London is bloody gorgeous *insert the English accent*, how the people explain it. It is loud, vibrant, with a variety of delicacies, and filled with culture. London has the top-rated schools, laws, and opportunities. With all the good things London has to offer, why are people leaving this city?
We collected answers from Reddit from people explaining why they don’t regret leaving the capital for good. Most people miss their friends and family but they are not planning on going back… ever.
- Myra has moved out of London in 2021 to move to the US. The rent in London is incomparably high. She couldn’t afford to live near her workplace. She gained weight commuting for 4 hours daily. She missed out on family time and her mental health was ruined. She complains that travel costs would add up on top of the other expenses.
- James had to change his priorities to move out of London. He became a dad and wanted time for his kids. He says partying with friends is cool and London has that kind of fun to offer. Unfortunately, it’s not the best place to raise kids.
- Sophia was born in London and went to university there too. Her best friends were international students and they all moved out of London post university. She felt lonely and London lost its charm for her. She lives in Manchester now and would never go back except to visit family once in a while. London is a night city with food and pubs but it was not enough to make Sophia stay.
- Melissa lived in London for 13 years. She owned an E8 council flat, and people considered it stupid for her to give up London. But she wanted to climb the housing ladder that was not limited to the city. She finally bought a 3-bed terrace in Sheffield. She says, “I don’t think I could buy a lock up garage in London for the price I paid for my house”.
- Olivia wanted a change in job and the first thing that came to her mind was to leave London. She disputed the gap between the rich and poor there. Although Music bands and concerts are best found in London, she was done with the discrimination. She feels much better in Glasgow. Gigs are difficult but her living conditions have improved much more.
- Thomas just grew out of the city. He was born and spent 21 years of his life in London. He didn’t leave for any particular reason, just found better opportunities in the Gulf region. He feels London friends have a tendency to scatter after a certain age. He recalls out of 7 of his dearest friends only one still lives in London.
- Emily and her partner left London after working there for over 10 years. They rejoice in a greener and larger space at the same rent they paid in London. The crime rates are so much lower in Hertfordshire. Emily says, “ The worst crime that has happened since we’ve lived here was when the police visited us asking if we knew anything about a neighbour’s flower pot that had been smashed.”
- Darnel was a black man living in London. He moved to Spain after 2 years in London. Apparently, someone complained about the local panto having “too many black people” in the cast. Casual racism is common in London, sometimes they don’t even realize they are racist. Someone sympathized saying that they once told a lady in London that the streets look white today. She replied by saying, “I know, it’s nice, isn’t it?”
- Jamal moved to London for university and stayed for a job. Due to the pandemic, he could work 5 days a week from home. But as soon as the lockdown lifted he was asked to commute daily. He asked HR to let him have 2 days a week to commute and rest from work. He left for Kent because his demands were not met. He doesn’t regret leaving a good paying job in a cutthroat industry. The annual salary increase is a mere 2-3% and was not worth the effort.
Most people who leave London confirm that the capital is becoming wider by the day. Prices are increasing crazy and travel is getting more and more annoying. There’s everything to love about London but it ain’t a place to “settle down” unless your great-great-great-grandparents bought a house that is being passed down to you.
Housing is expensive and schooling options are limited. The party life is amazing but it mostly comes to an end soon. Are you planning to leave the city or just want to know why others don’t regret letting it go? Either way, this is a hard pill to swallow about the gorgeous nation.
