Just think: You’ve been in London your whole life—born, raised, and trying to make it in a city, that’s constantly testing your patience. If, like so many Londoners, you’ve started wondering if there’s waaay more to life than this—spoiler alert: there is.
From the constant grind to the ridiculous cost of living, London can leave you emotionally and financially drained. And lately, it’s all over my FYP and WhatsApp chats—more and more women in their late 20s, 30s, and even early 40s—are ready to pack up and head out. I get it. London will always be home, but for many, the city no longer feels like a place where you can truly thrive. Here’s why:
The Cost of Living in London? It’s giving… Ridiculous!
Let’s not sugarcoat it: you’re not imagining it. London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and the cost of just existing here has spiralled out of control.
Renting a one-bedroom flat for at least £1300 per month—complete with mould or dodgy neighbours? Tick.
Sharing with four strangers or more? Tick.
Still bunched up with your mum and dad? Double Tick.
(Although you’re trying and have been for ages… Forget about saving for a deposit—unless you’re lucky enough to have family help or a six-figure salary, getting on the housing ladder at least before you’re 60 feels—well, worlds away).
London’s housing rental costs have jumped up by 11.6% in the past year (FT.com). And wages? Really? Let’s not pretend they haven’t remained as flat as a pancake.
Add to that, the UK ranking as the sixth-most expensive place to live in the world, and London is the priciest cherry on top.
So, it’s not just about wanting a better quality of life, but having space, peace of mind, and the freedom to live without constantly stressing about paying bills.
Studies also show that 75% of Londoners cite the cost of living as the #1 stressor in life.
And while “Liebour” might not be sorting this mess out anytime soon, there is one obvious solution: leave.
Lies! Work-Life Balance in London is NOT a Thing!
London loves to gas itself up as a city of ambition, but that ambition often comes at the expense of health and happiness.
Do long hours of code-switching, even longer commutes stuck under some random’s armpit on the Tube ring a bell?
Add in the constant pressure to stay in the game with corporate events and happy hours, and by the weekend, you’re so mentally exhausted that you only have two days to “chill” before it all starts again.
No surprise then that 44% of workers in London report feeling burned out (CIPD 2023).
And this isn’t just an office problem.
Nope.
Hustle culture runs deep.
So, even if you’re lucky enough to work remotely, you’re still juggling the 9-5 madness or absorbing the collective stress of the city.
Meanwhile, in places like Spain, Italy, or Portugal, work-life balance isn’t just perk—it’s part of the culture, with shorter working weeks and more holiday allowances.
In fact, OECD studies show that 50% of workers in Spain and Italy report higher levels of work-life satisfaction than Brits.
So, the question to ask is: why are you still grinding when you could be thriving?
Dating in London: The Full-Time Job No One Asked For
Dating in London often feels like a brutal numbers game, and not in a good way. With so many “options,” it can be overwhelming, and the connections can feel just sooo fake.
And for some black and brown women, the experience can be even more frustrating with racial stereotypes and fetishisation adding another obstacle to overcome.
Throw in ghosting, mixed signals, and the pressure to play it “cool,” and it’s no surprise that many women are choosing to look for love elsewhere.
A YouGov study found that 1 in 4 Londoners are dissatisfied with their dating life.
That’s like 2 million people!
Moving abroad could be the ticket to finding more meaningful connections, or at least giving you the chance to put love on the backburner to focus on you.
Because once you’re in a place with better work-life balance and mental clarity, you might find that you’re more open to deeper, more fulfilling relationships—not just swiping left and right.
Seriously, where’s the joy in that?
Dying to Escape the London Bubble
London can sometimes feel like a rat race, with endless “shoulds,” “musts,” and “have-to-dos.”
Go to school, get your qualifications, land a good job, fall in love, get married, buy a house, then juggle everything. Nothing wrong if living this way is what you wholeheartedly want.
But what if that isn’t your dream—or worse, you can’t afford it.
UK Census Data shows that 60% of people in London feel social pressure to conform, and that pressure is exhausting.
What if a new environment is all it took to feel more like yourself?
Moving abroad could give you the chance to set your own rules. Whether it’s slowing down or redefining success, leaving London might help you start living authentically.
