Why I left London?

[@mutemiz]

The realest video on the internet, shared this will all my buds and although we are not European we noted the same shortcomings faced in your world right here at ours.

[@strictlyyoutube6881]

When I was poor and on the come up I seemed to have more friends. The more I bettered my life and lived more fancy I had no friends anymore. They don't want to be around me. I decorated my house as best as I can with antiques and artwork. No one comes or wants to come. I am slowly realising it is all meaningless. I am thinking of leaving London to somewhere and just living with my family and pets. I often think my children will also one day not visit me. I have started to really understand the character Hamlet by Shakespeare, that is how far I am with my thoughts.

[@trut52]

This is why I like living in Spain (after living in London). There is not so much unequality, even the mega-rich have very similar looking houses than normal people. Also the low cost of living is fantastic. People are really friendly too. And the average person on the street, is happy. Very much unlike the UK

[@kalex381]

This video nicely sums up life in London. I ve been living in London for nearly 30 years and I have experienced/ still experiencing lots of those negative emotions about living there. At the beginning I thought it was me who changed and did not enjoy London but I am glad to have come across your videos and see other people feeling the same…

[@itspart]

As a 100% British English man "Yorkshire " I would 100% Agree with you 👍

[@thru_and_thru]

Having lived in nyc for the past 13 years, a lot of what you talked about with London resonated with my experience It seems like these problems are having in major cities all across the world but I can only speak to my experiences in the United States. Some fantastic cities here that have been completely ruined over the past decade alone. It’s ruled out so many options for moving. It’s hard to know where to go in todays world and I am glad you found a great new place to call home.

[@calebgodard4554]

Thank you very much for sharing all of this. I'm receiving free wisdom

[@pavel3701]

Great video Ethan! One thing, don't say you are old, Ethan, you look great, you have enough resources to live independently, just try finding happiness inside of you and everything else will follow. What a bright and sincere man you are!

[@patsyballantyne9886]

You made the best decision. Me next as soon as I possibly can. Mum moved us down from Glasgow in 1986.

[@chimera8421]

Lived,worked bought up 2 children in London from 1967 to early nineties. Back then life was much better. Although we had to work hard, I think the rewards were better. Expectations not high but ambitions were achievable. We were burgled twice and cars damaged and broken into many times. I wouldn’t want to live there now.

[@atifakhtar3942]

I was mentioning this video to my brother today. I live in swindon but I can relate to the rate race, you are an actual influencer because you've lived and made it in the real world.

[@upsupeter]

Totally get you. Left the uk 16 years ago to live in Spain. I think I was probably on that same hamster wheel myself spending money to try and make myself happy or sometimes just because I could. Now that I have time and to me it’s more important than money. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy spending but at a different level. Is my life perfect no but genuinely time weather slower pace of life has been better for me. As you point out in another video being guy is hard enough without other crap that perhaps we can control.

[@newmankidman5763]

I totally agree with much of what you said, including "living for the weekend". I work at a Hospital as well, and every Friday, which fortunately is Today also, people who are not scheduled to work in the weekend are very happy and often happily commenting that it is Friday.

[@BigCityNights87]

Spanish here. Moved to London in 2018 since the job market in my country is completely dry. I cannot even begin to describe how living abroad in London has changed my life. It has transformed me in multiple ways and has definitely made me stronger. Despite not being high in the professional ladder, I celebrate every little achievement I made. I feel proud of my journey and have created amazing memories here. Having said that, I have also experienced every single thing you've described here and the time has come to call it quits. Rent is extortionate, salaries are stagnant, illegal immigration and crime rate is on the rise, the woke culture is invading all areas of our lives, etc I'm so so sad I have to leave this city. I cannot imagine what it means for you as a born and bred Londoner. I'm truly jealous of those who got to experience London 20,30,40 years ago...I only got to know the city when things started going downhill :/

[@EthanFromLondon]

Very well put!

[@HolyElkGaming]

Big cities can be the ultimate rat race! I hear ya. Not for everyone. Im happy you're doing what you're doing to make your life better.

[@mtrunk2472]

Ethan - Greetings from Los Angeles. I have no idea how I stumbled upon your channel, but I'm so glad I did. My wife and I very much enjoy your videos. You show great insight regarding the current sorry state of affairs in the Western World. I so appreciate your perspective and your message of common sense and humanity. I was struck by how your comments and criticisms of London and its inhabitants/citizens apply to Los Angeles - probably to most cities in the US and Canada. I haven't visited the UK and did not know that London was plagued with many of the same problems that we are currently experiencing. Funny how being liberal used to mean not caring about someone's race, ethnicity, gender, or gender preference, and now, to the far left "woke" who are co-opting the Democratic party, it seems like it now matters most. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Your efforts do not go unappreciated.

