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

[Rebu]

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.

I'd probably agree that it's more about the area of London than how central. Hampstead, Bloomsbury, Marylebone are all pretty staid. What about around the Angel? Borders Zone 1.

It can be tricky to find somewhere good for a supermarket shop in zone 1 and the prices are more expensive for the same food in the same chain. It can also be harder to take deliveries in when you are in very high density area, eg the PP with 65 steps.

God yes. I lived in zone 1 in my 20s. I had an absolute blast.

I lived right in the centre of London for about six years when I was late 20/early 30s. I absolutely loved it! I loved the buzz, being in the heart of everything. I moved further out to be able to buy somewhere but I often think that one day I will move further back in.

If they are already renting in Hampstead but are expecting to pay £10K more per year I think they must have exceptionally high standards! I was renting in a former council block - visually not very pretty on the outside but huge rooms inside. Council tax was tiny because the City of London where I was is heavily subsidised by all of the businesses. The rent was comparable to places like Hampstead, probably cheaper in fact. They should do some research.

And yes, as someone else said, you shouldn't look at paying rent, or paying more rent, as wasting money. You are paying to live there, you don't keep the home but you get life and experiences in exchange for that money.

I'd do it in a heartbeat now as a woman in my 40s never mind young and free in my 20s. Never made it further in than zone 3 sadly. Some people prioritise holidays or cars so the extra in rent is really no different.

Hell yes. I would also go for Southwark.

I did it in my twenties in the 90s, when it was still just about realistic to afford your own flat, (Fitzrovia, 20 minutes’ walk to work in Bond Street) and it was worth being skint to do it. I imagine things are much harder now, but the experience was amazing. Everything you could want in walking distance, ridiculously low council tax in Westminster and a Tesco Metro on Oxford Street where I could buy groceries on my way home. Highly recommended for bright young things.

Yes definitely. I am lucky and get the best of both worlds now. I live in another UK city, but work pays for a really nice central London hotel a couple of times a month. I love being able to stroll around central London of an evening, walk to work, pop in and out.

Absolutely. lived on Wells St (just north of Oxford St) for a few years— fairly squalid flat, a dubiously legit sublet, but I loved it. It was an incredibly free time.

I would. They might get a taste for it and never want to leave though!

I still live in zone 1 and relish walking to work and home from the theatre!

my compromise is space. I do have a balcony though and a stellar view of the city skyline.

I’ve lived in Bloomsbury it’s quite transient. Clerkenwell /Islington/city has more established residential community but is a slightly longer walk from west end.

Yes 100%! I've never lived that central but have lived close enough to walk into central london (zone 2). It was a very rough area so ultimately I moved further out to get something nicer. If they can afford it then def go for it!

Wow Southwark! Memories of when i used to work near there and borough market was NOT trendy 😂

Yes

In a shot, not those areas particularly but near enough.

100% would. I lived in Marble Arch in my late 20’s early 30’s and they were the best times. I could walk everywhere and there was such a buzz about the place. If I’d been out all night I’d call in the food hall in selfridges for bacon and fresh bread for breakfast. I loved every minute of it, despite the high cost.

I moved to central London in my 50s. Love it. 20 minutes walk to Covent Garden. 5 minutes to St James Park. Walk the dog round Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace in the morning.
Westminster council tax (very cheap)
Car insurance actually dropped in price. Residents parking pass.

And Ocado deliveries are always free or 99p if you book for the next day as they seem to have so much van capacity. I was horrified when I booked for my parents in Yorkshire last week and it was £6.99 midweek.

Response to comment above about deliveries being hard- not in my area

Also, I felt very safe there. Always people around at all hours of the day.

I rented in Marylebone for a few years. If they enjoy a good social life in central town then it'll he great for them. It was always handy for when I went out as even if I went to other areas several tube lines cross the west end so it was easy to get home.
If they can afford it I don't see why not, they can always move it if they don't like it or don't think it's worth the money.
The only negative I had was the lack of decent sized supermarkets but with deliveries now it shouldn't be an issue.

I would, I'm 37. Being walking distance to all the shows and restaurants would be awesome!

100%. I lived in SE1 in my 20s and it was absolutely the best.

I live in Southwark and love it. I'm early thirties with small kids. All parts of London accessible from the centre in under an hour

It's their money and their choice. If it will make them happy, then yes, go for it.

I wouldn't but I don't like cities, even as a 20yo.

Lived in one of there in my 20s. It was amazing!

I lived in Westminster for a year and Canary Wharf for two and a half years. It was really fun, especially Westminster, some of my favorite memories ever

I'm late 50s and grew up in central London. Moved away five years ago, as I grew to loathe the crowds and the formerly lovely areas ruined by modern development. One thing your young friends should bear in mind is that Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia is now heavily populated by Hong Kong Chinese and most local restaurants are therefore Chinese. The best central London area to live in would be St James' or off Fleet Street.