Generation Whine

neverdespairgirl

A._Badger wrote: »

With respect to your Mama, I think I might slightly disagree. London changed so much between, say, 1970 and 2000 (I lived and worked there for much of that period )that I don't think anywhere remained untouched. Blackheath was always a bit 'nicer' but it hadn't been quite as gentrified as it later became. Greenwich, likewise.

And I really think this is the problem. Areas change (look at Brixton for heaven's sake!) so someone breezing into the discussion without an accurate historical perspective is likely to be completely misled when they start trying to make comparisons between then and now.

it did indeed change a lot. But Blackheath was always one of the nicer bits of London to live in, that's not altered.

vivatifosi

With regard to London, the East End was poorer than the West End in the past - as has historically been the case in many cities - because the prevailing winds tended to be westerlies so the smog of the city drifted out over the poorer households. Now that we have no smog - along it could be argued with no industry - it doesn't matter. This has led to areas that would have traditionally been working class being gentrified though I'd argue this trend started longer ago than the 70s.

Having said that, there have also been areas that have been poor in the past that have come up that are not in the East End. Notting Hill, which was where many black immigrants moved to in the 1950s is one; Clapham, the subject of the Squeeze's "Up the Junction" is another. Blackheath my Mum lived near during the 1940s and says it was quite posh even then, but I'd argue in the case of there what constitutes Blackheath has changed so that the more marginal fringes are now also desirable. Estate agents have been behind this for many years - after all - why not try and get a few more quid for a flat in Cricklewood by saying its in West Hampstead? Or White City by saying its in Notting Hill or West Ken?

kimsmarkin

Leaving to attend college or start their lives away from home is a very big step that will take the child into adulthood. Although the move naturally creates a physical distance from parents and children's emotional separation may not be as difficult as it first seems.