To have a wobble about leaving London?

[Notanotherchange]

posting here for traffic…

I am a single mum of 3, Dad is involved with the kids but not often as works abroad a lot, we live in London. The opportunity came up for me to buy a property outside of London, it’s near my parents, and my job although based in the city is mostly remote. I initially jumped at it.

No knife crime and better schools for the kids, plus more space, nearer the family, so lots of pluses. The kids Dad is also happy with it for all of these reasons.

However, I’ve now been offered my dream job, it’s not remote and commuting is not possible. They have been so flexible and accommodating about hours-it’s a civil service role.

I am also struggling to find childcare for my youngest in a small town, and this worries me should my current job change in the future.

I am now wondering whether I should stay in London. But then also at my age getting a mortgage later in will be a struggle. (Renting it out not an option)and my family is more important than work. However I got to pay my bills…

So are the options

1. Stay exactly where you are and take the dream job
2. Relocate and keep current job

Where is the relocation area?

Can you take the job and move once the kids finish school?
Nothing worse than struggling for childcare

Why is commuting not possible?

A civil service pension is something to value.
When kids are teens, London is so much easier for them to see friends independently due to the great transport links.
Not all areas are affected by knife crime.
Dream jobs don’t come round often.
Other places can feel v small and dull in comparison (though ofc that’s the draw for many as well!)

However, I admit that I love London and am biased. And am speaking from a position of privilege as we have a house here.

Honestly stay in London. My DH persuaded me to move 20 years ago and I’d move back in a heartbeat but the house we sold for 290 k is now worth 950k so it’s not possible. London is fantastic.

Personally I found London a great place to bring up Dc. IF you can find affordable housing. On the whole the gang associated crime occurs within and between gangs, not the totally uninvolved. And random crime can happen anywhere. And on the whole London schools perform above the national average. So many (free) opportunities and activities for children and young people in London.

Would you more or less be restricted to jobs offering remote working if you move? In your line of work?

How far along into this sale are you? Is it too late to halt, and how much money do you stand to lose?

How old are the DC?

Why are you moving close to your parents if they can't help with childcare? Sorry I know that sounds cold but if you're only going to see them at the weekend anyway then what difference does it make if you're traveling 10 minutes or an hour?

I would take the dream job!
So few people get to have their dream job. Congratulations on getting it!

Take the job and stay where you are living while you settle into the job. Then in 6 months or so, if knife crime and poor schools are a worry, you could look at moving to a different part of London or further out of London but with a reasonable commute in.

Take the dream job and stay in London.

Good advice from previous posters!

Good luck, OP!

Agree, take the dream job, things will work out. And London is a great place