Would I go back…???

For those people that don’t know me, I used to live in London before I moved here to West Yorkshire. There are many reasons for the move but possibly the biggest one was the fact that house prices in London are atrocious and despite Biker and I were both working we could never hope to own a property in London. So, circa three years ago, Biker and I upped sticks and moved here to Leeds.

Now, I get asked a lot by people old and new about whether I would go back to live in London. Before I answer this, you have to understand that London was 10 years of the most formative years of my life. It is the city I found my identity and niche in the world, it opened my eyes to a myriad of possibilities and it has shaped me into the person I am today. I used to revel in being a ‘Londoner’ of sorts and loved the fact that it is such an anonymous city. Growing up in a smaller city to immigrant parents where people look at you and the first thing they see is that you’re Chinese and then they see you’re female, so even before you have opened your mouth they are already judging you. In London you can just blend – doesn’t matter what race and ethnicity you are – you’re just another face on the tube.

Saying that though, London is rife with problems. During the last years of our London life, Biker and I grew seriously jaded with the over population and social problems that are synonymous with London. But saying that, I miss the variety of shops, restaurants, social events, entertainment and of course my friends. I miss being in the capital, being in the ‘hub’ of everything, being ‘there’ when it happens…

But life in West Yorkshire ain’t all bad. I like the fact I can drive everywhere (too scaredy to drive in London), Biker and I like our little house and our little cat and I know Bikers likes his bikes!!! I like the fact I do not have to commute on public transport anymore, that I do not have to allow an hour to get anywhere and the fact I get change out of a tenner for four drinks! I like an abundance of legal cabs where you don’t have to haggle the price before you get in! Another great thing is that 20 minutes drive takes you into the beautiful and sometimes breathtaking countryside.

I guess now that I am 30, my life and priorities are changing. In my twenties, being in London suited me well whilst now that I’m older and wiser and thinking about my future and growing old, Yorkshire seems to be a better option!!!

What do you think???