No, It’s Not Just You: The Weather Really Isn’t Helping!
Look, we all know London’s weather is erm..
a mood.
And not necessarily a good one!
Joking aside, the dreary skies and constant rain can genuinely affect your mental health.
1 in 5 adults have inadequate vitamin D levels, which is even worse for people with darker skin tones—thanks, melanin (or Public Health England, actually).
For many, the gloomy weather is the #1 reason for wanting to leave London, with a significant number opting for the sun as a key factor for boosting their mood and well-being.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, it’s not bougie or extra to crave sunshine.
You do know that regular sunlight exposure is proven to reduce stress and anxiety levels by as much as 30%, right?
(I’m sure you, do Lord knows I’ve gone on about nature therapy enough!)
So, whether it’s sunny beaches in Malta or the warm tropical air in Aruba, there’s something about feeling the sun on your face every day that makes a huge difference—and maybe just maybe your intuition is screaming out for it.
And Yep, It’s Possible to Feel Lonely in London, a City of 10 Million (Or So)
This reason might be surprising: despite being a city of millions, it’s easy to feel completely isolated.
According to a Greater London Authority (GLA) report, 700,000 Londoners report having felt loneliness at some point.
Many young professionals—especially those juggling a career and social life—find it hard to build meaningful relationships.
The pace of life, combined with high housing costs and long hours, makes it harder to make those real connections.
It’s true: when you move abroad, you stand to gain a better chance of meeting people who share similar values and genuinely wanna get to know you.
Especially if…
you move to a smaller, community-oriented place or simply a city that values work-life balance more.
Leaving London behind could open up more opportunities to form meaningful connections.
Hello, The Girls Here Are Tired of the Streets!
Let’s face it: even though the overall crime rate in London has fallen, it is still a hot talking point. At the minute, even people who aren’t from the city or resident have something to say (Hello, Daily Divisive).
But the fact remains, women, in particular, often feel like they’re constantly looking over their shoulder—especially after high-profile cases in recent years.
And, and, can we also add the racial tensions and safety concerns amplified by last summer’s race riots?
It’s no wonder so many Londoners are considering alternative places to live and seriously looking beyond England for extra peace.
Moving abroad offers peace of mind—knowing that you can walk the streets, visit parks, and take that late-night stroll home without feeling on edge.
Ready to Prioritise Mental Health First & WellBeing
The constant stress of living in a fast-paced city like London can take a toll on your well-being.
(I’ve also spoken before on how stress and anxiety in urban settings are linked to higher rates of mental health issues).
Slowing down and being near the sea (not the Thames, the seaside) allowed me to think about what’s actually important for happiness and health.
Have you made space to consider what that looks like for you?
Whether that’s sunning yourself in the Caribbean, enjoying the calm of a small village in Malta, or living in a culture that places more value on well-being than hustle. So, not only is prioritising your mental health possible…
you could reinvent a whole new life and make it the focal point.
Want More Adventures and Opportunities Outside London
By the way, I’m not talking about running away—more about running toward the life you’ve always dreamed of.
I need to make it absolutely clear though: living abroad won’t magically solve your problems.
If anything, you’ll probably feel even worse moving away from your support system and everything you’ve ever known.
But, if you want to live in a less crowded and cheaper city, get immersed in a different culture, study, or just want more time and freedom to explore life on your own terms, then yes…
there’s a world beyond London waiting for you.
Is the Time Now to Make the Move?
If you’ve been feeling like London’s not serving you the way it should, trust me—you’re not alone.
Whether it’s the cost of living, the exhausting work culture, the superficial dating scene, or simply wanting to hit refresh on your life, moving abroad isn’t just a dream anymore.
I love London, and this post isn’t about digging it out.
London will always be here, but if your intuition is pulling you elsewhere, maybe you need to stop and listen.
Nothing wrong with taking the first step—start by exploring your options, researching your ideal destinations, and joining online expat communities to get ahead on creating the life you deserve.
You never know, it could be waiting for you, far beyond London’s skyline— as magical as it is.
But before you start packing up and moving, I wanna know… where are you considering moving to? (tell me in the comments).