I moved to London on Saturday 02nd August 2008, just over seven years ago. In those seven years there have been several ups and downs. The first six months to a year were not the best. I think I had very unrealistic ideas as to what living in London would be like. I was expecting Sex and the City mixed with Love Actually and a splash of Bridget Jones. The reality was a very low paid job and an ex-council flat in Vauxhall which didn’t have a living room and I couldn’t cook/eat beef. Needless to say I served my six month minimum tenancy and swiftly moved on. The job however, I stayed in for just under six years and climbed my way up.
I got involved and in no particular order, made new friends, partied a lot, missed the last train home and paid extortionate taxi fares, fell asleep on the night bus, said yes to things that were out of my comfort zone, moved to an area and a new flat-share that was out of my comfort zone, dated, had one-night stands, joined and quit the gym, got a new job, did a photography course, got mugged, had a mouse run across my bedroom floor at 3am, had the experience of living through the 2012 Olympics……. A complete list of highs and lows. I wouldn’t change one minute of it. But now, now I’m feeling the seven year itch.
I’m tired. Tired of the commute where I play human style Jenga contorting my body to fit between someone’s crotch and armpit on the rush hour Northern Line. Tired of dating idiots who don’t want anything serious because they know that they can click and find someone new in an instant. Tired of having the same conversations about people paying bills on time and the latest landlord drama. Tired of the ever rising cost of living and knowing I’ll never be able to afford a house here. Tired of partying and losing days to hangovers that aren’t worth it. I miss my family and friends back home.
But if not London, where? Despite the tiredness, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. I love Yorkshire and it’s nice to escape there every now and again. There are some beautiful towns and landscapes, the accent is the best in country and it’s undoubtedly cheaper but I know I’d miss the fast paced city life.
The things I hate about London are the things I would miss. The public transport – it’s easy to use, navigate and you can be across the city in no-time. No need to rely on designated drivers or buses that are once an hour. I should stop going out as much but I love the buzz of trying the latest restaurant or the ability to go to a gig on a school night. Dating is hard, but there’s more men around 30 who are still eligible and without baggage. Plus, when you go on a date, you don’t have the added factor of him having slept with one of your friends (despite what happens on Made in Chelsea). Cost of living is high but there’s also the added point of having more employment opportunities here at the same time. Plus, you have the Eurostar and four/five airports nearby making Europe and the rest of the world accessible. You can be whoever you want to be without everyone knowing all the embarrassing things you did at primary school or mistakes you made as a teenager. It’s a catch 22 situation.
Whilst I’m not planning on moving anywhere imminently, it is on my mind for the so called five year plan. Me and London, we’re going through a rough patch. A little bit of consideration and taking time to enjoy the things that made us fall in love may help or we may break-up for good. Only time will tell.
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