To ask if I'm too old to move to London?

[teaandcakeat8]

I'm 28.

I currently live in a fairly large northern city - not from here but went to university here - moved back last year but actually I'm not so enamoured with it.

I've always loved London and visit friends there as much as possible; I'm a real city person. New city just doesn't seem as 'buzz-y'. It's something I've always wanted to do and as I'm getting closer to 30 now/the new year feels like the time.

I'm reasonably established in my career and would be looking at jobs around 35-40k - not loads and would have to share - but I share anyway. Not too worried about home ownership as I do own and let out a house currently. I'm seeing someone but it's such early days I wouldn't be sticking around because of him.

Do you think I'm too old to be effectively starting again? From a social point of view more than anything I guess.

[Rainatnight]

Not at all! Go for it. You're really not old. If this is something you want to do, you'll regret it if you don't.

I moved to London when I was 23 but started a completely brand new career there when I was 28.

From the ancient vantage point of 42 years old, I can tell you that I've only ever regretted the things I haven't done (the cliché is true).

It's expensive, but you know that.

And if you don't like it, you can go back home again.

[BulletFox]

No!

[Mxyzptlk]

28 isn't too old for anything most things.

[lalalonglegs]

Ha ha ha - the only thing you're too old for at 28 is princess parties and ball ponds. Get yourself a job, get down here and have a great time.

[hopingandprayingthistime]

Get yourself to London OP! 28 is so young!!!

[Nyx1]

I thought you were going to say you were 88!

[lalalonglegs]

It doesn't sound as if you would be starting again socially as you have friends here you visit frequently. Try to find a flatshare near some of them and enjoy.

[BulletFox]

Omg is 88 the cut off age?? I feel young and sprightly now!

[hopingandprayingthistime]

There are so many social opportunities in London. Every type of class / club / course you could possibly imagine! And workplaces are often very sociable with everyone going out for drinks regularly (facilitated by the lack of driving due to excellent public transport)!

[flumpybear]

Do it!!

[isthismummy]

You're a mere pup op.

I moved to London at 32. I had no job to go too and only one friend here. Go for it! You'll regret it if you don't.

[reallyanotherone]

Get yourself a job and move:)

I will say though i think the job market is a young person’s field. I got my first job in london as a young, single 27 year old easily enough.

However when i was made redundant 12 years later, at nearly 40 i couldn’t get an interview in 3 years never mind a job. Presumably there are enough young, single, under 30’s to employ.

Moved north and got interviews straight away, started my job within 3 months of relocating.

[dimots]

I harbour a day dream of retiring to London. 28 is still really young. Do it!

[teaandcakeat8]

It's the social aspect worrying me. I've actually found it hard to make friends in current city as people seem very settled for mid-late twenties - most colleagues my age are married for example!

[BrawneLamia]

It depends what you want to do in the future. From a social point of view you will be fine, people move in and out all of the time and you shouldn't struggle to find friends.

If you are thinking of settling down and starting a family any time soon then I would go elsewhere. I had my time again I would probably establish myself somewhere up north, it is so much more affordable. I stay down here now because of family, friends, jobs and school.

[Nyx1]

Bullet - no, 88 is not the cut off age. We live in London and there's a local lunch club where I think the youngest person is 90. My friend's grandma is in it, she's 95.

I don't think there is a cut off age. If I didn't work in central London, that lunch group would be out in central London more often than I am

[BulletFox]

Nyx1 hmm, interesting. I was secretly hoping you were telling me classified information, like monopoly, 'if you are 88 DO NOT approach London, DO NOT collect £200'

OP just go for it, you'll soon make friends

[superram]

I am 40 and love London, although I moved here at 22 my friendship group has changed since having kids. London is a fab place to bring up kids-despite what all those that don’t live here think!

[FitbitAddict]

I'm 49 and emigrating next year. You are definitely not too old to start afresh in London (and I've lived there for 31 of the last 49 years).

[Nyx1]

Bullet, lol no.

OP there's so much going on here, you will meet squillions of people and certainly most people I knew at 28 weren't married with DC. That was mostly mid-late 30s.

now most friends in 40s and 50s and we are basically the only family who want to leave!

[Copperkettles]

Definitely 100% no. Get on meetup.com and you'll find masses of social stuff filled with single people.

You won't regret moving there.

[JustKeepDancing]

I made a move in the opposite direction recently and meeting people and making friends has been the hardest part of relocating. I looked up a couple of sports clubs to join before I moved and that did help. I'd suggest similar (or a church, choir, book club, art class - whatever is your taste). The downside of London is that it can a very long time to get to the social opportunities which I found particularly tiring when I lived there (as an introvert working irregular hours, I had to force myself).

I'd say go for it. You're more likely to regret it if you don't than if you do - you can always move back!

[PaperdollCartoon]

Not too old at all. For a start I think you’d feel younger here than in other places anyway, Londoners tend to settle down later, marry later, probably because it’s more expensive here and people come for their careers so are focused on those. You’d meet people through work, get out there and join things, you’ll be fine!

[CheapSausagesAndSpam]

I emigrated aged 43! I'm 45 now and still wouldn't say "That's it! I'm staying put!"

Go for it. Socially you will be fine. London's very sociable. What work are you in?

[teaandcakeat8]

I work in digital and marketing which is pretty sociable with plenty of young people and regular hours.