[jotm]

I'm guessing not many of them tried to live in London? It's a dream until reality smashes your head open :D

[fwdpropaganda]

I never understood why it's a dream, but you're right that for many people that I've met living in London is like the goal of their life. I moved here for the money, but the quality of life is terrible.

[Jetroid]

What makes quality of life terrible in London? Which part of London do you live in?

[fwdpropaganda]

Farringdon.

Apart from the obvious (weather etc), it's even hard to say. The city just feels harsh to me. One of the things that I first noticed when I moved here was how it's uncommon to find places to sit when you're out and about. If you're out all day you can't just sit in some bench and rest a bit because they're virtually non-existent. You have to go into a coffee shop. I think it's loads of tiny things like that.

Maybe that wasn't very convincing...

EDIT: Of course also the rents. I'm lucky enough that I have big windows to the park, but I'm paying an absurd fortune. The alternative is moving to the periphery where I have to spend 1 hour on the tube each way and when I go home I'm worring that I'm gonna get stabbed.

[dogma1138]

There are plenty of parks and squares with benches all around the city open areas with places to sit isn’t a problem in London.

You just usually need to get off the high street.

[jotm]

It's too crowded, the rent is obscene and it has nothing to offer besides higher paid work, which is a necessity. Manchester is a way better choice.

[guitarbill]

Never lived in London, but I hated Manchester. So it's not necessarily "a way better" choice, but there's a choice, which is the point I guess. (I remember Newcastle fondly.)

[jotm]

Well, it is The London in The UK. Live there a few months, it gets to you imo :)