If You've Lived In London, You've Probably Had These 17 Experiences

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimised by TfL.

Living in London is an experience like no other! If you’ve ever lived in the Big Smoke, there’s a great chance that you’ll relate to these 17 things.

1. Having the majority of your paycheck go on rent...

Fox

London is many things but cheap is unfortunately not one of them. Spending the vast majority of your income on rent is a rite of passage for everyone that lives here in any big city, but it still hurts. It’s basically tradition at this point.

2. ...Even though you probably live in a tiny room in a flat-share.

Comedy Central

Dreams of staying in lavish apartments and grandiose houses go straight out of the window when looking for somewhere to live in London. That is, unless you’re willing to give an arm, a leg, your life savings, and then some.

3. Then spending the rest of your wages on overpriced after-work drinks.

Show Time Sports

At some point you just have to accept that you’ll shell out a small fortune every time you go out for drinks. There is really no need for any drink, let alone a single spirit and mixer, to cost £17 but that’s London for you. 

4. Trying to dodge tourists like the plague in Central London...

Warner Bros.

As much as I love Central London, being sandwiched between tourists for prolonged periods of time really isn’t my idea of a good time.

5. ...And getting the pedestrian equivalent of road rage when everyone around you is walking slowly.

Fox

Nothing will test your patience quite like being stuck behind slow walkers. When you have places to go and people to see and everyone around you is moving at a snail’s pace, it is near impossible to keep calm and carry on.   

6. Having a love-hate relationship with TfL.

Buena Vista Pictures

One thing about TfL: it’s efficient as hell. It’s reliable (for the most part) and is definitely a cut above the rest, but it has its moments. There’s honestly nothing worse than being pressed up against strangers on the tube during rush hour or having to deal with bus delays when you’re in a hurry. 

7. Becoming irrationally angry at people who stand on the wrong side of the escalator...

NBC

Standing on the right side of the escalator is such a simple rule to follow, so it physically pains me when people throw caution to the wind and stand on the left. Being able to walk up the left side of the escalator when you’re in a rush is one of life’s greatest pleasures, so how dare they take that away from us?

8. ...And having your day completely ruined because you missed your bus.

CBC

Running for a bus, missing it, and then having to watch it drive off is a truly mortifying experience. And then having to wait an entire five minutes for the next one just feels like an unnecessary kick in the teeth when you’ve clearly been through enough.

9. Falling in love with random strangers on the tube.

New Line Cinema

Having to come to terms with the fact that you’ll never see these attractive strangers again is truly heart-breaking. If only life could be a Nicholas Sparks novel.

10. Knowing damn well that it’s too cold to go out without a coat, but doing it anyway...

Walt Disney Motion Pictures

When you choose to live in London you (perhaps unknowingly) sign up for an endless supply of miserable weather. While there’s sadly not much we can do about that, one thing we can do is not let a chilly day or a bulky coat ruin our outfit of the day. Truth be told, the cold never bothered me anyway.

11. ...And making the most of every ounce of the sun, because it’s never around for long.

BBC

It’s simple, when the sun is out, so are we. Even during summer, you can never guarantee decent weather in London. So when the sun finally decides to be the main character, you have to enjoy it while it lasts. Primrose Hill, Hyde Park, Streatham Common – London's park game remains undefeated.

12. Feeling horrified when someone tries to talk to you in the street.

Warner Bros. Pictures

We aren’t the friendliest bunch, so it really stops you in your tracks when a stranger approaches you. After the initial shock of having your personal space invaded, you then have to decide whether to engage in conversation or remove yourself from the situation as tactfully as possible. It's a tough call.  

13. Falling asleep on the tube and waking up at the very last stop.

BET

It happens to the best of us.

14. Having heated conversations about what areas actually constitute London.

ABC

Debates with friends over the unofficial borders of London are inevitable. If you live in Zone 6, are you really a Londoner? If you have to travel over an hour to get to Central London, do you actually live in the Big Smoke? If you’re within walking distance of the countryside, is calling London your home a bit of a stretch? So many questions, so little time.

15. Cancelling plans because your friends want to meet up North/South of the river.

Paramount Pictures

Travelling from one end of London to the other to socialise is a tall order. In fact, refusing to go North/South of the river simply because it would take an unpleasant amount of time to get there is a very acceptable excuse in my eyes. 

16. Genuinely considering moving away to be able to afford somewhere nicer...

NBC

A box room in London or a two bedroom apartment in the countryside? It’s a tough call. 

17. ...And then remembering that London really is the place to be.

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There’s no place like home, right?

Londoners, tell us your favourite thing about the city, and if you're from somewhere else, why not share your fave things about where you live?