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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people live in London

243 replies

AtSea1979 · 01/12/2015 22:06

On the news just now, discussing the North/south divide. I live in the north. London seems a big scarey place where bad things happen often and I wonder why people want to live there.
But do people down south wonder why we live up north too with our poor health and education?

OP posts:
AlphaOmicronPi · 01/12/2015 22:09

Perhaps because their work is there? There family? Their friends? Perhaps they like it? I lived there briefly after uni and loved it - it is a vibrant and exciting city. Bad things happen everywhere unfortunately.

Backawaynow2 · 01/12/2015 22:12

As big and scary as the dark isn't it op?
Yawn.

Hassled · 01/12/2015 22:12

London's an amazing city - there are many, many reasons to live there. I guess people just resist change on the whole - if you're comfortable and happy in the North East or Wales or wherever, you're not going to see the point in moving. And if you're comfortable and happy in London, you're not going to see it as big and scary.

OhSoggyBiscuit · 01/12/2015 22:12

I live and grew up in Greater London and love it. The bus service is great compared to just 5 miles out into the countryside, we're only 30 minutes from the centre so daytrips are easy.

There's no city in the UK quite like London.

Trills · 01/12/2015 22:13

If you truly can't imagine why people might choose to live in London then you are definitely unreasonable, and one or more of:

ill-informed

unobservant

lacking in a normal amount of curiosity about the world

gullible

thick

annandale · 01/12/2015 22:13

London is beautiful Confused It's exciting, and dense with history and events and design and architecture and PEOPLE. I do find it overwhelming these days [old gimmer] but you really don't have to go far away from the main drags to find quiet spaces. All I ever really did in London was do office jobs, live in the inner suburbs and see a bit of culture, but I did love it. I used to like little corners of it, side streets and passageways and of course the river.

lastqueenofscotland · 01/12/2015 22:13

I live in London for my career (I'm a totally unashamed career bitch) the salary(!!), the things to do/see I have lots of friends, I don't have to drive anywhere, lots on, lots of nice places to eat.
I dislike London because of the tube.

Re the north my family are from the north, I'd not live where they live because of the lack of opportunities job wise. A lot of people just get a job at one of the big stores/factories near there and stay on that level till they retire. Which I find dire. My cousin is nearly 30and has been doing the same job with no progression since she was 18.
I would however gladly move to Manchester or Leeds. I probably prefer Manchester to London. I'm just happy where I am for now.

specialsubject · 01/12/2015 22:14

poor health and education in the north?

yeah, right. Now, what's the word I'm looking for?

RockCrushesLizard · 01/12/2015 22:14

Work. The biggest law firms are all here. Which is not to say I'm not happy here, after ten years.

M48294Y · 01/12/2015 22:14

Oh dear! Can't believe what I've just read.

theycallmemellojello · 01/12/2015 22:14

Because there's loads of stuff to do and as a professional you earn more money.

EnthusiasmDisturbed · 01/12/2015 22:15

because I love everything London has to offer

I love that there is so much history around, the diversity, I love that it is so busy but I can soon find a lovely park or common to get away from the crowds, you can never ever be bored in London there is so much to do

I was born in London, have lived in London apart from time living abroad and there is no where else I would rather live

it is not dangerous London is a very safe city

and I love Yorkshire but it is so bloody cold in the winter and still a chill in the air in summer

I wish house prices and rents were cheaper though

ExBallerina · 01/12/2015 22:16

I've wanted to live in London since I was a little girl and watched Mary Poppins on a loop.

I've visited a few times and loved it. But I'm not British and poor, so will probably never live there.

I can definitely see why people do-it's an exciting, busy and vibrant city with so much history.

I'm off to my Pinterest board now...

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 01/12/2015 22:16
Shock

London is a series of villages each with a unique character and exciting history. Its the best city on this planet its amazing, Its more than Oxford street! Even then Oxford street is wonderful, with all the little places just off it. Its glorious and I love it.

