Where to live - North or South?

[christmaspringle]

Need help on making a decision.

I'm 27 and single. Have about 6k in savings. Own a house and let it out, currently share.

Currently I live in a northern city - my university city - I moved here last year. I thought I would enjoy it but I hate it. People seem very 'local', the city seems small and backward and I haven't made any new friends really.

I want to move to London next year. Probably around July when my current tenancy ends. This gives me 6-7 months to find a decent job. I'm quite established in my current career, would be looking at 45-50k.

But my parents are putting me off. They think I'm looking for something that I will never find - as I've moved twice since leaving university. Also that London is too expensive, I'll be lonely and I'll never buy another house.

Wwyd?

... to reduce public subsidy...

It seems you have already made your mind up, so just go to London. I'm sure the nice people of Leeds will be glad to be rid of you!

I'm not settling in Leeds, because I don't want to settle down and I do find some parts of the city quite backwards. For example, the transport is poor. Also, I'm struggling to find people on my wavelength despite working in a pretty young industry, which isn't helped by the fact all my colleagues are engaged/married and therefore don't go out so much.

So now you're throwing ageism into the mix as well?

You're dismissing a city of over half a million people based on your very narrow experience. Way to go

I started off being sympathetic to you when I first read this thread - now I'm not so sure. Perhaps you need to think again about why you're finding it hard to make friends?

Do it, I moved from Manchester to London in my late twenties when it started to feel a bit small. I was there for 4 years (moved away at the point I did feel ready to start settling down a bit), it was such a good choice, being single in London with disposable income is just great fun!

In your situation, I would move to London without a second thought. You'll get everything you're looking for there. You could stay 5 years or so and then move out if you want to settle down at that stage, and don't want to live in London any more.

Whereabouts in Leeds are you? Would you be better somewhere a bit more vibrant or accessible? Like Chapel Allerton, Oakwood or Weetwood?

last train to my suburb at 11pm, buses infrequent and ridiculously unreliable

I genuinely don't know where you live as I absolutely live in the arse end of nowhere and the last train from Leeds is well after that

Buses around the city are every 2-10 mins. I'm presuming you mean buses to your suburb which of course due to low subsidy won't be as regular.

Leeds has a pretty well organised and streamlined bus system actually.

I'm in my twenties and new to Leeds (Just moved from London so totally see what you mean).

Luckily I'm making a few friends as they kind of came with work and I knew a few people already who were willing to introduce me to mates.

Happy to meet for a drink if you're in need of some 'young professional' company

Last bus to half of Horsforth is 11.20.

I would always say London - London has my heart. Expensive but I love my friends and the life I have created here. I think it’s worth living in London just for a year even, you’ll love the experience.

I moved to London when I was 25 and I'm so glad I did. I'd lived in my university northern city and was getting a bit bored. I Iove London and don't want to leave anytime soon. No regrets and would def recommend - even if you only do it for a few years!

I'd go and try London if you want to, why not?

Tbh you sound very 'young' and a bit of a dream chaser, I suspect your parents are probably right you won't find what you're looking for in London either; but you should go, you won't wonder then. And living in a suburb with that attitude is just stupid. If you want a vibrant social life and easy transport clearly you should live in the centre if you live in a suburb of London you'll have the same problem! I've lived in London and getting the tube back late st night is just as much of a pain trust me!!

well if you can't be young at 27 christ knows when you can be

Brighton or Southampton might be worth considering too.

If you want decent public transport Edinburgh ticks your boxes and is a vibrant capital city. I couldn't tell you how young people are when they couple up though.

Same applies to Cardiff.

Liverpool is a great place to live and generally friendly.

Otherwise, why not go overseas while you still can easily? Single, no ties, Brexit hasn't happened yet.

I’m a Londoner born and bred, I’m in my mid fifties. I moved out 8 years ago, still within 40 mins of central London.

I love London and feel ‘alive’ when I’m there. London does not have to be expensive, only if you want to be in all the trendiest parts (which were dilapidated when I was young).

The saying goes ‘tired of London tired of life’ I never tire of London..never ever ever..

You have no ties in Leeds, you are unhappy there, you have savings and good job prospects in London, just go for it! If you don't like it, you can always move somewhere else. If I could go back in time (I'm in my late 30s and married with a child), I would make the most of my 'freedom' and travel, meet new people,etc.

You said you have moved twice already though so I wonder if you have an idealised idea of what living in London would be like? Would you be working long hours, commuting,etc? How much free time (and money) would you have to actually make the most of living in London?

Leeds is hardly North. In Geographical terms it is in the Southern third of the country.

A lot of Londoners are moving to Bristol it seems. A great place to be single and busy I reckon. Skip London and go straight to Bristol.

Just caught up since I was last on the thread. OP, there's nothing to keep you in Leeds, and it sounds like you think London might have what you're after. So give it a try. If you don't like it, you can always move on again. But it sounds like if you don't, you'll always wonder what you might have missed.

Ah, speakout, there's always one. But if you do insist on being a smart arse it's good to get your facts straight.

I think I get what you mean. Leeds is a great city (I'm from the north and had a really poor view of Leeds from the 90' until I visited lots recently for work) but it's a city that we have considered moving to with our young family. Lots of nice suburbs and still a vibrant feel in the centre plus it has reasonable house prices. But it isn't London and doesn't have the same opportunities. If I was single mid 20's again I'd go for London - in 10 years time a smaller city may be just what you're looking for. What do you have to lose?

Yes, move to London. That's a good salary and you'd have a great time. It's not somewhere it's affordable to live forever but it is the best place to spend your 20s and early 30s imo.

I’m from Leeds, studied in the south and lived in London for 4 years before moving back home.

I don’t recognise the city you describe (apart from the transport issues - for a city this size it’s laughable that we have no light rail, and buses to suburbs stick at 11pm ish. Oth, taxis are super cheap). However I think moving to London would be a good adventure, might benefit you career wise (which is why I was there), and help you figure out what you value in where you live.

My big caveat: it’s harder to make friends in London than it is in Leeds, if your work colleagues aren’t people you click with. People are more dispersed, more busy. It took me a couple of years to really establish proper friendships. Yes I had a lot of social time, but that’s different to friendship. You will probably need to make as much effort to meet people in London as you might in Leeds.