[graemep]

I used to live in Covent Garden many years ago.

I had a neighbour who constantly, vociferously, and once or twice mildly violently, complained about noise. I had no idea why he chose to live there.

I am not sure they are looking for windfall gains. I think a mixture of stupidity and wanting to have everything ("I want to live in a lively city centre with lots of places to go out to in the evening that is quiet when i want to sleep").