I also love the North, for many reasons. But I do realise big bad things happen all over our country, I mean look at the shoot out in the Lake district of all places Hmm.

Keep an open mind op.

TwoSmellyDogs · 01/12/2015 22:16

Did you mean to make yourself sound like an uneducated shitkicker OP? Surely not.

annandale · 01/12/2015 22:17

Love northern cities too though - no idea why someone would leave Newcastle to live in London, for example. Leeds on the other hand... Grin

SevenOfNineTrue · 01/12/2015 22:17

It's my home and I love it. End of.

longtimelurker101 · 01/12/2015 22:19

Because the city has everything to offer, from museums, events, stuff on your doorstep that you end up doing every year that you wouldn't do if you lived anywhere else.

Because of work, because of the economic opportunities here, there are too many reasons to list, and I'm a northener exiled to London for many years!

Also because, lets be honest, no fecking Londoner would ever start a stupid post like this with "Why does anyone live in the north."

Although when we do talk to non Londoners, we do secretly think oursleves better than you..

DixieNormas · 01/12/2015 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fatfreefaff · 01/12/2015 22:23

Seriously? I come from London. Fantastic educational and work opportunities. World class museums, galleries, theatre etc. Always something to do. We are 5 minutes away from a climbing centre, tennis and pool. Good transport links, hospitals, GP, supermarkets, market within walking distance.

My mum lives in rural area in the North West. Awful weather, floods, power cuts. Effectively no public transport. Has to cross to opposite coast for hospital treatment. No shops, GP or anything within walking distance. Limited choice of arts and entertainment.

Where would you prefer to live?

WorraLiberty · 01/12/2015 22:23

London has just about everything me and my family want and so much more.

I don't think I'd ever want to move away.

WillowinGloves · 01/12/2015 22:25

As annandale and Enthusiasm say - London is a brilliant place. It's diverse and beautiful. You can walk through layer upon layer of history every time you go out. You look at street names and old buildings, quiet corners, busy streets, the river, the squares, the parks ... There is public transport (oh joy, after the wilds of the country where I have to get in my car all the time!). You can hear different languages spoken. You can visit museums and galleries (for FREE - London does not have to be expensive). When you have money, there is the theatre and new exhibitions. You can eat any type of food you want. There is always something new and something familiar. I am a Londoner in exile and it is only going back to the city that gives me that particular shot of energy and interest in life. This is not to say that I don't love other places - Yorkshire in particular - and other cities (Manchester) but there is nowhere quite like London. And contrary to popular belief, it can be very friendly. People in big cities, who move on regularly, don't have time to wait around so if they want to be friendly, they will. We had more friends in our NW London street than out in a 'friendly' village. It can be overwhelming and tiring, and I am not sure I will ever be able to afford to live there again but I suspect I will always feel like a Londoner.

Original poster
AtSea1979 · 01/12/2015 22:29

I'm not uneducated I guess I just live in the sticks and find the thought of going on a tube scarey let alone anything else. But what elfontheshelf said makes sense to me now. Just a series of villages. I can see that now.
Use the word city and I imagine scarey.
Just seeing the news now about North being poorer in health and education makes me wonder whether from a purely detached point of view whether living down south is a much better option for DC. Obs I know London is just one aspect of the South. Lots of other places but I always see London as the place that I just don't get because it's always in the news.

OP posts:
ToffeeForEveryone · 01/12/2015 22:29

I live in London and can't stand it, I'd move tomorrow if I could convince DH! Been here about 6-7 years now. Have never got used to the noise, the crowds, the callousness, the litter and dirt... Yes there are more museums and shops etc but that doesn't nearly balance out the horrible parts you just have to put up with IMO.

Ultimately we're here for work, his work is very London-centric and we would have to compromise financially and his career progression would be over if (when!) we move away.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 01/12/2015 22:29

It's stimulating, challenging, exciting, provocative, innovative.

As are most cities.

Not everyone's cup of tea.

Countries would wither without cities though, so be thankful some people want to live in them.