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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how anyone can live in London?

222 replies

Sausagefingers9 · 04/12/2018 15:38

I hadn’t been to London in years so had forgotten just how extremely busy it is. I’ve just got back from a trip there and feel like I need a lay down in a dark room!

How does anyone ever turn off when there is so much stuff, and noise and people everywhere? Everyone looked so grumpy and depressed.

OP posts:
Noviceoftheweek · 04/12/2018 15:39

I imagine it depends where you are. The City is as inspiring, invigorating and exciting as ever. And, while my home isn’t strictly in London, it’s an easy commute and amazing to be so close to all that this city has to offer.

Gromance02 · 04/12/2018 15:42

I don't want to slag a whole city off but I live in a small town and love coming home when I've had to go to London with work. My home is absolutely silent with very few cars going past and this suits me perfectly. Each to their own though. If I was 20 years younger and very well off I think I'd like to live in London. Not on less than a few £100k per year though.

Loopytiles · 04/12/2018 15:42
Hmm

It annoys me when people say this kind of stuff to London dwellers/workers like me in RL. Rude.

RiverTam · 04/12/2018 15:43

I have lived in London my whole life (45 years and counting) and I have to say I'm starting to find it a bit much in the centre, but even where we are (zone 2) it can take ages to get anywhere by road, and it just feels too full on. Unless I'm done and dusted by about 10.30 on a Saturday it's just too crowded bloody everywhere.

DH's family are coming over from Queensland next year and I think they'll find it almost unbearable!

Original poster
Sausagefingers9 · 04/12/2018 15:43

I can see it has a lot to offer some people but it must be so bad for your mental health to be in such a rush all the time.
It’s overwhelming.

OP posts:
IHaveBrilloHair · 04/12/2018 15:45

I'd love to, but it's not possible so I'm moving to my nearest big city instead, Glasgow.
I want the loud, happening, buzzy vibe.

Original poster
Sausagefingers9 · 04/12/2018 15:45

I’m not saying it to you Loopy. I’m observing how jam packed it is, no need to take it personally if you like it there.

OP posts:
0lgaDaPolga · 04/12/2018 15:49

You get used to it. I’ve always hated crowds but worked for 6 years in the city of London until I’ve given it up to look after my baby. I did find it stressful at first but you get used to it and sort of let it wash over you after a while. And there are a lot of positives to living in London that make it worthwhile

HeyMicky · 04/12/2018 15:52

Londoners don't literally sleep on Oxford street...

Bombaybunty · 04/12/2018 15:56

Moved out 9 years ago and still miss it.
The countryside is overrated.

Brainfogmcfogface · 04/12/2018 15:57

Born and raised in London, quite central, so never knew any different, moved out when I was 30, now when I go back it doesn’t feel like home anymore, and I’m not sure I could go back, but saying that where I am doesn’t either, I still have the London hustle mentality but live in a slower paced town.

LuckyAmy1986 · 04/12/2018 15:58

Yes the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

Ontopofthesunset · 04/12/2018 15:58

Strangely the street I live on does not have lots of stuff and people and noise on it. There are a few cars going by and people talking as they walk past. I guess people switch off by going home and shutting their doors - you know, like people in any city or town. People on my street sometimes look happy and sometimes grumpy. Not everyone is in a rush all the time. I'm not. You were probably in the centre of the city at a busy time.

Not everyone wants to live in a big, vibrant, noisy city and that's fine. Not everyone wants to live in a quiet, rural, out of the way place and that's fine. Most residential areas outside the very central part of London are much like suburbs anywhere.

Ifailed · 04/12/2018 15:59

To save all the London-haters:

London is shit; it's dirty, smelly, full of dangerous criminals and all the residents are unfriendly, over-paid & over-entitled.

Sitranced · 04/12/2018 16:00

You don't have to rush around with everyone else you can just walk normally or stand on the left

Sitranced · 04/12/2018 16:00

right

apologies country bumpkin

Loopytiles · 04/12/2018 16:01

Sigh.

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 04/12/2018 16:02

See, I love the business and the energy in London. Each to their own!

Bobbiepin · 04/12/2018 16:02

I hadn't been to [insert small town name here] in years and forgot what it was like. Everyone moving so slowly, how on earth does anyone get anything done? Everyone wanted to chat when I'd had a long day and just wanted to relax and read my book on the way home. I hate the way everyone knows everyone's business, there's no such thing as privacy any more.

OP just because you don't like something doesn't mean that everyone else has to hate it too. You are being rude.

WorraLiberty · 04/12/2018 16:03

There's an abundance of parks and wide open spaces in London. It's a beautiful city with no end of free/interesting things to do.

How can 'everyone' look so depressed?

Perhaps that's just the effect your negativity had on them Wink

TheViceOfReason · 04/12/2018 16:03

I love London. It's such a wonderful, vibrant city with so much going on!

I also love my home in the middle of nowhere.

Bobbiepin · 04/12/2018 16:04

@Ifailed it doesn't have you in it and that's good enough for me.

RiverTam · 04/12/2018 16:04

Gosh, why are people so defensive! Do people really think that if you're not 100% on board with everything London has to offer you're a London hater?

Babymamamama · 04/12/2018 16:05

I never understand these types of thread. Each to their own and all that.

TheViceOfReason · 04/12/2018 16:05

I think those who call londoners miserable etc experience that because it's what they expect.

When i was last down i met some lovely people and had some great conversations with complete strangers.

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