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Well_is_it
I am a long time lurker, used to ride fixed a bit in the countryside and when I was at uni in Bristol. Started to do a bit of road cycling but injured my IT Band and haven't really got back onto two wheels yet through fear of more injury. I often read threads on here, friendliest forum on the interweb is my go to place for opinions in the capital, not the best market research but better than nothing.
This is where I am. I graduated, moved back to parent's house over summer, applied for job, went to interview in Shoreditch, got offered job, I accepted it today.
Problem. I need to relocate, 170 miles (ish) south-eastwards. I've only been to London about 5 times in my life, I'm quite uninformed. For those who think I should start my career elsewhere; I figured this is an opportunity I have to take, if I don't like in 6 months after probation period then I can try something else.
Is it naive of me to think that I can rent an air b'n'b next week, scroll around spare room listings and find a healthy room for 600pcm (bills inc), somewhere within 30min cycle to Hackney Road (E2), with a nice landlord, in a flat share with really interesting young professionals, before next Friday? Where I can live freely outside the hours of 8:30-5:30, go to edgy contemporary theatre and dance performances, ride bikes around regents park, easily fall in love with wonderful people who dream big, cook faux-artisan vegan meals for us all to enjoy, ride Herne Hill classics on something italian and shiny and genuinely say "I'm great" when someone asks me how I'm doing?
Or is reality 800pcm in a vermin infested cupboard with white collar lads who play COD, drink and use tindr as a sport and in 3 months my dreams, bank balance, hope and libido have withered away to reveal I'm an insecure, lonely, cynical 20-something like others in Hackney, trudging through the grey city in the rain hoping I'm young enough to still travel the world and do something interesting? (I asked someone already and they said E9 / E8 / E5 which are my potential new digs, is an area being overly developed and most tenancy's don't last long with owners eager to develop and increase rental income.)
I stumbled into the Ace Hotel looking for a toilet and was aghast to see a whole hotel run by people from an Apple advertisement. I'm a veggie but eat poorly, teetotal, built like a cyclist, lack confidence, and don't have access to social media. The radiant glow from these youthful and trendy individuals was alarming and made me feel inferior and almost a failure, is this sort of supreme creature of Instagram perfection a regularity? For I fear I would become alienated very quickly, I come from a deprived area where ploughing contests and speed shearing are displays of machismo, most people are ill, nearly always slovenly and unpretentious yet keen to help each other, mental disability is common (almost expected) and where many spend their weekly income on TLC (Tinnies, Lotto & Ciggies). The stark contrast is scary as what little I have seen makes me feel I would be be an outcast. Part of me hopes that there is space in London for everyone including me.
Opinions welcome, hopefully this can be of help to others in a similar position
What areas should I be looking at next week?
How do I find great flatmates when I know nobody and am quite shy?
Any stories from a recent relocation to the capital?