Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in Central London and Commuting

If you are working in London should you live in the City itself, or live further outside commuting to and from work every day? Much of the decision comes down to personal preference, but this article covers some of the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Advantages of Living in Central London

If you are working in central London then living in the City will mean a shorter journey to work. You might even be able to walk to work, something that is a lot easier and quicker than commuting by public transport or car.

In London everything is on your door step and there is lots to do. Whatever you need, it is not far away. Whether it is music venues, the theatre or sports events you are interested in, there is always something happening close by. These are easy to get to and do not need prior planning as it might if you weren’t living in the city. If eating out there are also lots of options.

Public transport is cheaper and more convenient that in other parts of the country, meaning less need for a car and money savings. Because everything is nearby you don’t have to travel as far even when you are using public transport. A single journey on the underground can be as little as £1.50 with an Oyster card; the equivalent journey by bus outside of the city is likely to be significantly more. Over time this can make a big difference.

Disadvantages of Living in Central London

The main reason some working in central London don’t choose to live there is the cost. It is one of the most expensive cities in the world, with house price, if renting or buying, having increased rapidly over time. This can mean having to live in an area you would otherwise choose not to. Council tax and other housing related costs can also be higher than outside of the City.

With so many people living and visiting London there is always a lot of people around. This can lead to a feeling of claustrophobia, with overcrowding and noise. It can be difficult to get away from the hustle and bustle of the City. There are also higher levels of pollution and crime.

Advantages of Commuting

With one of the main disadvantages of living in the City being the cost of housing, a major advantage of living outside can be savings in this area. If living in the suburbs of London prices are hardly cheap, but compared with central London they can be significantly less. The prices of other things, such as eating out, are also cheaper.

The suburbs are typically quieter than the City. To many people, living in a leafy suburb such as Wimbledon or Richmond is more pleasant than the noise of central London.

Depending on where you live, it can be easy to get into the countryside, something that can take several hours from central London. So if you fancy it, you can make a spur of the moment decision to go into the countryside without taking a whole day out.

Disadvantages of Commuting

A major disadvantage is the commute itself, especially if living a significant distance away from where you work. The longer it takes to get to and from work the less free time you will have. This can be tiring and expensive.

Another downside of living outside of the City is that there is comparably less to do. The options of central London are not there.

The City or Outside?

We all have different ideas of the perfect lifestyle. Some prefer the busyness of the City where there is always something happening, while others prefer the relative tranquility of living further afield.

In terms of cost, living in London is generally more expensive than living outside the City. However, some areas close to London can be very expensive too, while the costs of commuting to and from work also need to be considered.

Andrew Marshall ©

Winchester White have Flats in Wimbledon available to rent.