Moving to UK from Malta, need your help.

[belthazor]

Hi,

Nice to meet you all, I'm new here! - Basically I'm a 28yo mum, have two young kids (3yo daughter, and a 1yo son) and my husband works in software development in iGaming in Malta, we're both Maltese.

We're looking at moving to an area close or in London (20-40min commute, since my husband will work in central london). - We're looking for a safe (important) but yet not dead town to live in; we have shortlisted a few but we're not sure. - Schools are also very important.

Richmond
Walton-on-thames
Teddington
Sevenoaks/Tonbridge/Royal Tunbridge Wells - Area

We do like the idea of Kent, since its safer (seems safer anyway), but I prefer your opinions and personal experience!

Kindest Wishes,

[AndromedaPerseus]

So take home pay= £3,500 per month
Rent for 2 bedroom flat in Richmond = £2000 (including fees/ service charge etc)
Travel= £50
Council tax = £120 per month
Household bills and insurance= £200
TV license/ broadband =£50
Food/groceries = £500
OP I think a 2 bed flat in Richmond is doable on your dh's salary but it doesn't leave very much leftover once all essential bills are covered

[Iggity]

This is a useful site: can be used for different areas.

www.home.co.uk/for_rent/ruislip/current_rents?location=ruislip

[Iggity]

Sorry should have said Hillingdon is West London. Zones 4-6 I think.

[Iggity]

The Hillingdon area (Ruislip, Hillingdon, Eastcote, Ickenham) are worth a look. Transport connections (met/pic/central lines and overground to Marylebone) are excellent. Primary schools are fab. I'm not sure about rental prices but a quick look on right move will help. Areas are safe and family friendly. Central line will get you into city in no time.

[Angryosaurus]

As someone who lives in the East Midlands I’d say move from Malta to London not here! I think you could easily live in parts of London on that salary and I’m surprised people are advising you not to come :/. Try it for a couple of years and see what you think. Then if you decide to stay, and like sleepy rural villages consider the East Midlands

[Wishingandwaiting]

Oh family income £150k plus £60k bonus (pre summer divorce!)

[Wishingandwaiting]

Sevenoaks on £60k salary???!!!

What planet are you on?

I’m in Tunbridge wells (30 mins from Sevenoaks) Two bed flat. £600k. In Sevenoaks that would be £700k

[Discusting]

Skip the London idea and live in the East Midlands. Much more affordable and a train from Newark to Kings Cross takes 80 minutes.

You could probably afford a large 4 bed on that salary up here.

[Holly102]

I would definitely consider Sevenoaks. Lovely place and very friendly people. Short commute to London and can schools!!

[OVienna]

What @namechange34 says.

[Geneticsbunny]

If he could stomach a few nights away during the week you could look further north. Sheffield is 2-3 hours from London on the train and 60k will get you a nice house in a good area with good state schools. Also a very safe feeling city.

[juneau]

This article www.independent.co.uk/life-style/uk-least-affordable-cities-house-prices-london-oxford-a7606326.html puts St Albans at number 11 with average house price at 8.7x average earnings.

[PrettyInGreen]

Stay in Malta. Much nicer place to live .
And you can't get twisties here

[AdaColeman]

I didn't know that about St. Albans juneau.
I only mentioned it because a friend has moved there recently, and sings its praises. He works not far from the Tower, which made me suggest it.

I mentioned Ipswich as I know that has some cheaper areas, but I wonder also if Chelmsford might interest you OP?

[namechange34]

Imo your DH ought to be putting his efforts into negotiating his salary rather than his wfh days. That salary seems extremely low for a software developer (presumably with a good few years' experience) in London.

[FluffyWuffy100]

I think it's totally doable to live in London on that income, just not in the fanciest areas like those she's shortlisted. But a two-bed flat in a decent suburb should be fine.

+1

[juneau]

OP, being brutally honest here, I think you should think very seriously about whether this move is a good idea. Your expectations are high and the reality is that you aren't going to be able to afford to live in one of the lovely towns or cities you've earmarked. Unless you and your DH can at least double income I seriously suggest you stay where you are, as it sounds like your salary goes quite a long way in Malta.

[juneau]

Er - St Albans is one of the most expensive cities in the entire country! You might get a bedsit on a salary of £60k, but you won't get much more than that.

[bellweather]

St Albans is lovely and many great schools too

You have a fast train into kings cross and it’s not too far from fen church street

[AdaColeman]

Ipswich or St. Albans might be worth you looking at.

[OVienna]

I mean she lived in Walton for a bit, so I have some idea of relative prices.

[OVienna]

Bishops Stortford has excellent schools and would be commutable for your DH. It should be more affordable than Walton. My SIL lived there for a bit. I would venture that it is still QUITE pricey and I think you do need to consider state schools and target areas where you can get in to excellent ones that don't have entrance exams. Have a look at BS.

[belthazor]

@HeadDreamer thanks so much, wasn't aware of commutefrom. - Will do.

[HeadDreamer]

Try the national rail south east map here
www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/maps.aspx

The trains end up in London at the station in bold in the middle, Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street, Waterloo, Paddington, Victoria, etc. I think PP has already mentioned which one you'll want. (Is it Fenchurch Street)? Then try to enter some of the stations in the national rail web site www.nationalrail.co.uk/ and look at how often the train runs and how long it takes for week day rush hour.

Then you can go to right move to look at house prices. Once you find a few places that are more affordable then Richmond and Teddington, then you can ask for opinions of the places.

You can also try this website? I found it with a quick google so not sure how good it is
www.commutefrom.com/

[HeadDreamer]

If it's only once a month or so, you can look at places with commutes time around an hour or just over on the train, as long as you end up at the right train station for Tower of London. It will open up a lot more places that are much more affordable. For example, Southampton and surrounds are a lot cheaper. But the train goes to Waterloo station, which doesn't sound like the right one from what PP says.