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 lived on corner of Neal St and Shaftesbury Ave for a few years. Loved it! You get to know people in local shops and pubs, easy to go to theatre and restaurants. We used to always do something at weekend so Marlylebone farmers market, flower market, odd museums. Walked or took bus everywhere. Happy times.

I would love to live in London and am always looking for excuses to visit ( I live in a beautiful part of Spain) I love the buzz of the city, the culture, the diversity & the convenience of everything. You should jump at the chance ...its an offer that is once in a lifetime

I lived in Fitzrovia for nearly 10 years and left about 5 years ago. If you are living in Fitzrovia or Marylebone, as long as you aren't on one of the main streets it won't be loud. O wouldn't recommend living in Soho because of noise and annoying behaviour. I enjoyed living central, I could walk to lots of places and if I needed to tube somewhere it never took long. The only downside for me was not having a massive supermarket but it wasn't the end of the world.
Enjoy your time there, what an opportunity.

Another one here who used to live on Charlotte street! It was fab, and I miss it. Food shopping could be an issue because it’s mostly smaller Tesco metro type places but these days you can get supermarket deliveries easily enough - my tip would be to be organised and do that. You won’t struggle with GP surgeries etc, you’ll realise when you’re there that it’s a really residential area, you’ll find what you need easily.

Someone said the noise - but that depends upon your accommodation. Our flat was quiet. At weekends there’s no workers around, so the streets are quiet too, as are the bars and restaurants. Oxford street is busy of course, but once you find your favourite little spots to go to you’ll find it’s got a local vibe and people do know each other.

Aaahhh I’m so envious.

it is totally brilliant. I live just south of the river. Apart from all the advantages people have mentioned, there’s one extra. Practically everyone visits London at some time, so you’ll have a steady stream of friends and family from all over the country and further afield who say ‘I’m in London for a conference/ work/ show next week - let’s meet for a meal/ drink/ catch-up’. They have all the hassle of travel, and you get the pleasure of their company.

I am lapping up all the central London stories. Dh and I want to retire into the heart of London. Cannot wait.

We used to live in Fitzrovia - it was great! So many places to eat, places to visit etc. I loved it. The only downside was the flat was so expensive per sq ft that we really didn’t have space to swing a cat. Didn’t matter all that much as we were out all the time.

I lived in central, v central London. My closest big supermarket was Waitrose underneath JL on Oxford street.

I loved the convenience of meeting up with friends, no long tube journeys back home, being able to walk to so many places, I used the bus and lime bikes loads.

The noise of idiot boy racers with loud exhausts was a nightmare. It was every night, for hours and hours, 365 days of the year.

London never, ever stops. 3am, there are people out and about, Xmas day, loads of people, I jen you're trying to get to the shop for milk, people standing in the way.

Would I do it again, no but I liked it when I was there. I saw some amazing things and met so many people. Many many films were shot within a few meters of my place. I went outside on set many times at 1am and chatted to crew / cast.
I met some A list actors by simply being polite and 'acting' as if I belonged there and was part of the crew. I went to some amazing restaurants, explored areas that I hadn't been to before (despite living in London for years), went to West end shows, galleries, exhibitions each weekend.

It was great and I'm glad I had the opportunity but in the end, I found it tiring and just too much. You will have great fun I'm sure, make the most of it.

A colleague of mine lives right next door to the Vauxhall transport interchange and works on the underground so his commute is literally 5 minutes. The downside is that friends, then friends of friends, then everyone and his dog thinks they have a convenient free place to stay in London.

There are no disadvantages. What a lovely adventure you will have. You might not want to leave!

But there are as I have outlined and others who have also lived centrally, have commented on.

Yeah, there will not be room for guests!

the biggest (only) downside is that all sensible people will be massively jealous and trying to crash at yours the whole time

Ooh - I live the area north of Oxford Street, towards Marylebone High Street. would have loved to live there but prohibitively expensive (so am slumming it in Zone 2 😉 )

No, I wouldn't get the dog but then I'd not get a dog if at work all day?

Other than that, absolutely great fun! You won't need a car, everything is a short walk or hop on the tube. Downside is that it'll be noisy, esp in summer with windows open. I love walking around central London and along the Thames!
Lived in 3 different parts of London and it's a great city when young and full of energy.

I think noise from deliveries (my mate lives in soho and is moving because delivery noise has increased). Also street noise - shouting etc. With the pedestrianisation there may be more people hanging/sitting around and more trade moving back so an increase in move-in activity.
Dunno. I live central (zone 1, 3 stops from Oxford circus) but it's quiet (apart from the bloody helicopters). Not sure I'd want to live much further in. But for a short time and not buying, think it could be fun.

I have an aunt who lives on Marylebone High Street. She lived there for over 40 years. She loves it and says that as she gets in to her 70s it’s perfect for her as she can still get around by bus or black cab, but she walks to places an awful lot which keeps her nimble. We lived in zone 3 but DH & I flat sat for her for a while when she was away for some work and bloody hell, I loved it! Marylebone High Street is like a weird village in Central London. There is a Waitrose there, a very good Oxfam shop and walking along the back roads that run parallel to Oxford Street means that you beat the crowds and tourists, and weekends are strangely quiet and peaceful to explore the area. I’m very envious of you. Good luck.

Following as I will be in a similar situation for a year. Excited to make most of a totally different lifestyle.