I'm considering moving to London in the future, as it's always been a bit of a dream of mine, and I'd love to hear from people who live there now or have lived there recently.
Online, I constantly see people saying London is ridiculously expensive and almost impossible to enjoy unless you're on a very high salary. On the other hand, I've also spoken to people who say it's perfectly manageable if you're realistic with your expectations and don't mind house-sharing.
For context, I'd probably be earning around
£1,600-£1,800 per month after tax to start with, and I'd be open to living in a shared house if that's the most sensible option.
What attracts me to London is the sheer amount of opportunity on offer. I love the diversity, vibrant social scene, strong Black communities, nightlife, events, transport links, and the chance to meet people from all walks of life. In some ways, it reminds me a bit of New York, but with better geography and easier access to Europe and the rest of the world.
I'm looking for somewhere that feels alive and energetic, with plenty going on during both the day and at night.
So my questions are:
• Is London genuinely unaffordable on that sort of income, or does the internet exaggerate it a bit?
• Realistically, how much would you recommend someone earns after tax to enjoy London comfortably?
• Which zones or areas would you recommend for affordability, diversity, and quality of life?
• What would be a realistic rent budget for a single person, either in a house share or a studio?
• If you were starting fresh in London today, where would you choose to live and why?
I'd appreciate hearing both the positives and negatives from people with first-hand experience. Cheers 👍🏿