Single mom moving to London: Can I make it?

[ritaH2O]

Hi everyone.

I'm new here (I mean at mumsnet and UK) and I have a 6 years old boy. I've been offered an excelent job in central London. By excelent I mean as a career opportunity. I'm from one of "those" south european countries with no jobs opportunities right now but some companies in London became very interessed to hire me.
I've been to London several times but only as a tourist. Now I will have to move in to London very soon and start to work (salary around 42K/A). I don't know the city and school's times, etc. Both me and the kid are very excited with the change (the city does not scares me, we already live at a busy city and love it).

I don't have any family in London, just single friends without kids. My job, sometimes will force me to work after hours or even weekends. For that I'll use my single friends to baby seat and, if they can't make it, a nanny or an au pair (I don't know exactly what is the difference in your country).

So basically, in your opinion, do you think that me and the kid can make it? I mean financilly and logistics?

What places to live do you recommend (will work at zone 1)?

I'm very social. Is it normal in London that moms that have kids in the same school help eachothers in case I can't pick him up on time? That's normal in my country...

Of corse will miss the family, the sun and the beach but I simply can not go further in my career in my country :(

I'm so confused... thank you for your time.

Gracias, obrigada, grazzie.

Hi,
I live in Clapham (which I would highly recommend) and work on Oxford street (very close to where you will be!).
Are your working hours during the day? Roughly 7 until 7 9 to 5?

I think a "live in" Au Pair would be an extremely expensive option for you (not one I had considered for my baby!). The extra rent you will pay for another bedroom in central London will far more than outweigh the cost of childcare!
Your son will be in school, so I'd suggest looking into breakfast and after school clubs (my siblings' schools all offer facilities like this but I don't actually have any school aged children so can't give you much advice there- would definitely suggest it's worth looking into!). These clubs will often charge a small fee, but it will mean you can drop your son off earlier, and pick him up later for the fraction of the cost of a nanny!
For evening and weekend childcare, why not look into nanny shares? I'm not sure how flexible and last minute your requirements are, but if you won't be working too many weekends, it's worth researching :)

Good luck xxx