37 (Not in service)

37 has been staying out for the Summer, playing games in the rain. France, Ibiza and Portugal, a European dream that convinces me I won't be living in London forever. What do we gain from being here? Opportunity-yes. Money-yes. Friends-yes. A range of things to do, from culture to sport, parties to parks, London does have a lot to offer.

But what about quality of life? Good food. Beautiful weather. No stress. No hassle getting to work. No feeling like life brushes past you at a million miles an hour and you better jump on board else blink and you miss it. There may be lots going on in London, but do you get the most you can out of it? Are you spread so thinly seeing different people, running here to there whilst also doing the best you can at work that you don't actually have a chance to stop and appreciate it?

I love it here...don't get me wrong. But the cost of living, and amount I spend on holidays to escape the hectic London lifestyle means I cannot afford to see the city as I would like to. There's a side to London which remains out of reach, and once you get into a routine of a certain way of life it is increasingly difficult to detach yourself from it, pull back from the circumstance and situation. How to say no to any of the numerous parties, birthdays, events taking place every weekend, how to pass up the opportunity to hang out with friends, when you know that by doing so will leave you broke again at the end of the month? How to break free from this vicious circle?! And you don't really want to anyway because you think, well soon I'll be older and things will be different ...

One option-to move abroad, where you won't know as many people, as many goings on. You'll stay in more, experience more culture on your own, save money, find other interests apart from socialising...the quality of life might be better, meaning there isn't as much need for release on a weekend. But would you end up going out just as much, meeting new people, new groups to spend your time with? Would the non-stop nature of work, sport, going out simply be transported wherever you go? I guess it depends where...and even if you did intentionally move to a quieter, more relaxed way of life, would you enjoy it, or soon crave your old lifestyle