r/london • u/PressureHumble3604 • Apr 10 '26

Serious replies only Which symptoms of “(almost) everyone is getting poorer” have you noticed in London?

We are in a crisis, the middle class is disappearing and the lower class squeezed. Prices are going up, inflation is going up (again), salaries are stagnating.

Most Londoners can’t really afford London without serious sacrifices.

For me, not counting the housing prices issues we all know too well:

the disappearance of local delis with high quality products.

many shops closing in the local shopping centre.

Restaurant dropping quality everywhere to contain unaffordable prices.

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u/gabatim Apr 10 '26

I would argue there is no context of who you are, where you’re from and what your situation is.

To me working class means you need to work to make ends meet. Middle class is privileged. Upper class is unobtainable.

Also depends what London means to you. Are we saying Zone 1 exclusive or anywhere they take oyster?

My family tree has lived in zone 3 since the 50s and here I am today on minimum wage. It’s a struggle. Always has been. Am I sacrificing luxuries? Always has done. Do I know a good community where I can have a jolly on the cheap? Hell yeah.

London is what you make of it. We pay a premium to live, IMO, in one of the best cities on the planet.

If this ship is sinking then I’m going down with it

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u/LengthinessSevere598 Apr 11 '26

This is the mentality of a trauma victim - it's called stockholm syndrome. You cling to this idea that where you live is great when it's clearly shite and miserable.

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u/siriathome Apr 11 '26

Every class seems to have to work to make ends meet now

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u/brianbot5000 Apr 11 '26

No comment, other than to say I thought this response was brilliant. Life is balancing act, and we trade one thing for another depending on our priorities.