What do you think London will be like in 10 years?

[kundalini88]

London feels like it has changed so much over the last 3 years, let alone the last 10+. Although there are a lot of great things about London, I have seen a lot of decline, some of it quite rapid- it's harder to get a GP, dentist, it's much more crowded, it's a lot more dirty and polluted, everything is much more expensive than even a few years ago, transport is less reliable, dirty and expensive, there seems to be a lot more crime and antisocial behaviour, a lot of the nice things about London have disappeared such as cheap music venues, quirky shops that had been in existence for years. Everything seems to be about making money rather than just existing for people to enjoy. I feel like it is a great place to live if you are rich and comfortable or have secure housing, but otherwise it's just a constant struggle. I'm just wondering what the next 10 years will bring? Do people think it will get better (possibly under a Labour Government) or decline more?

Wet

I live in Kent, and the nearest NHS dentist taking on patients (after we got kicked off our old practice's books as they had 'too many patients') is a 30 minute drive away. It would take at least an hour by public transport.

DD's orthodontist is closer (15 mins) and she needs her brace changed in 3 months time. But they are seriously short staffed and can't offer her anything until 6 months, so she'll have the wrong brace in her mouth and incorrect/extended treatment time.

Some problems are government caused and national, not London specific....

Exactly like now. But hotter, busier and more expensive.

Sounds the as every other major city in Uk

It will be hotter than hell in the Summer.

The mayor of London is a waste of space. London has also. become overpopulated and traffic is a nightmare. I do not see this would be improving unless there are radical changes. I will not get into this because people would not like it. The small independent business and restaurants and even pubs are mostly gone. Now it is all horrible chains and same food and shops everywhere. It is dirty and rundown in many places. Unsafe as well.

the mayor is from Labour so no holding my breath with that party either.

This.

Plus there will be a lot more flash flooding. Parts of London will need be given over to the river as floodplain to protect the more important bits; the historic parts, Parliament and the City.

The use of electric vehicles of all sorts will be widespread, so air pollution will be improved.

As for the rest, it depends who is in power and their priorities.

Not sure, but glad I don't live in any of the major cities which appear to be turning into crime ridden hell holes.

Maybe with the air pollution.

But remember the place is getting more and more wood burning stoves, so unless they ban those there will be a sickening stench of burnt wood and particulate matter during the winter.

Unbearably hot?

What I feel is being lost is the sense that 'London belongs to me'. I used to travel all over the city but the restrictions on parking and driving and insistence on public transport mean it's only really practical for me to go into the centre and back home again. It feels like people stick more to their own 'neighbourhoods' - it's the whole 15 minute city thing I guess, and that seems to be where the city is going.

Bless. And which utopia of the provinces we keep hearing are so much better do you live in?

It’ll probably still be full of people unaware of the country outside of London and how everyone else has the same problems, but likely worse as a massive amount of central funding goes there.

Agree it's definitely homogenising. Land is so expensive there are far fewer experimental and indie things. The wealth divide is visible everywhere. In 10y it's going to be a lot hotter, and the urban heat island effect means no cooler evenings. That's what puts me off staying here into the next decade.

Some good things:

• elizabeth line is wonderful! And air con
• 2 westfields are great
• tons of bars and foodie places
• loads of alt food

Lives here since 2008 apart from more potholes and hesges seem to be trimmed less (maybe Im older so now notice!) its similar to me

Actually i think more homeless people 15y ago

James Smith and Sons umbrella shop remains open in Holborn as it has been since 18 something 🌂

It goes without saying that London is absurdly expensive. But I think the point about central London vs suburbs is right on the money. London is almost two different cities nowadays.

Central London has become so insanely expensive and unliveable it's kind of hollowed out. Parts of zone 1 are more or less uninhabitable. Unless you are an investment banker or a mafiosi it's very hard to live well anywhere in zones 1 and 2.

This, and the post COVID wfh phenomenon, has pushed a lot of people out to the outer suburbs and as a consequence a lot of previously dull, depressing suburbs have been given a new lease of life. And I'm not talking about Primrose Hill or Streatham but much much further out. Places people would really have looked down their noses at 10 years ago have become much more lively.

I live in a SE London suburb just on the edge of Kent: when I first moved here in 2012 it was incredibly dull. No one knew where it was. There were no decent pubs, let alone gastro pubs. No easy transport routes into central London. Now, economy notwithstanding, it's much more buzzy. Gentrified, but not to a kind of Clapham/Wandsworth level, just a good mix of shops and facilities. Not cheap (because nowhere in London is cheap) but not ridiculous. Plenty of people live here whose families have lived here for generations, plus lots of newcomers and people seem optimistic about living here.

I think the real untold story of London is the rise of the suburbs.

There’s always one. What wonderful conurbation are you from?

I think the real untold story of London is the rise of the suburbs.

I agree that this is the trend - but a planned trend. My local council has softened their stance on pavement tables and chairs and 'gorilla' planting. They are letting people take possession of their local area to encourage us to work, shops and socialise close to our homes.

If the Tories are out for a decade it may improve

Agree with @Thepeopleversuswork This is happening to big cities all over actually. I'm originally from Manhattan, like 1970s hellhole Manhattan, and I literally do not recognise it today. It feels more like a movie set of New York or something. Everyone I know moved to Brooklyn or Jersey! DH is French and says the same thing about central Paris, it's like a playground for tourists and rich people.

I love London with all its problems, it's my home now, but I do think it will get more and more difficult to live here. I have a slim hope that Labour coming back to power might help somehow.

Hot

Correct

A non-Conservative government will be as much about reducing any decline as things getting better. I do think that the average age will increase and there will be fewer children living in London, hybrid working for some or wfh making this more likely.