Bit shocked

MobileSaver

Pobby wrote: »

That is getting on for nearly 30%?1?. Thats west of London.

At the same time our house in Plymouth has done nothing.

Supply and demand. Over the last 10 years London's population has increased at TWICE THE RATE of Plymouth's.

buglawton

Pobby wrote: »

So taking on board that every part of London is pretty shabby why te great clamber to buy. Is it in hope of more rises to cash in on the equitie?

I cannot believe it is because there are just migrant communities. In Reading right now and there are folk from all over and lately a massive Eastern European community. Again a quarter of a million will get you a small terrace in a crowded area.

Down to Plymouth now. Again of late , a cosmopolitan community, albeit, not as noticeable as Reading but still very much there. True, Plymouths reputation as a place of employment was not so good but with a large teaching hospital, lots of places for further education, light industry and tourism the opportunities are more plentiful.

Given that many graduates are loath to leave the coast and nearby countryside, it has a pool of well educated people.

For a bit of fun.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49691449.html

Now that is in a very nice area. A walk to the town is not a problem. Parking maybe but there is a space for one car.

Now in contrast only one bed at that price unless you are over say 55. I found this

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50144602.html

Don`t need to say much.

Employment really IS the key. In Reading the labour shortage is so acute that anyone with a pulse can get a job. And bosses are nice to you! I used to work in the North West, no-one ever seemed to move job yet managers were able to get away with feudal attitudes.

So apart from the governments hidden agenda to prop up property prices and only pay lip service to house building, we have the issue that the best job prospects in the UK are concentrated in a few hot spots.

MobileSaver

lisyloo wrote: »

I question the ideal that we all have free choice...

but it's not that simple when you have a career especially one that you quite enjoy.

I don't really understand how your (partner's) decision is anything but free choice? Everything in life is a compromise but you are still entirely free to make your own choices (and have done!)

Sapphire

JencParker wrote: »

Richmond is still nice (been here 25 years) but don't think I'd want to live anywhere else in London.

Agree with that. Live in north Kingston, very near river and Richmond Park, with sister in Richmond, and wouldn't want to live anywhere else in London than in the Richmond Park constituency. I've been here for about ten years.

I've lived in other parts of London in the past, including Noel Road in Angel, Holland Park, Clapham and Streatham, and still have relatives in Islington and Clapham. I find these areas all oppressive and much too crowded, even though around Noel Road (for example) there are some lovely houses. I also find travelling around central London a horrible experience – it was always bad, but it is far, far too crowded now, not just during the rush hour but at other times, too. London is already much too big for comfort, yet there's talk of expanding it even further. Crazy to focus everything on one city.

I also think a lot of areas in London are being ruined by the erection of ugly high-rise buildings, which allegedly contain 'luxury' 'apartments', built solely as investment vehicles, not for Londonders to live in (what is being done around Battersea is absolutely vile and it's unpleasant to even travel near there now). It's a ruinous policy for the future to rely on these for our economy (and ruinous for the historical aspects of London, too). You also go to places like Knightsbridge and what you see are walls of glass-fronted shops that all look the same – there's nothing traditional or British about the area any more. Horrible. People will cease to want to come to London at this rate – because many of those visiting are interesting in London for its history. :shocked:

chucknorris

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I am unclear as to what is so special about London.. True many people live there because it is the area of their birth, where they grew up. They live there because that is where their work is. If it is so expensive, how is it that so many migrants can live there? Surely they are being exploited and working in the back economy to feed the profits of others higher up the food chain who leech off them?

London is just another city ,another town with buildings, infrastructure, people ,houses,,, It is as much a myth as the estate agents want it to be. Just another jungle where the strong prey on and exploit the week for betterment and profit. And wy shouldnt it be so with so many willing volunteers rushing to take their place in the galleys of the good ship HMS London.

I moved to London (from Newcastle) after graduating, because there was clearly faster career progression, I got much more responsibility earlier on in my career than I would have done so elsewhere.

Also, although at face value, the difference in salary does not seem to compensate for the much higher London property prices, in reality it does, as long as you eventually move out of London and benefit from buying cheaper elsewhere, I moved to Surrey after 15 years in London. So there is a future windfall to be had from buying in London. Although I did also retain my London investment properties, but that's another story.

Generali

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I am unclear as to what is so special about London.. True many people live there because it is the area of their birth, where they grew up. They live there because that is where their work is. If it is so expensive, how is it that so many migrants can live there? Surely they are being exploited and working in the back economy to feed the profits of others higher up the food chain who leech off them?

London is just another city ,another town with buildings, infrastructure, people ,houses,,, It is as much a myth as the estate agents want it to be. Just another jungle where the strong prey on and exploit the week for betterment and profit. And wy shouldnt it be so with so many willing volunteers rushing to take their place in the galleys of the good ship HMS London.

London is just another city.

How many other cities have 2 opera houses, a ballet company, several world class symphony orchestras, perhaps 5 of the top 100 art galleries in the world, one of the world's great universities, probably the most eclectic range of restaurants and two Test match stadia?

zagubov

Generali wrote: »

London is just another city.

How many other cities have 2 opera houses, a ballet company, several world class symphony orchestras, perhaps 5 of the top 100 art galleries in the world, one of the world's great universities, probably the most eclectic range of restaurants and two Test match stadia?

And housing no other West European capital would envy
I agree with Sapphire that a lot of the new building is pointless. We're using precious land as an investment vehicle for foreigners who under-occupy it while the other dwellings are over-occupied. We put economic pressure on renters who take up more room than they need. How would, say, Singapore, deal with this?

Generali

zagubov wrote: »

And housing no other West European capital would envy
I agree with Sapphire that a lot of the new building is pointless. We're using precious land as an investment vehicle for foreigners who under-occupy it while the other dwellings are over-occupied. We put economic pressure on renters who take up more room than they need. How would, say, Singapore, deal with this?

Is it even a genuine problem? I've read plenty of articles about how it is but am yet to see any hard numbers.

I do wonder if this is more of a media concoction than actual phenomenon.

lisyloo

MobileSaver wrote: »

I don't really understand how your (partner's) decision is anything but free choice? Everything in life is a compromise but you are still entirely free to make your own choices (and have done!)

Do you think someone with a choice between a £100k job in London vs unemployment has a free choice?

Do refugees who have the choice between being bombed or risking their lives in a dodgy boat have a free choice?

Do parents who want to take their kids on holiday have a free choice of when?

Choosing whether to wear a green or blue jumper is a choice free of significant pressures. The other choices have significant pressures involved. So what I mean by "free choice" is free of significant pressures.

Most people i know don't have a free choice about their work. Many have financial pressures e.g. Family which means they can't choose to take a massive pay cut or just move their wife & kids " up north" others work in very competitive careers and maybe gave dwindling choices at 50 plus, some may have caring responsibilities that restrict the hours they can work e.g. Child care.
Maybe some young and single people have entirely free choice over where they live and what they do, but most people with family, debts and some way into their career have limitations which limit their free choice.

Thrugelmir

C_Mababejive wrote: »

True many people live there because it is the area of their birth, where they grew up.

Fewer and fewer though. After the war people were often rehoused in the same areas. Over time true Londoners will become an extinct breed.