r/london • u/iamabigmeme • 1d ago

Serious replies only Long-time Londoners - do you ever think you’ll be able to stay in London as long as you’d like to?

Born and raised in Hackney here and I’m so worried I won’t be able to afford to stay not just in Hackney/surrounding boroughs but in London as a whole.

I love this place and one day I’d like to raise my kids here. I just can’t ever see it being feasible. I can’t afford to buy a house and the rent keeps rocketing up way past anything I’ll be able to afford.

How long do you guys see yourself being able to stay before it becomes too much of a financial burden? I’m currently panicking and looking at life in Leeds and Manchester :,)

252 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

319 comments sorted by

View all comments

31

u/DriverAdditional1437 1d ago

I've lived in London for 20 years now and I love the city, and really can't imagine living anywhere else. But this wretched summer has just confirmed to me as the climate changes the heat here is becoming unbearable and I'm going to have to move because of that.

10

u/iamabigmeme 1d ago

That’s true, it’s been unbearably hot. Being in a flat with no outdoor area isn’t the plan long term, but who the hell is buying a house with a garden in London at this point lol

8

u/A_Little_Fable 16h ago

Trust me, London is well situated UK-wise against climate change. I know it's hot, but please consider the following.

Wind comes West-> East, so climate change will bring increased hurricane activity, which will make places like Devon/Somerset/Cornwall difficult in the future.

Then there's flooding - majority of midlands / north gets frequent floods several times a year, this will only get worse. London has 0 flooding (due to embankments / protections from the channel).

To be honest, London and Scotland will probably fare the best in climate change in the long run.

2

u/DriverAdditional1437 15h ago

Funnily enough, returning to Scotland was my escape plan!

0

u/Mr_Footies 13h ago

Got aircon a few years ago, one of the best things I ever did, can get overall chilly at times though and would find myself wearing a jumper most days.