Anyone leave London for better and if so where?

Neverending_Story

clint_S wrote: »

What sort of Job isn't available in any other part of the country? What do you do in London that can't be done anywhere else? Apart from an MP, I really can't think of any occupation or hobby that can be done in London and not in Manchester or Birmingham.

Beefeater. :rotfl:

Out,_Vile_Jelly

There are some things in London that you are definitely not going to get anywhere else; mainly culture (yes I know other towns have museums but don't pretend they're of the same magnitude, and they're all free in the capital) and public transport. That's counter-balanced by the noise, air pollution, hustle & bustle, expense etc so it's all about what you value most at different stages of your life.

In London a punk, a goth, a burqa clad woman and a group of South Africans on their way to a fancy dress party can get on the Tube and nobody will bat an eyelid. In the sticks where I grew up looking different got you stared at, suspiciously.

I once looked up a directly comparable job in Oxford (which is still an expensive city to live in) and it was literally half what I'm paid in London.

clint_S

Neverending_Story wrote: »

Beefeater. :rotfl:

Not a problem. They have places everywhere

clint_S

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

There are some things in London that you are definitely not going to get anywhere else; mainly culture (yes I know other towns have museums but don't pretend they're of the same magnitude, and they're all free in the capital) and public transport. That's counter-balanced by the noise, air pollution, hustle & bustle, expense etc so it's all about what you value most at different stages of your life.

In London a punk, a goth, a burqa clad woman and a group of South Africans on their way to a fancy dress party can get on the Tube and nobody will bat an eyelid. In the sticks where I grew up looking different got you stared at, suspiciously.

I once looked up a directly comparable job in Oxford (which is still an expensive city to live in) and it was literally half what I'm paid in London.

I grew up in West Essex, spending a lot of time in London. Honestly if you live in any city people don't bat an eyelid at what you wear. The type of people you see walking around Blackpool during the day would shock most Londoners. unless you really live in the sticks this is a non issue.


Lots of Museums out side London, which are also free, and you also can easily get between cities with different museums. The Museums in London aren't that much better than all of the museums outside London. I was very surprised to find the Science Museum in London wasn't as good as MOSI in Manchester. Then you have open museum like beamish or Ironbridge Gorge museum, which you simple don't get in London.


Yes the public Transport is better in London, but then I can easily drive into and Park in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham, etc. So it really doesn't need to be.

clint_S

London is different and I agree with that but it isn't as if everything in London isn't available else where.

eilidhcatriona

always_sunny wrote: »

for those of you who moved out of London, what sort of jobs do you do to keep entertained? The moving part seems easy... but once there?

I work in the oil industry. I was in a big HQ office in London, and am in a big HQ office in Aberdeen. And in actual fact, I was considerably promoted on moving to Aberdeen. Obviously job security is a bit of a concern given the current oil price, but that would have been the same no matter where I'm based.

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Still, I like having London nearby. I just wouldn't want to live inside it.

I moved 500 odd miles away from London, but could still be there in just over an hour by plane, to Heathrow or City. It took me longer than that to get to Gatwick from where I lived in London (Acton).

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

In London a punk, a goth, a burqa clad woman and a group of South Africans on their way to a fancy dress party can get on the Tube and nobody will bat an eyelid. In the sticks where I grew up looking different got you stared at, suspiciously

That's one thing I miss about London, the diversity. Also colour in general - I loved that people wore lots of different colours, particularly women's businesswear. In Aberdeen far too many women wear black for work - I don't, I love wearing bright colours. It's odd, I don't know why it is. I sometimes sit on the bus and look at all the other women with their black shoes, black trousers, black jacket, black handbag, and there's me with purple shoes, grey trousers, purple jacket and turquoise bag.

HiToAll

moved to Grimsby from London where noone cares what I wear

[Deleted User]

eilidhcatriona wrote: »

I moved 500 odd miles away from London, but could still be there in just over an hour by plane, to Heathrow or City. It took me longer than that to get to Gatwick from where I lived in London (Acton).

An hour.. honestly? Including travel to the airport, checking in luggage, security, boarding, the flight, getting your luggage back and travel back to the city? Hmmmmm

I can walk 6 minutes to my local station and then be in Euston in 35 minutes, with a return costing about a tenner. I can also walk 5 minutes and be in ancient woodland. I guess I've got no distilleries near me though.

eilidhcatriona

ringo_24601 wrote: »

An hour.. honestly? Including travel to the airport, checking in luggage, security, boarding, the flight, getting your luggage back and travel back to the city? Hmmmmm

I can walk 6 minutes to my local station and then be in Euston in 35 minutes, with a return costing about a tenner. I can also walk 5 minutes and be in ancient woodland. I guess I've got no distilleries near me though.

Well...depends on what time of day the flight is. For a 6am flight from Aberdeen, I can leave the house at 5.15am. Land in London around 7.15am or so. I don't check in luggage. Then it depends where in London I need to get to, but generally no more than another hour. So ok, more like 3 hours - but it took me over 2 hours from Acton to Gatwick.

Doozergirl

Lolly88 wrote: »

I think the monthly farmers market, parks, hipsters and bohemians make people feel it's 'country' like.

There and Kings Heath seem quite cool. I love Brum Yum Yum street food Saturdays but it definitely isn't country!

I live south of the city in Worcestershire and love it. We have a reasonable town, countryside across the road and relatively easy access to Birmingham. I can be in the cutt centre in 25 minutes. We have good schools, safety etc but it does lack the grit and culture of the city - which Moseley still definitely has. Birmingham is becoming a wonderful city - better than when we arrived 13 years ago and something to be proud of now.

I'm London born and lived there until I was 25. I am very glad we moved, but enjoy London on a social basis as often as I can. I never get bored of London, but love where I am. It's just easier.