I was brought up in central London, about as central as it gets. Back then it was fantastic place to grow up, the architecture and the history, the parks, theatres, museums. I had an amazing childhood, and surprisingly to most, it was a close knit community.
However it changed massively when I was growing up. The actual location I grew up is one of the top tourist attractions- so the area became about consumerism and socialising. The latter brought squalor due and vagrancy (always an issue in central London but got massively worse). The demographics of the visitors changed. This country has an issue with drink and living in and amongst the great British public letting its hair down is not great, particularly when you see the after effects in the cold light of the morning.
So, my old area is a right off for me. It should be glamorous but isn’t anymore. There are still parts of London that I love but they are few and far between, and just away from the centre.
I now live on the outskirts of London, and commute in. However I haven’t had to since March 2020. On Saturday I decided to venture in and thought I would soak in an old friend. It did nothing for me. It’s dirty, grimy, parts of it in the West End are looking very grim. I feel sorry for the place, it’s lost it’s way, not help by the fact we have ended up with Khan as the figurehead. It is unfriendly. And can feel threatening too. The area around Victoria station is as grim as ever.
I would like to move much further out, preferably “up North” where my OH is from. The standard of living is higher, the people are friendlier, you can get anything you want via the Internet so you are not missing out on “London exclusives”. The sky seems bluer too. Okay I made that last bit up. But no, London these days is overrated. I am going to go back in for one offs - like a visit to the Royal Academy or the V & A, but just for a general mooch, no thanks. It’s appeal has gone.