To move to London on 28k?

[TequilaLemonSalt]

I'm in my third year of uni. Just got through the first stage of the Civil Service Fast Track. Actually quite chuffed, as they write books on how to pass it, and I just did it on a whim after two glasses of wine

A bit presumptuous, but I'm starting to consider if I could manage it if I did get the job, and had to work in Westminster.

I have a 2 year old, and am a single parent. I currently live in the South East - Google maps says door to door commute is 2 hours.

My current rent is 1095 a month for a 2 bed terraced house. I got it because of a mutual acquaintance though, and I'm not even sure I could get a 2 bed in London on a 28k starting wage (?). I'm sure it's x3 annual income for most estate agents.

At the moment, my annual income - due to my part time salary, tax credits and student loan - is pretty high. Loads higher than 28k. Probably too high, due to student loans not getting included in benefit calculations, but I'm doing my best to make sure I pay handsomely into the system for the rest of my life, so I'd rather not get flamed. Plus I work my fucking arse off from 6am - 10pm every single day, either working, child rearing or studying.

I'll do the entitledto calculations etc., but I just wanted to see if anybody thought this was doable? Or even that I'd be accepted for a tenancy? If I'm accepted for permanent employment for the CS, will this help? I'm not sure how it would work staying here and commuting. 7-7 every day is very long with a 2 year old with an unstable father. But people do it, I guess. But it wouldn't be for a short amount of time. I'd feel sad. I'm not sure that's best.

I know I'm getting ahead of myself. But I'm really excited - I've cared for different groups from 2 year olds, to the mentally ill, to people who have LD, to the elderly; all my life, and I'm so excited to have the chance to work academically to really make a difference on a national scale. But if I can't make the £ work, I can't make it work

Opinions gratefully received!

So if you're going to get £1500 pcm in benefits, the true question is whether you can move to London on £46k pa which sounds perfectly doable. Do landlords accept benefits as income though?

So if you're going to get £1500 pcm in benefits, the true question is whether you can move to London on £46k pa which sounds perfectly doable. Do landlords accept benefits as income though?

They don't, as far as I know. At least in my city. But I'm not sure if some estate agents/ landlords would consider it on a discretionary basis. Sort of like some landlords will consider housing benefit. But maybe with less risk? That's what i'm enquiringly about tbh. Maybe worded my OP wrong.

By the way op you mention the law. Have you looked into the government legal service? Much more family friendly than private practice. They do training contracts

Wow, just looked into it a little bit. It sounds perfect. Thank you so much! I'll definitely be applying for that too.

My husband used to work for ONS in Hampshire very family friendly - core hours were something like 11-2 ( it was a while ago) and you could work 7 - 7. There are perfectly affordable places to rent in Hampshire. House prices vary widly but a starter home is achievable in future. You will need to drive most probably ( athough I don't but im not a civil servant) ONS looks after the census.

My husband used to work for ONS in Hampshire very family friendly - core hours were something like 11-2 ( it was a while ago) and you could work 7 - 7. There are perfectly affordable places to rent in Hampshire. House prices vary widly but a starter home is achievable in future. You will need to drive most probably ( athough I don't but im not a civil servant) ONS looks after the census.

Ok, this is a new name and I'll NC again. Does anyone think I'll be able to get a civil service (or government legal service) in or around Brighton?

I'd love to keep my (rented) home. I love it so much. The primary school I went to and loved is 2 minutes away. My mum and dad are a few minutes walk, and are happy to provide childcare where possible. As are my 2 best friends. They do so currently as well, so it's not just talk. Me and my best friend are talking about the possibility of her being a wraparound nanny for me in the future (she has level 3 childcare qualifications and it would suit her greatly, as she's just looking for a very part time job that fits around her upcoming baby - id be happy for her to look aFter DD with baby). She worships my DD and I couldn't think of a better arrangement.

So what are my chances of being able to work for the government in social research/ finance/ generalist/ commercial areas? They're the four streams I chose.

What about commuting in? Sevenoaks is about 30 mins from Waterloo, for example.

I work for the MOJ in London despite being based in the NW. I commute once/twice a week in to Central London, work from a local base or from home for the remainder, I also have 3 young children and my work life balance is pretty good.

Senior civil servant here.

There are definitely CS jobs outside of London but if you want to work in policy then a lot are in central London. But you might want to do your first fast stream post nearer to home to save on the commute or London rent.

Remember that most jobs will allow you to work from home one day a week which also helps with the commute.

Also some departments offer rent deposit schemes. You could check if that's available to fast streamers (who are technically employed centrally rather than by individual departments).

