A study from Rayden Solicitors has crowned Havering as the best London borough for single-parent families. Bexley is second and taking third place is Redbridge. Haringey, Camden and Hackney are among the worst boroughs.

Rayden Solicitors ranked London boroughs according to the following:
Average cost of childcare
Number of outstanding schools
Earnings by place of residence
Recorded crime (non-corporate)
Rent to income ratio
Average cost of rent
Access to private gardens and green spaces

The coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on finances, relationships and everyday lives. As a result, legal firms reported a 95% increase in divorce enquiries throughout the pandemic. This was a hit on a global scale as throughout the world there were problems coming from couples having to stay within the home together consistently, which put a strain on relationships. This is why resources such as a Sacramento Family Law Firm as well as other global law firms, were needed for their services.

With London having the highest number of single-parent families in the UK, the London family law experts at Rayden Solicitors have delved through ONS data for their latest London family index, to uncover which London borough is the most welcoming, for those looking to relocate.

Which boroughs are the best to live in?
Havering takes the top spot, as the best place for single parent families to live in London. The family-friendly towns within the borough provide a network of support. It is close to the city but offers a good sense of security and encompasses the community spirit of a small town.

Renting a house here is comparatively affordable with the rest of London. The average rent to income ratio stands at 52%, versus the rate of 70% across all London Boroughs. The low crime rate makes Havering significantly safer than many other parts of the capital too (65 crimes per 1000 population vs capital average of 86).

The East London Borough also offers parents the lowest price of childcare, averaging at 5.50 per hour, compared with 6.68 across all London Boroughs. What’s more is that children in Havering are blessed with a safe space to play. Being slightly further afield, 90% of homes have access to private outdoor space, the highest amount out of all London Boroughs.

Bexley also scored strong on the index, securing second place. The south east borough has the lowest crime rate throughout the capital (59.2 crimes per 1000 population) and offers the cheapest rent on a 2+ bedroom property ( 1,254 vs 1,853 across London). This is complemented with average earnings being higher than other areas more afar from the capital, making the rent to income ratio the best in London.

In third is the London Borough of Redbridge. The low monthly rent of a 2+ bedroom property ( 1,472), and the rent-to-income ratio also makes the borough more affordable than the majority of London (58%). With many of these homes possessing gardens and outdoor space for play, Redbridge is a great option for single parents looking to relocate.

The 10 top boroughs to live in London for single parent

Havering – Index score, 93.5
Bexley – Index score, 92.5
Redbridge – Index score, 91
Sutton – Index score, 90.5
Bromley – Index score, 89
Hillingdon – Index score, 89 (=5)
Richmond upon Thames – Index score, 85
Croydon – Index score, 84.5
Kingston upon Thames, 83.5
Waltham Forest – Index score, 81
Interestingly, research found that two thirds of the London boroughs in the top 10 are located south of the river.