Company Transfer

[Shrh4veus1]

Hi Everyone,

I've been given an option for a company transfer without all of the perks that most transfers offer. I get plane tickets, relocation costs, and a hotel for 30 days while we figure out where to live. I do not get paid housing or education. It's myself and my 11 year old daughter. She's in 6th grade in the US so she's be in secondary in the UK. She's very big into football/soccer and was just accepted into the Olympic Development Program so finding a SOLID football program will be crucial as well great schools and a lively but safe area. Also, we have two small dogs. Ideally, I'd like a house with a yard as close to city center as possible :D I really city life and definitely don't want to be too far out. My office will be near the Liverpool Street Station. I'll only have to go into the office once a week for a team meeting. My base salary will be about 85000 pounds with commission for additional income. Any recommendations on areas we should consider? School, football, and public transportation will definitely take priority over house and yard.

Can you edit you title to read "company transfer US to London with child" you may get a great response. Good luck!

How old is your daughter?

Her age is in the OP.

Wasn't sure 6th grade is equivalent to Year 6 in the UK.

The OP has posted she has an 11 year old daughter!

I've no experience of transferring but can't help wondering if no help with costs isn't a raw deal - depends where you are living now and whether you have a place to sell and so many other things. Will your employer pay for tax advice and some relocation guidance if they won't pay for anything else?

Realise I have misread the OP...

Hi everyone, thank you for the responses so far. Living internationally has always been a dream of mine and my company is giving me an opportunity to fulfill that dream. I know it's not the sweetest deal some people get, but I'm okay with that. What I'm looking for from this forum it's where I should consider based on budget, strong soccer/ football programs, strong secondary schools, and transportation links. This is what I'd like to focus this discussion on. Thank you!

I don't live in London, but would suggest that living further out in a direction that is on a line to Liverpool St would be by far your best bet with your described scenario. Schools will be complex as my impression is that London schools, as with much of the rest of the country, tend to be oversubscribed and you will not be guaranteed a place at the nearest school to where you live. On that salary you may be able to manage private school fees, but again getting a year 7 place at a good school will be complex.

I hope someone with sports and London knowledge to help guide you will post soon.

I think you should repost (perhaps on a different board) asking about football academies in the South East of England. Once you have an idea of these you can direct your search.

£85k won't go far in London but if you are only in the office once a week you can easily live outside London somewhere you can commute by train to Liverpool Street or another north-East London station.

If I were you I would also prioritise somewhere you think you could make friends since you won't be meeting many people through work.

Check out Chelmsford, I think if you're only going in once a week a 30 min train ride is not bad and you will get more for your money over London. I would use rightmove to find a place www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/search.html?searchLocation=Chelmsford%2C+Essex&locationIdentifier=REGION%5E307&useLocationIdentifier=true&rent=To+rent

I would maybe suggest Colchester (1 hour ride) as well but the trains aren't always reliable (with delays and whatnot) so it might be hard with the school run unless your daughter will walk on her own.

It's worth noting that girls/womens soccer isn't nearly as popular/developed as in the US. I think this might be the most difficult aspect in your case.

www.londonfa.com/players/youth/girls

Maybe get in touch with the London FA enquiring about football opportunities and clubs with good academies and then focus your search once you’ve identified possibilities?

If you are renting I think you need to speak to someone who knows the rental market. 30 days doesn’t seem long enough to arrange somewhere to live but maybe I’m wrong. Agree with others that you’ll find it hard to get somewhere with outside space near Liverpool Street on £85k. I’d look for somewhere on the trainline into Liverpool Street.

www.commuterguide.co.uk/liverpool-street

Another useful link maybe.

I would also recommend finding a place that you can walk to the station from (you can select a station as a location on rightmove). Parking is expensive.

This looks nice www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-75577043.html

You should look in to how much train tickets cost online as well. You will need to use greater anglia on this route.

I just saw you have pets, I guess that place wont work. Anyways, trying to rent with pets is going to be tough here. Good luck

I think you should try to negotiate some set up costs etc. And much much longer in the hotel. 30 days would make me panic!

If you need to be near Liverpool Street you could locate yourself close to Arsenal ladies youth academy the only London youth academy that is tier 1, the top tier for youth academies.
Arsenal Women is one of the top ladies teams in the UK.