You’re familiar with the situation. Once you reach your late 20s, your friends at
London
will begin vanishing en masse all of a sudden.

I admit I’ve done it as well.

At age 29, my husband and I
We thought we were prepared to depart from the city and experience suburban living.
We relocated to Tunbridge Wells, exchanging a small one-bedroom apartment
rental flat
at Kennington for a two-bedroom home with a yard in
Kent
.

However, within a month, we were eager to undo the choice.

We soon realized we hadn’t finished with London and began making plans to return. We longed for the energy and excitement, the vibrant night scene, and all the city had to provide.

Five excruciatingly extended months later, we said farewell to the neighborhood and
returned to the capital
.

Yet our tale is quite different. Typically, after individuals have experienced many exciting years in places such as Infernos, The Prince, and Ku Bar, they move to more peaceful and charming locations, making their choice permanent.

It’s a choice that occurs more frequently than one may expect, with approximately 550,000 additional British residents leaving London compared to those moving in between 2009 and 2019.

Many factors contribute to people moving away, yet one frequently mentioned remark is: “I couldn’t raise children in London.”

But is it truly such a poor choice to remain?
raise a family
?

Although my spouse and I aren’t certain if the city will become our permanent residence, there are numerous people from London who remain here—permanently.

‘London is viewed in such a fleeting manner’

A single mother and lifelong resident of London, Ife Akintoye, feels upset by claims that her city is only meant for short-term enjoyment, not for living in the long term.

A 38-year-old woman working in marketing has spent all her life in London and is also bringing up her 17-year-old daughter in the city.

“She says London is handled in such a fleeting way,” she mentions.
“London is dealt with so briefly,” she states.
“It’s portrayed in such an impermanent fashion,” she remarks.
“The treatment of London is very temporary,” she explains.
“This approach to London feels so short-lived,” she notes.

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It feels like a play area for many individuals—some visit and utilize the city to enjoy themselves for a couple of years before concluding it isn’t suitable for them anymore.

I feel slightly hurt when individuals claim they’re departing from London to start a family, as I believe they overlook the fact that it serves as a genuine home for numerous people.

It’s a place where individuals have spent their childhoods, and where multiple generations of their families reside. Every single person there was once a child who also grew up within the city.

I grew up in London, and I would not trade my experiences for anything.

Ife, raised close to Brixton in south London, believes the city is an excellent environment for bringing up kids, mainly because of the rich cultural exposure available.

London offers such a wide range of diversity; you can step outside dressed however you want without facing judgment. As you stroll along the streets, you might hear one language, only to round a corner and come across another. The air fills with the scents of various cuisines — it truly represents a blend of numerous distinct cultures.

As a Black woman, I haven’t encountered another place where I feel as relaxed and welcomed as I do in London.

The mother states that residing in the city has enabled her daughter to develop strong urban awareness and has introduced her to friends from various cultural backgrounds.

“She understands how to manage her own affairs and communicate effectively with various kinds of individuals,” the mother says. “She has gained a lot through living in London.”

A further aspect that makes London appealing, as noted by Ife, is the wide availability of parks and open areas. However, should Hampstead Heath or Richmond Park not meet your expectations, she mentions that reaching the rural landscape or coastal regions is easily achievable via train.

Actually, the only factor that would convince Ife to leave London is the expense.

If individuals are relocating due to high costs, that makes sense,” she states. “It’s extremely costly, and I believe as the city continues to become more upscale, expenses will likely continue to increase.

I’m aware of individuals who were born in London and have spent their whole lives here but are now being forced to leave. Eventually, I could find myself in the same situation.

She says: “Individuals should decide for themselves according to what they can financially manage, but [the cost] hasn’t deterred me so far. If I can continue to afford living here, I will remain.”

It’s unfortunate when individuals feel they’ve had enough of London

Ife is not the sole person with such strong feelings toward London. Nadia Ismail, a culinary content producer who shares her work under the handle @southbankfoodie on Instagram, states she “could never depart.”

Nadia grew up in Peckham, yet she has resided in various areas across the city during different stages of her life—she relocated to central London for her studies and chose West London when it was time to begin a family.

The 35-year-old says: ‘Exploring various parts of the city has helped me truly value how distinct and vibrant every neighborhood is, as though London consists of several small cities, each with its own character.’

A one-child mother believes that the city’s variety is what makes it exceptional, and this has been particularly advantageous for her profession.

Being part of the food sector, I’m always amazed by the variety available—within just a couple of Tube stations or even along a single street, you can experience flavors from around the globe.

She also enjoys the fact that there’s “always something happening” in London—ranging from interactive activities to top-tier theater, free museums, and local gatherings—but believes this isn’t true for other areas across the UK.

‘London has something for every feeling, passion, and wallet. With the right knowledge, it isn’t necessarily costly,’ she says.

I’ve noticed that beyond London, places tend to shut down earlier and there’s usually limited activities in the evening. In London, you can stay out later without it necessarily involving clubs or pubs — there’s a wide range of options available.

The fact that our transportation options operate regularly well into the night is another advantage, making life here more convenient (provided they function properly!)

Nadia’s son is seven years old, and she firmly believes that London is the ‘ideal’ location for him, noting the opportunities he can access in the city are a ‘remarkable blessing’.

Being raised here allows him to experience a wide range of viewpoints, with countless chances for him to gain knowledge, discover new things, and develop.

She adds, “If individuals wish to relocate, that’s completely up to them. However, for me, I would never consider leaving.”

I believe it’s somewhat unfortunate when individuals feel they’re ‘finished’ with London, as actually, you can never grow tired of this place. The city is continually evolving, and regardless of how many years you’ve spent here, there’s always something fresh waiting to be found.

Have you got a tale to tell?

Contact us via email at
LFHCK.IDLifestyleTeam@LFHCK.ID.co.uk
.

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