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Original poster

Where to live in the UK for work, schools etc. as a single mum with no car

45 replies

Jobiscuits · 02/09/2018 16:31

Hi,

I'm in a big confusing mess. I currently live in Letchworth but find it a struggle without a car, the trains to London are messed up at the moment, there aren't many local job sand I'm near my soon-to-be ex's family. I need to move in the next two months but am at a loss where to go. I will be renting.

I had been looking in Essex but I have the same issue with lack of local jobs and nobody to do pick-ups and collections when my son's in childcare or school (he's 2.5yrs old now).

I'd thought about Reading but it's maybe a bit too polluted (I had very severe asthma when younger and constantly worry about my son getting it) but also I will struggle to afford the nicer areas, (Caversham) and I've been told by two estate agents that properties go really quickly. I can only view properties at the weekend because I don't have childcare at other times.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'll be there as a single mum so have no support network so it would be good to be somewhere family friendly, where there are big companies nearby that might mean I can get a job locally. Some cleanish air, good schools, safe and good public transports, a decent hospital.... am I asking too much? It doesn't need to be near London if there are jobs I can get locally but if not, good transport links to London would be useful. Price is a big factor too since I'll be on benefits until I can get a job which will hopefully be next year.

I'd welcome any suggestions.

OP posts:
Originalsaltedpeanuts · 02/09/2018 16:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Biscuitsneeded · 02/09/2018 16:40

Cambridge? A car isn't necessary at all. It's flat and most people cycle, and you can get a Dutch bike or similar second hand and transport your DS that way. Lots of companies locally and low unemployment. Good schools, good hospital. It isn't at all cheap though... maybe wait and get the job first?

ImNotWhoYouThinkIam · 02/09/2018 16:46

I was going to say Reading. It's the only place I've ever lived but It's generally not well thought of (I love it here personally).

That said the pollution is awful and it's expensive! I live in one of the supposed 'not nice' areas and actually prefer it to Caversham. Was a single mum for years and also non driver. Buses are good. Twins to London are quick and regular. Lots of people I know cycle.

Original poster
Jobiscuits · 02/09/2018 16:59

Thank you!

ImNotWhoYouThinkIam - where in Reading are you? I've only really looked at Caversham but I'm not sure it's worth the money. The main attraction for me is work opportunities in Reading

Originalsaltedpeanuts - My ex is moving back to his flat in London "short-term" and then will move nearer us at "some point" but it's hard to get more specifics from him than that. I have repeatedly asked my ex to be involved in helping to choose a place or to have an opinion on what he definitely would rule out, but he refuses and says it's up to me. After lots of arguments I've decided I just need to focus on where is best for me and our son then let my ex work out what he wants to do.

Biscuitsneeded - I was thinking about Cambridge... I'll look at it again. Ideally I'd get the job then move but my house contract runs out in October so I need to move somewhere fairly soon.

OP posts:
Ohhgreat · 02/09/2018 17:12

I live near Reading - have you looked at Calcot? Regular buses into the centre and lots of amenities, schools etc. Not as pricey as caversham!

Agustarella · 02/09/2018 17:24

I used to know a car-less student single mum from Reading and she really liked it, better than Oxford where she was living when we met. Agreed about the pollution though - another university friend went to Reading for a low grade civil service job (plentiful in those days) and I was shocked by the rents and the congestion. This would have been in the late 90s, I don't know where someone in your position could live now in easy reach from London. I'm also still in Herts and have completely given up on the trains around here. Angry

A friend's sister has recently bought a tiny studio in Hastings (St Leonards) and had no problem finding a public sector admin job locally right away, though proximity to London was a bonus. She is car-free by choice but can drive, no DCs. St Leonard's is a bit of a schlep from the centre, not sure if she walks or takes the bus.

ImNotWhoYouThinkIam · 02/09/2018 17:27

@Jobiscuits I'm at Cemetery Junction. It's generally considered to be a crap area but as a non driver it's perfect. Lovely community feeling here. And most things are walkable from here. I can walk to Tesco in 15 mins. Palmer Park is only 10 mins away. The river is at the end of the road.

AveABanana · 02/09/2018 17:29

If you're thinking Reading I would look at Earley, Woodley, Twyford.

FanSpamTastic · 02/09/2018 17:32

The train line between reading and Gatwick is quite a good line. You could live in Sandhurst, Blackwater, Farnborough North and commute into Reading for work. Schools are ok. Air quality is better than in the city. Blackwater to Reading is about 20 minutes on the train.

