Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Would you live super centrally in London for a few years?

76 replies

Rebu · 15/12/2023 22:12

Was having a chat with dd and her lovely boyfriend this evening. They’re thinking of moving from their current flat in Hampstead to live slap bang in central London. They’re thinking either Bloomsbury/Fitzrovia/Marylebone. It would cost them around £10,000 extra in rent per year (between them). They’re both mid 20s and find their current spot in Hampstead to be too boring. They want to live in the hustle and bustle whilst young. It’s obviously a lot of money to “waste” but you are only young and in London once.

OP posts:
fluffi · 15/12/2023 22:17

If I could afford a nice flat then absolutely! I’d be so jealous! Work, nice restaurants, amazing bars, theatres, museums, exhibitions and huge parks all in mostly walking distance would be amazing!

exexpat · 15/12/2023 22:20

I would, and my adult DC and DP do. They can walk to work and pretty much everywhere else, and spend all their time out of work going to cinemas, theatres, concerts and so on (lots of cheap last-minute deals or discounts for under-25s). The downside is that their flat is tiny with no outside space of their own, but they have all London's parks at their disposal.

exexpat · 15/12/2023 22:21

I wouldn't mind living in Hampstead either, to be fair! Is Bloomsbury really that much more expensive?

LindaDawn · 15/12/2023 22:31

Why are you saying ‘ it’s obviously a lot of money to waste’ ! You shouldn’t be viewing it like this. Life is for enjoyment when you are their age.

OhpoorMe · 15/12/2023 22:35

If they can afford to live in Hampstead they're already doing well and sound like they can afford to move in. I'd head for Bloomsbury personally, or Southwark for bustle.

EarringsandLipstick · 15/12/2023 22:38

I think that sounds lovely! (But I'm in Ireland & always view London through rose-tinted glasses! I've only ever had great times when I'm there).

Passingthethyme · 15/12/2023 22:38

💯

OwlWeiwei · 15/12/2023 22:40

DS lives in central London in a beautiful apartment block. I get serious envy every time I visit. He can walk into the West End in minutes. It is expensive but he and a few friends decided they wanted to live in the heart of London. They save on train fares, have a lovely landlord and he frequently tells me he is having the time of his life.

Dragonbed · 15/12/2023 22:44

Absolutely. Make the most of it

Moonshine5 · 15/12/2023 22:46

I did, great experience.

SkaneTos · 15/12/2023 22:46

Yes! I could never ever afford it though, but if I could I would, not my whole life, but definitely for a few years.

My mother lived in central London when she was young in the 1970's and she still talks about those days a lot.

TheDogsMother · 15/12/2023 22:46

Absolutely yes. That's what my lottery win is going to be spent on.

wjpa · 15/12/2023 22:47

If it’s what they want, then I guess fine. I couldn’t stand to live there. Each to their own.

IntheSnowySnowyMountains · 15/12/2023 22:47

I lived in a shabby flat in Kensington in my 20s. There were 65 stairs from the front door to our flat! Loved being central, but I know it's frighteningly expensive now. I didn't really think about it being a waste of money (actually wasn't much more than the places I lived in Shepherd's Bush or Crystal Palace) because being able to buy was such a distant dream!

parietal · 15/12/2023 22:48

Yes. Lived there in my 20s and it was great. Wish I could still afford it.

They should look at clerkenwell as a great central district.

reluctantlogin · 15/12/2023 22:48

southbank ..walk everywhere

FranticallyFrank · 15/12/2023 22:49

There are a lot of options in between Hampstead and Bloomsbury. I think the exciting parts of London are more like Hackney these days. Hampstead is going to be boring for people in their 20s but that’s doesn’t mean they have to move to Zone 1.

HiGunny · 15/12/2023 22:49

Absolutely. I always regret not moving to London with DH in our 20s. We both work in Finance so could have earned good money and had great fun.

idontlikealdi · 15/12/2023 22:49

If they can afford it at this stage in their lives, crack on!

etmoiandme · 15/12/2023 22:58

Agree with PP, Southwark's ideal for someone in their 20s wanting central and bustling.

karloen · 15/12/2023 23:05

We lived in zone 1 for 20 years before settling down in zone 2 for schools. It's great fun and so lovely being able to stroll home after a night out. We had bought our flat though- I am not sure if it would have made sense to rent as it would have delayed us getting on the housing ladder (we were very frugal when saving to buy and lived in shared flats).

Bloomsbury and Marylebone are nice, charming areas but fairly sedate for a young couple, they are not much more buzzy than Hampstead.

ActDottie · 15/12/2023 23:11

If they can afford then yes. But if it’ll mean budgeting very tightly i just don’t think you’d be able to make the most of the location.

Tickly · 15/12/2023 23:15

Absolutely. I work north of soho and there are some fabulous looking flats a short walk from Regent’s Park and soho clubs. I lived in the heart of a (foreign capital) city in my 20s. Tiny flats but just the most brilliant experience with everything we wanted to do right there.

MoveOnTheCards · 15/12/2023 23:17

In a heartbeat!

wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain · 15/12/2023 23:19

A friend lived just north of Oxford St for a few years in our 20s. It was fab. We'd go to Selfridges, back to her's for a cup of tea and a chat and then out for drinks or to a show and then walk home again after. It was amazing. I still miss it now!