A London drama in three acts exploring material safety, the real cost of culture and how the 15-minute city is a reality the rich already live in even if not by that name.
I am glad you survived some "unsavoury" experiences. Looking forward to hearing more about what you do on an evening out in London, so many new places have opened since I left.
London has become incredibly expensive now, unfortunately. I miss eating out as now it's not that worthy any more (what before was £30 for a really decent meal with a drink it's now £60 and above) so I rather spend that money on cultural activities. I guess you win some, lose some.
Apr 8·edited Apr 8Liked by Cristina Carmona Aliaga
Interesting piece. I moved to London in 2012 and lived in a flatshare. The rent was around the area of £600, in Kennington - but it was a double room, me and my then-boyfriend, now-husband shared. We lived with four people. It was...interesting to say the least. Then we moved to Crystal Palace and I was worried about all the things you mention. But in two years there, we never felt unsafe. What we did feel was the that rents were increasing dramatically. So, when our contract ended, we moved to Brighton in late 2016. We were by the sea, in the most fun city ever, and with a cheaper rent. It felt like a huge win! And we do still love Brighton - but it's gotten so, so much more pricey now. In fact, when friends visit and ask about potentially moving here, I tell them the truth: it's the best place ever, but it's getting close to London prices these days. And safety, I'm sad to say, has declined. I was never ever afraid walking home here before the pandemic but I am much more cautious now.
Plus - why why why are all UK flats so damn mouldy? This was never an issue in any of the other cities I've lived in (Moscow, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Florence, or Milan. Well, yes, in Florence a little bit. But nothing like here).
There's been a surge in rent that has caught everyone by surprise. A number of friends have left London as a result and some others were thinking of moving to places like Brighton only to discover they were not massively cheaper. Probably because people started to move there a while back, tired of the gloominess of London and how expensive it was becoming. I remember that in 2019 going out three days in a row for drinks + dinner would be something around £100 for the three days. Now I'm lucky to spend less than £35 for a shared starter and a main without any drinks. And yes, the quality of housing deseves its own entry. Coming from Spain the standard of accommodation is well above the one in London. Our basic flat is considered a luxury property here, which is beyond ridiculous as one almost has to be grateful for having secured the only flat not infested with rodents or covered by mould. There's a very big divide in terms of quality and the problem is that because there are more people than places to live it's a savage market. But really glad you escaped this madness years ago and hope that Brighton's safety doesn't decline much more in the coming years as I may need to move there...
I can answer your mouldy question. In Victorian houses that have been converted to flats the heating was originally from coal fireplaces which needed a good air supply or they smoked, so there was always ventilation for the fires, which got blocked up when people installed gas central heating, as did the fireplaces. Those blocked up fireplaces should be ventilated to allow an airflow to dry out any rain that gets in, but they usually aren’t. Add to that the washing that people dry inside and you’ve got lots of sources of water and very few ways it can get out.
This is very interesting, thanks, Jon! I always thought mould was so common in the UK -as opposed to Spain or Italy- because it's more humid and rainy here and there's not good insulation (which perhaps is also the case especially in new buildings) but this explanation makes total sense as the natural air flows have been tampered with in older houses. Besides, as you say there's the condensation that laundry causes so perfect storm for mould to flourish :(
I hear you! Bologna was great! Also spoiled us with all its portici so we never had to carry an umbrella! I am living a similar situation here in Melbourne. I see precious building being used for international (chinese) students right in the heart of the city, where more and more 'fast entertainment' shops are popping up, diminishing the overall cultural and social value of the city. Welcome to my Ted talk!
I am glad you survived some "unsavoury" experiences. Looking forward to hearing more about what you do on an evening out in London, so many new places have opened since I left.
London has become incredibly expensive now, unfortunately. I miss eating out as now it's not that worthy any more (what before was £30 for a really decent meal with a drink it's now £60 and above) so I rather spend that money on cultural activities. I guess you win some, lose some.
I understand. Cultural activities are worth it!
Interesting piece. I moved to London in 2012 and lived in a flatshare. The rent was around the area of £600, in Kennington - but it was a double room, me and my then-boyfriend, now-husband shared. We lived with four people. It was...interesting to say the least. Then we moved to Crystal Palace and I was worried about all the things you mention. But in two years there, we never felt unsafe. What we did feel was the that rents were increasing dramatically. So, when our contract ended, we moved to Brighton in late 2016. We were by the sea, in the most fun city ever, and with a cheaper rent. It felt like a huge win! And we do still love Brighton - but it's gotten so, so much more pricey now. In fact, when friends visit and ask about potentially moving here, I tell them the truth: it's the best place ever, but it's getting close to London prices these days. And safety, I'm sad to say, has declined. I was never ever afraid walking home here before the pandemic but I am much more cautious now.
Plus - why why why are all UK flats so damn mouldy? This was never an issue in any of the other cities I've lived in (Moscow, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Florence, or Milan. Well, yes, in Florence a little bit. But nothing like here).
There's been a surge in rent that has caught everyone by surprise. A number of friends have left London as a result and some others were thinking of moving to places like Brighton only to discover they were not massively cheaper. Probably because people started to move there a while back, tired of the gloominess of London and how expensive it was becoming. I remember that in 2019 going out three days in a row for drinks + dinner would be something around £100 for the three days. Now I'm lucky to spend less than £35 for a shared starter and a main without any drinks. And yes, the quality of housing deseves its own entry. Coming from Spain the standard of accommodation is well above the one in London. Our basic flat is considered a luxury property here, which is beyond ridiculous as one almost has to be grateful for having secured the only flat not infested with rodents or covered by mould. There's a very big divide in terms of quality and the problem is that because there are more people than places to live it's a savage market. But really glad you escaped this madness years ago and hope that Brighton's safety doesn't decline much more in the coming years as I may need to move there...
I can answer your mouldy question. In Victorian houses that have been converted to flats the heating was originally from coal fireplaces which needed a good air supply or they smoked, so there was always ventilation for the fires, which got blocked up when people installed gas central heating, as did the fireplaces. Those blocked up fireplaces should be ventilated to allow an airflow to dry out any rain that gets in, but they usually aren’t. Add to that the washing that people dry inside and you’ve got lots of sources of water and very few ways it can get out.
This is very interesting, thanks, Jon! I always thought mould was so common in the UK -as opposed to Spain or Italy- because it's more humid and rainy here and there's not good insulation (which perhaps is also the case especially in new buildings) but this explanation makes total sense as the natural air flows have been tampered with in older houses. Besides, as you say there's the condensation that laundry causes so perfect storm for mould to flourish :(
I hear you! Bologna was great! Also spoiled us with all its portici so we never had to carry an umbrella! I am living a similar situation here in Melbourne. I see precious building being used for international (chinese) students right in the heart of the city, where more and more 'fast entertainment' shops are popping up, diminishing the overall cultural and social value of the city. Welcome to my Ted talk!