What’s it like to be a teenager in London?

[Led92]

Does anyone have teenage DC’s in London and how do they find it? Fun, exciting, safe? Boring, busy, unsafe?

I grew up in a small town and now live in London, I can’t decide if relocating back will mean my kids will be totally bored as teenagers. I remember mostly working and public transport being expensive! But… maybe being a teenager in London isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?
We live in South East London.

I grew up in outer London and it was great- free transport and so much to do. Also easier to meet up with people from other schools/do a hobby that might be a bit more niche.

From my experience at uni it was those living in small towns and villages who took more drugs, mainly out of boredom. It was far harder for me to buy booze and get in anywhere underage compared to them too.

Even before they were teens, they had more independence than friends children because so many things (primary school, dance classes, friends, football club) were in walking distance. So in Y5 and Y6 they started being able to walk themselves to stuff, and I stopped needing to always be available to take them. Though of course I checked they got there safely etc. It meant they could do things they enjoyed even when I was working and couldn’t take them.

As teens, so far the main advantage has been being able to get to friends houses by themselves and lots of easy access to theatre (especially via the cheap tickets in August) and museums.

@Orangebadger As I said, it depends where in London you live. I was brought up here too, and never moved away.

My daughter was a teenager in London. She loved it and still does. She stayed in London for university.
I was a teenager in the countryside and it was hell. I couldn't do anything by myself, no public transport and very little to do anyway.
My daughter had a good education in state schools and also loads of opportunities to do other things outside school and meet a huge range of people.

I don’t have teens yet- but I was a London teenager, so much to do, lots of options, public transport easy (wasn’t free in those days), and getting a job was easy.

Nothing much fazes those who grow up dealing with London. Gives a person the bravado of an Underground rat

My dd was born and grew up in London. Moved to a Northern city for university, move back straight after.

There was and is so much free and fantastic stuff for kids to do in London. My dd has retained her love of museums and exhibitions, and goes to these regularly still in her mid 20s. When she was little we took full advantage of getting the bus into Central London and just walking round. I loved rediscovering the city with her.

@SomethingOnce 100%!!! You can always tell a Londoner by how fast they walk and nip in and out of seemingly thick crowds

We live just at the edge of Greater London. My 15yo loves living this near London. She loves music so it's great as all bands will play London and we an easily get to / home from concerts.

She will go up in the holidays with her friends to go shopping or just go to a museum and lunch. She loves all the choices of food available.

My youngest loves musicals so again so much choice and chance to get cheap tickets through offers.

Transport is really cheap for children - especially if we stick to bus / tube and avoid the train.

Re access to less salubrious things - I think it shows that drugs etc are everywhere, I first dropped acid at a 72 hour rage under London Bridge when I was 15! It was amazing 😂

I also had friends in London who never touched drugs and when I went to uni def met a lot of country bumpkins who’d never smoked a spliff