Living in London

[Yesnomaybeok]

I'm considering a move to London. It would be a completely different area from the one I'm used to but I visit several times a year and love it. I love the bustle, the amount to do, the parks, the buildings. I feel like I need somewhere that challenges me more, better job opportunities, potential for a better social life, more to do, evening classes, learn a language etc. However, I'm in my 40s so is this crazy? I'd have a decent deposit for a house so wouldn't have a huge morgage but wouldn't have a huge wage. I'd be moving away from older parents and other family but there are no children of my own to consider and very few friends. Is this a stupid decision? Job wise I think I'd be ok finding one in my sector.

There building is gated with 24 hour consierge buzzing people in, and has a swimming pool and a gym for residents as well as nice outside space thats maintained and kept clean, so I guess thats why the monthly fee is higher than you would expect.

@Yesnomaybeok OP I'm pleased this thread has helped you to see reality. I posted around page 2 with my experience of moving to London around your age. I don't think you can afford it, or rather the lifestyle you want, and you'll end up unable to do the things you want to do. I stayed in most nights due to lack of time and cash. I remember doing a class in Hammersmith (I was in Chiswick) which in theory is very close, but I hated the dark secluded walk to and from the tube, and I felt vulnerable a lot and this was a relatively nice area. A friend of mine lived in Forest Hill, and I swear it would be quicker to get a flight abroad, no joke! I would chose a lively classy bohemian market town or city for the same benefits, but less of the downsides and expense of London. Especially at your time in life.

The mistake people make with London is thinking about it as one city - it is a metropolis - it's home to 8.9 million people. There are lots of Londons, I have lived here over 20 years and there are areas I have barely been to.

I would chose a lively classy bohemian market town or city for the same benefits, but less of the downsides and expense of London.

This. I also posted encouraging you OP to move... before I saw your budget. Are you sure it is just London or where you are now? Have you considered places like Lewes, Brighton, Bristol in relatively easy reach of London, or even other cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow?

@Yesnomaybeok - do you know what I would do OP ? I think it might be something you need to do to get it out your system- take a 6 month break- Airbnb it or a short term let- use a bit of your cash - do a bit of temping maybe, have a look round different areas , attend some events, go to a few meet ups and see what you think, - before blowing your cash on what may well be a grim flat. You could have fun and decide you are prepared to compromise or you may think it's great 'if' you have a well established 'crowd' and plenty of cash. You need both ideally but certainly one of the two!! I would take an extended holiday and then either yay or nay it!!