[@maureen14]

Yes, you really find out who your friends and Close family are in your time of need. I've always been there for people in my family and friends but when I broke both my feet a few years ago, nobody came to help me. I refused to ask anyone for help. If I had to ask that wasn't the person that I needed in my life.

[@peterobertson2086]

Yes, London is an ok city to visit,but not for living in. Have lived there, but back in the 80s. Visited recently, and it has gone downhill.

[@kacper5409]

I understand you. In poland(warsaw) the same things are starting to happen. We live in sad times. Greetings from Poland and stay strong!

[@gorillawear1065]

I am 26 years old, working the corporate life you just described. Paying off my house, building my stock portfolio and everything. Of course I do understand that there is a lot of corporate BS, but is there an alternative? I would like to have children at some point and provide them with enough financial stability.

[@sandorfuleki5060]

I lived in London for nearly 5 years. My life quality went up 5-fold when I moved to a home office setting. The commute into the City was horrible and I vividly remember having to let 3, sometimes 4 trains pass before boarding the next one and stand as you say, like sardines. But even so, what made me leave the city was the cost of living. Unless you're making upwards of 80k you'll never be able to afford a quality of life your hard work deserves. Looking back, had I stayed in the UK, I would have moved to the countryside, occasionally travelling into London. To this day I wonder how that would have been. Maybe in a next life :) Thanks for the video, brought back some great memories. Oh, one more thing: the quality of life deteoriating in London? Ir's happening all across Europe. I lived in Vienna after London and let me tell you, that city is also rapidly going from most livable to a crime-infested city. A real shame, liberal politics, crime rate, migrant issues, rising cost of living, destroying every big city I know of, from what I hear from relatives and friends across Europe and the US.

[@strictlyyoutube6881]

Europe is declining at a rapid pace. I am currently looking for an exit but for the life of me I don't know where.

[@borderlord]

Vienna is voted best city to live year in year out...hopefully the authorities sort out any low lifes spoiling things!

[@HighPriestessK]

Ethan, you’re not the only one. Many people in Western popular societies are waking up. I am blessed to live in the Southern US, where things aren’t so fast pace. Thank you for sharing ! That medium is correct on how we are drawn to certain places and feel at “home.” We normally had a loving past human experience in places we feel complete in. I’m glad you found your home.

[@NastyNathanial69]

Watching this video made me reflect on the period of my life when I lived in Los Angeles. For as long as I remembered I had wanted to live in LA. I thought LA is where everything is happening and that is where I should move. And move I did. I found a small cracker box apartment in Hollywood that I could afford and a job and I started what I felt was a new chapter of my life. But looking back on it, I now feel it's a chapter of my autobiography that I'd like to skip. After about a month of living there I quickly realized that I had made a mistake. I felt as though I was living in a toilet. So you know what I did? I did what you did Ethan. I left a place I was unhappy in. Now i'm at a point in my life where I am ready to begin a new chapter. Ethan From London I wish you knew how much I enjoy your videos. But I'm not sure if these comments convey it properly. Either way, Ethan From London your videos are absolutely fascinating. That is because YOU are a fascinating man.

[@eph7246]

I'm also legging it from the uk after 29 years, No Future here looking foward, just managed decline with a cocktail dose of corruption blended with greed to go with a.i. jobs apocalypse / armageddon. No thanks, off to the village and get back to Career No 1 (Farming, more farming and animal husbandry), i dont have the stomach to munch insects and unaffordable existence, a simple life is my utopia after my experience in the uk (west), its a trap and i'm ready to taste freedom from the Modern Western Plantation.

[@shaks6775]

Thank you for putting up another video ... I enjoy listening to you going on a bit 😊 Thank you.

[@shabedali3214]

This is a very good video. Made me open my eyes thank you.

[@damarysnavarro9884]

Hear that Sweden has horrible gang violence. I was very surprised to hear this. I imagine that living where you do, this wouldn't affect you. Love your honesty. Very brave to just leave and change your life the way you have. You are very inspirational. Maybe some day I will have the cojones to do it as well. Love ya Ethan!

[@danieldekovic9706]

You can really make a great video. As people and friends goes you know.. when you are down struggling, the only ones, if any, are here for you keep them. Everyone else should be kicked out and never ever let in person life again. That is what I learned and did. I kicked everyone out of my life who turned their back on me when I needed them the most. Maybe cruel, but this is something that must be done.

