a child it may take a bit more planning and preparation. I've lived and taught in London and in Brighton, I prefer Brighton and London is only an hour away.

Do you think teaching is better in Brighton? Why is that? (genuinely interested in what I may be missing!)

*lives in Brighton

I live in Brighton & love it.

Quality of life for my children I felt was better in Brighton than it would have been in London, more freedom, close to the sea and wide open spaces.

The South Downs!
The fact that you can walk the streets anywhere, wearing pretty much whatever you like and people just smile. It's a great place for my Aspie to wander freely.

Brigton is great but i have moved further out now.

One thing to remember is there are some great schools and some really bad schools and the catchments for the good are really small and in the expensive parts of town

We live in a one bed flat in Brighton - paying well below going rate (kind landlord who appreciates good tenants) which is normally about 700 for a decent one bed, with our 6 month old. We're both locals and have lived elsewhere and would rather not leave but on one income a 2 bed is out of the question. You can get a lot more for your money in Burgess Hill - short train hop to Brighton and bit longer to Victoria. We'll probably head for one of the villages as we have a car.