[ljf]

Don't forget you are talking to the people who left and their reason for leaving, not the group that stayed and are happy.

I loved London for nearly 2 decades, but moving out to the countryside was the best thing I've done - huge house, cheap mortgage and nearly (but not quite) as many well paying job opportunities. I could go back to London and maybe even double my wages. But to have the life I love now in terms of just housing and location I'd have to quadruple or more my outgoings.

But I'm sure I'd give you a great story for why I was in London if I ever moved back there.