And I mean in town, not the burbs, or the 25 or whatever.

What's the deal? Have you always lived there? If not why did you move? Do you miss the ocean/countryside? Do you love it? Would you ever consider leaving?
Also, I've you've lived there in the past and have subsequently left, where and why?

Thinking about a lot of stuff right now and this seemed an interesting point that turns up in my head every few months....

I lived in London, (Islington) until I was about 10 years old, at which point my parents moved to Milton Keynes, tempted by the councils lies about "houses for your kids when they leave home"

Would I move back? Unlikely, as the wife and kids are all Mancunians "born and bred" and they wouldn't take kindly to having to live, (or near) with more than one southerner.

What about you though John? Hypothetically, were that not a consideration, would you? Did you like it as a kid?

I moved from a London suburb to W5 then moved out to Kingston (still a burb).
I'd quite happily move back to a proper London postcode if I could afford to (and it wouldn't add anoth 30 mins to my journey to work).

Why?



And why?

I lived there for three years and it was great fun, but I wouldn't go back for anything. I certainly think it's something that one should do at least once in life.

My parents lived in the Burbs, I went to uni in W5 but it wasn't worth moving out whilst at uni. Then finished uni, met a girl & we moved in together. We both happened to like W5 (as we both went to uni there)




I like cities, I find nothing more annoying than having to drive 15 minutes to get a pint or having a chip shop that's only open 2 days a week (like where the inlaws live). I also find most places outside cities very slow.

You can't beat a slow pace of life IMO. Here in Cornwall, we're so laid back we're practically horizontal. I'll do it dreckly etc...

I noticed, the closer you get to the centre of a big city, the more hectic and stressful life becomes. One of the reasons I moved away from big cities and live in semi-rural surroundings.

Life is, as Linux_User said, much more laid back and calm. I find it simply a much better quality of life.

I did live in London shortly, but as Tombolt said, everybody should to it once in their life, but I wouldn't go back unless you paid me a million a year and bought a house in the country for me as well... And then I'd have to think twice about it!

I moved after A-levels from Milton Keynes to Kingston for uni, but after three years I'd grown tired of the small Surrey-ness of the town and decided to move into London with my best mate - we spent most of our free time in London anyway, and that's where all the jobs were, so we moved and I although my attempt to complete my final year by commuting failed, I don't regret it for a second.... we settled on our place in Farringdon as it was absurdly central and comparitively cheap compared to everywhere else we looked (we looked at places in Camden, Whitechapel & Wapping) that, and we instantly fell in love with the house.

I've loved, and still love, every minute of it; the volatile nature of living with friends some me do a brief spell in Dalston (which I loved equally as I was able to realise one of my "must do's" when I lived in an airy converted warehouse studio flat) - but have since returned to the original house, which we now monopolise all three flats (and sort of own next door by proxy) - my work is only 10 minutes walk away - I can't help but find somewhere good to drink or eat - and the pace and vibrancy of London suits me well.

If I could, I would buy in a second. But unless the architectural world reconsiders it's historically poor payment of staff, I don't see that happening (not unless I change my career) - so, funnily enough, I might consider moving back to Milton Keynes should a family ever be a consideration (as it's ideal in my eyes) - but for now I'm staying put (or at least for the next month or so until I'm off to Oz).

What Dave said.

I find even the relative suburbanity of the Medway Towns is trying now. After a week in Dorset, where the only noise at night was snoring, I find the overall noise level where I live to be intrusive at best, downright annoying at worst.

I wouldn't live in a city if you paid me.

All of which doesn't answer the OP, so apologies for that.

I couldn't cope without being near the sea/on the coast. While at university (in the Midlands), I'm about as far as you can get from the sea in every direction, which I don't like much.

Yeah, a slow pace of life for me any day. London's just that big hectic place you have to pass through to get to other places.

As we left when I was 10, I don't really have too many menories of the place, but being honest I've lived in lots of cities over the years, and it's all much of a muchness.

Gay! I wrote a post and I swear I pressed submit, but it's not bloody here!

Heather your contribution is just as valid, and welcome, given the wider context of my inquiry

Snowy, your description fills me with excitement. At the same time, what Dave, Linux and Heather talk about totally rings true for me. I once lived in a B&B in Exeter for 7mths whilst working there. Apart from that, I've lived in Cornwall all my life. On a day like today, I could call a couple people and be on the beach throwing a frisbee straight after work. Or jump in the water and feel awesome. I can't do that everywhere. However, I can't do the things that you describe. There is a shortage of places to eat and drink. They are all full of the same people and they all require a car journey of up to 30mins or at least a hideously overpriced taxi.

On a wider societal note, why did we build cities? And why did everybody move there? Was it jobs, convenience, social opportunities, or something else? What do I gain and miss out on, by being down here?

You gain on easy access to a beach (if you like that sort of thing)

You miss out on:

Transport links
Late night food & bars
Variety of food available in restaurants/takeaways
A variety of different groups of interesting people from around the world
London Weighting (and stupidly high paid jobs)
High speed internet

I wouldn't swap city living for anything. When I go on holiday I always go to cities as I like the convenience of having everything around me.