WWYD - shared ownership or renting

[HuckleberryFields]

In my situation just interested what other people would do:
Single parent
Child at primary school
Wanting to stay in the same town as close to family and child's school
Wanting to continue working part time to have balance for child
Even if full time would not make much difference to income in terms of mortgage options
Higher paying role not possible unless major change in career

We are very happy where we are, have lovely landlords and neighbours, genuinely very very grateful for these things every day.
Very aware that owning a property is more financially stable but for me in the foreseeable future shared ownership would be the only possible way of this happening. Or a static caravan (actually no cos they're too expensive 🤦‍♀️)

Some SO properties have come up in a reasonable location in the town I want to be and would be affordable for me. I'm worried that I'd be giving up a lovely home etc in exchange for unknown neighbours, problems with new builds etc. There are only a couple and they go fast so feel time is of the essence!
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

As a single parent on a part time income, I wouldn't get a mortgage and forfeit the housing benefit part of UC, and if you're not currently entitled to that, then the future eligibility should you face a change in circumstances.

(I know it's not called HB anymore but I don't know how else to explain what I meant.)

I think you can think of shared ownership as being like long-term renting. you are mostly renting, but the landlord can't chuck you out like they can in a regular rental. So they are a better prospect in the long term, but you could wait for the right one to come up.

can you save at all where you are now? If you can build up more savings, you'll have better options for a deposit etc,

I would do shared ownership, you have more security and can Increase your shares and buy 100% once your children are older.
You can't be kicked out, can decorate, dig the garden up and have pets.
The rent will be lower than private market rate as it will be through a housing association and if it's a house the service charge should be low (under £20 a month)
Long long term you will have an asset and security, you could sell it and buy with a partner or sell it and take the cash to do whatever you like and rent at that point.
Yes you will be paying rent but your mortgage and rent on shared ownership wouldn't be more than private rental for the same property.
My friend has a shared ownership house at 50% and pays £300 mortgage £200 rent. To private rent her house it would be £750pm.
Of course this is area dependant but speak with the housing association they will help.

Thank you for the replies. I think that you can still use housing benefit towards the rent part of the payment but I could be wrong.