Guide for Departing from London: Reasons Given
In the past year, a significant trend has emerged as people, including journalists and authors, have chosen to leave bustling cities like London and move to suburbs or smaller towns. This shift, driven by the ability to work remotely and the desire for more space, has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Alim Kheraj, a journalist and author, was one of those who made the move from London to Sheffield in 2021. Inspired by the city's proximity to the countryside and lower rent, Kheraj found a two-bedroom flat that was more affordable than his previous sharehouse in London. He has never regretted his decision, despite the occasional difficulties he has encountered.
Kheraj has been positively surprised by the thriving arts scene and DIY spirit in Sheffield. However, he has encountered fewer opportunities to meet other LGBTQ people compared to London. Despite this, he believes that attitude, self-awareness, and expectations play a significant role in making a move successful.
Meanwhile, ex-Wallpaper magazine editor Alex Bagner moved with her family from Hackney, London, to Deal, Kent, in the summer of 2021. Bagner's book, "How To Leave London", discusses the reasons for departing the city. She set up two businesses in Deal, The Rose pub and The Blue Pelican restaurant, and has discovered a new lifestyle in the town, with more time spent in the countryside and fewer nights out.
The author of this article moved to Norwich in 2021 to do a master's degree, knowing no one and never having visited before. Living in Norwich has improved the 'quality of life', including owning their flat, having pets, and knowing their neighbors. The trend during the Covid-19 pandemic, as described by Elle Hunt and the Centre for Cities, was a significant movement of people leaving large cities like London, driven mainly by the ability to work remotely and seek more space outside crowded urban areas.
According to the Centre for Cities, most of those London-leavers don't move far away. The trend has caused slower population growth or even declines in London compared to other regions, especially northern England. Changes in migration patterns were tracked by ONS revisions showing internal migration and international migration influenced these shifts.
In Sheffield, Kheraj has discovered a new lifestyle, with more time spent in the countryside and fewer nights out. He has attended a sheepdog trial in Sheffield, an experience he found exciting. Kheraj has also developed an interest in medieval history, inspired by Julian of Norwich, an anchoress who lived by the River Wensum.
In summary, the pandemic has accelerated a pre-existing trend where people sought to escape the high costs and density of city life, facilitated by a rise in flexible working practices. This led to shifts in the demographic and economic landscape of cities like London, with suburban and regional areas seeing relatively more growth. As more people continue to make the move, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the larger cities and the towns and suburbs they leave behind.
[1] Elle Hunt, "Why the pandemic has accelerated the great British exodus from the cities," The Guardian, 15 March 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/15/why-the-pandemic-has-accelerated-the-great-british-exodus-from-the-cities
[1] Centre for Cities, "London's population decline: What's driving the change and what does it mean for the capital?" 2022, https://www.centreforcities.org/publications/londons-population-decline-whats-driving-the-change-and-what-does-it-mean-for-the-capital/
- Alim Kheraj, now in Sheffield, appreciates the city's arts scene and DIY spirit, yet laments less access to the LGBTQ community compared to London.
- Alex Bagner, formerly of Hackney, established businesses in Deal, Kent, and embraces a new lifestyle with more countryside time and fewer nights out.
- The trend of leaving large cities, as seen in London, has been significant during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many motivated by remote work opportunities and yearning for more space.
- As more people adopt this trend, it remains to be seen how the shifts in migration patterns will impact both the cities and the regions they leave behind.
