Anxious about Dd potentially going to London University

[AffronttoBS]

Dd is applying for ucas 2023 entry, two out of her 5 choices are London (imperial and ucl). If she gets offers, on the one hand they are fantastic universities, and London should be full of opportunities and it would be great to study and live there. On the other hand, I’m getting more and more nervous about the state of things in London, especially regarding the decline of law and order and how risky it would be for her as an environment to learn to be independent.

aibu? Are there other parents feeling this way? Or if you are a parent of a yr 1 , yr 2 London student, how do you feel about your dc studying in London?

When you say the state of things in London, I don’t understand what you mean, as opposed to any other city?
On the positive side, transport is excellent in London with tube, buses, Uber, hire bikes etc readily available so your DC will be able to get around safely and easily, especially at night. .

Decline of law and order?

It's London. Not the wild West.

On the other hand, I’m getting more and more nervous about the state of things in London, especially regarding the decline of law and order and how risky it would be for her as an environment to learn to be independent

What are you even talking about? Where do you live and have you ever actually been to London? Do you know anything about it?

My dd is in another city and I would be totally fine if she was in London. Public transport is much better (especially at night)

I’m getting more and more nervous about the state of things in London, especially regarding the decline of law and order and how risky it would be for her as an environment to learn to be independent.

this seems a tad dramatic.

Is there something particularly you are worrying about ?

the state of things in London, especially regarding the decline of law and order and how risky it would be for her as an environment to learn to be independent.

Are you being serious ?

Where are you from op?

Have you ever been to London, or do you know anyone who has ever visited it?

Ha, I’m London as we speak and law and order seems dandy from here

As a Londoner, I think it must be rubbish studying here. Soo blooming expensive.
And everyone scattered around.
Lots of negative.
Law and order wouldn't be a main concern though.

I rather thought you were going to be worrying about the expense of living/studying in London. I agree with others that you are being over dramatic. London is not in a state of dangerous lawlessness.

I wouldn't say London is particularly unsafe, but then again it depends on what you do (I've lived here for 9 years, so I've experienced it at different life stages).

Rental accommodation is ridiculously expensive at the moment though.

Yes, I’m being serious, my wording may be clumsy and a tad dramatic, you may disagree with my perceptions/risk assessments of London, and I’m happy for others to provide different perspectives and experiences.

London usually feels safe to me. It’s big enough to stay away from the parts you aren’t keen on. You need to be sensible and street wise but that’s the same in any big city.

Imperial and UCL are both in what are regarded as safe parts of London. Both guarantee accommodation for first year students.

Where are you from? London has always seemed pretty safe to me. But then I was born here.

I don’t think London’s any worse than other big cities - there are areas to avoid, same as anywhere, but I’ve never felt unsafe there.

I am a retired London copper and those in this post who question the OP's views on the decline of law and order in the capital have very little idea of how bad things have become.

I have a daughter who now lives in SE23; some years ago she was robbed of her phone at knifepoint while walking home with a group of friends from a club.

London can be a risky place to live, but it does have lots of plus points. I would encourage your daughter to be very street smart if she wants to study there.

Its London, not Deadwood.

She'll have the time of her life. Most UK university towns have unsafe areas and obviously you want to shield her, but it's such an amazing city for young people with so many cultural opportunities. You should worry more about the expense than the apparent decline of law and order.

@AffronttoBS what on earth are you basing your ‘risk assessment’ on though?! You tell us YOUR perspective

London's great
Seriously. I came here to study and have never left.
My teenage children have been travelling around London on their own for years.
My son has reported one near-fight on a tube train where he thought he might need to intervene.
My daughter has never complained about any issues.

Half of our family were in London. All have moved out because of worries about crime or after being victims themselves. We've lived in a big city recently, one that used to be infamous for gun crime and it was nothing as worrying as relatives tales of London. Perhaps the average Mumsnetter lives in la eafy enclave.
That said UCL does have a good pastoral reputation, although the issue we've heard mentioned a lot is your friends end up very spread out over London and obviously the cost.

I'm a Londoner but I think I know what you mean. I was relieved when my DD chose a campus university outside of a town, with all the first year residences on the campus. If you are at a London uni you are in London. I don't think I would have liked uni if I had gone to one in London. If the students are going straight from school to uni and haven't lived independently before, it is a big contrast to be living in the capital city. On the other hand, provided she makes a few friends and is in a friendly student social network, she could have a wonderful time.

What? London is a great place to be, so much going on all the time. Expensive yes it can be but not always, depends on where you look. I also don’t worry too much about crime as my partner is police officer in London and all the really bad stuff is usually gang related.

WTF??? I live in London, have kids and a teen in London. Expense I could understand but decline of law and order?!?