London increasingly dominates UK headlines these days, from the tedious Heathrow third runway saga to ongoing Tube strikes. It’s arguably mightier than ever; a once exclusively British capital, now a world city and a true city-state in waiting, akin to Singapore sprinting away from laggard Malaysia. But concerns are growing over whether it’s a good place to live.
There is no doubt that London has been enormously successful in recent years, even getting past the 2008 financial crisis with aplomb (while the rest of the nation suffered). The UK capital hosted the 2012 Olympic Games, and celebrated both the Diamond Jubilee and the Royal Wedding:
Royal Wedding Lego at Hamley's toy store in London pic.twitter.com/325EsS2A2Q
— Marilyn Braun (@marilynsrylblog) July 31, 2015
But despite this, many residents are not happy, it seems, and are packing their bags (and are telling the world they are packing their bags):
Creative young Brits are quitting London for affordable Berlin http://t.co/V05LSjrYAO
— The Guardian (@guardian) August 1, 2015
London is rich. It is booming. And something in its core is rotten, writes @NYTimesCohen. http://t.co/7t3PIwzk6G pic.twitter.com/69Y7Xp8Ihm
— NYT Opinion (@nytopinion) July 28, 2015
'World's rich are turning London into capital of inequality and tax evasion' http://t.co/PlXwDzYW5E pic.twitter.com/ihi1DKEorL
— Evening Standard (@standardnews) July 29, 2015
Young Londoners flee capital for the regions http://t.co/F9PkDl8cZ2
— Guardian Cities (@guardiancities) December 1, 2014
We’ll miss you, @doctorow, but we can hardly blame you. http://t.co/YnpHggGnfm
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) July 2, 2015
Do you currently live in London and share some of the concerns cited? Are you hoping to move to London, perhaps, or have you left already? Interested in your views!