What’s it like to live in central central London?

[bridgetreilly]

I am probably moving to central London for work in a couple of months. Accommodation is provided within easy walking distance of work, which itself is just a few hundred yards from Oxford Circus. So it really is really central!

I wondered if anyone has any experience of living somewhere like that. How do you manage normal daily life? What are the advantages and disadvantages you might not realise until you actually try it?

AIBU to even consider it?!

I mean, maybe there isn’t anything to be concerned about. I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking. Like if everyone said there isn’t a GP for miles, or you’ll never find a chippy, those are things I’d like to know beforehand. I don’t really know anyone in London who lives in that part of the city snd I sort of worry it only works if you’re a billionaire.

If you have money of course All that will cost a pretty penny

I think it’s fun for a while, but the novelty wears off. I lived in central for uni and then also worked off Oxford St.

My DH and I lived in Bloomsbury for about 8 years. Literally no downsides and I still miss living there. My friend lived in a flat in Leicester Square for several years and that was also great.

Are you able to say more precisely where you will be living OP? It would help pp to understand what to warn or excite you about!

Amazing - do it for sure, maybe not forever but an opportunity you can’t pass on - IMHO. Just walk the streets just behind Oxford St and main shopping ones which are nearly empty. You will find your routes and live the real London. Have a fantastic experience!

I don’t know exactly, but I think no more than 15-20 minutes walk from Oxford Circus, and on the north side of Oxford Street. Don’t know if it will be more towards Marylebone or Fitzrovia. There are a few options, to be decided when everything is firmed up.

Really envy you.Would love to experience that!

I used to live on Wells St, just north of Oxford Street, and absolutely adored it, despite the dodgy electrics, leaky roof, and the downstairs flat being used to make porn films…

DH and I lived slightly further out that you. Still within zone 1, but our nearest tube was zone 2.
So many wonderful things including museums, parks, theatre, various food options, specialist food shops for all manner of herbs and spices and more. Great transport links and a choice of airports, eurostar, train etc for travel outside London.

I did find that our local tesco metro was alot more expensive than a similar sized one outside of London. I often got home delivery and went to markets for fresh fruit/veg. It was always at least 5'c hotter than outside of London and inside our flat could be stifling. Invest in a very good fan or air con unit in the winter when they haven't sold out. Registering with a GP shouldn't be an issue.

I am temporarily living in Central London for work purpose having spent many years living in the suburbs . I thought I would hate it , but I am absolutely loving it
I am the slimmest and fittest I have ever been because I walk everywhere . I can get to most places in London very easily because I live near a station.
I love the diversity , the food , the entertainment . My gym is a walking distance from my home .
I will go back to suburbia inJanuary and I am not looking forward to it

Many years ago I used to live off the Strand on Burleigh St. it was fantastic as I was young and could walk everywhere.

The downside was the refuse collectors every morning about 4am emptying all the big bins from Covent garden market. Also we could hear people shouting (drunk) through the night but I was on the second floor and it wasn’t modern block. It was also airless in the summer and we only had a view of the building across the road. I’m sure in a decent block there’d be triple glazing and possibly air con.

I am the world’s biggest fan of London and never want to leave, however this year has been unbearable, weather-wise. It pissed it down nearly every day for the first two months and then it’s been absolutely scorching ever since (apart from a weird weekend at the start of June when it was dark and cold?!). So would normally not agree with that comment but it’s tipped me over the edge this year. Horrible. Would love some normal weather in 2027 if the universe is listening!

That’s a great location! Best of all worlds. As to pros and cons, it depends what you’re used to/ how you live. You won’t have or use a car, which will be great for daily life but make some things tricky (unless you’re already without a car). No outdoor space of your own which never bothered me at the time but now would. Everything will be kinda high end, in the sense there won’t be a local chippy like you’d find in the suburbs - but there’ll be the best fish n chips just off marylebone high road which will be a bit ££. But then you’ll have Uber Eats and door dash much more easily. Oh to be in my 20s and 30s again, single and living that London life!! Happy days.

Yes, I covered miles and miles daily and was killer fit!

Still, it hasn’t been “stupidly hot for 8 months”, as PP suggested. July and August were certainly very hot, the rest of the year not so much.

London generally has wonderful weather - not too cold in winter and not too hot in summer, with the odd sub-zero cold spell / heatwave here and there.

Both Fitzrovia and Marylebone are great. Quieter than you expect at night, lovely restaurants (not all expensive) walking distance to lots of culture (often free) and events, and a short bus or tube journey to everything else.

People assume that central London has no community but it’s just not true. There are families who have lived there for many years - our next door neighbour had been born in his flat in the 40s. When our daughter was born, the woman who ran the local launderette gave us £5 and asked us to start an account for our baby. I am still friends with the manager of our local coffee shop. We knew the people who lived and worked around us well - when you are local and around for a while, everyone is friendly and you can develop a real community.

I’m excited for you, OP. What an opportunity!

I moved further out the best part of ten years ago, (couldn't afford to buy there) so my experience is not the most recent, but I found a GP easily, as well as an NHS dentist. You're also well placed for excellent hospitals should the need arise and of course lots of excellent private options nearby, albeit that will be expensive. I actually can't think of a chippy, but chippys aren't really my thing so it's not something I'd have searched for/ paid attention to and I'm sure you'd find one (I do remember there being a good one in Islington however). You're generally spoiled for choice of eating places, and can get almost any kind of cuisine easily without travelling far.

That would be an excellent side-benefit!

I’m encouraged that other than the obvious noise and similar issues, no one has mentioned any real disadvantages.

Yeah, I lived in central London in the 90s. It was the best time! Charlotte Street. You could pop into a cafe or restaurant, and eat well for a tenner. Take yourself out for a nice curry.

Was in London this year, there’s myriad food places. But price & quality? It’s not cheap where I live, but the food is good. London is busier than ever. But it’s London. I love it!

There is a major NHS hospital at Euston which is the major referral centre for all sorts of unusual cases (the institute for tropical health is there even).

There is a conventional GP surgery at Marylebone Health Centre or you could register at NHS GP at hand which means rapid online appointments and if you do need to go in, the centre is at Euston. Good option if you are generally healthy and most GP appointments are for contraception and so.
https://www.gpathand.nhs.uk/gpinlondoneuston/

There are several traditional chippies in Soho. Or swanky fish and chips in various pubs in Marylebone.

There is a doggy day care just up the road on Great Titchfield Street called Pet Pronto so local people definitely do have dogs.
Whether that is the right choice for you alongside work is up to you but it's not impossible to have a dog in central London either. Although a smaller one is probably sensible.

I’d love to live in central London. Lucky you.

I would love that for a couple off years what an opportunity

I lived in Holborn for a couple of years in the late 90's as a young pup and it was the most exciting time in my life. I used to shop in the Sainsbury's on Tottenham court Road and buy my fruit and veg from the markets I Soho. I was young and poor but so happy 🥹.

I had a good friend who lived just off Leicester Square. He loved it and wouldn't live anywhere else. And I once had a short let flat off Oxford Circus which I loved. You have lots of green space nearby. St James Park is beautiful. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are lovely, then there are small squares everywhere too. And all the galleries, museums, theatres, music venues, markets on your doorstep. Bliss imo.

I don't find food more expensive in Central London. There is a Tesco in Covent Garden, and as other posters have said, M&S or Waitrose in JL, and Lidl on TCR as well as the Chinese supermarkets in Chinatown which are very good value for fresh produce.