Is it true that London is 'a lonely city'?

Question

I am thinking of moving to London to work. I discussed this with a friend who said I should really think it through because London can be a "really lonely city" where nobody looks at each other or talks to each other in pubs or clubs, you never bump into anyone you know when you go out and local people don't like outsiders and can take a very, very long time to get to know. I live a long way from London and don't know what it is like to live there. Is it really this bad?

Answer 1

My cousin has just moved there from the Northeast and he thought he would be lonely... when he was moving his stuff into his new flat a guy he new from school up here approached him and strangley he lived in the same block of flats.. great for my cousin eh? you can only give it a go and you will meet people through work. Go for it.

Answer 2

It depends what sort of person you are.  If you're very shy and don't go out much or socialise with people you work with then it can be quite lonely but the same can be said of any large city.  I moved to London when I was 25 on my own and soon made friends at work and went out after work for drinks and out for lunch.  I do find that Londoners won't often be the first to talk but I'm Scottish so I just start the conversation and usually find that people are really friendly once you start talking to them.  There are lots of ways to meet people if you're outgoing such as joining clubs, classes etc.  No you don't just "bump" into people in the West Wnd but few people actually live there and you'd be amazed how often you do bump into people where you actually live.  I know all my neighbours and we look after each other's cats and plants when on holiday and come round for dinner.  It's up to you to decide how outgoing you are and how you approach people.  If you're naturally friendly then you'll have no problem.  Local people hating outsiders - that would be a laugh!  There are hardly any "Londoners" in London.  Most people come from somewhere else.  In my daughter's class we've got Londners, Irish, Portugese, Polish, Scottish, Chinese, African, Caribbean, Romanian and all parts of England and Wales.  So you see, London isn't like on Eastenders!

Answer 3

Its like all cities, quite anonymous. People tend to just go about there business, but if you get talking to people they will respond.

It is just how city people are conditioned.

Answer 4

i have only been to London on a few occasions to gigs or meals and such, but i really enjoyed it. It's the Capital of England!!! Lonely, h**l no! Not if you go to the right places.

people there are as friendly in london as people are in small villages. Well obviously not to that extent but people do smile at you, and say sorry if they bump into you. One man even gave me back my bag when i left it on the tube, he hopped off and gave it to me.

You would never think of someone doing that for you in a place as big as london but he did.

As for the pubs and clubs thing, just start a convo, it's human nature to socialise. People aren't going to bite your head off for saying hi. Unless you are in the rough areas....

Answer 5

I love London and think it probably has more going for it than any other city on the planet. Unfortunately it is expensive, enormous and can appear very unfriendly. I don't think you need to worry about being treated like an outsider, London is incredibly cosmopolitan and it sometimes seems like every other person is from somewhere else. Meeting people, however, is really hard. You may well get ot make friends through work, going out for drinks after work for example. You might also think about getting involved in a sports club or social club to get to meet people, and if you have some hobby or interest there is almost certainly a friendly local organization catering for your needs. If you don't have a hobby or interest, why not take one up? I joined a scuba diving club and instantly made a whole bunch of friends to go out with in the evening, at weekends and at holidays.

Answer 6

It's the same as any city, it is what you make it. Personally I found it easier to make friends in London than pretty much anywhere else I've lived. A large proportion of the people you meet there are in the same boat as you will be i.e. they will have moved there and be looking for friends. If you play a sport or have any interests you will meet people that way, plus at work. My advice to you is to go for it, you can always leave there if it doesn't work out for you, but at least you will have had the courage to try something different that you wanted to.

Answer 7

I moved to London to work and I found it very lonely. With the travelling and work I often found myself too tired to go out and when I did the cost for 1 night out would take a huge chunk out of my pay. I would never move back.

Answer 8

hmm..well i guess, living in london, to outsiders we might seem a bit rude, snobbish, miserable and distant and awkward with new people..it can be quite hard to make friends, but at work people DO make friends. yeah, if you walk down the street people will avoid your gaze and theres an unwritten law that you just DON'T sit next to someone on the bus/tube/train unless you really have to, but at work you'll make friends, or at places like the gym etc.