I Hate London

[JamSandwiches45]

We've been here as a family for three years now. We moved from Auckland, New Zealand. I can't be the only expat that spends every day regretting the decision?!

Apart from the shopping and the proximity to Europe/US for holidays, I can't think of one thing that's better here than we had at home. The place is a filthy ghetto! The general attitude/reluctance for people to actually put in a hard days work is astounding. I won't even mention the schools, are DH is a supply teacher and the stories I hear are beyond me.. I fear for his safety daily.

I miss my house on the beach! Time to pack it in and go home I think.

I live in London and love the part in which I live, but I also know that it's a tough city, not always friendly, overcrowded and grubby and therefore it's not right for everyone. It does sound like you'd be much happier back home.

That said, your replies are so brittle and full of loathing for the place and its people, OP, that I suspect half the reason you haven't settled is because of your attitude. You radiate so much hostility that if you were a mum at the school gate I'd cross the playground to avoid you!

London is an amazing city with lots of things to discover and opportunities; however it is expensive and like any other big city it has some dodgy places. If you struggle financilly have to live in dodgy place I would not choose to live in London and move to a smaller place.

I think you should move back home. This negativity is not good for your children/familyand you are certainly unhappy so London is really not the place for you

I can't stand London. Every time I have been there, I have found more reasons to dislike it. I have never felt safe there and have seen so much poverty that I genuinely felt sick. DH and I recently had the opportunity to move there, and I could not be more enthusiastic to decline the offer.

There are many places where you would feel more at home - and I totally get the homesickness, being from Canada, myself. Feel free to PM me if you ever need to chat.

Absolutely sensesensibility. I had to move away due to ex-H problems but would go back in an instant if it were possible. No other city compares.

I have only visited and I think London is a gorgeous city (architecture) but I very much dislike it too. But only because major cities stress me out and London is exceptionally busy. Had there been only 1/3 of the people living there I probably wouldn't feel so suffocated.

Berlin is a better big city imo

I agree, OP. I absolutely hate London, bar the odd show, museum or concert. It’s filthy, it’s noisy, it’s chaotic. Anything even remotely nice is extortionately expensive. People wear horrible clothes, look unbelievably unhealthy and often do very destructive things to their appearance to make themselves even uglier. The food is just disgusting.

Nothing wrong with disliking London. It’s a free country and peyote are entitled to their opinions no need to be nasty to them!

Wow you are soooooooo rude!!!! Nothing wrong with disliking London I hate it too: how busy it is, how aggressive some people are, how dirty and run down many places are and yes I moved!

Ha ha your reply made me laugh!!!! I lived in London and had a job in the city with many friends and expensive flat in Canary Wharf! Still after having a baby saw a different side of London that I absolutely hated and ended up moving! It doesn’t mean that I am lonely crazy psycho

Grow up!!!!

GROW UP - not everyone has to live London!!!!

Grow up Holly

It’s alright OP, I too think London is overrated. I hated it for years and years but I learnt to start enjoying it as I moved slightly away and developed a quieter lifestyle.

I grew up on the beach and life was a lot more spontaneous and slow paced and the pace in London and the stress just isn’t for me.

But I do love the diversity. That’s the one thing I’m clinging onto.. I do love how the whole world is in one place. And I love the opportunities this city provides m.

I also understand this post-colonial resentment you hold for the history of the city. But I think if you meet diverse people with an open mind you might be able to appreciate that the colonial London is not the London of today.