Another line is the one from Reading out to Bracknell.

GingerCatBigBalls · 02/09/2018 17:45

What's your budget and do you need a house or would a flat be OK?

Original poster
Jobiscuits · 02/09/2018 17:52

Budget is £1200 pcm maximum. Ideally a house, and a garden. I'm looking for the impossible.

OP posts:
Jenijena · 02/09/2018 17:59

Southampton has a huge hospital and good transport to Winchester hospital. Reasonable schools, lots of green spaces, reasonable public transport infrastructure and also possible to eg go to the beach in Bournemouth or up to London - good to escape from too.

sleepismysuperpower · 02/09/2018 18:00

what sort of work are you looking for? and are you looking for a house something like this? :)

www.purplebricks.co.uk/property-to-rent/2-bedroom-terraced-house-peterlee-487458

Jenijena · 02/09/2018 18:00

Sorry I misread your OP and thought that the hospital was for employment. Still, lots of good size employers in the city.

AveABanana · 02/09/2018 18:09

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-66997051.html

Fantastic location, very close to Reading town centre.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-75292469.html - very close to bus route into town.

Original poster
Jobiscuits · 02/09/2018 18:15

Thank you! I think Reading would be great... but the pollution does worry me (severe asthma runs in my family and it's my main concern about my son). I think Southampton is pretty bad for pollution too.... in which case I guess I need to be changing my expectations and thinking further up north. I'm finding the time rpessure is making it hard to think straight and now I'm going round in circles. Maybe I need to sleep on it.
Earley and Woodley might be good ideas. Thank you all x

OP posts:
tethersend · 02/09/2018 18:55

Would learning to drive be an option? I passed my test at 39, and it has really opened doors...

MessySurfaces · 02/09/2018 18:57

If you REALLY don't mind looking north there are loads of option, Glasgow is a brilliant city for instance, good public transport and lots of call centre work to tide you over while you look for something more interesting (of which there is also a good amount). Not close to London though!
Do you have any support network anywhere? Family, v old friends, Nct group? ( those being the backbone of mine!)

tethersend · 02/09/2018 18:58

Would Hitchin be too close to ex in laws?

Two bed house on a good street here, much easier without a car although still reliant on the same train line.

MessySurfaces · 02/09/2018 19:04

If you can squeeze a bit closer you get the tube at Chesham. But I always feel like the Home Counties in general are very car based, even though people commute by train. There are not many people in the supermarkets going home by bus!

Original poster
Jobiscuits · 02/09/2018 20:02

I have passed my driving test but can't afford a car. Also I am a terrible driver despite many many lessons and hours of practice.

We moved a year after our son was born and he has spent a lot of time in hospital so I never really developed a support network of mums. I have some family but they have their own problems to deal with, so I am not expecting any help from them.

I have considered Hitchin but I think I'd still have to work in London as there aren't really suitable local jobs so I'd be reliant on the unreliable trains. It's slightly complicated by the fact my son has to have injections every evening 6pm-7pm so I need to be able to be home for that time.

Thank you though. This has been helpful in making me thinking about what the key things are I need to think about!

OP posts:
Agustarella · 02/09/2018 20:22

Chesham is quite grotty though, considering how expensive it is.

FanSpamTastic · 02/09/2018 20:37

Not impossible - how about something like this?

bracknell

It is easy walk to Martins Heron station - not far from the Lookout playground in Swinley Forest - great for bike rides. On the train line to Reading one way and Waterloo the other.

MessySurfaces · 02/09/2018 20:51

Ouf that sounds hard OP! And your ex seems to feel he can stroll away from all those injections etc. Maybe you and your son should have the London flat...
Re support networks- even if its not much practical support, just already having an "anchor" in a place can help...

Original poster
Jobiscuits · 02/09/2018 21:03

FanSpamTastic - thank you, I think I need to do a bit of research beyond my initial ideas but that sort of thing looks great.

MessySurfaces - I think you might be right. I wonder if moving to Essex is something I should rethink since at least I know lots of areas so won't be entirely starting from scratch and it'll give me a familiar base - even if only temporarily - so I can get my head straight and sort out the rest of my life. As for my ex... I've given up trying to get him involved in anything now, and just trying to be ok with the fact it'll be me on my own sorting stuff out. I feel that sorting out work and becoming financially independent is going to make such a huge difference to my life, so my next step is to suss out work/career.

OP posts: