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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel behind in life?

31 replies

ConsultMe · 29/07/2025 20:22

I’m late 20s & feel very very behind in life.

I grew up in the Midlands then moved to London for university a decade ago (statistics degree). I rent in London alone. That’s one of the reasons I feel behind in life. Seems like all of my non-London peers are busy with house renovations with partners. I’m definitely not in a position to buy…

I have been on a decent salary the majority of my 20s - my first job was on £30k then I got promoted at 26 to £45k. I feel like I have nothing to show for it, that’s mainly gone to cost of living. I want kids for example but just feel like I couldn’t afford them!

Additionally, last year was difficult. My manager sexually harassed me at work, I was managed out. I basically had to leave my last employer and seek work with a new employer and start my career from scratch, lost all my old network etc. As a result, I kind of feel like my life is on hold. I haven’t been dating etc, just in a place of trying to build my confidence back up. I work in data science. I am single.

Aibu? I guess I’m also posting for advice, as feel quite low. London living is the only thing I like about my life, so it’s hard to consider leaving.

OP posts:
MotherOfRatios · 29/07/2025 20:50

It's normal OP, I'm in my 20s and I just want my first Home in London but then I equally have friends that have bought the homes in London and have babies or I have friends that rent and are in a relationship. I really learnt to tune out societal expectations over recent years.

The way I look at it is that you have different eras in your life. Some eras are like career building. Some eras are settling down and every era is valid!

London is expensive

ConsultMe · 29/07/2025 20:49

ComtesseDeSpair · 29/07/2025 20:28

You aren’t behind, you’re just at a different stage of life right now, working on getting yourself to a place where you’ll be able to approach a future relationship healthily and hopefully make it last. You’re still young and it isn’t a race: some people will always be the “first” to get married, buy a house, have children, it’s just how it is.

Do you have many friends in London? It’s not the general norm for career-focused Londoners in their twenties to be home owners with children - so you’d certainly not be the lone wanderer among London peers.

Thank you for this.

You are right, it’s normal in London to rent for longer etc. However I would say that more people I know are leaving London to settle down I suppose.

Personally I don’t feel ready for kids yet so I’m not fussed about that, but I am growing weary of renting/being stuck in the same place.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 29/07/2025 20:46

I'd say you're absolutely normal for London. I find outside of London people settle down younger.

ConsultMe · 29/07/2025 20:45

Quitelikeit · 29/07/2025 20:33

Choose your hard op

is it hard not being on the property ladder
or
is it hard not living in London

To be honest I think if I got on the property ladder, I might realistically need to buy outside of London. But then I wouldn’t feel comfortable moving out of London alone as my entire circle is in London. I don’t really know many people outside of London, if were to live on the outskirts for example. I don’t want to live in the midlands again either.

OP posts:
Quitelikeit · 29/07/2025 20:33

Choose your hard op

is it hard not being on the property ladder
or
is it hard not living in London

ComtesseDeSpair · 29/07/2025 20:28

You aren’t behind, you’re just at a different stage of life right now, working on getting yourself to a place where you’ll be able to approach a future relationship healthily and hopefully make it last. You’re still young and it isn’t a race: some people will always be the “first” to get married, buy a house, have children, it’s just how it is.

Do you have many friends in London? It’s not the general norm for career-focused Londoners in their twenties to be home owners with children - so you’d certainly not be the lone wanderer among London peers.

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