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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:
AllTakenSoRubbishUsername · 04/12/2018 16:52

OK, so I am assuming that most people who live in London actually like it even if you don't think they should.

Crunchymum · 04/12/2018 16:53

I live in zone 1, have always lived centrally and whilst there are some negatives, we have a lovely life here (as do our 3 children). For us all the positives make it worth while.

Storm4star · 04/12/2018 16:53

I live in zone 2 but I live in a really quiet street, it's a one way street that doesn't lead anywhere so the only people who drive down here live here. I have a small garden, surrounded by huge trees so it's a real little sanctuary. So yes, London is busy but when I go home it's peaceful. It's convenient for my work. If I need something or want to go somewhere it's easy (tube 5 minutes walk away). It suits me.

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2018 16:53

No it’s not
It’s really not
It’s actually better for my mh as I find rural or commuter town living claustrophobic
As a visitor you’re only seeing the rushed part
If everyone looked grumpy maybe you were walking aimlessly and in the way ;

MarilynSlumroe · 04/12/2018 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheOrigFV45 · 04/12/2018 16:54

Black Bogeys!

bookworm14 · 04/12/2018 16:54

Oh great - another thread slagging off my home town. If you don’t like it, don’t move here.

Original poster
Sausagefingers9 · 04/12/2018 16:55

I know how to walk in a busy place. I’m not that stupid Grin

OP posts:
viccat · 04/12/2018 16:56

I live in Zone 4 and very rarely go to the touristy busy places. But I do get your point - I enjoyed living in London a lot more when I moved here in my 20s. Now it seems overcrowded to me, especially public transport and rush hour traffic etc.

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2018 16:57

Haha Grin

It is a great place to live

But I do think you’re a city person or not

KC225 · 04/12/2018 16:57

TheOrigFV45 Black Bogeys, a top bar with excellent cocktail menu. Gald to see its still open

cantfocus1 · 04/12/2018 16:59

As a born & raised Londoner I don’t know anything else. The countryside doesn’t appeal to me & controversially I would say the rude “Londoners” aren’t actually the born & bred ones but rather someone who’s moved from Coventry giving it the big I am. Although I will say the traffic & Northern line are starting to grate.

Branleuse · 04/12/2018 16:59

I think there is a certain feeling in london that you get in a lot of capital cities, when it just seems full of transient people who dont live there.

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2018 17:01

I’ve been here 20 years (!) and I can’t believe how friendly others are but it’s probably a getting into the groove thing

I can imagine it being overwhelming if you’re not used to it

Feefeetrixabelle · 04/12/2018 17:02

I love London. My favourite part of any visit is the woosh of grim hot stale air that comes up from the tube station as you go down the escalator. Disgusting I know 😂 I like the anonymity

BoneyBackJefferson · 04/12/2018 17:03

RiverTam

but even where we are (zone 2) it can take ages to get anywhere by road, and it just feels too full on.

Loving this, you have made me laugh as it shows how 'relative' things are. :)

gamerwidow · 04/12/2018 17:03

You get used to it. I’ve lived in London all my life and I can’t handle the slow pace of smaller towns it really winds me up.

Cakemonger · 04/12/2018 17:04

You're brave posting that OP! People get very defensive about this.

I lived in London for a while and enjoyed many things about it but in the end it did get too overwhelming for all the reasons you mention. I didn't recognise myself by the end - I was exhausted and internally stressy, irritable and cross every single day. I grew up in a small village so I think my brain has just been wired to need space and quiet.

Each to their own.

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2018 17:07

I don’t mind if people avoid living in London, happy if they do
But I can’t get on board with what’s said in these threads, especially as country living makes me jittery

MarilynSlumroe · 04/12/2018 17:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LizzieBennettDarcy · 04/12/2018 17:10

I'm a happy country bumpkin. Last time we went to London was to see a band at the RAH 4/5 years ago and frankly it was horrifying. It's really put me off and we've not been back since. The noise and dirt is just awful. I'm happy in my wellies walking over fields and not seeing a soul for miles Grin

cantfocus1 · 04/12/2018 17:10

It only seems to be full of transient and anonymous people when you don't have any genuine roots here or any links to any real communities Yeah I agree with this, there’s people on my road who went to my DCs school, who know my in-laws etc. Although I guess it’s harder nowadays as so many young people have been driven out.

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2018 17:12

It’s really not transient
But it’s also not stagnant which is great

MarshaBradyo · 04/12/2018 17:12

As in there a really strong communities

TeenWolfMum · 04/12/2018 17:13

I've always found London transport okay, I've had people give up seats for the kids on the tube.

Birmingham is the worst. My dd was 4 and we were on a local train and she pushed out of the way and fell through the gap between the train and platform.