What about commuting in? Sevenoaks is about 30 mins from Waterloo, for example.

My house is a 2 hour commute. It's just the question if I could find a rental on that salary? As I said, I got this place due to a contact.

*Senior civil servant here.

There are definitely CS jobs outside of London but if you want to work in policy then a lot are in central London. But you might want to do your first fast stream post nearer to home to save on the commute or London rent.

Remember that most jobs will allow you to work from home one day a week which also helps with the commute.

Also some departments offer rent deposit schemes. You could check if that's available to fast streamers (who are technically employed centrally rather than by individual departments).*

I could save my last student loan payment (£3500) to use as rental costs. But would I stand a better chance in getting a tenancy with a CS job offer?

There is a pension centre as far as I remember in Brighton. Border Force in Gatwick ? WiLton park ? Never managed to work out what they do there though.

I don't know about benefits but just wanted to say that it's possible to rent a two bed flat for a similar amount to your rent now in my neck of the woods. It's zone 5 in S London, a great family area that's also a 1h drive from Brighton.

Two beds to rent in Sevenoaks

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/Sevenoaks/2-bed-houses.html

So if I'm on 27k working for the civil service, this is government advice to landlords about me

What you need to know if a tenant is claiming Universal Credit
Some tenants being moved onto Universal Credit will not be used to managing their own rent payments. And it might even be the first time they’ve used a bank account. Here is some information to help you when talking with these tenants.
Some of your tenants may be unfamiliar with the basics of choosing, opening and managing an account.
They may need support to manage the timing of the Direct Debits and avoid refused payments and bank charges.
Two-thirds of people claiming benefits and tax credits say they regularly run out of money before the end of the month.

Tatiana, as a single parent working in London, it would make sense for the OP to live in London. If the trains get screwed, she needs to be able to get back. Also, it seems that a season ticket from Sevenoaks with a travel card costs 4K.

Tequila, clever clogs you Looks like best attempt to put people off renting to anyone on UC

I agreed to a certain extent however that rent in London would only cover a very small flat, whereas futher out it could run to a house with garden. It can actually take longer to cross London than it takes to get from Waterloo to Sevenoaks. Plus it’s on two different train lines, if one goes tits up the other one can get you home. A zone 1-5 travel card in London is over 2 grand.

I can't imagine personally how you could get by in London/ the SE on that salary but I know there are people that do and if you're on some benefits too then maybe it is possible.

OP, most people around our age (I'm 24) in London are on that kind of salary, I think 30k is actually the average salary in London the last time I checked. We're not all rich bankers who live here unfortunately!

Also, you've got nothing to apologise for, you're currently claiming what the Government entitles you to claim, you're clearly dedicated to bettering yourself, establishing a successful career and caring for your daughter as a single parent. I think it's great that you have such a clear idea of what you want from life and your finances at your age, I'm just a year older and don't have my sh*t together anywhere near as much as you!

I must admit though, I'm genuinely shocked you're on significantly more than 28k a year at the moment. I always thought Tax Credits and Student Loans were piddly amounts of money but apparently not!

The £1500 benefits are tax and NI free remember so you are getting the equivalent of something like £25,000 salary on top of your actual salary.

Wow!

What's your alternative plan, OP?

I wouldn't choose to commute if I was looking at the fast stream. I commute from Sevenoaks to London, dh and I both work in Westminster. Even with two of us to share the child care the timings are incredibly tight - by the time we've factored in nursery drop off, travel from nursery to the station, and the walk from Waterloo east/charing cross to the office (not all departments are close to the station) the journey can easily take 90 minutes after nursery drop off which makes working a full 8 hour day quite tight. It'll be even harder when one dc goes to school as wraparound care tends to be 8-6 which gives us an even shorter window to commute. We chose to live here for the extra space we could afford and to have open countryside on our doorstep. If I was on my own with the dcs and the figures stacked up, my priority would be to be closer to work.

I honestly think that in this case you would be worth taking the 'pain' for a few years until your pay rises and nursery costs reduce. Then you'll have secured a great future for yourself and your child.

So you don't need a 2 bed flat - a one bed flat would suffice with a little one.

A flat like this would be suitable - bedroom, living room, separate kitchen and a bit of outside space. You could have your bed in the living room.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/fullscreen/view-floorplan.html?propertyId=43701384

Or this one, that currently is being used by people needing two beds.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-53818234.html#_full-description

You're very quick into central London on the central line. Other cheap areas of London are also available.

If you don't get into the fast stream you should apply directly to other CS jobs through the portal. There's quite a bit of recruitment going on at the moment in Public Health England, for example.