I'm glad I was priced out of London.

TL;DR

The author reflects on their time in London, discussing the allure, challenges, and ultimately why they chose to leave.

Transcript

in 2013 I moved to London and I instantly  fell in love. though it was for some people,   it was not too grubby, too greasy, too  hectic, too frantic or too busy for me.   within a year I vowed to stay forever.  in 2021 I packed up my bags and I left. Samuel Johnson said: when a man is tired of  London he is tired of life. so what was going   on wi... Read More

Key Insights

• 👯 London is portrayed as a mythical and desirable city in media, attracting people from all over.
• 🛟 Financial challenges and the unregulated housing market make it difficult for many to afford stable lives in London.
• 😀 Choosing to leave London doesn't mean failure and can lead to a happier, more relaxed life outside the city.
• 😃 There is a societal pressure to prioritize living in big cities, but it's important to find joy and fulfillment outside of these places as well.
• 🪡 The author's experience highlights the need for a more balanced distribution of talent, opportunities, and resources across the country.
• 👻 Leaving London allowed the author to focus on their own priorities and personal fulfillment.
• 😃 The perfect body analogy is used to compare societal expectations of living in big cities and finding joy in other places.

Questions & Answers

Q: What initially attracted the author to London?

The author was drawn to the romanticized image of London from media and wanted to experience the city where anything is possible.

Q: What challenges did the author face while living in London?

The author experienced financial struggles, including walking long distances due to lack of public transportation funds and missing bill payments. They also encountered precarious and unregulated housing situations.

Q: What were the options for the author to afford a stable life in London?

The author considered marrying well, achieving online success, or climbing the corporate ladder. However, they felt these options would prevent them from doing work they enjoyed and rob them of free time.

Q: What factors influenced the author's decision to leave London?

The author realized that the renting market in London was precarious and unregulated. They also felt that London didn't want them and that leaving didn't equate to failure. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the precariousness of their living situation.

Key Insights:

• London is portrayed as a mythical and desirable city in media, attracting people from all over.
• Financial challenges and the unregulated housing market make it difficult for many to afford stable lives in London.
• Choosing to leave London doesn't mean failure and can lead to a happier, more relaxed life outside the city.
• There is a societal pressure to prioritize living in big cities, but it's important to find joy and fulfillment outside of these places as well.
• The author's experience highlights the need for a more balanced distribution of talent, opportunities, and resources across the country.
• Leaving London allowed the author to focus on their own priorities and personal fulfillment.
• The perfect body analogy is used to compare societal expectations of living in big cities and finding joy in other places.
• People may feel they are missing out on big city experiences, but there is also a loss for the city in not having those individuals present.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author initially fell in love with London and felt like they had finally made it.

• Living in London as the main character had both its perks and challenges, including financial struggles and precarious living situations.

• The author realized that to live a stable life in London, they may have to consider owning a home, which led to the decision to eventually leave.