[@joycekepic8947]

For a lot of us, you are saying what we are thinking Hello, hello from New York

[@Michael-s5i5j]

Sage words, Ethan,but I am afraid the battle is being lost,Australia is also going down the same path,run by clowns. Hats off to you for having the guts to vote with your feet.

[@richarddutchholland4780]

I live in Wales, never been to London and never will if I can help it..

[@EthanFromLondon]

You don't have to move there but living close to one of the most amazing and historical cities in the World you are missing out.

[@leeklass3907]

I live in a village in Essex but have to go to east London as my employer has made this my nearest office as they closed the one that was twelve Miles away. As part of the journey I walk from the nearest railway station through a shopping centtre one of the messages you hear on the public address system is for for shoppers not to leave their mobile phones in public view . The number of security personnel you see around the shoping centre is is large. Even walking from my platform the train I have travelled on arrives on to go to the exit or the platforms for the Underground or DLR it's not unusal to see several Police officers even in in daylight hours. I used to think where my prvious office was has gone backwards but I would say this is worse. In the twleve years I have lived at my current home the chances are when you have trades people work at your home when you ask about the their journey to y home or where they live they often talk about where they grew up and how it's changed for the worse.

[@David-wp2iw]

regular "treats" so real. buying yourself stuff to clog emptiness for a brief period of time is so fkn relatable.

[@FastTrack-1]

It's all about money and connections Ethan. A lot think ...the more money you have the better person you are ....which is so narrow minded. All the points you've made are spot on.

[@Bazsoton]

As always - great video

[@jirawatana]

At the end of the day, you do not need many friends. it's not about quantity. it's always quality. lastly, learn to lower one's expectation is always the best mental medicine.

[@papagen00]

working for myself - best decision ever made. i prefer a small house in metro to a big house in middle of nowhere.

[@dlopes3584]

Being ambitious is a great thing to achieve our goals but being humble is also important. There's always someone better than us. You are enjoying now the freedom that money can give. That's 'the smart move' I think... I wish I could do that

[@VictorCrv]

Totally agree with you!

[@MarcS4R]

very interesting what you Median said, i feel the same way about the Basque country

[@fabriziocornali9739]

What life story! Thanks Ethan for sharing your story and feelings. I was having a thought or your last thing you said while ending the video. Why not trying Switzerland if Scandinavia does not work out? 😉

[@michaelgenias8491]

I hear you I left Sydney 11 years ago for Edinburgh and a few other places including the middle east for the same reasons. Sydney has become horrible in my eyes

[@patsyballantyne9886]

It can be extremely lonely living in London..

[@arniarna782]

Great video like always so true what you talk about

[@williamevans9426]

Dear 'Ethan', I have just discovered your channel and I am finding it truly fascinating, trying to view as many episodes as I can in chronological order. Hence, I have only just viewed your car drive from some six years ago, in which you explained your career path from surgery to independent management consultant. Clearly, you had a great initial interest in both medicine and technology and I was wondering, if it's not too presumptuous of me to ask, whether you come from a medical/scientific or a business family background? Whichever it was, you clearly developed a tremendous work ethic very early 'though, from this recent post, perhaps your self-discipline worked against your deeper personal contentment. I, too, pushed myself when far younger, only to suffer from poor health as a result, while some of your other personal reflections also closely mirror my own experiences. I always think we all have many acquaintances but few true friends (especially in smaller communities) who will go out of their way to help in a time of need. Anyway, I'm delighted you've found a real 'home from home' with good friends at last! With best wishes for the future, from Oxford.

[@EthanFromLondon]

I have several videos answering all your questions, so I am sure you will come across them.

[@knutbergan]

I like your commentary.

[@Stariqt]

Hi Ethan, great video and thank you for it. I too left London after living there for 3 years, I wasnt able to handle the toxic air and sick liberal mindset, combined with over consumption.

[@Marco_Polo790]

Currently living in London, cannot wait to leave for some nic'er place as Italy or Spain 😏👍

[@giordanocattani]

Siamo tutti sulla stessa barca, Ethan. Purtroppo è così anche in NL, IRL, I almeno per la mia esperienza. Sicuramente ci sono posti dove quello che descrivi è più marcato ed altri meno, ma la baseline è la stessa...

[@DoubleOSeven007]

Live outside the M25, way outside, the countryside, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Devon, Kent - all great people. Pop into London twice a year for a culture update; that's all you need. Avoid Surrey, it's too densely populated & people fight for space.

