To ask if you think this very ‘unmumsnetty?’

[BologneseGurl]

If someone were looking for a place to live and there criteria were -

”I’m looking for somewhere run down with a few ropey pubs”

LIGHTHEARTED

So are you currently house hunting OP?

The first few replies are very 'mumsnetty'!

No - fair enough !

I lived in Camden during this period and it reminded me of this. It's completely changed. But if you look for a location on Google Maps and choose an earlier date you'll be able to see what it used to be like!

Are you training AI in unmumsnetty questions?

If not I suggest you just go for a walk around the place you grew up. I lived somewhere like that in my early 20s, and it was great. Less keen 20+ years later!

Not seriously - but in a bit of a half arsed way iyswim

No im not at all acquainted with AI!!

I see what you mean - the intervening decades have made a difference

Everywhere seems to have become so gentrified! The last place I went that fitted your description was some of the South Wales valleys, had you thought about looking round there? Scenery stunning, it's like an inner city has been beamed down into beautiful countryside.

Omg I love Camden! ❤️

I often use Google Maps but even they only go back to 2008

Yes some of the south Wales valleys are in stunning locations

Ebbs Vale anyone ??!

surrounded by very steep hills

What kind of area do you currently live in?

pleasant, thriving and no dodgy pubs presumably

sounds hellish

I agree about the lack of pubs - it’s a shame in a way

Fair enough I was trying to be a bit lighthearted based on my nostalgia lol !!

It would be like Swanage rather than Lyme Regis, or Charlton rather than Greenwich, or Peacehaven rather than Brighton. Just the slightly grittier places. I prefer them too. Fewer wankers poncing about.

Yes to be fair I currently live I a really nice area and I’m very grateful for it - every day. It’s not in the least run down.

but I suppose I was just missing the mid - late 2000s …

The place I grew up in actually still has loads of ‘traditional’ pubs. Most of them don’t take card payments. Sticky carpets that smell of stale beer, dart board and pool table. The rest of the village is quite gentrified though! It’s a weird mix of families who have lived there for generations and newcomers who have moved in for the good transport links and upmarket new builds.

Yes I can remember someone describing Swanage as ‘faded’

i know Charlton very well actually cos my ex partner of many years was from
there

South ockendon
Dagenham
Parts of Romford
Clacton if you want the seaside (also v cheap)
Jaywick is probably a step too far....
Harwich?

Essex is your friend

I get you OP. This is the sort of area I lived in for years as a student. At the time, it suited me just fine as I was young and invincible! Cheap and cheerful. Bit rough round the edges. Pubs frequented by men missing teeth. Wheelie bins out all year round. The odd mattress propped against the wall. Good times! 🙂

So @BologneseGurl
You wanna live like common people?
You wanna see whatever common people see?
Just rent a flat above a shop
And cut your hair and get a job
And smoke some fags and play some pool
Pretend you never went to school and you'll be fine!

Any location TBH I’m WFH
The area this thread is based on is Home Counties/ South East

Thanks noted !!

I didn’t study at St Martin’s College though.. 🤔

Absolutely 🤣💪

Thanks for these recommendations!

Leyton and Walthamstow 25 years ago.

Now smarter.