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

[Jobiscuits]

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.

Folkestone ticks all your boxes and is very affordable for renters. Very good support networks as lots of people have moved down from London and keen to build friendships and lots of investment in area so jobs seem to be readily available. Plus you’d struggle to find fresher air 😁😁

What sort of work would you be looking for?
Bracknell is much nicer than it used to be. Lots of opportunities in Milton Keynes & very non car friendly
Further afield, Daventry or Coventry are fairly cheap (very cheap compared to London prices!) have reasonable opportunities & good transport links if you need to travel to London. places like Sutton Coldfield are nice but have good links to Birmingham for work etc

Was also going to suggest Milton Keynes - lots of large organisations based there plus train into Euston and up towards Birmingham

Exeter might tick your boxes. Clean air, small city so you can walk in to town, good hospital, and regular train links to London. Much more affordable too, you'd be able to rent a house with garden close (ie 10 mins walk) to town for your budget, along these kinds of lines..... www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-74986964.html

What sort of work do you do? The North East (Newcastle in particular) is fantastic for single mums. It's affordable, lovely city, very family friendly, clean air (near the sea), excellent public transport. However it would really depend on your experience - there are jobs but for low skilled work there is lots of competition. If however you have experience in a particular field you will probably be fine. We moved last year from near London (with work in London) and I found an excellent job very quickly. Friends have been similar. It's very hard though if you've eg only got experience in retail.

Thank you. I was a researcher before but the hours are long and it involves some fieldwork travel so now I'm having to rethink my career because it's not going to fit in with childcare. I'm totally lost on that too.

What kind of hob are you looking for? It's hard to make any suggestions without any idea what kind of skillset you have and what kind of role you want.

Most of Peterborough is perfectly manageable without a car (buses every 10 minutes) and easy train links to London and Letchworth via Hitchin, which might be necessary for getting children to contact with ex as you're the one moving away.

Much more affordable than Cambridge. You'd easily rent a 3 bed in a nice area and have money left over from your budget. Lots of large companies, plus the service industry jobs you'd find in all cities.

I imagine work in Folkestone would be limited and a single parent wouldn't want to commute to London.

I always liked Norwich when I visited. Nice walkable city, not sure what you do and what job prospects are like.

Have you looked at Oxford? Big research company there which might be good...

Researcher.. so what about a university town? Would that help with the work situation?

I was in same position. Rented box in london until i found a job in a cheaper city/ large town. I really had my heart set on glasgow actually but couldnt find anything there. In the end found somewhere in a town in east midlands I would have never have considered, and have just moved into a tiny house i brought (fraction of your budget). Everything walking distance and ttains to kings cross in 1hr 15 so i dont feel too far from london. Its a mixed town which I like but it sounds like you might be after somewhere more desirable.

Id say find a job somewhere outside London first and then think about living. Commuting is miserable and most of home counties needs driving as someone said.

Sorry for typos am on phone!

Thank you everyone. I've decided to move to Essex then look for work next year and realise that I might need to move again. My main concern is whether this will affect my son's school options because I know some schools wants you to have lived in the area for at least 12 months beforehand if you're renting (so they know youve not just moved for the school then plan to move out as soon as the kid start a school).

@job

I think thats only a concern if you are moving very close by/ still own a house in the old area.

Sounds like a good plan, good luck!

If you decide to branch out of the SE then Sheffield might be a good option - loads of hospitals including a specialist children's hospital and because of the teaching hospitals and university, you get world-class expertise. It's also right next to the Peak District, some of which is accessible by bus and train, and has good public transport. Your money would go a lot further there than Essex!

I live in Baldock and work in Letchworth. I cycle everywhere with DD on the back, it is hard sometimes but definitely doable !
What kind of work do you need?

You can get quite cheap houses to rent in Arlesey and the schools there are good?
I know you've said Essex but I don't think that would be better. Letchworth is full of bookkeeping type jobs that you could work your way up in?

Thatcham is easily commutable on the train to Reading and much cheaper.

Saltaire / Shipley

Trains are 18 mins into Leeds City Center and it is cheap as chips

High Wycombe is mostly nice. plenty jobs, good schools, lots of green space nearby, quick reliable trains into London