[@andersstreifeldt2990]

It is such a damn big city - i feel absolutely lost there..

[@johngraves1216]

im disabled and never got a penny of disability. i only know how to be broke. happiness has no price tag. no amount of money can make you happy

[@sigungajoshua6149]

ITS TRUE. COUNTRIES HAVE THEIR UNIQUE SMELLS.

[@allbushnocraft3031]

the cameras have nothing to do with security and everything to do with state surveillance

[@borderlord]

John Prescott was the first one to allow the ugly skyscrapers planning permission...and that set the precedent for all the others. I would have no problem with it IF they were all in Canary Wharf. You used to be able to look down from Primrose Hill and apart from the Natwest Tower and the BT tower it was relatively low rise and St Pauls still stood out. If you look down now you really have to look to find it...all the skyskrapers make the place like a complete ShitShow! Good video🙏

[@DoubleOSeven007]

Tax. From 6 April 2025, the current remittance basis of taxation will be abolished for UK resident non-domiciled individuals. This will be replaced from 6 April 2025 with a new 4-year foreign income and gains ( FIG ) regime for individuals who become UK tax resident after a period of 10 tax years of non-UK residence. Did this have any influence on your reason for leaving? I understand tax for high earners is 55% in Sweden, so even higher?

[@tylios2]

I am not sure how it was 20-30 years ago, as I was very young back then. But I moved to England post brexit and in the big cities, Birmingham, Manchester, London, etc... I just dont feel safe. I see too many dodgy guys wearing balaclavas, riding motorcycles without helmets, people wearing shity clothes, smellying bag in supermarkets, beggars, homeless people. I also don't feel like in these cities one gets the true british culture and so for that reason I decided to move to the countryside in Cheshire area. Hope its better than big cities, so far not impressed with England :/ I hope my POV changes otherwise in a few years I am the one changing, like you

[@EthanFromLondon]

Unfortunately the criminals in the UK have more rights than the law abiding citizens and that’s why it’s not a nice place to live anymore. The police can’t even chase these thugs on motorcycles because if they crash then the police are in trouble. Soon UK will become a dangerous no go zone if they don’t change their laws

[@pokiebaron1]

By the way, great top and cap! 🙂

[@kirillkovalenko1746]

❤️

[@blzebub2]

"You didn't have to lock your door or your car" Are you serious? London has never been like that.

[@EthanFromLondon]

Obviously you didn’t live in London all your life or you are too young to remember

[@louisdewit4429]

Amsterdam and the west of Holland has gone the same way. Individualized. Crazy house prices only expats can afford. No indigenous population so local culture and habit’s disappeared. Lots of alienation and crime. I have my pension now and also think about moving. But i need some sunshine. Perhaps Spain but not speaking the language and not knowing anyone there holds me, cowardly, back. I visited cold Stockholm a few weeks ago. Looked like a fairytale in the snow. Well dressed civilized friendly people. An atmosphere of quietness. Liked it a lot coming from rebellious ‘permissive society’ Amsterdam.

[@evertsmits4952]

Lots of people in Spain speak english. I think if you really want to then you should make a plan. Not making a decision will probably make you more stressed over time and overthinking.

[@louisdewit4429]

@@evertsmits4952 - Dank. ☺️

[@BigCityNights87]

​@@evertsmits4952 As a Spanish person, unfortunately, I have to disagree with this. The level of English in Spain is poor across the board I'd say. You would not get any job unless you speak Spanish or work for an international firm where employees communicate in English. If money/job is not an issue then yes, you can move there and eventually will learn the language as you will need it for basic stuff like supermarkets, GP, bank etc.

[@evertsmits4952]

Ah good to get new insights. Is that also true for the younger generation? Also does the location in Spain not matter?

[@wolfgrahl]

Of course the Grass is always Greener on the Other Side.

[@EthanFromLondon]

Unfortunately doesn’t matter how much you water it nothing is changing in the UK it’s getting from bad to worse.

[@ricardocoelho1523]

"Killing joke goodbye to the village"

[@dam00r]

You cannot expect people/all your friends to do same thing as your friend from Russia..

[@wreagfe]

Fail. Now try again.

[@EthanFromLondon]

Thank God you were not in my friends list 😂

[@louisdewit4429]

My friend got cancer. She was a single mother with a grown son living in Spain. She lived in a town nearby mine. I practically moved in with her taking turns with another friend for months. Was no sacrifice. She died.

[@OthoDeLagery1096]

Sugar coating until the end.