London has always been one of the world’s top destinations, but have you ever considered what it was like to live and work in London? Living in a place takes on a different vibe than simply visiting it for a few days. We’ve listed the top five reasons why living in the city is fabulous. And then, for balance, we have highlighted the top five reasons you should avoid it like to plague!
The good things about living in London
1. There are many jobs
Despite Brexit, financial crises and a general global crisis, London is still a city which offers an array of excellent opportunities for those prepared to work hard. Whether you are keen to climb the corporate ladder with an international brand name, or a budding entrepreneur enthused by the energy and buzz of the city, London’s vibe will propel you forward.
2. It’s so easy to get around
London is a city of villages. Getting around the different areas of London is like doing a mini walking tour. Then every area is connected by the tube. You could live your whole life in London and never need a car.
3. It’s the embodiment of multicultural.
With its growth embedded in the history of the docks, and as a significant destination for importing goods from all over the world, London has long been a magnet for traders and travellers from different corners of the world. Today, one-third of all Londoners are foreign-born, and there are over 200 languages spoken throughout the city.
4. There’s always something to see and do
No matter what you like to do – music, arts, culture, heritage and history, sports, even extreme sports, there is always some form of entertainment. Whether you decide to explore London on foot through one of its many walking tours to check out the fake houses of Leinster Gardens, there is plenty to keep you amused.
Reasons NOT to live in London
1. It’s incredibly expensive
The average rental for a two-bedroom property varies between £1150 to £2500 per month. While the average London salary is also higher than the national average (a typical London salary is £69,592), this is very quickly swallowed up. And if you have a family requiring more than two bedrooms, then you’re not going to have much spare cash at the end of each month. Bear in mind the average London house price is over £520,000 – well out of the reach of most people!
2. It can get claustrophobic
If you need space and light, London is probably not the city for you. Although fairly green, it can close in on you quite quickly. The population numbers over 9 million people now, and that is a lot of humanity spread across just a small area of land. Development in such a limited space means that whatever you do, you are living cheek by jowl with many people. Great when you’re young and fit – but if you like a bit of peace and quiet, maybe you should consider somewhere less congested.
3. Over-reliance on public transport
Yes, I know we said that public transport was one of the highlights, but it can also be one of the downsides. If you completely rely on public transport to get to wherever you need to be, then you are at the mercy of it.
4. It can get lonely
Despite its nine million plus population, London can be one of the loneliest cities. You need to have a certain confident and outgoing mindset to survive.
