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I have an odd relationship with where I live (Brixton / Oval). Three of my grandparents were born within a mile of where I now live (in the 1930s) but left during / after the war.
If I were a total twat I might claim to be an OG local, but obviously the history of Brixton since Windrush is slightly more relevant.
NickCJ-
I'm the same grandad grew up in walworth rd, lived on blackprince rd then left after ww2. and im well aware that I'm part of the problem of rising house prices putting local families in a hard position. esp as I'm now a landlord renting out as moved abroad for work. I hope this doesn't make me a total cunt. I mean I'm a cunt but not a total one.
Rich_G
Honestly mate, I'm just happy to know you guys recognise it. Many who contribute much more to the issue don't, and that's what I find more egregious. At the worst case you've got your Russian and Chinese investors buying up ghost penthouses as an investment, but we're all complicit.
You could even take my family - whom I love deeply - for an example. We're east London since 1776, old school London. My extended family all bought their council houses under Right To Buy in the 80s, and either stayed, or sold up at a handsome profit and fucked off to Kent / Essex. Now. I grew up here, all my pals are here. I've been renting here for 20 years. Finally got to put my name on a place in 2017 and my family were all absolutely apoplectic that I had to save for five years to get a 5% deposit for a literal bottom of the market place in Leyton. Apoplectic.
But they do not recognise - like literally not for a second - that they're part of the problem. (Just like I am!) It's very easy for born and bred Londoners like me to slag off the newbie, bank of mum and dad FTBers all we want. But the reality is you're not buying in a vacuum. You couldn't buy that property at an inflated price if people like my parents weren't selling them at an inflated price. We're all part of the same chain. If you want to put down roots here, and pay taxes here, and contribute to the city, even with help from mum and dad, then you deserve it man. London's for everyone, and we're all treading on someone's toes.