Could I survive on this?

[Oatypancakesforbrekkie]

Live abroad, thinking of returning to the U.K. with toddler Dd.
It would be just her and I.
The salary I’ve seen is for £25 thousand, how would we be able to live on that amount, would we be ok? I have no idea of prices of things, bills etc, nowadays.
I imagine an average mortgage would be £800? then with bills, food etc.
My position would be a lower one than my qualifications, but would fit around my Dd at school etc by then
Would you get any help for being alone and on that salary?

[quote Oatypancakesforbrekkie]@V0lcanoicD1srupt10n What about after I’ve used it to buy the house?

Dd would be in the school with me, breakfast club in the morning and after school club (for a short while) when school finishes.

They’ve assured me I’d get paid during holidays too[/quote]
Payment in the holidays just means that your annual salary is divided into 12 payments, it makes it easier for the payroll admin, and for you to budget but you are not being paid for the holidays.

Remember to factor in and plan alternative childcare ahead for days when your child is ill, and when the wrap around care isn’t available because it’s an INSET day when staff are expected to attend but children aren’t.

You would possibly do better to rent. You would get more universal credit probably

I’ve been offered two positions, the one in the South west is slightly lower but my family live there.
They’re at private schools, I’m a teacher with considerable experience including Sen, plus managerial positions in the Early years.
It’s a step down financially but an easier position whilst I adapt to my old country again. My pay would cover school holidays (I made sure of this) and breakfast club, extra clubs etc are included.

2 bed Mill Apartment outskirts of Leeds, @ mortage £220 ppm so yes you can manage depending on where you want to live. Lots of jobs available in the UK atm so providing you're flexible, the country's your oyster.
And you say you will have a decent deposit so you're ahead of the game.

If you rent a 2 bed apt in the same Leeds apartment block you're talking £600-700pcm plus your water, gas, electric council tax bills.

Get a UK bank account set up immediately and try to build some credit history.
Like another poster advised, set up an trial online grocery order and check prices but for 2 adult persons, I pay £60-£100 per week depending on what extras I'm buying.

Whilst the NW is far cheaper for housing etc if you have family close by in SW that could help with childcare id go with that if possible. It would mean less panic if shes’s sick, or you need to cover extras. Would also many babysitters possibly if you make friends etc?

Northwest yes imo

You won’t get UC if you have savings over £16k so benefits of renting are reduced.

Soz a bit late with that post given I see you have family in SW. They'll surely be able to help point you in the right direction. Good luck OP.

You won't get any benefit help if you have your deposit sitting in your bank.

@Oatypancakesforbrekkie

It would be either the North west or South west. Dd would be starting school by that stage, no childcare needed, hours of work are school hours. We’d sell our house and buy over there, my aim would be no more that £800 on the mortgage per month.

depends on the amount you have from the sale of your house, but with £800 a month available that would give you access to at least a £200,000 house! ok a little harder in the south west but certainly do able in the north west

When they say you'll get paid through the holidays all it means is your salary will be divided by 12 - it doesn't mean holidays are paid.

The 25k will also be pro-rata'd to term time only so you'll likely only be on around 17-18k per year.

A mortgage on 25k a year wouldn't be enough to buy a house in most areas. A then you would need a deposit. Depends on how long you've been out of the country as regards your entitlement to benefits.

You might want to check out the market in the area if you're planning to rent. I'm in the south west and people are really struggling right now to find anywhere to rent.

Have you filled in any lending calculators on a website of a mortgage provider?

We are heavily penalised for being a single parent. If you compare what you can borrow on one income without any dependents and then what they'll lend you with one child at home you'll see the figure drop substantially.

I would stick to SW then, as people suggest- the help when DD is sick etc would be invaluable.
Is the offer for 100% off fees for DD? Well done on securing two offers! What a lovely position to be in

@icedcoffees It’s 25k per year with all holidays covered, not pro rata. Believe me I’ve made sure of this as wouldn’t feel comfortable committing on less than that

[quote Oatypancakesforbrekkie]@V0lcanoicD1srupt10n What about after I’ve used it to buy the house?

Dd would be in the school with me, breakfast club in the morning and after school club (for a short while) when school finishes.

They’ve assured me I’d get paid during holidays too[/quote]
I assume there are no fees for to attend the private school?

If you are getting. £25k salary plus her school fees jump at it.

I assume there are no fees for to attend the private school? If you are getting. £25k salary plus her school fees jump at it

If this is the case it is a bit of a bargain, unless the school has lots of hidden costs as lots of private schools do ( expensive uniforms, school meals, stationary, expensive extras). All that needs to be factored in and can add a considerable sum.

You've built up a lot of equity in property. Personally I think it would be a pity to start spending that in rent.

Do you have someone in the UK who could act as guarantor? That might allow you to get a mortgage straight off instead of renting.

Be cautious though -small, affordable property, best loan to value you can manage. The cost is living in the UK is getting worse and worse -the 50 year adjustment to Brexit period that our great leaders (with their old money) were so glib about is going to be tough. Particularly for those earning less than the national average (currently £31k).

If you were feeling adventurous, you could look at Scotland. In some areas, £100k is enough to buy a family home outright. There are a lot of small fishing village style cottages and terraced homes, at that price. And we don't have any of that leasehold nonsense here.

Assuming you get on with your family I’d take the job closer to them - support not too far away can be invaluable. If the school at which you’ve been offered a job is private will they cover your dc’s fees? Do remember all the extras (uniform etc!)….

Definitely. I'm on a lot less than that

If you are in the south and it's a decent sized town then probably not I'm afraid. It's utterly shit at the moment to be honest, I would stay out of the UK!

Inflation is going a bit insane at the moment too - I'm seeing things go up much more than 4% that is being reported. I would take that into account first. Also, interest rates are expected to go up in the next year too because of the inflation, so might mean more for mortgage each month.

Sorry for the negativity, but just want you to know what it's like at the moment as it is a huge decision.

If you have family in the SW would you be able to stay with them for a little while to get a few payslips behind you before going for a mortgage? If you’re going to have a 100k deposit then you should be in good position. House prices are higher in the SW though.

If it’s £25k in the NW, not pro-rata and your DD will be getting school fees covered I would 100% go for it. You could look at short term rents for 6 months on a 2 bed flat for £600/700 and then buy once you know more about the area you’re in.

One thing to consider is if your DD is getting school fees covered and you leave to work elsewhere what happens to her place then?

As said, the NW is cheap. Put the cities in
www.rightmove.co.uk/
And you'll see the house prices. Wages are less though as well.

You can't get benefits for a month after returning, sometimes upto three months. You are only allowed £16K in savings. Put your details in this calculator as though you have taken the job and it will show if you are entitled to any in work too ups.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/&ved=2ahUKEwiO2v7FnsfzAhWSLewKHUVMBX0QFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw0lRBlp74TQfHz2dQ6gFkV7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/&ved=2ahUKEwiO2v7FnsfzAhWSLewKHUVMBX0QFnoECAYQAg&usg=AOvVaw0lRBlp74TQfHz2dQ6gFkV7

Second that suggestion of getting a guarantor on a mortgage.
If the rents are high in the area you choose to live, try for a mortgage immediately.